U.S. patent application number 14/133036 was filed with the patent office on 2014-04-17 for method and apparatus for acquiring and displaying image data corresponding to content data.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sony Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Sony Corporation. Invention is credited to Nozomu OKUZAWA.
Application Number | 20140104998 14/133036 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36499000 |
Filed Date | 2014-04-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140104998 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OKUZAWA; Nozomu |
April 17, 2014 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING AND DISPLAYING IMAGE DATA
CORRESPONDING TO CONTENT DATA
Abstract
An information reproducing apparatus and method thereof. The
information reproducing apparatus includes a storage unit,
communication unit, controller, and display unit. The storage unit
stores music data and at least one first string of characters
corresponding to the music data. The reproducing unit reproduces
the music data from the storage unit. The communication unit
communicates with an image data storage unit, which stores a
plurality of image data each corresponding to at least one second
string of characters. The controller controls acquisition of one
image data from the image data storage unit via the communication
unit. The one image data is acquired based on a comparison between
the at least one first string of characters and the plurality of
the at least one second string of characters. Further, the display
unit is configured to display the acquired image data when the
reproducing unit is reproducing the music data.
Inventors: |
OKUZAWA; Nozomu; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sony Corporation |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Sony Corporation
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
36499000 |
Appl. No.: |
14/133036 |
Filed: |
December 18, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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|
12834701 |
Jul 12, 2010 |
8655874 |
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14133036 |
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11340631 |
Jan 27, 2006 |
8078654 |
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12834701 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
369/100 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 7/0045 20130101;
G06F 16/48 20190101; G11B 27/105 20130101; G11B 27/34 20130101;
G11B 7/005 20130101; Y10S 707/916 20130101; G11B 27/329
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
369/100 |
International
Class: |
G11B 7/0045 20060101
G11B007/0045; G11B 7/005 20060101 G11B007/005 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 7, 2005 |
JP |
2005-030675 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. An information processing apparatus, comprising: a memory
configured to store music data and attribute information
corresponding to the music data, each attribute information being a
title, an artist name, or a genre; an image database configured to
store a default image data and a plurality of image data, each of
the plurality of image data corresponding to one of the music data;
and a circuitry configured to determine whether image data
associated with a selected one of the music data is stored in the
image database, when the image data associated with the selected
one of the music data is stored in the image database, control
acquisition of the image data from the image database, when the
image data associated with the selected one of the music data is
not stored in the image database, control acquisition of the
default image data from said image database, and output the
acquired image data associated with the selected one of the music
data to a display when the selected one of the music data is
reproduced at a reproduction apparatus.
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2,
wherein said circuitry controls the display to display the acquired
image data in response to a user request to reproduce the selected
one of the music data.
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2,
wherein the circuitry controls the acquisition of the image data
from the image database while the reproduction apparatus is
reproducing the selected one of the music data.
5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2,
wherein the circuitry edits the attribute information based on a
user input.
6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2,
wherein the memory is configured to store the image database.
7. An information processing system, comprising: a memory
configured to store music data and attribute information
corresponding to the music data, each attribute information being a
title, an artist name, or a genre; an image database configured to
store a default image data and a plurality of image data, each of
the plurality of image data corresponding to one of the music data;
and a circuitry configured to determine whether image data
associated with a selected one of the music data is stored in the
image database, when the image data associated with the selected
one of the music data is stored in the image database, control
acquisition of the image data from the image database, when the
image data associated with the selected one of the music data is
not stored in the image database, control acquisition of the
default image data from said image database, and output the
acquired image data associated with the selected one of the music
data to a display when the selected one of the music data is
reproduced at a reproduction apparatus.
8. A method of an information processing apparatus for acquiring an
associated image, the method comprising: storing, in a memory,
music data and an attribute information corresponding to the music
data, each attribute information being a title, an artist name, or
a genre; determining, by circuitry of the information processing
apparatus, whether image data associated with a selected one of the
music data is stored in an image database, the image database being
configured to store a default image data and a plurality of image
data, each of the plurality of image data corresponding to one of
the music data; when the image data associated with the selected
one of the music data is stored in the image database, controlling
acquisition of the image data from the image database, when the
image data associated with the selected one of the music data is
not stored in the image database, controlling acquisition of the
default image data from said image database; and outputting the
acquired image data associated with the selected one of the music
data to a display when the selected one of the music data is
reproduced at a reproduction apparatus.
9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: controlling
the display to display the acquired image data in response to a
user request to reproduce the selected one of the music data.
10. The method according to claim 8, further comprising:
controlling the acquisition of the image data from the image
database while the reproduction apparatus is reproducing the
selected one of the music data.
11. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: editing
the attribute information based on a user input.
12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the image database is
stored in the memory.
13. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing
instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer
to perform a method of an information processing apparatus for
acquiring an associated image, the method comprising: storing, in a
memory, music data and an attribute information corresponding to
the music data, each attribute information being a title, an artist
name, or a genre; determining, by the computer, whether image data
associated with a selected one of the music data is stored in an
image database, the image database being configured to store a
default image data and a plurality of image data, each of the
plurality of image data corresponding to one of the music data;
when the image data associated with the selected one of the music
data is stored in the image database, controlling acquisition of
the image data from the image database, when the image data
associated with the selected one of the music data is not stored in
the image database, controlling acquisition of the default image
data from said image database; and outputting the acquired image
data associated with the selected one of the music data to a
display when the selected one of the music data is reproduced at a
reproduction apparatus.
14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according
to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises: controlling the
display to display the acquired image data in response to a user
request to reproduce the selected one of the music data.
15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according
to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises: controlling the
acquisition of the image data from the image database while the
reproduction apparatus is reproducing the selected one of the music
data.
16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according
to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises: editing the
attribute information based on a user input.
17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according
to claim 13, wherein the image database is stored in the memory.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No.
12/834,701 filed Jul. 12, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S.
Ser. No. 11/340,631 filed Jan. 27, 2006, which claims priority
under 35 U.S.C. 119 to Japanese Patent Application 2005-030675
filed Feb. 7, 2005, the entire contents of both of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a recording/reproducing
apparatus and a method and a program thereof and, more
particularly, to a recording/reproducing apparatus and a method and
a program thereof that are suitably applicable to a reproducing
apparatus for reproducing externally obtained music data for
example.
[0003] Recently, reproducing apparatuses of this type are adapted
to get music data from servers providing music data through the
Internet.
[0004] The music data thus obtained through the Internet generally
includes symbol images visually representing impressions of that
music data for example. A symbol image in this case is a symbol
image of the jacket of a particular CD (Compact Disc) to which that
music data is recorded, for example.
