Description
Title of Invention: TRANSMITTING DEVICE, DISPLAY CONTROL DEVICE, CONTENT TRANSMITTING METHOD, RECORDING MEDIUM, AND PROGRAM
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATEDAPPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority under 35
U.S.C. 119 of Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 201 1-244633 filed in the
Japanese Patent Office on November 8, 201 1, the entire contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a transmitting device, a display control device, a
content transmitting method, a recording medium, and a program encoded on a nontransitory
computer readable medium.
Background Art
[0003] Recently, with the advancement of network-related technology, content has been
actively shared. The content or a storage address of the content is transmitted so that a
viewing experience of the content can be shared between a plurality of devices. For
example, Patent Literature 1 discloses technology for displaying an image displayed by
a small secondary display by a large primary display, using a "slow" operation.
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0004] PTL 1: JP 2005-004690A
Summary
Technical Problem
[0005] As such, in a situation in which the content is generally shared, it is necessary to
share not only an original content but also information regarding a point of interest in
the content. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a transmitting device, a display
control device, a content transmitting method, a recording medium, and a program that
enable sharing of information regarding a point of interest in content.
Solution to Problem
[0006] In one embodiment, the present invention includes an apparatus that includes a
transmitter configured to transmit content and a point of interest indicator to a second
device. The content and the point of interest indicator are selected by a user of the first
device using a single action. The point of interest indicator identifies a portion of the
content to be highlighted by the second device.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0007] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above, in
formation regarding a point of interest in content can be shared.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0008] [fig. l]Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a content sharing
system according to first to third embodiments of the present disclosure.
[fig.2]Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the content sharing system according
to the embodiments.
[fig.3]Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a transmitting
device according to a first embodiment.
[fig.4]Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a point of interest designation
operation of the transmitting device according to the first embodiment.
[fig.5]Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transmission operation of the
transmitting device according to the first embodiment.
[fig.6]Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of point of interest information when
a point of interest is designated on a still image object in HTML content, in the
transmitting device according to the first embodiment.
[fig.7]Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of point of interest information when
a point of interest is designated on a moving image object in HTML content, in the
transmitting device according to the first embodiment.
[fig.8]Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of point of interest information when
a point of interest is designated on a text object in HTML content, in the transmitting
device according to the first embodiment.
[fig.9]Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a reproducing
device according to the first embodiment.
[fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a point of interest that is
displayed by the reproducing device according to the first embodiment
[fig. 1l]Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of the point of interest that is
displayed by the reproducing device according to the first embodiment
[fig. 12] Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the reproducing device
according to the first embodiment, when a scroll operation is performed.
[fig.l3]Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the reproducing device
according to the first embodiment, when an enlargement operation is performed
[fig. 14] Fig. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a
transmitting device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.
[fig.l5]Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating an operation when the transmitting device
according to the second embodiment transmits an erasure command.
[fig. 16] Fig. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a
transmitting device according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.
[fig.l7]Fig. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of additional information that is
transmitted by the transmitting device according to the third embodiment.
[fig.l8]Fig. 18 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a content sharing system
according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.
[fig. 19] Fig. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of point of interest information that
is displayed by a reproducing device according to the fourth embodiment.
[fig.20]Fig. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the reproducing
device according to the fourth embodiment.
Description of Embodiments
[0009] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in
detail with reference to the appended drawings. Note that, in this specification and the
appended drawings, structural elements that have substantially the same function and
structure are denoted with the same reference numerals, and repeated explanation of
these structural elements is omitted.
[0010] The following description will be made in the order described below.
1. Outline
2. First Embodiment
2-1. Functional Configuration of Transmitting Device
2-2. Point of interest Information
2-3. Functional Configuration of Reproducing Device
3. Second Embodiment
4. Third Embodiment
5. Fourth Embodiment
[0011] <1. 0utline>
First, an outline of a content sharing system according to first to third embodiments
of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 1 is a
diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the content sharing system
according to the first to third embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a
diagram illustrating the outline of the content sharing system according to the em
bodiments.
[0012] Hereinafter, the content sharing system according to the first to third embodiments of
the present disclosure may be called a content sharing system according to an em
bodiment of the present disclosure.
[0013] Referring to Fig. 1, a content sharing system 1 according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure mainly includes a transmitting device 10 and a reproducing device
20. The transmitting device 10 is an information processing device that has a function
of transmitting content, in the content sharing system 1. The reproducing device 20 is
an information processing device that has a function of receiving content and r e
producing the content, in the content sharing system 1. The transmitting device 10 and
the reproducing device 20 are connected to each other through a network.
