JP2010211893A - Playlist sharing system and playlist sharing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To create and update a unique playlist including preferences of a plurality of users on a network, the playlist being individually created by the user in a player. <P>SOLUTION: A playlist management server includes a shared playlist creating section for creating a shared playlist by collecting the unique playlists received from each player 2. The player 2 is provided with a difference list creating section 25 for creating the difference list between the shared playlist received from the playlist management server and the unique playlist of the player, and a unique playlist updating processor 26 for adding a content list to the unique playlist when the content list stored in the player is included in the created difference list. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to playlist sharing in which a plurality of playback devices each having a unique playlist unique to its own device and a playlist management server that receives and edits a unique playlist from each playback device are connected via communication means. The present invention relates to a system and a playlist sharing method.

  Recent playback devices such as audio devices can play back only desired content from a large number of content registered in the device according to a playback list set by a user. That is, the reproduction list is a list of contents selected in advance for continuously reproducing the content data. Conventionally, such a playlist has been created and used by an individual.

  Recently, however, a system has been proposed in which a playlist created on one playback device is shared so that the playback list can be used on other playback devices (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  The content playback system described in Patent Document 1 connects a home audio device and a portable audio device with a USB cable, and the home audio device compresses audio in accordance with the contents of a playlist (playback list) stored in the portable audio device. The file is played back.

  Further, in the network system described in Patent Document 2, the playback device stores a unique list and a shared list individually. When the content list is edited by an editing unit, the edited content list is stored. As an update list to other playback devices connected via the network, while receiving an update list sent from another playback device connected via the network, the received update list is shared. The configuration is updated as a list. That is, each time one playback device receives an update list edited by any other playback device, the playback list is updated by the update list. Thus, only by updating the shared list of one playback device, the shared list of all other playback devices connected via the network can be updated to the same content.

JP 2008-276855 A JP 2008-276855 A

  As described above, a playlist is basically created and used by a user who uses one playback device. However, when it is created by an individual, the content of the playlist is likely to be fixed within the range of the personal hobbies, and becomes fresh with a little freshness while being used for a long time. For this reason, when a user starts playing content continuously using a playlist, a new playlist is recreated. Even in this case, however, the list will be created within the personal hobby, and a new field will be created. There was a problem that it became a thing with little spread. In this case, if a playlist can be created by incorporating the preferences of a plurality of users, it is possible for the user to take advantage of his / her hobbies and incorporate content with a new preference into the playlist. Can be created.

  Looking at Patent Document 1 in view of this point of view, in Patent Document 1, the home audio device can only play the content stored in the portable audio device according to the content of the play list stored in the portable audio device. In other words, the preferences of other users are not incorporated into the playlist of contents registered in the home audio device.

  Similarly, when viewing Patent Document 2, since a single playback device stores both the unique list and the shared list, the shared list can be continuously played back. However, in this shared list, when the shared list is simply updated in one playback device, the shared list of all the other playback devices is only updated to the same content list. However, it is still necessary for the user who uses the playback apparatus to create it individually, and it is not updated to a list that incorporates the preferences of multiple users. Therefore, as long as the content is continuously played back based on the unique list, the same content is always played back in the same order, and the playback of the content that incorporates the tastes of multiple users is included in it while taking advantage of its own taste. Such a unique playlist cannot be created.

  The present invention was devised to solve such problems. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a unique playlist that incorporates the preferences of a plurality of users on the network with respect to the unique playlist created by the user in each playback device. It is possible to provide a playlist sharing system and a playlist sharing method that can always maintain the content of a unique playlist with fresh content incorporating the tastes of other users by enabling creation and updating of is there.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a playlist sharing system according to the present invention includes a plurality of playback devices having unique playlists unique to the device, and a playlist management server that receives and edits the unique playlist from each of the playback devices. In the playlist sharing system connected to each other via a communication unit, the playlist management server includes a shared playlist creating unit that aggregates the unique playlists received from the respective playback devices and creates a shared playlist. The playback device includes a difference list creation means for creating a difference list between the shared playlist received from the playlist management server and a unique playlist of the own device, and stores the difference list in the created difference list in the own device. If the content list is included, a process for adding the content list to the unique playlist is performed. It is characterized by comprising: a playlist updating process means.