[0005] If an operation for reproducing music data obtained through
the Internet is executed for example, such a reproducing apparatus
as mentioned above may display, on a display monitor thereof, a
jacket image for example related to a title of music data specified
by that reproducing operation or to the music data itself, thereby
letting a user recognize an image and various kinds of information
of the music data to be reproduced at that time (refer to Japanese
Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-175624, corresponding U.S. Patent
Application No. 2002-159304).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The above-mentioned reproducing apparatus having the
configuration described above is adapted to get music data also
from each CD to which music data is recorded. However, the music
data thus obtained from each CD is generally not related with a
jacket image of that music data.
[0007] Consequently, when an operation is executed for reproducing
music data from a CD, the above-mentioned reproducing apparatus can
hardly display the jacket image corresponding to the music data
specified by that reproducing operation, thereby making it
difficult for the user to visually recognize the impression of that
music data.
[0008] Therefore, present invention addresses the above-identified
and other problems associated with related-art methods and
apparatuses by providing a recording/reproducing apparatus, a
method thereof, and a program thereof.
[0009] In carrying out the invention and according to one aspect
thereof, there is provided a recording/reproducing apparatus having
a recording device configured to record content data to a storage
medium and a reproduction device configured to reproduce the
content data from the storage medium. The recording/reproducing
apparatus further includes an image data storage device, an
attribute information detector, and a controller. The image data
storage device is configured to store image data corresponding to
each of a plurality of pieces of attribute information. The
attribute information detector is configured to detect, if no image
data is related with the content data, attribute information
related with the content data; an image data detector configured to
detect image data corresponding the attribute information detected
by the attribute information detector from the image data storage
device. Further, the controller is configured to control such that
the image data detected by the image data detector is outputted at
least during reproduction of the content data by the reproduction
device.
[0010] The above-mentioned novel configuration allows the
outputting of image data corresponding to the information attribute
of content data if the content data is related with no image
data.
[0011] As described and according to the invention, if no image
data is related with content data, image data corresponding to the
attribute information of that content data may be outputted.
Consequently, symbol images associated with content data may be
surely displayed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary circuit
configuration of a reproducing apparatus practiced as one
embodiment of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a diagram for describing genres defined in the
above-mentioned embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing a main genre vs. symbol
image table;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a flowchart indicative of an image display
processing procedure;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing attribute information
related with music data;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a flowchart indicative of an image display
processing procedure;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing an artist vs. symbol
image table;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a flowchart indicative of an image display
processing procedure;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a flowchart indicative of another image display
processing procedure;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a flowchart indicative of still another image
display processing procedure; and
[0022] FIG. 11 is a flowchart indicative of yet another image
display processing procedure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] This invention will be described in further detail by way of
embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
(1) First Embodiment
[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, reference number 1 denotes a
reproducing apparatus as a whole. If a user thereof executes music
data acquisition operation through an operation block 2 for
acquiring music data from a music provision server SV for providing
music data for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 3 that
controls the reproducing apparatus 1 in its entirety transmits
accordingly a music data request signal for requesting the music
data corresponding to that music data acquisition operation to a
music provision server SV via a communication processing block 4, a
network interface 5, and the Internet NT sequentially. Receiving
the music data request signal, the music provision server SV
transmits the music data requested by the music data request signal
to the reproducing apparatus 1 via the Internet NT. The reproducing
apparatus 1 receives, through the network interface 5 and the
communication processing block 4 in this order, the music data from
the music provision server SV, storing the received music data into
a hard disc drive 6. Thus, the reproducing apparatus 1 is able to
get music data from the music provision server SV. Likewise, the
reproducing apparatus 1 is also able to get a plurality of pieces
of music data bundled in one group as one album work from the music
provision server SV. An album work herein denotes a unit in which
music is sold as one piece of CD (Compact Disc), for example.
[0025] When an operation for acquiring music data from a CD is
executed on the operation block 2 of the reproducing apparatus 1,
the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 accordingly controls a
media drive block 7 on which the CD is loaded to read the music
data therefrom and stores the retrieved music data into the hard
disc drive 6. Thus, the reproducing apparatus 1 is able to get
music data from a CD.
[0026] The music data thus acquired from a music provision server
SV or a CD is related with attribute information for each piece of
music. This music data attribute information may include symbol
image data visually representing an impression associated with that
music data (in this case, jacket image data equivalent to a CD
jacket image) and a genre name indicative of a field to which that
music image belongs.
[0027] The attribute information for each piece of music, music
data title, album name, artist name, lyrics, and genre for example,
may be manually entered by the user through the operation block 2.
Also, it is practicable that, when a CD is reproduced through the
media drive block 7, for example, identification information
generated on the basis of reproduced TOC and music data be
transferred to an external server under the control of the CPU 3,
the attribute information corresponding to that identification
information be received from that external server through the
network interface 5 and the communication processing block 4, the
received attribute information being recorded to the hard disc
drive 6 as related with that music data along therewith read from
that CD. The external server may be a CDDB.TM. of Gracenote, Inc.
for example.
[0028] The present embodiment defines main genres indicative of
major classifications and sub genres indicative of specific genres
below the main genres as shown in FIG. 2 for example. In the
example shown in FIG. 2, main genres are "punk," "metal," and so
on. Main genre "punk" has sub genres "pop punk" and "metal punk."
Main genre "metal" has sub genres "pop metal" and "country metal."
Therefore, if the acquired music data belongs to sub genre "pop
punk" of main genre "punk," the attribute information of that music
data indicates character string "poppunk" for example indicative of
sub genre "pop punk" as a genre name. It should be noted that the
character string indicated in this attribute information as a genre
name is editable by the user, so that the character string may be
other than "poppunk."
[0029] If an operation for reproducing acquired music data is
executed through the operation block 2 of the reproducing apparatus
1, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 accordingly reads music
data corresponding to the reproduction operation done from the hard
disc drive 6 to reproduce the music data, thereby supplying a
resultant audio signal to an audio processing block 8.
Consequently, the audio processing block 8 sounds the supplied
audio signal through a speaker 9. Thus, the reproducing apparatus 1
is able to reproduce acquired music data.
[0030] At the same time, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1
reads the attribute information related with the currently
reproduced music data (hereafter referred to as in-reproduction
music data) from the hard disc drive 6 to determine whether the
attribute information includes jacket image data.
[0031] If jacket image data is found included in the attribute
information, then the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 displays
a jacket image on a display block 10 on the basis of that jacket
image data. Then, visually recognizing the jacket image displayed
on the display block 10, the user is able to visually recognize the
impression of the in-reproduction music data being reproduced at
that moment.