[0014] The transmitting device 10 and the reproducing device 20 may be information
processing devices, such as personal computers (PC), domestic video processing
devices (such as DVD recorders and video cassette recorders), personal digital a s
sistants (PDA), domestic game machines, and home appliances. The transmitting
device 10 and the reproducing device 20 may be information processing devices, such
as mobile phones, personal handyphone systems (PHS), portable music reproducing
devices, portable video processing devices, portable game machines, and portable
navigation devices. In this case, an example of the case in which the transmitting
device 10 is a mobile phone and the reproducing device 20 is a television receiver will
be described.
[0015] Next, referring to Fig. 2, in a state in which content transmitted in the transmitting
device 10 is displayed, a user can designate a point P of interest in the content. At this
time, the transmitting device 10 generates point of interest information to specify the
designated point P of interest. If the user performs a content transmission operation,
the transmitting device 10 can transmit the content and the point of interest in
formation. The reproducing device 20 that has received the content and the point of
interest information reproduces the received content and point of interest information.
For example, the reproducing device 20 can display a mark M showing the point of
interest, on the basis of the point of interest information.
[0016] As such, the present disclosure suggests a mechanism for sharing the point of interest
in the content between the transmission side and the reception side. The user of the
transmission side can share the point of interest in the content with a user of the
reception side as if the user of the transmission side has drawn a circle on a map
printed on paper using a red pen and has delivered the paper to the user of the
reception side.
[0017] For example, if the user performs an editing operation for editing the substance of the
content or inserting the content into a different document and adding explanatory note
data, the user can share the point of interest with another user. However, the present
disclosure suggests a content sharing system that enables sharing of the point of
interest with a simpler operation. In addition, the present disclosure suggests a
mechanism for sharing the point of interest appropriately, even when screen re s
olutions of the transmission side and the reception side are different from each other or
when the layout is changed by a drawing environment of each of the transmission side
and the reception side.
[0018] In the present disclosure and drawings, a plurality of structural elements having sub
stantially the same functional configurations may be distinguished by adding different
alphabets to the backs of the same reference numerals. For example, a plurality of
structural elements having substantially the same functional configurations are dis
tinguished like a content sharing system l a and a content sharing system lb, if
necessary. However, when it is not necessary to distinguish the plurality of structural
elements having substantially the same functional configurations in particular, the
plurality of structural elements are denoted with only the same reference numerals. For
example, when it is not necessary to distinguish the content sharing system l a and the
content sharing system l b in particular, the content sharing system l a and the content
sharing system l b are simply called the content sharing systems 1. In the description
below, the content distributing systems are distinguished as follows. The content
sharing systems are distinguished such that the content sharing system l a is used when
the first embodiment is described and the content sharing system l b is used when the
second embodiment is described.
[00 19] <2. First Embodiment
<2-l. Functional Configuration of Transmitting Device>
First, a functional configuration of a transmitting device 10a according to the first
embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 3 to 5.
Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the transmitting
device according to the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of
a point of interest designation operation of the transmitting device according to the first
embodiment. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transmission operation of
the transmitting device according to the first embodiment.
[0020] The transmitting device 10a according to the first embodiment of the present
disclosure mainly includes a communication unit 105, a content storage unit 110, an
output unit 115, an operation information acquiring unit 120, and a point of interest in
formation generating unit 125.
[0021] (Communication Unit 105a)
The communication unit 105a is a communication device for connection with the
network. For example, the communication unit 105a is a wired or wireless LAN,
Bluetooth (registered trademark), a communication card for a WUSB, a router for
optical communication, a router for an ADSL, or a modem for various commu
nications. The network that is connected to the communication unit 105a is composed
of a network connected by wire or wireless. For example, the network is the Internet, a
domestic LAN, infrared communication, visible light communication, broadcasting, or
satellite communication. In this case, the LAN is an abbreviation of a local area
network. The WUSB is an abbreviation of a wireless USB. The ADSL is an ab
breviation of an asymmetric digital subscriber line.
[0022] The communication unit 105a is a connection interface for connection with the re
producing device 20a through a home network. The communication unit 105a can
function as a transmitting unit that transmits content associated with the point of
interest information and the point of interest information to the reproducing device
20a, when the communication unit 105a receives the point of interest information
generated by the point of interest information generating unit 125. The communication
unit 105a may transmit information to acquire the content, for example, a storage
address to specify a storage place of the content, instead of transmitting the content.
For example, the communication unit 105a can transmit the point of interest in
formation and a uniform resource locator (URL) where the content provided with the
point of interest is stored, to the reproducing device 20a.