  In the playlist sharing method of the present invention, a plurality of playback devices having unique playlists unique to the device itself and a playlist management server that receives and edits the unique playlist from each of the playback devices have communication means. A playlist sharing method implemented in a system connected via the playlist management server, wherein the playlist management server performs a procedure of totalizing the unique playlist received from each playback device to create a shared playlist The playback device stores a difference list creation procedure for creating a difference list between the shared playlist received from the playlist management server and a unique playlist of the device itself, and the difference list creation procedure is stored in the created difference list. The procedure for determining whether or not the content list is included, and if it is determined that the content list is included, Is characterized by carrying out the specific playlist updating process procedure for performing processing to be applied to the raw list, the.

  That is, the shared playlist creation means of the playlist management server creates a shared playlist by counting the unique playlist received from each playback device. Specifically, the shared playlist creation means creates a list of all contents included in all received unique playlists as a shared playlist. For example, a unique reproduction list including a list of two contents of music 1 and music 20 is received from one reproduction apparatus, and a unique reproduction list including a list of two contents of music 20 and music 300 is received from another reproduction apparatus. , The shared playlist creation means creates a shared playlist including all the contents included in these unique playlists, that is, music 1, music 20, and music 300.

  The difference list creating means of the playback device creates a difference list between the shared playlist received from the playlist management server and the unique playlist of the own device. For example, it is assumed that 100 pieces of music from music 1 to music 100 are stored in the own device, and a playlist including the above two contents lists of music 1 and music 20 is provided as a unique playlist. If it is provided, the difference list creating means makes a difference between the music 20 and music 300 content lists, which are the differences between the music 1 and music 20 of the unique playback list and the music 1 and music 20 and music 300 of the shared playback list. Create as a list.

  If the created difference list includes a list of contents stored in the own device, the unique playlist update processing means performs processing for adding the list of contents to the unique playlist. That is, the difference list includes a list of music 20 and music 300, but since only the music 1 to music 100 are stored in its own device, only the list of music 20 is extracted from the difference list. Then, a process of adding the music 20 list to the unique reproduction list is performed. As a result, the unique playback list of the own device is updated from the playback list including the two contents of music 1 and music 2 to the playback list including the three contents of music 1, music 2 and music 20. That is, the music 20 being watched by another user is added to the unique playlist of the playback device used by the user, and the own playlist of the user incorporates the taste of the other user. Yes.

  In the playlist sharing system of the present invention, the playback device has a plurality of unique playlists classified according to preset themes (for example, “commuting”, “running”, “relaxed”). The shared playlist creation means of the playlist management server creates a shared playlist for each theme.

  In addition, the playback device transmits a unique playlist to the playlist management server every predetermined period, and the playlist management server creates the shared playlist every predetermined period or every time the unique playlist is received. It is configured to do. Here, although the predetermined period can be arbitrarily set, for example, by setting it to one week or the like, the shared reproduction list is updated every week. In addition, by creating (updating) the shared playlist every time the unique playlist is received, the unique playlist received from another user can be reflected in the shared playlist in real time.

  On the other hand, the playback device is configured to acquire the shared playlist from the playlist management server every predetermined period or based on a list request operation by a user. In this way, by acquiring the shared playlist for each predetermined period, the contents of the unique playlist of each playback device are reviewed every predetermined period (for example, one week). According to the difference list, the unique reproduction list of the own device is recreated (that is, added and updated). This makes it possible to create (update) a unique playlist that reflects the preferences of other users.