[0032] On the other hand, if no jacket image data is found included
in the attribute information, the CPU 3 of the reproducing
apparatus 1 determines whether the attribute information includes a
genre name.
[0033] If a genre name, "poppunk" for example, is found included in
the attribute information, then the CPU 3 of the reproducing
apparatus 1 recognizes, from this genre name "poppunk," main genre
"punk" to which in-reproduction music data belongs and executes
alternate symbol image display processing for displaying a symbol
image corresponding to recognized main genre "punk."
[0034] In this alternate symbol image display processing, main
genre vs. symbol image table TB1 (FIG. 3) stored in the hard disc
drive 6 for example is used.
[0035] In the case of the present embodiment, this main genre vs.
symbol image table TB1 shows "punk," "metal," and so on as main
genres. In this main genre vs. symbol image table TB1, symbol image
data D (1, 2, . . . , N) symbolizing main genres "punk," "metal,"
and so on are related with main genres "punk," "metal," and so
on.
[0036] In addition, this main genre vs. symbol image table TB1
relates a comparison character string with each main genre. For
this comparison character string, a character string is selected
which is high in the possibility in which the character sting
appears in the genre name in the attribute information of the music
data belonging to that genre name. For example, "punk" is selected
for the comparison character string corresponding to main genre
"punk." This is because character strings "poppunk" and "metalpunk"
for example are often set as genre names in the attribute
information of the music data belonging to main genre "punk,"
making it high possible that character string "punk" appears in the
genre name in the attribute information of the music data belonging
to main genre "punk."
[0037] Consequently, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1
compares genre name "poppunk" indicated in the attribute
information of in-reproduction music data with comparison character
string "punk" for example in main genre vs. symbol image table TB1.
If the CPU 3 recognizes that this comparison character string
"punk" is found included in genre name "poppunk," the CPU 3
recognizes main genre "punk" corresponding to this comparison
character string "punk" as the main genre of the in-reproduction
music data. Then, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 reads
symbol image data D1 corresponding to the recognized main genre
"punk" from the main genre vs. symbol image table TB1 and displays
a symbol image on the display block 10 on the basis of the read
symbol image data.
[0038] Thus, if jacket image data is not related with the
in-reproduction music data being reproduced at that moment, the CPU
3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 is able to display a symbol image
symbolizing the main genre to which this in-reproduction music data
belongs instead of displaying a jacket image. As a result, the
reproducing apparatus 1 may be realized that is surely able to
display symbol images associated with in-reproduction music data
being reproducing at that time.
[0039] In the case of the present embodiment, main genre vs. symbol
image table TB1 shows, for each comparison character sting, a
comparison sequence in the comparison between genre names in the
attribute information of in-reproduction music data and comparison
character strings. In the present embodiment for example,
comparison character string "punk" corresponding to main genre
"punk" may be assumed if determined with reference to FIG. 2 for
example that the frequency of inclusion in genre names ("popmetal,"
"countrymetal," etc.) of other main genres "metal" and so on than
this main genre "punk" be low, so that the comparison sequence is
set to "1" for prioritized comparison. On the other hand,
comparison sequence "metal" may be assumed if determined with
reference to FIG. 2 for example that the frequency of inclusion in
genre names ("poppunk," "`metal`punk," etc.) of other main genres
"punk" and so on than this main genre "metal" be high, so that the
comparison sequence is set to "2" for lower comparison
priority.
[0040] Thus, on the basis of a comparison sequence shown in main
genre vs. symbol image table TB1, the CPU 3 of the reproducing
apparatus 1 compares a genre name in the attribute information of
in-reproduction music data preferentially with comparison character
strings assumed to have a smaller frequency of inclusion in the
genre names of other main genres among a plurality of comparison
character strings shown in main genre vs. symbol image table TB1.
Consequently, the reproducing apparatus 1 starts comparison with a
comparison character string small in the possibility of inclusion
in the genre names of other main genres (in this case, "punk").
This allows more accurate recognition of the main genre of that
in-reproduction music data from among the genre names of the
attribute information of that in-reproduction music data.
[0041] The following describes image display processing procedure
RT1 of the first embodiment with reference to the flowchart shown
in FIG. 4.
[0042] When an operation for reproducing acquired music data is
executed through the operation block 2 of the reproducing apparatus
1, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 accordingly goes to
step SP1 to read the music data corresponding to the reproduction
operation from the hard disc drive 6, thereby starting reproduction
processing.
[0043] Next, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step
SP2 to read the attribute information related with the
in-reproduction music data being reproduced from the hard disc
drive 6, determining whether jacket image data is included in the
read attribute information.
[0044] If the decision in step SP2 is YES, it indicates that jacket
image data is included in the attribute information of the
in-reproduction music data, upon which the CPU 3 of the reproducing
apparatus 1 goes to step SP3. In step SP3, the CPU 3 of the
reproducing apparatus 1 displays a jacket image on the display
block 10 on the basis of the jacket image data included in the
attribute information of the in-reproduction music data and then
goes to step SP9 to end image display processing procedure RT1.
[0045] On the other hand, if the decision in step SP2 is NO, it
indicates that jacket image data is not included in the attribute
information of the in-reproduction music data, upon which the CPU 3
of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step SP4. In step SP4, the
CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 determines whether a genre
name is included in the attribute information of the
in-reproduction music data.
[0046] If the decision is NO in step SP4, it indicates that a genre
name is not included in the attribute information of the
in-reproduction music data, upon which the CPU 3 of the reproducing
apparatus 1 goes to step SP5. In step SP5, the CPU 3 of the
reproducing apparatus 1 displays a default image on the display
block 10 on the basis of predetermined default image data DN
defined in main genre vs. symbol image table TB1 shown in FIG. 3
and then goes to step SP9 to end image display processing procedure
RT1.
[0047] On the other hand, if the decision is YES in step SP4, it
indicates that "popmetal" for example is included as a genre name
in the attribute information of the in-reproduction music data,
upon which the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step
SP6.
[0048] In step SP6, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1
sequentially compares each of comparison character strings "punk,"
"metal," and so on with genre name "popmetal" in the attribute
information of the in-reproduction music data in accordance with
the comparison sequence shown in main genre vs. symbol image table
TB1. If the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 consequently finds
comparison character string "metal" compared second for example in
the genre name "popmetal," then the CPU 3 of the reproducing
apparatus 1 goes to step SP7 to recognize main genre "metal"
corresponding to this comparison character string "metal" as the
main genre of the in-reproduction music data.
[0049] Next, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step
SP8 to read, from the hard disc drive 6, symbol image data D2
corresponding to main genre "metal" recognized in step SP7 and
displays a symbol image on the display block 10 on the basis of
this symbol image data D2, upon which the CPU 3 of the reproducing
apparatus 1 goes to step SP9 to end image display processing
procedure RT1.