[0023] (Content Storage Unit 110)
The content storage unit 110 is a data storage device that stores content data and
examples of the content storage unit 110 may include a storage medium, a recording
device recording data in the storage medium, a reading device reading data from the
storage medium, and an erasing device erasing the data recorded in the storage
medium. In this case, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, a magnetoresistive
random access memory (MRAM), a ferroelectric random access memory
(FeRAM), a phase change random access memory (PRAM), and an electronically
erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM) and a magnetic recording
medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) may be used as the storage medium.
[0024] The content storage unit 110 can store the content. In this case, the content is a
concept that includes image data such as photos, documents, pictures, and charts, audio
data such as HTML files, music, lectures, and radio programs, movies, television
programs, and video programs. The content storage unit 110 can store the content that
is acquired through the communication unit 105a. The content storage unit 110 can
store the content that is generated by an imaging unit not illustrated in the drawings.
The content storage unit 110 can store the content downloaded from a removable disk
not illustrated in the drawings to the transmitting device 10.
[0025] (Output Unit 115)
The output unit 115 has a function of outputting information to the user. The output
unit 115 may be a display unit that outputs a display screen. The output unit 115 may
have a function of a voice output unit.
[0026] (Operation Information Acquiring Unit 120)
The operation information acquiring unit 120 has a function of acquiring operation
information input from the outside. In this case, the acquired operation information
may be operation information regarding a designation operation of the point of interest
or operation information regarding a transmission operation of the content. For
example, referring to Fig. 4, an example of the designation operation of the point of
interest is illustrated. For example, the designation of the point of interest may be
performed by designating a position on a display screen in which touch sensors
overlap. Referring to Fig. 5, an example of a transmission operation for transmitting
content and point of interest information to the reproducing device 20 is illustrated. For
example, the transmission operation may be made by operating a transmission decision
button 33 in a confirmation window displayed when a finger to designate the point of
interest is separated from the screen. However, the operation used in the above case
may be exemplary and a variety of different operations may be used. For example, as
illustrated in Fig. 2, the transmission operation may be a flick operation from a
designated position of the point of interest. Alternatively, the operation information
acquiring unit 120 may have a function of a detecting unit that detects the inclination
of the transmitting device 10a and the transmission operation may be an operation for
inclining a casing. The operation information acquiring unit 120 can supply the
acquired operation information to the point of interest information generating unit 125.
In another embodiment, the operation information acquiring unit 120 may detect a
direction of a face of a user and select the content and the point of interest based on the
direction detected.
(Point of Interest Information Generating Unit 125)
The point of interest information generating unit 125 has a function of generating
point of interest information showing a position of a point of interest in the content. If
a specific point P is designated on the content, the point of interest information
generating unit 125 can generate point of interest information in which the specific
position is set as the position of the point of interest. For example, as illustrated in FIG.
2, when the content is an image content to be one image, the point of interest in
formation generating unit 125 may generate point of interest information showing the
position of the point of interest by a relative position of the point of interest in the
image content. For example, when a plurality of objects are included in content, like
HTML content illustrated in Fig. 4, point of interest information can include in
formation to specify an object displayed at the position of the point of interest. The in
formation to specify the object may be, for example, a file name of the object. In order
to cope with a situation in which there are a plurality of objects having the same file
names, the information to specify an object may include information showing a place
from the top in the order of objects having the same file names. The point of interest
information may further include information showing a relative position of the point of
interest in an image object, when an object displayed at the position of the point of
interest is the image object. The point of interest information that is generated by the
point of interest information generating unit 125 will be described in detail below.
[0028] <2-2. Point of interest Information>
Next, the point of interest information that is generated by the transmitting device
10a according to the first embodiment and is transmitted to the reproducing device 20
will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 6 to 8. Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating
an example of point of interest information when a point of interest is designated on a
still image object in HTML content, in the transmitting device according to the first
embodiment. Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of point of interest in
formation when a point of interest is designated on a moving image object in HTML
content, in the transmitting device according to the first embodiment. Fig. 8 is a
diagram illustrating an example of point of interest information when a point of
interest is designated on a text object in HTML content, in the transmitting device
according to the embodiment.
[0029] As described above, in content such as the HTML content in which a plurality of
objects are arranged to be included, an arrangement of the objects may be different
according to an environment of a display device to display the content. In this case, if
the user desires to specify the position of the point of interest by the relative position
when the content is displayed in the transmitting device 10a, a desired position may
not be shown. Therefore, the present disclosure suggests a format of point of interest
information to securely transmit a position of a point of interest desired by the user to
the reproducing device 20, even when the arrangement of the objects is different
according to the environment of the display device.