  According to the present invention, in the playlist management server on the network, the information on the unique playlist created by the user of each playback device is aggregated and stored as a shared playlist, and each playback device uses this shared playlist. By updating the content of the unique playlist of the own device, the unique playlist can be updated to a fresh content incorporating the tastes of other users.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a playlist sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a play list management server. It is a block diagram which shows the basic composition of the reproducing | regenerating apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the content database of one reproducing | regenerating apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the specific reproduction | regeneration list | wrist stored in the list storage part of one reproduction | regeneration apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display screen of a display part for demonstrating the process sequence when registering a content to each intrinsic | native reproduction list. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence which produces a shared play list in a play list management server. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a unique reproduction list tabulation process and a shared reproduction list creation process procedure in step S <b> 6 of FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a unique reproduction list tabulation process and a shared reproduction list creation process procedure in step S <b> 6 of FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a unique reproduction list tabulation process and a shared reproduction list creation process procedure in step S <b> 6 of FIG. 7. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which updates a specific reproduction list with arbitrary reproduction | regeneration apparatuses. It is explanatory drawing of the procedure which updates the specific reproduction list a with arbitrary reproducing | regenerating apparatuses. It is explanatory drawing of the procedure which updates the specific reproduction | regeneration list e with arbitrary reproduction | regeneration apparatuses. It is explanatory drawing of the procedure which updates the specific reproduction list f with arbitrary reproduction | regeneration apparatuses.

  Embodiments of a playlist sharing system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a playlist sharing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The playlist sharing system of the present embodiment receives a plurality of playback devices 2, 2,... Having a unique playlist unique to the device itself, and a unique playlist from each playback device 2, 2,. The playlist management server 1 to be edited is connected via the network N. The number of playback devices 2 connected to the network N is not limited to the illustrated example, and is arbitrary.

  The network N is, for example, a network conforming to the DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) standard. Specifically, the network N includes a wired LAN conforming to the Ethernet (registered trademark) standard, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) conforming to the Bluetooth standard, the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 802.11 standard, and the like. It is a network.

  Here, as the playback device 2, for example, a flash memory or hard disk drive for recording compressed digital audio data such as a CD player (or CD recorder), an MD player (or MD recorder), MP3 (MPEG1 Audio Layer-3), etc. And various devices such as a personal computer (personal computer), a digital TV, and a digital audio device.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the playlist management server 1.

  The playlist management server 1 includes a control unit 12, an input / output unit 13, a buffer unit 14, a shared playlist creation unit 15, and a list storage unit 16.

  The control unit 12 is a control block that controls the operation of each of the above-described units. Although not shown, the control unit 12 includes a CPU, a ROM that stores an operation program, a RAM that serves as a work area for storing various data and programs, and the like. It is configured.

  The input / output unit 13 is a block that performs transmission / reception to / from each playback device 2, 2,... Via the network N1, and receives a unique playlist transmitted from each playback device 2, 2,. In addition, it has a function of transmitting a later-described shared playback list to the playback device 2 that has requested the list.

  The buffer unit 14 is a block for temporarily storing the unique reproduction list received from the reproduction apparatus 2 via the input / output unit 13.

  The shared play list creation unit 15 is a block that creates a shared play list by collecting the unique play lists received from the respective playback devices 2, 2,...

  The list storage unit 16 is a block for storing the shared playback list created by the shared playback list creation unit 15.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of the playback apparatus 2. As described above, various types of playback apparatuses can be used, but here, the configuration of the main parts of the functional parts common to them is shown.

  The playback apparatus 2 includes a content database 21, which is a recording medium, a control unit 22, an input / output unit 23, a recording / playback unit 24, a difference list creation unit 25, a unique playlist update processing unit 26, a list storage unit 27, and an output unit. 28, an operation unit 29, a display unit 30, and a speaker 31.

  The control unit 22 is a control block that controls the operation of each of the above-described units. Although not shown, the control unit 22 includes a CPU, a ROM that stores an operation program, a RAM that serves as a work area during storage of various data and program operations, and the like. It is configured.