[0050] It should be noted that, if, in step SP6, none of character
strings "punk," "metal" and so on is found included in this genre
name after sequentially comparing comparison character strings
"punk," "metal" and so on shown in main genre vs. symbol image
table TB1 with the genre name in the attribute information of the
in-reproduction music data, then the CPU 3 of the reproducing
apparatus 1 goes to step SP5. In step SP5, the CPU 3 of the
reproducing apparatus 1 displays a default image on the display
block 10 on the basis of default image data DN and then goes to
step SP9 to end image display processing procedure RT1.
[0051] As described above, if jacket image data indicative of the
symbol of the in-reproduction music data being reproduced at that
moment is not related therewith, the reproducing apparatus 1
recognizes the main genre of that in-reproduction music data on the
basis of the genre name information related with that
in-reproduction music data, reads the symbol image data symbolizing
the recognized main genre from main genre vs. symbol image table
TB1, and displays the symbol image on the basis of the read symbol
image data. Consequently, the reproducing apparatus 1 is able to
surely display the symbol image associated with the in-reproduction
music data being reproduced at that moment.
(2) Second Embodiment
[0052] A second embodiment of the invention is different from the
above-mentioned first embodiment in the contents of attribute
information related with music data acquired from music provision
server SV or a CD. On the other hand, the second embodiment is
substantially the same as the first embodiment in the configuration
(FIG. 1) of the reproducing apparatus 1, the genre definition (FIG.
2), and main genre vs. symbol image table TB1 (FIG. 3). Therefore,
the following describes the contents of the attribute information
related with music data with reference to FIG. 5.
[0053] To be more specific, the attribute information of music data
is configured by track information ("TRACK INFO" in the figure)
indicative of information about the music data itself, album
information ("ALBUM INFO" in the figure) indicative of information
about an album to which the music data belongs, and data
information ("DATA INFO" in the figure) indicative of information
about compression algorithm for example used for the music data.
The track information in this attribute information may include
jacket image data (hereafter referred to as track jacket image
data) indicative of a symbol of that music data, a genre name
(hereafter referred to as a track genre name) indicative of a genre
to which that music data belongs, and an artist name (hereafter
referred to as a track artist name) indicative of a player or an
editor of that music data, for example. The album information in
this attribute information may include a jacket image (hereafter
referred to as album jacket image data) indicative of a symbol of a
particular album to which that music data belongs and a genre name
(hereafter referred to as an album genre name) indicative of a
genre to which that album belongs, and an artist name (hereafter
referred to as an album artist name) indicative of a creator or an
editor of that album, for example.
[0054] The following describes image display processing procedure
RT2 (FIG. 6) in the second embodiment.
[0055] When an operation for reproducing acquired music data is
executed through the operation block 2 of the reproducing apparatus
1, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 accordingly goes to
step SP21 to read the music data corresponding to the reproduction
operation from the hard disc drive 6, thereby starting reproduction
processing.
[0056] Next, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step
SP22 to read attribute information related with in-reproduction
music data being reproduced from the hard disc drive 6, thereby
determining whether track jacket image data is included in the read
attribute information.
[0057] If the decision is YES in step SP22, it indicates that track
jacket image data is included in the attribute information of
in-reproduction music data, upon which the CPU 3 of the reproducing
apparatus 1 goes to step SP23. In step SP23, the CPU 3 of the
reproducing apparatus 1 displays a track jacket image on the
display block 10 on the basis of the track jacket image data
included in the attribute information of the in-reproduction music
data and then goes to step SP31 to end image display processing
procedure RT2. On the other hand, if the decision in step SP22 is
NO, it indicates that the track jacket image data is not included
in the attribute information of the in-reproduction music data,
upon which the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step
SP24.
[0058] In step SP24, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1
determines whether album jacket image data is included in the
attribute information related with the in-reproduction music
data.
[0059] If the decision is YES in step SP24, it indicates that album
jacket image data is included in the attribute information of the
in-reproduction music data, upon which the CPU 3 of the reproducing
apparatus 1 goes to step SP23. In step SP23, the CPU 3 of the
reproducing apparatus 1 displays an album jacket image on the
display block 10 on the basis of the album jacket image data
included in the attribute information of the in-reproduction music
data and then goes to step SP31 to end image display processing
procedure RT2. On the other hand, if the decision is NO in step
SP24, it indicates that album jacket image data is not included in
the attribute information of the in-reproduction music data, upon
which the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step
SP25.
[0060] In step SP25, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1
determines whether a track genre name is included in the attribute
information of the in-reproduction music data.
[0061] If the decision is YES in step SP25, it indicates that
"popmetal" for example is included in the attribute information of
the in-reproduction music data as a track genre name, upon which
the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step S26. In step
SP26, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 sequentially
compares comparison character strings "punk," "metal," and so on
with track genre name "popmetal" in the attribute information of
the in-reproduction music data in accordance with a comparison
sequence indicated in main genre vs. symbol image table TB1. If
comparison character string "metal" compared second is found
included in track genre name "popmetal," then the CPU 3 of the
reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step SP27 to recognize that main
genre "metal" corresponding to this comparison character string
"metal" as the main genre of the in-reproduction music data. Next,
the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step SP28 to
display a symbol image on the display block 10 on the basis of
symbol image data D2 corresponding to main genre "metal" recognized
in step SP27 and then goes to step SP31 to end image display
processing procedure RT2. It should be noted that, if, in step
SP26, none of character strings "punk," "metal" and so on is found
included in this genre name after sequentially comparing comparison
character strings "punk," "metal" and so on shown in main genre vs.
symbol image table TB1 with the track genre name in the attribute
information of the in-reproduction music data, then the CPU 3 of
the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step SP30. In step SP30, the
CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 displays a default image on
the display block 10 on the basis of default image data DN and then
goes to step SP31 to end image display processing procedure
RT2.
[0062] On the other hand, if the decision is NO in step S25, it
indicates that a track genre name is not included in the attribute
information of the in-reproduction music data, upon which the CPU 3
of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step SP29.
[0063] In step S29, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1
determines whether an album genre name is included in the attribute
information of the in-reproduction music data.
[0064] If the decision in YES in step SP29, it indicates that
"countrymetal" for example is included in the attribute information
of the in-reproduction music data as an album genre name, upon
which the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step SP26.