[0030] In order to securely transmit the position of the point of interest in a situation in
which the arrangement of the objects in the content may be different according to envi
ronments of a transmission-side device and a reception- side device, the transmitting
device 10a can generate point of interest information showing a position of a point of
interest by information to specify an object and information to specify the position of
the point of interest in the object. The HTML content can include objects such as text
data, a still image file, and a moving image file. Therefore, the point of interest in
formation generating unit 125 can first generate the information to specify the object
displayed at the point of interest designated by the user. If the objects can be specified,
the reproducing device 20 can recognize that the point of interest is designated on the
specified object, even when the arrangement of the objects changes. When the objects
are specified, the object file names may be used. However, when there are a plurality
of objects having the same file names in the same content, the objects may not be
specified by only the file names. For this reason, when specifying an object, its place in
the order of objects in the content may be used. For example, when there are a plurality
of objects having the same file names "image.jpg", the object can be specified by in
formation showing what number "image.jpg" it is. When the object is text data, a
character string of the text data may be used when the object is specified. For example,
when the object is text data displayed as a "notebook computer", the character string
"notebook computer" can be used when the object is specified.
[0031] When the object is sufficiently small, the position of the point of interest can be
specified with sufficient precision only by specifying the object. However, the detailed
position of the point of interest can be shown by further specifying the position of the
point of interest in the object. Therefore, the point of interest information can include
information regarding the position of the point of interest in the object. For example,
when the object is an image object, the position of the point of interest in the object
may be shown by the relative position in the image. When the object is a text object,
the position of the point of interest in the object may be shown by the number of
characters from a head of a character string. For example, when a position of a
character of "b" in the "notebook computer" is set as the point of interest, a position
"5" from a head of a character string can be used as information showing the position
of the point of interest in the object, because "b" is a fifth character in the "notebook
computer". Hereinafter, an example of point of interest information for each type of the
objects will be described in detail.
[0032] First, referring to Fig. 6, an example of point of interest information when a point of
interest is designated on a still image object in HTML content is illustrated. In this
case, the point of interest information can include an ID, a type, a file name, a place of
a file name tag from the top, a relative position of a point of interest in an image in a
horizontal direction, and a relative position of a point of interest in an image in a
vertical direction. The ID is identification information used to identify a point of
interest and a data type thereof may be an integer type. The type shows a type of each
object and a data type thereof may be a character string type. The file name shows a
file name of each object and a data type thereof may be a character string type. The
place of the file name tag from the top is information used to specify each object when
there are a plurality of objects having the same file names in content and shows a place
from the top in the content. A data type of a place of the file name tag from the top
may be an integer type. The relative position of the point of interest in the image in the
horizontal direction and the relative position of the point of interest in the image in the
vertical direction are information used to specify the detailed position of the point of
interest in the specified object and data types thereof may be floating-point number
types.
[0033] When the still image object is displayed on a place of the point of interest designated
by the user, the point of interest information generating unit 125 can generate point of
interest information including the information described above. For example, a point of
interest control command may be represented by the following character string.
''poi={id='123\type:^mage\file:^mage.jpg\tag_index:'5',position_x:O.75',position_y:O
.3'}"
[0034] Next, referring to Fig. 7, an example of point of interest information when a point of
interest is designated on a moving image object in HTML content is illustrated. In this
case, the point of interest information can include an ID, a type, a file name, a place of
a file name tag from the top, a relative position of a point of interest in an image in a
horizontal direction, a relative position of a point of interest in an image in a vertical
direction, a media time at which setting of the point of interest starts, and a media time
at which the setting of the point of interest ends. That is, as compared with the case of
the still image object, the media time at which the setting of the point of interest starts
and the media time at which the setting of the point of interest ends may be further
included. The media time at which the setting of the point of interest starts and the
media time at which the setting of the point of interest ends are information used to
specify a setting period of the point of interest in the moving image object and data
types thereof may be floating-point number types. In the example of Fig. 7, the start
end and the end time are specified by ratios from the head. In this case, a unit is a
percentage. With respect to the moving image object, a position of a point of interest
that changes in time series may be designated. At this time, point of interest in
formation is generated from the trace of the position designated by the user.
[0035] When the moving image object is displayed on a place of the point of interest
designated by the user, the point of interest information generating unit 125 can
generate point of interest information including the information described above. For
example, a point of interest control command may be represented by the following
character string.