  The input / output unit 23 is a block that transmits and receives a unique playlist and a shared playlist to and from the playlist management server 1 via the network N. The input / output unit 23 is also a communication unit that downloads content from a content distribution server (not shown) via the Internet or the like when the playback device 2 is a personal computer, for example. When the playback device 2 is a portable music player, it is also a communication unit that downloads content from a personal computer.

  The recording / playback unit 24 processes content data input from the input / output unit 23 and records this content in the content database 21. Depending on the type of playback device, the content database 21 may be a magnetic disk such as an HD (hard disk), an optical disk system such as an MD or DVD, a card system such as an IC card or an optical card, or a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory. There is. The recording / playback unit 24 also has a playback function of reading content data recorded in the content database 21 and outputting it to the output unit 28 under the control of the control unit 22. The recording / playback unit 24 also has a function of performing an encoding process for encoding content data to be recorded in the content database 21 and a decoding process for decoding content data read from the content database 21.

  The difference list creation unit 25 creates a difference list between the shared play list received from the play list management server 1 and the unique play list of the own device.

  The unique reproduction list update processing unit 26 determines whether or not the list of contents stored in the own device is included in the difference list created by the difference list creation unit 25. Performs processing for adding the list of contents to the specific reproduction list.

  The list storage unit 27 is a block for storing a unique reproduction list created individually by the user. Here, the specific reproduction list is a list in which specific information of contents desired by the user is listed. The specific information is, for example, a content title name or artist name. The list storage unit 27 also temporarily stores the difference list created by the difference list creation unit 25.

  The output unit 28 processes content data input from the recording / playback unit 24, and generates and outputs a video signal and an audio signal of the content. For this reason, the output unit 28 is connected to a display unit 30 that displays video and a speaker 31 that transmits audio. The display unit 30 displays a video based on the video signal input from the output unit 28. Further, the display unit 30 includes an OSD circuit (not shown), and displays various operation screens by operations of the operation unit 29. The speaker 31 sends out sound based on the sound signal input from the output unit 28.

  The operation unit 29 includes an operation button for a user to perform an input operation, and a remote control reception unit that receives a control signal transmitted from a remote controller (not shown).

  FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the content database 21 of one playback apparatus 2.

  The content database 21 includes items such as a file number, content data, a title name (song name), and an artist name. In this example, the contents of 100 songs from file numbers 1 to 100 are recorded in the content database 21. It shall be.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of a unique playback list stored in the list storage unit 27 of the one playback device 2.

  The list storage unit 27 stores unique reproduction lists classified into various themes. The theme of these unique playlists is arbitrarily selected by the user operation from the themes held in advance by the playback device 2.

  In the present embodiment, the unique playlist a is a playlist in which content added to the playback device 2 during a certain period (for example, one month) is automatically registered. The unique playlists b to d are playlists classified according to cases in which the playback device 2 is used (for example, “commuting”, “running”, “relaxing”, etc.). The content registered in is arbitrarily selected by a user operation. In addition, the unique playlist e is a playlist in which a list of the contents of the artists of the top multiple names (in this example, top 3 names) who have played many times during a certain period (for example, one month) is automatically registered. It is a list. The unique playlist f is a playlist of themes (for example, themes such as “Sea”, “Christmas”, “Graduation”) acquired from various servers on the network (not shown) when connected to the network.

  In the present embodiment, titles of three contents of music 1, 2, and 3 are registered in the unique reproduction list a, and 5 of music 3, 8, 60, 78, and 80 are registered in the unique reproduction list b. The title names of three contents are registered, the title names of three contents of music 8, 25, 41 are registered in the unique reproduction list c, and the music 1, 5, 15 are registered in the unique reproduction list d. , 36, 54, and 93 are registered, and the artist names of artists 7, 8, and 9 are registered in the unique reproduction list e. It is assumed that nothing is registered in the unique reproduction list f at the present time.

  Note that these classifications are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these.

  <Description of registration procedure for unique playlist>

  Next, a processing procedure for registering the content as described above in each of the specific reproduction lists a to f will be described with reference to a display screen example of the display unit 30 shown in FIG.