In step SP26, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 sequentially
compares comparison character strings "punk," "metal," and so on
with album genre name "country metal" in the attribute information
of the in-reproduction music data in accordance with a comparison
sequence indicated in main genre vs. symbol image table TB1. If
comparison character string "metal" compared second for example is
found included in album genre name "countrymetal," then the CPU 3
of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step SP27 to recognize main
genre "metal" corresponding to this comparison character string
"metal" as the main genre of the in-reproduction music data. Next,
the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step SP28 to
display a symbol image on the display block 10 on the basis of
symbol image data D2 corresponding to main genre "metal" recognized
in step SP27 and then goes to step SP31 to end image display
processing procedure RT2. It should be noted that, if, in step
SP26, none of character strings "punk," "metal" and so on is found
included in this genre name after sequentially comparing comparison
character strings "punk," "metal" and so on shown in main genre vs.
symbol image table TB1 with the album genre name in the attribute
information of the in-reproduction music data, then the CPU 3 of
the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step SP30. In step SP30, the
CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 displays a default image on
the display block 10 on the basis of default image data DN and then
goes to step SP31 to end image display processing procedure
RT2.
[0065] On the other hand, if the decision is NO in step S29, it
indicates that an album genre name is not included in the attribute
information of the in-reproduction music data, upon which the CPU 3
of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step SP30 to display a
default image on the display block 10 on the basis of default image
data DN and then goes to step SP31 to end image display processing
procedure RT2.
[0066] As described above, if track jacket image data indicative of
a symbol of that in-reproduction music data and album jacket image
data indicative of a symbol of an album to which that
in-reproduction music data belongs are not related with the
in-reproduction music data being reproduced at that moment, this
reproducing apparatus 1 may recognize the main genre that
in-reproduction music data or the main genre of the album to which
that in-reproduction music data belongs on the basis of track genre
name information or album genre name information related with that
in-reproduction music data, read symbol image data symbolizing the
recognized main genre from main genre vs. symbol image table TB1,
and display the symbol image on the basis of the read symbol image
data. Consequently, this reproducing apparatus 1 may surely display
the symbol image associated with the in-reproduction music data
being reproduced at that moment.
(3) Third Embodiment
[0067] A third embodiment of the invention is substantially the
same in configuration as the above-mentioned first and second
embodiments. On the other hand, the third embodiment uses a table
that is different from main genre vs. symbol image table TB1 (FIG.
3). The following mainly describes differences between the third
embodiment and the foregoing embodiments.
[0068] In this case, the attribute information related with the
music data acquired from music provision server SV or a CD may
include jacket symbol data of that music data and an artist name
indicative of a player or an editor of that music data.
[0069] If the artist who played music data is "Dekoboko Sayaka" for
example, "Dekoboko Sayaka" for example is displayed as one of
artist names included in the attribute information of this music
data. It should be noted that each character string indicated as an
artist name in the attribute information may be edited by the user
for example, so that the character string in this example may be
other than "Dekoboko Sayaka." If an artist who played music data is
"Toba Outotsu" for example, "Toba Outotsu" for example is displayed
as an artist name included in the attribute information of this
music data.
[0070] When an operation for reproducing acquired music data is
executed through the operation block 2 of the reproducing apparatus
1, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 accordingly reads the
specified music data from the hard disc drive 6, starting
reproduction processing.
[0071] At the same time, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1
reads the attribute information related with the in-reproduction
music data being reproduced from the hard disc drive 6 to determine
whether jacket symbol data is included in the read attribute
information.
[0072] If jacket symbol data is found included in the attribute
information, then the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 displays
a jacket symbol on the display block 10 on the basis of this jacket
symbol data. Consequently, by visually recognizing the jacket
symbol displayed on the display block 10, the user is able to
recognize the symbol of the in-reproduction music data being
reproduced at that moment.
[0073] On the other hand, if jacket symbol data is found not
included in the attribute information, then the CPU 3 of the
reproducing apparatus 1 determines whether an artist name is
included in this attribute information.
[0074] Recognizing that "Dekoboko Sayaka" for example is included
in the attribute information as an artist name, the CPU 3 of the
reproducing apparatus 1 recognizes artist "Dekoboko Sayaka" of the
in-reproduction music data from this artist name "Dekoboko Sayaka"
to execute alternate symbol image display processing for displaying
the symbol image corresponding to recognized artist "Dekoboko
Sayaka."
[0075] In this alternate symbol image display processing, artist
vs. symbol image table TB2 (FIG. 7) stored in the hard disc drive
6, for example.
[0076] In the second embodiment, artist vs. symbol image table TB2
shows "Dekoboko Sayaka," "Toba Outotsu," and so on as artists.
Artist vs. symbol image table TB2 relates these artists "Dekoboko
Sayaka," "Toba Outotsu," and so on with symbol image data Dx (1, 2,
. . . , N) symbolizing these artists. It should be noted that, for
these symbol image data Dx, jacket symbol data related with past
music data by these artists may be applied, for example.
[0077] Artist vs. symbol image table TB2 also relates artists with
comparison character strings. For these comparison character
strings, those which are high in the possibility of appearing in
the artist names in the attribute information of the music data
played by these artists are selected. In this case for example,
"Dekoboko Sayaka" is selected as the character string corresponding
to artist "Dekoboko Sayaka" and "Toba Outotsu" is selected as the
character string corresponding to artist "Toba Outotsu."
[0078] Consequently, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1
compares artist name "Dekoboko Sayaka" indicated in the attribute
information of the in-reproduction music data with comparison
character string "Dekoboko Sayaka" for example in artist vs. symbol
image table TB2. If this comparison character string "Dekoboko
Sayaka" is found included in artist name "Dekoboko Sayaka" in this
attribute information, then the CPU 3 recognizes artist "Dekoboko
Sayaka" corresponding to this comparison character string "Dekoboko
Sayaka" as the artist who played the in-reproduction music data.
Then, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 reads symbol image
data Dx1 corresponding to recognized artist "Dekoboko Sayaka" from
artist vs. symbol image table TB2 and displays a symbol image on
the display block 10 on the basis of read symbol image data
Dx1.
[0079] As described above, if jacket symbol data is not related
with the in-reproduction music data being reproduced at that
moment, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 may display a
symbol image symbolizing the artist of this in-reproduction music
data instead of displaying a jacket image. As a result, the
reproducing apparatus 1 is capable of surely displaying a symbol
image associated with the in-reproduction music data being
reproduced at that time may be realized.
[0080] The following describes image display processing procedure
RT3 to be executed in the third embodiment with reference to the
flowchart shown in FIG. 8.
[0081] When an operation for reproducing acquired music data is
executed through the operation block 2 of the reproducing apparatus
1, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 accordingly goes to
step SP41 to read the music data corresponding to the reproduction
operation from the hard disc drive 6, thereby starting reproduction
processing.
[0082] Next, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step
SP42 to read attribute information related with in-reproduction
music data being reproduced from the hard disc drive 6, thereby
determining whether jacket image data is included in the read
attribute information.
[0083] If the decision is YES in step SP42, it indicates that
jacket image data is included in the attribute information of
in-reproduction music data, upon which the CPU 3 of the reproducing
apparatus 1 goes to step SP43. In step SP43, the CPU 3 of the
reproducing apparatus 1 displays a jacket image on the display
block 10 on the basis of the jacket image data included in the
attribute information of the in-reproduction music data and then
goes to step SP49 to end image display processing procedure
RT3.
[0084] On the other hand, if the decision in step SP42 is NO, it
indicates that the jacket image data is not included in the
attribute information of the in-reproduction music data, upon which
the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step SP44. In step
SP44, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 determines whether
an artist name is included in the attribute information of the
in-reproduction music data.
[0085] If the decision is NO in step SP44, it indicates that an
artist name is not included in the attribute information of the
in-reproduction music data, upon which the CPU 3 of the reproducing
apparatus 1 goes to step SP45. In step S45, the CPU 3 of the
reproducing apparatus 1 displays a default image on the display
block 10 on the basis of predetermined default image data DxN
defined in artist vs. symbol image table TB2 shown in FIG. 7 and
then goes to step SP49 to end image display processing procedure
RT3.
[0086] On the other hand, if the decision is YES in step SP44, it
indicates that "Toba Outotsu" for example is included in the
attribute information of the in-reproduction music data as an
artist name, upon which the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1
goes to step SP46.
[0087] In step SP46, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1
sequentially compares comparison character strings "Dekoboko
Sayaka," "Toba Outotsu," and so on shown in artist vs. symbol image
table TB2 with artist name "Toba Outotsu" in the attribute
information of the in-reproduction music data. If comparison
character string "Toba Outotsu" is found in artist name "Toba
Outotsu" in the attribute information of the in-reproduction music
data, for example, then the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1
goes to step SP47 to recognize artist "Toba Outotsu" corresponding
to this comparison character string "Toba Outotsu" as the artist
who played the in-reproduction music data.
[0088] Next, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step
SP48, displays a symbol image on the display block 10 on the basis
of symbol image data Dx2 corresponding to artist "Toba Outotsu"
recognized in step SP47, and then goes to step SP49 to end image
display processing procedure RT3.
[0089] It should be noted that, if none of comparison character
strings "Dekoboko Sayaka," "Toba Outotsu," and so on is found
included in the artist names in this attribute information as a
result of the sequential comparison between comparison character
strings shown in artist vs. symbol image table TB2 and the artist
name in the attribute information of the in-reproduction music
data, then the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step
SP45. In step SP45, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1
displays a default image on the display block 10 on the basis of
default image data DxN and goes to step SP49 to end image display
processing procedure RT3.
[0090] As described above, if jacket image data indicative of an
image of that in-reproduction music data is not related with the
in-reproduction music data being reproduced at that moment, the
reproducing apparatus 1 recognizes the artist who played that
in-reproduction music data on the basis of the artist name
information related with that in-reproduction music data, reads a
symbol image data symbolizing the recognized artist from artist vs.
symbol image table TB2, and displays the symbol image on the basis
of the read symbol image data. Consequently, the reproducing
apparatus 1 is able to surely display a symbol image associated
with the in-reproduction music data being reproduced at that
moment.
(4) Fourth Embodiment
[0091] A fourth embodiment of the invention is substantially the
same in the configuration (FIG. 1) of the reproducing apparatus 1
as the above-mentioned first, second, and third embodiments. Also,
the fourth embodiment is substantially the same as the second
embodiment in the contents of attribute information related with
music data acquired from music provision server SV or a CD (refer
to FIG. 5). The fourth embodiment also uses artist vs. symbol image
table TB2 shown in FIG. 7.
[0092] The following describes image display processing procedure
RT4 (FIG. 9) to be executed in the fourth embodiment.
[0093] When an operation for reproducing acquired music data is
executed through the operation block 2 of the reproducing apparatus
1, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 accordingly goes to
step SP51 to read the music data corresponding to the reproduction
operation from the hard disc drive 6, thereby starting reproduction
processing.
[0094] Next, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step
SP52 to read attribute information of the in-reproduction music
data being reproduced from the hard disc drive 6 to determine
whether track jacket image data is included in the read attribute
information.
[0095] If the decision in step SP52 is YES, it indicates that track
jacket image data is included in the attribute information of the
in-reproduction music data, upon which the CPU 3 of the reproducing
apparatus 1 goes to step SP53. In step SP53, the CPU 3 of the
reproducing apparatus 1 displays a track jacket image on the
display block 10 on the basis of the track jacket image data
included in the attribute information of the in-reproduction music
data and then goes to step SP61 to end image display processing
procedure RT4. On the other hand, if the decision is NO in step
SP52, it indicates that track jacket image data is not included in
the attribute information of the in-reproduction music data, upon
which the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step
SP54.
[0096] In step SP54, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1
determines whether album jacket image data is included in the
attribute information related with the in-reproduction music
data.
[0097] If the decision is YES in step SP54, it indicates that album
jacket image data is included in the attribute information of the
in-reproduction music data, upon which the CPU 3 of the reproducing
apparatus 1 goes to step SP53. In step SP53, the CPU 3 of the
reproducing apparatus 1 displays an album jacket image on the
display block 10 on the basis of the album jacket image data
included in the attribute information of the in-reproduction music
data and then goes to step SP61 to end image display processing
procedure RT4. On the other hand, if the decision is NO in step
S54, it indicates that album jacket image data is not included in
the attribute information of the in-reproduction music data, upon
which the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step
SP55.
[0098] In step SP55, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1
determines whether a track artist name is included in the attribute
information of in-reproduction music data.
[0099] If the decision is YES in step SP55, it indicates that "Toba
Outotsu" for example is included in the attribute information of
the in-reproduction music data as a track artist name, upon which
the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step SP56. In step
SP56, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 sequentially
compares comparison character strings "Dekoboko Sayaka," "Toba
Outotsu," and so on shown in artist vs. symbol image table TB2 with
track artist name "Toba Outotsu" in the attribute information of
the in-reproduction music data. If comparison character string
"Toba Outotsu" is found included in track artist name "Toba
Outotsu," then the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to
step SP57 to recognize artist "Toba Outotsu" corresponding to
comparison character string "Toba Outotsu" as the artist who played
the in-reproduction music data. Next, the CPU 3 of the reproducing
apparatus 1 goes to step SP58 to display a symbol image on the
display block 10 on the basis of symbol image data Dx2
corresponding to artist "Toba Outotsu" recognized in step SP57.