  When a desired content is selected by operating a content selection button (not shown) of the operation unit 29 and a list registration button (not shown) of the operation unit 29 is operated in that state, the list registration screen shown in FIG. Is done. That is, the icons a to f for each unique playlist are displayed. In addition, registration buttons A to F are arranged corresponding to the icons a to f in the operation panel portion (or the display screen may be displayed) under the icons a to f. Therefore, for example, when the user wants to register the currently selected content in the unique reproduction list b, by pressing the registration button B, the title name of the content is registered in the unique reproduction list b. The user can register a list of desired contents in each of the specific reproduction lists a to f as shown in FIG. 5 by repeating the above processing for each theme.

  <Description of shared playlist creation processing procedure>

  Next, a processing procedure for creating a shared playlist in the playlist management server 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The user of each playback device 2, 2,... Creates the specific playlists a to f created as described above (or updated by appropriate addition or deletion) for a predetermined period (for example, one week). Is transmitted to the playlist management server 1 every time. This predetermined period can be measured by a timer circuit or the like (not shown) in the playback apparatus 2. However, the transmission of the unique playlist from the playback device 2 to the playlist management server 1 may be automatically performed at predetermined intervals as described above, or the user may transmit a list (not shown) of the operation unit 27. It is good also as a structure which transmits at any time by operating a button.

  When an arbitrary playback device 2 is connected via the network N (when it is determined Yes in step S1), the playlist management server 1 transmits a transmission request for a shared playlist from the connected playback device 2. It is monitored whether or not it has been performed (step S2), and whether or not a specific reproduction list has been transmitted from any playback device 2 (step S3). Here, the processing in step S7 when a transmission request for the shared reproduction list is transmitted will be described later.

  When the unique reproduction list is transmitted (Yes in step S3), the transmitted unique reproduction list is received by the input / output unit 13 and stored in the buffer unit 14 (step S4). . The playlist management server 1 repeats the processes in steps S3 and S4 until a predetermined period (for example, one week) elapses (step S5), and when the predetermined period elapses (Yes in step S5). ), The unique playlists stored in the buffer unit 14 at that time are aggregated by theme, and a shared playlist by theme is created (step S6).

  The playlist management server 1 repeats such processing (steps S3 to S6), and updates the shared playlist to a new one every predetermined period.

  On the other hand, after any player 2 is connected, if neither a shared playlist transmission request nor a unique playlist is received (No in step S2 and No in step S3), playback is performed. It is determined whether or not the connection of the device 2 has been disconnected (step S8), and the process is terminated at the disconnected location. On the other hand, if the disconnection could not be confirmed, the process returns to step S2, whether or not a transmission request for the shared playback list has been transmitted from the playback apparatus 2, and the unique playback list is transmitted from the playback apparatus 2 in step S3. Continue monitoring whether or not it has been done.

  Next, the process of counting the unique playlist and the process of creating the shared playlist in step S6 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. However, here, for convenience of explanation, the total reproduction processing of the unique reproduction lists a, e, and f and the creation processing of the shared reproduction lists a, e, and f for the three themes will be described.

  Assume that two specific reproduction lists a1 and a2 as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, for example, are stored in the buffer unit 14 when a predetermined period has elapsed. That is, a unique reproduction list a1 including a list of two contents of music 1 and music 20 received from one reproduction apparatus 2 and a list of two contents of music 20 and music 300 received from another reproduction apparatus 2 Is stored, the shared playlist creation unit 15 stores all contents included in the two unique playlists a1 and a2, that is, music 1, music 20, and music 300. A list including all contents is created as a shared reproduction list a (see (C)).

  Further, it is assumed that, for example, two unique reproduction lists e1 and e2 as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B are stored in the buffer unit 14 when a predetermined period has elapsed. That is, the unique reproduction list e1 including a list of one content of the artist 90 received from one reproduction apparatus 2 and the unique reproduction list including two contents of the artist 8 and the artist 700 received from the other reproduction apparatus 2 If the play list e2 is stored, the shared play list creation unit 15 stores all contents included in the two unique play lists e1 and e2, that is, all contents of artist 8, artist 90, and artist 700. Is created as a shared reproduction list e (see (C)).

  Further, it is assumed that, for example, two unique reproduction lists f1 and f2 as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B are stored in the buffer unit 14 when a predetermined period has elapsed. That is, a unique reproduction list f1 including a list of one content of music 10 received from one reproduction device 2 and a unique reproduction list including two content lists of music 11 and music 120 received from another reproduction device 2. Assuming that the playlist f2 is stored, the shared playlist creation unit 15 stores all the contents included in the two unique playlists f1 and f2, that is, all the contents of the music 10, the music 11, and the music 120. Is created as a shared reproduction list f (see (C)).

  In the above description, a case where a shared playlist is newly created from two unique playlists has been described. However, if a shared playlist has already been created, the shared playlist is created from the two unique playlists. Only content that is not currently included in the shared playback list is added to the shared playback list.

  In the above description, the shared playlist is updated every predetermined period. However, the shared playlist is created (updated) every time a unique playlist is received from any playback device 2. Good. As a result, the unique playlist received from each playback device 2, 2... Can be reflected in the shared playlist in real time, and the user of each playback device 2 can receive the latest shared playlist and receive his / her own playlist. It can be reflected in the unique playlist.

  <Description of unique playlist update processing procedure>

  Next, the procedure for updating the unique playlist on any playback device 2 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 7 and 11 and the explanatory diagrams of the update processing procedures shown in FIGS. However, here, as an example, the update process of the specific playlists a, e, and f for the above three themes will be described.

  (Description of update processing of unique playlist a)

  After the user of an arbitrary playback device 2 operates the operation unit 29 to connect to the playlist management server 1 (step S11), the user operates the list request button (not shown) of the operation unit 29 to enter the playlist management server 1. A request for transmission of the shared reproduction list is made (step S12). Note that the transmission request here may be a transmission request for each theme (that is, an individual) or may be a batch transmission request for all themes. A case where a transmission request is made will be described.

  As described above, the playlist management server 1 always monitors the transmission request for the shared playlist from any playback device 2 (step S2 in FIG. 7). For example, when a transmission request for the shared reproduction list a is transmitted (when it is determined Yes in step S2), the reproduction apparatus that has transmitted the shared reproduction list a stored in the list storage unit 16 is requested. 2 is transmitted (downloaded) to 2 (step S7). The playlist management server 1 transmits the shared playlist stored in the list storage unit 16 at each time each time there is a request for transmission of the shared playlist from each playback device 2.

  Returning to FIG. 11, when the playback device 2 that has made a transmission request receives the shared playlist a from the playlist management server 1 (when it is determined Yes in step S13), the shared playlist a is temporarily stored in the list storage unit. 27 (step S14), and a difference list is created from the own reproduction list a stored in the list storage unit 27 (step S15).

  Here, the difference list creation processing in step S15 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 12 (a), it is assumed that 100 pieces of music from music 1 to music 100 are stored in the content database 21 of the own apparatus, and the specific reproduction list a is ( As shown in b), assuming that there is a unique playlist including the two contents lists of music 1 and music 20 described above, the difference list creation unit 25 is configured to store the unique playlist a shown in (b). A content list of music 20 and music 300 that is a difference between music 1 and music 20 and music 1, music 20, and music 300 in the shared reproduction list a (same as the list in FIG. 8C) shown in FIG. Created as a difference list a ′ (see (d)). This difference list a ′ is temporarily stored in the list storage unit 27.