Then, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step SP61 to
end image display processing procedure RT4. It should be noted
that, if none of comparison character strings "Dekoboko Sayaka,"
"Toba Outotsu," and so on is found included in this track artist
name, then the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step
SP60. In step SP60, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1
displays a default image on the display block 10 on the basis of
default image data DxN and goes to step SP61 to end image display
processing procedure RT4.
[0100] On the other hand, if the decision is NO in step SP55, it
indicates that a track artist name is not included in the attribute
information of the in-reproduction music data, upon which the CPU 3
of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step SP59.
[0101] In step SP59, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1
determines whether an album artist name is included in the
attribute information of the in-reproduction music data.
[0102] If the decision is YES in step SP59, it indicates that
"Dekoboko Sayaka" for example is included in the attribute
information of the in-reproduction music data as an album artist
name, upon which the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to
step SP56. In step SP56, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1
sequentially compares comparison character strings "Dekoboko
Sayaka," "Toba Outotsu," and so on shown in artist vs. symbol image
table TB2 with album artist name "Dekoboko Sayaka" in the attribute
information of the in-reproduction music data. If comparison
character string "Dekoboko Sayaka" is found included in this album
artist name "Dekoboko Sayaka" for example, then CPU 3 of the
reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step SP57 to recognize artist
"Dekoboko Sayaka" corresponding to this comparison character string
"Dekoboko Sayaka" as the artist who played this in-reproduction
music data. Next, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to
step SP58 to display a symbol image on the display block 10 on the
basis of symbol image data Dx1 corresponding to artist "Dekoboko
Sayaka" recognized in step SP57 and goes to step SP61 to end image
display processing procedure RT4. It should be noted that, none of
comparison character strings "Dekoboko Sayaka," "Toba Outotsu," and
so on is found included in this album artist name, the CPU 3 of the
reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step SP60 to display a default
image on the display block 10 on the basis of default image data
DxN and then goes to step SP61 to end image display processing
procedure RT4.
[0103] On the other hand, if the decision is NO in step SP59, it
indicates that an album artist name is not included in the
attribute information of the in-reproduction music data, upon which
the CPU 3 or the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step SP60. In step
SP60, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 displays a default
image on the display block 10 on the basis of default image data
DxN and then goes to step SP61 to end image display processing
procedure RT4.
[0104] As described above, if track jacket image data indicative of
an image of that in-reproduction music data and album jacket image
data indicative of an image of an album to which that
in-reproduction music data belongs are not related with the
in-reproduction music data being reproduced at that moment, the
reproducing apparatus 1 recognizes the artist who played that
in-reproduction music data or the artist of an album to which that
in-reproduction music data belongs on the basis of the artist name
information related with that in-reproduction music data, reads a
symbol image data symbolizing the recognized artist from artist vs.
symbol image table TB2, and displays the symbol image on the basis
of the read symbol image data. Consequently, the reproducing
apparatus 1 is able to surely display a symbol image associated
with the in-reproduction music data being reproduced at that
moment.
(5) Fifth Embodiment
[0105] A fifth embodiment of the invention is substantially the
same in the configuration (FIG. 1) of the reproducing apparatus 1
as the above-mentioned first, second, third, and fourth
embodiments.
[0106] However, the fifth embodiments differs from the foregoing
embodiments in that, every time music data stored in the hard disc
drive 6 is reproduced, it is counted and reproduction count
information indicative of the reproduction count is stored in the
hard disc drive 6. The hard disc drive 6 of the reproducing
apparatus 1 also stores a plurality of pieces of symbol image data
corresponding to the reproduction count, such as symbol image data
indicative of a high reproduction count and symbol image data
indicative of a low reproduction count, for example.
[0107] The following describes image display processing procedure
RT5 (FIG. 10) to be executed in the fifth embodiment.
[0108] When an operation for reproducing acquired music data is
executed through the operation block 2 of the reproducing apparatus
1, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 accordingly goes to
step SP71 to read the music data corresponding to the reproduction
operation from the hard disc drive 6, thereby starting reproduction
processing.
[0109] Next, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step
SP72 to read attribute information of the in-reproduction music
data being reproduced from the hard disc drive 6 to determine
whether jacket image data is included in the read attribute
information.
[0110] If the decision is YES in step SP72, it indicates that
jacket image data is included in the attribute information of the
in-reproduction music data, upon which the CPU 3 of the reproducing
apparatus 1 goes to step SP73. In step SP73, the CPU 3 of the
reproducing apparatus 1 displays a jacket image on the basis of the
jacket image data included in the attribute information of the
in-reproduction music data and then goes to step SP75 to end image
display processing procedure RT5.
[0111] On the other hand, if the decision is NO in step SP72, it
indicates jacket image data is not included in the attribute
information of the in-reproduction music data, upon which the CPU 3
of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step SP74.
[0112] In step SP74, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 reads
reproduction count information corresponding to the in-reproduction
music data from the hard disc drive 6 to recognize the reproduction
count so far of that in-reproduction music data on the basis of the
read reproduction count information, reads symbol image data
corresponding to the recognized reproduction count from the hard
disc drive 6, displays a symbol image on the display block 10 on
the basis of the read symbol image data, and then goes to step SP75
to end image display processing procedure RT5.
[0113] Thus, if jacket image data is not related with the
in-reproduction music data being reproduced at that moment, the CPU
3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 is able to display a symbol image
symbolizing the reproduction frequency of that in-reproduction
music data instead of displaying a jacket image. As a result, the
reproducing apparatus 1 is capable to surely displaying a symbol
image associated with the in-reproduction music data being
reproduced at that moment may be realized.
(6) Sixth Embodiment
[0114] A sixth embodiment of the invention is substantially the
same in the configuration (FIG. 1) of the reproducing apparatus 1
as the above-mentioned first, second, third, fourth, and fifth
embodiments. The sixth embodiment is also substantially the same in
the contents of the attribute information related with music data
as the above-mentioned second embodiment for example (refer to FIG.
5).
[0115] Like the above-mentioned fifth embodiment, the CPU 3 of the
reproducing apparatus 1 in the sixth embodiment counts the
reproduction of each piece of music data stored in the hard disc
drive 6 and stores the reproduction count information indicative of
the obtained reproduction count into the hard disc drive 6. The
hard disc drive 6 of the reproducing apparatus 1 also stores a
plurality of pieces of symbol image data corresponding to the
reproduction count, such as symbol image data indicative of a high
reproduction count and symbol image data indicative of a low
reproduction count, for example.
[0116] The following describes image display processing procedure
RT6 (FIG. 11) to be executed in the sixth embodiment.