  Next, the unique reproduction list update processing unit 26 determines whether or not the created difference list a ′ includes a list of contents (see (a)) stored in its own device (step S16). ). As a result, when the created difference list a ′ does not include the content list (see (a)) stored in the own apparatus (when it is determined No in step S16), playback is performed. The connection with the list management server 1 is disconnected (step S18), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S16, if the created difference list a ′ includes a list of contents stored in the own device (see (a)) (Yes in step S16) In the case), an update process for adding the content list to the unique playlist is performed (step S17), the connection with the playlist management server 1 is disconnected (step S18), and the process is terminated.

  Here, the update process of the unique playlist in step S17 will be described with reference to FIG.

  That is, the difference list a ′ includes a list of music 20 and music 300, but since only the music 1 to music 100 are stored in its own device, only the list of music 20 is stored from the difference list. A process of extracting and adding this music 20 list to the specific reproduction list a shown in FIG. As a result, the own reproduction list a ″ (see (e)) of the own device is divided into three lists of music 1, music 2, and music 20 from a list (see (b)) including two contents of music 1 and music 2. It will be updated to a list containing content.

  That is, the music 20 being viewed by another user is added to the unique playlist a ″ of the playback device 2 used by the user, and the own playlist a ″ of his / her own incorporates the taste of the other user. It will be. Note that after updating the unique reproduction list, the shared reproduction list and the difference list stored in the list storage unit 27 are deleted.

  (Description of update process of unique playlist e)

  Since the difference between the update process of the unique playlist a and the update process of the unique playlist e is only the process of step S15 and step S17, here, the process after step S15 in FIG. 13 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 13A, it is assumed that the music of 100 artists from artist 1 to artist 100 is stored in the content database 21 of the own apparatus, and the unique playlist e As shown in (b), if it is assumed that a unique reproduction list including a list of the above three contents of artist 7, artist 8, and artist 9 is provided, the difference list creation unit 25 is shown in (b). Artist which is the difference between artist 7, artist 8 and artist 9 in unique playlist e and artist 8, artist 90 and artist 700 in shared playlist e shown in (c) (same as the list in FIG. 9C) 90 and the artist 700 content list as a difference list e ′ (see (d)) It is formed. The difference list e ′ is temporarily stored in the list storage unit 27.

  Next, the unique reproduction list update processing unit 26 determines whether or not the created difference list e ′ includes a list of contents (see (a)) stored in its own device (step S16). ). As a result, if the created difference list e ′ does not include the content list (see (a)) stored in its own device (if determined No in step S16), playback is performed. The connection with the list management server 1 is disconnected (step S18), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S16, if the created difference list a ′ includes a list of contents stored in the own device (see (a)) (Yes in step S16) In the case), after performing an update process for adding the list of the contents to the unique playlist e (step S17), the connection with the playlist management server 1 is disconnected (step S18), and the process is terminated.

  That is, the difference list e ′ includes a list of the artist 90 and the artist 700, but since only the artist 1 to the artist 100 are stored in the own apparatus, the list of the artist 90 from the difference list e ′ is stored. Only the artist 90 is extracted and the list of artists 90 is added to the unique reproduction list e shown in FIG. As a result, the device's own reproduction list e ″ (see (e)) is obtained from the list (see (b)) including the three contents of artist 1, artist 2, and artist 3, and artist 1, artist 2, artist 3 , The list is updated to a list including the four contents of artist 90.

  That is, the artist 90 being viewed by another user is added to the unique playlist e ″ of the playback apparatus 2 used by the user, and the own playlist e ″ of his / her own incorporates the taste of the other user. It will be. Note that after updating the unique reproduction list, the shared reproduction list and the difference list stored in the list storage unit 27 are deleted.

  (Description of update processing of unique playlist f)

  The difference between the update process of the unique playlist a and the update process of the unique playlist f is only the process of step S15 and step S17. Here, the process after step S15 in FIG. 14 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 14A, it is assumed that 100 pieces of music from music 1 to music 100 are stored in the content database 21 of the own apparatus, and the unique playlist f includes As shown in (b), assuming that nothing is registered at the present time, the difference list creating unit 25 registers the registered contents of the specific reproduction list f shown in (b) (in this case, nothing is registered). ) And music 10, music 11, and music 120, which are the differences between music 10, music 11, and music 120 in the shared playback list f shown in FIG. 10C (same as the list in FIG. 10C), are stored in the difference list f ′. (See (d)). This difference list f ′ is temporarily stored in the list storage unit 27.

  Next, the unique reproduction list update processing unit 26 determines whether or not the created difference list f ′ includes a list of contents (see (a)) stored in the own apparatus (step S16). ). As a result, if the created difference list f ′ does not include the content list (see (a)) stored in the own device (if determined No in step S16), the reproduction is performed. The connection with the list management server 1 is disconnected (step S18), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S16, if the created difference list f ′ includes a list of contents stored in the own device (see (a)) (Yes in step S16) In the case), after performing an update process for adding the content list to the unique playlist f (step S17), the connection with the playlist management server 1 is disconnected (step S18), and the process is terminated.

  That is, the difference list f ′ includes a list of music 10, music 11, and music 120. Since only the music 1 to music 100 are stored in the own device, music from the difference list f ′ is stored. Only the list of 10 and music 20 is extracted, and the process of adding the list of music 10 and music 20 to the specific reproduction list f shown in FIG. As a result, the own reproduction list f ″ (see (e)) of the own device is updated from a list in which nothing is registered (see (b)) to a list including two contents of music 10 and music 11. Will be.

  That is, the music 10 and the music 11 being viewed by another user are added to the unique playlist f ″ of the playback device 2 used by the user, and the user's own playlist f ″ is added to the other user. It will take into account the taste. Note that after updating the unique reproduction list, the shared reproduction list and the difference list stored in the list storage unit 27 are deleted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Playback list management server 2 Playback apparatus 12 Control part 13 Input / output part 14 Buffer part 15 Shared reproduction list creation part 16 List storage part 21 Content database 22 Control part 23 Input / output part 24 Recording / reproduction part 25 Difference list creation part 26 Specific Play list update processing unit 27 List storage unit 28 Output unit 29 Operation unit 30 Display unit 31 Speaker N Network

Claims (6)

In a playlist sharing system in which a plurality of playback devices each having a unique playlist unique to its own device and a playlist management server that receives and edits a unique playlist from each playback device are connected via communication means.
The playlist management server
A shared playlist creation means for creating a shared playlist by counting the unique playlist received from each playback device;
The playback device
Difference list creating means for creating a difference list between the shared playlist received from the playlist management server and a unique playlist of the own device;
When the created difference list includes a list of contents stored in the own device, a unique playlist update processing means for performing processing for adding the list of contents to the playlist is provided. A playlist sharing system characterized by that. The playlist sharing system according to claim 1,
The shared playlist creation means creates a list of all contents included in all received unique playlists as a shared playlist, the playlist sharing system. In the playlist sharing system according to claim 1 or 2,
The playback device has a plurality of unique playlists classified according to preset themes,
The playlist sharing system of the playlist management server creates a shared playlist for each theme. In the playlist sharing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The playback device transmits a unique playlist to the playlist management server every predetermined period,
The playlist management server is characterized in that the playlist management server creates the shared playlist every predetermined period or every time the unique playlist is received.   The playlist sharing system is characterized in that the playback device acquires the shared playlist from the playlist management server every predetermined period or based on a list request operation by a user. Playback performed in a system in which a plurality of playback devices having a unique playlist unique to the device itself and a playlist management server that receives and edits the unique playlist from each playback device are connected via communication means. A list sharing method,
The playlist management server is
Implementing a procedure for creating a shared playlist by counting the unique playlist received from each playback device,
The playback device is
A difference list creation procedure for creating a difference list between the shared playlist received from the playlist management server and a unique playlist of the own device;
A procedure for determining whether or not a list of contents stored in the own device is included in the created difference list;
And a unique playlist update processing procedure for performing processing for adding the content list to the unique playlist when it is determined that the content list is included.