[0117] When an operation for reproducing acquired music data is
executed through the operation block 2 of the reproducing apparatus
1, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 accordingly goes to
step SP81 to read the music data corresponding to the reproduction
operation from the hard disc drive 6, thereby starting reproduction
processing.
[0118] Next, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step
SP82 to read attribute information of the in-reproduction music
data being reproduced from the hard disc drive 6 to determine
whether track jacket image data is included in the read attribute
information.
[0119] If the decision is YES in step SP82, it indicates that track
jacket image data is included in the attribute information of the
in-reproduction music data, upon which the CPU 3 of the reproducing
apparatus 1 goes to step SP83. In step SP83, the CPU 3 of the
reproducing apparatus 1 displays a track jacket image on the
display block 10 on the basis of the track jacket image data
included in the attribute information of the in-reproduction music
data and then goes to step SP86 to end image display processing
procedure RTE.
[0120] On the other hand, if the decision is NO in step S82, it
indicates that track jacket image data is not included in the
attribute information of the in-reproduction music data, upon which
the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step SP84.
[0121] In step SP84, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1
determines whether album jacket image data is included in the
attribute information related with the in-reproduction music
data.
[0122] If the decision is YES in step SP84, it indicates that album
jacket image data is included in the attribute information of the
in-reproduction music data, upon which the CPU 3 of the reproducing
apparatus 1 goes to step SP83. In step SP83, the CPU 3 of the
reproducing apparatus 1 displays an album jacket image on the
display block 10 on the basis of the album jacket image data
included in the attribute information of the in-reproduction music
data and then goes to step SP86 to end image display processing
procedure RT6.
[0123] On the other hand, if the decision is NO in step SP84, it
indicates that album jacket image data is not included in the
attribute information of the in-reproduction music data, upon which
the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 goes to step SP85.
[0124] In step SP85, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 reads
reproduction count information corresponding to the in-reproduction
music data to recognize the reproduction count so far of the
in-reproduction music data on the basis of the read reproduction
count information, reads symbol image data corresponding to the
recognized reproduction count from the hard disc drive 6 to display
a symbol image on the display block 10 on the basis of the read
symbol image data, and goes to step SP86 to end image display
processing procedure RT6.
[0125] Thus, if track jacket image data and album jacket image data
are not related with the in-reproduction music data being
reproduced at that moment, the CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1
is able to display a symbol image symbolizing the reproduction
frequency of that in-reproduction music data instead of displaying
a track jacket image and an album jacket image. As a result, the
reproducing apparatus 1 is capable to surely displaying a symbol
image associated with the in-reproduction music data being
reproduced at that moment may be realized.
(7) Other Embodiments
[0126] In the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, genre
names in the attribute information of music data are subject to
editing by user and therefore not fixed, so that main genre vs.
symbol image table TB1 defines that character strings high in the
possibility of appearing in genre names be related with symbol
image data as comparison character strings, thereby comparing the
defined comparison character strings with the genre name in the
attribute information of in-reproduction music data. However, if
the genre name in the attribute information of music data remains
unchanged, it is also practicable to define that this genre name
itself be related with symbol image data as a comparison character
string in main genre vs. symbol image table TB1, thereby comparing
the defined comparison character strings with the genre name in the
attribute information of in-reproduction music data.
[0127] In the above-mentioned third and fourth embodiments, artist
names in the attribute information of music data are subject to
editing by user and therefore not fixed, so that artist vs. symbol
image table TB2 defines that character strings high in the
possibility of appearing in artist names be related with symbol
image data as comparison character strings, thereby comparing the
defined comparison character strings with the artist name in the
attribute information of in-reproduction music data. However, if
the artist name in the attribute information of music data remains
unchanged, it is also practicable to define that this artist name
itself be related with symbol image data as a comparison character
string in artist vs. symbol image table TB2, thereby comparing the
defined comparison character strings with the artist name in the
attribute information of in-reproduction music data.
[0128] In the above-mentioned first through sixth embodiments, the
application of music data for sounding music as content data has
been described. The embodiments of the present invention are not
limited to this application. For example, video data (movies and TV
programs), still image data, game programs, text data (e.g. book
data), and program data may also be applied as content data.
[0129] In the above-mentioned first through sixth embodiments,
jacket images for example that are still images are applied as
symbol images visually indicative of images associated with music
data. It is also practicable to apply various other kinds of images
such as moving pictures (or video), icon images, and so on.
[0130] In the above-mentioned first through sixth embodiments, the
reproducing apparatus 1 having a recording capability of recording
music data acquired from music provision server SV and CD to the
hard disc drive 6 and a reproducing capability of reproducing music
data from the hard disc drive 6 is applied to a
recording/reproducing apparatus. It is also practicable to apply
various other configurations for the reproducing apparatus 1.
[0131] In the above-mentioned first through sixth embodiments, the
CPU 3 adapted to execute various processing operations by expanding
programs stored in the ROM 11 into the RAM 12 is used as a
recording means for recording content data to recording media (or
the hard disc drive 6). It is also practicable to apply various
other configurations. For example, each of components recited in
claims hereto may be implemented with a separate hardware
block.
[0132] In the above-mentioned first through sixth embodiments, the
hard disc drive 6 for storing main genre vs. symbol image table TB1
and artist vs. symbol image table TB2 is applied as an image data
storage device for storing image data in correspondence with
particular attribute information. It is also practicable to apply
various other configurations.
[0133] In the above-mentioned first through sixth embodiment, the
CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 is applied as a reproducing
means for reproducing content data from recording media, attribute
information detection means for detecting attribute information
related with content data if no image data (or jacket image data)
is related with content data, image data detection means for
detecting, from the image data storage means, image data (or symbol
image data) related with attribute information (or sub genre
information, artist name information, and reproduction count
information) detected by the attribute information detection means,
and control means for controlling such that image data detected by
the image data detection means during the reproduction of content
data by the reproduction means be outputted (or displayed). It is
also practicable to apply various other configurations. For
example, if a particular piece of content data is selected by user
through the operation block 2, the image data thereof may be
outputted. At this moment, that content data may not be reproduced.
When the reproduction of content data has ended and the reproducing
operation ends, the output of the image data corresponding to that
content data may be continued.
[0134] In the above-mentioned first through sixth embodiments, the
CPU 3 of the reproducing apparatus 1 executes the above-mentioned
image display processing procedures RT1 through RT6 in software
approach in accordance with programs stored in the hard disc drive
6 and so on. It is also practicable to apply hardware circuits for
executing image display processing procedures RT1 through RT6 to
the reproducing apparatus 1, thereby realizing these procedures in
hardware approach.
[0135] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been described using specific terms, such description is for
illustrative purpose only, and it is to be understood that changes
and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or
scope of the following claims.
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