''poi={id='123\type:Video\file:'movie.mpg\tag_index:'5',position_x:O.75',position_y
:,0.3',start_time= ,90.0,,end_time=,100.0'}"
[0036] Next, referring to Fig. 8, an example of point of interest information when a point of
interest is designated on a text object in HTML content is illustrated. In this case, the
point of interest information can include an ID, a type, a character string included in a
point of interest and points before and after the point of interest, a place of a character
string from the top, and a position in the character string. The ID is identification in
formation used to identify the point of interest and a data type thereof may be an
integer type. The type shows a type of each object and a data type thereof may be a
character string type. The character string included in the point of interest and the
points before and after the point of interest shows a character string that is displayed in
the vicinity of the position of the point of interest. The place of the character string
from the top is used to specify each character string when there are a plurality of
character strings equal to each other in the same content. In the example of Fig. 8, the
place of the character string from the top is information showing what number
"notebook computer" it is. The position in the character string is information showing
what number character in the character string the position of the point of interest in the
character string is and a data type thereof may be an integer type. In the example of
Fig. 8, because the position in the character string shows the fifth character in the
"notebook computer", the position of "b" is the point of interest.
[0037] When the text object is displayed on a place of the point of interest designated by the
user, the point of interest information generating unit 125 can generate point of interest
information including the information described above. For example, a point of interest
control command may be represented by the following character string.
"poi={id='123',type:'text',str: 'notebook computer',tag_index:'3',position:'5'}"
[0038] <2-3. Functional Configuration of Reproducing Device>
Next, a functional configuration of the reproducing device according to the first em
bodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 9 to 13. Fig. 9 is a block diagram i l
lustrating the functional configuration of the reproducing device according to the first
embodiment. Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a point of interest that is
displayed by the reproducing device according to the first embodiment. Fig. 11 is a
diagram illustrating another example of the point of interest that is displayed by the re
producing device according to the first embodiment. Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating an
operation of the reproducing device according to the first embodiment, when a scroll
operation is performed. Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the r e
producing device according to the first embodiment, when an enlargement operation is
performed.
[0039] The reproducing device 20 mainly includes a communication unit 205, a reproducing
unit 210, an operation information acquiring unit 215, and an output unit 220. The r e
producing device 20 is an example of a display control device that provides content
and a point of interest to the user.
[0040] (Communication Unit 205)
The communication unit 205 is a communication device for connection with the
network. For example, the communication unit 205 is a wired or wireless LAN,
Bluetooth (registered trademark), a communication card for a WUSB, a router for
optical communication, a router for an ADSL, or a modem for various commu
nications. The network that is connected to the communication unit 205 is composed of
a network connected by wire or wireless. For example, the network is the Internet, a
domestic LAN, infrared communication, visible light communication, broadcasting, or
satellite communication. In this case, the LAN is an abbreviation of a local area
network. The WUSB is an abbreviation of a wireless USB. The ADSL is an ab
breviation of an asymmetric digital subscriber line.
[0041] In this case, the communication unit 205 is a connection interface for connection
with the transmitting device 10 through a home network. The communication unit 205
can receive content or information (for example, URL) to identify the content, from the
transmitting device 10. The communication unit 205 can receive point of interest in
formation showing a position of a point of interest in the content, from the transmitting
device 10. The communication unit 205 can receive the content, on the basis of the in
formation to acquire the content. For example, when the URL of the content is
received, the communication unit 205 can have access to the URL and acquire the
content.
[0042] (Reproducing Unit 210)
The reproducing unit 210 has a function of reproducing content. The reproducing
unit 210 is an example of a display control unit that controls display of the output unit
220 functioning as a display unit. For example, the reproducing unit 210 can reproduce
the received content and the point of interest. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 10, the
reproducing unit 210 can reproduce the point of interest by overlapping a mark Ml
showing the point of interest to the HTML content. The reproducing unit 210 can
reproduce the content and the point of interest, such that the center of the mark Ml
becomes the position of the point of interest. When the point of interest is shown,
exactly, when the user desires to show a specific point, the mark Ml illustrated in Fig.
10 may be used. Alternatively, when the user desires to show a rough position of the
point of interest, a mark M2 illustrated in Fig. 11 may be used. At this time, the r e
producing unit 210 may display the mark M2, such that the center of gravity of the
mark M2 becomes the point of the point of interest. The reproducing unit 210 can
provide the reproduced content and point of interest to the user by the output unit 220.
[0043] The reproducing unit 210 preferably reproduces the content, such that the point of
interest in the content is displayed on a display screen. For example, in the case of the
HTML content, the entire content may not be displayed on the display screen at one
time and a display region is scrolled by a scroll operation in general. In normal cases,
when the reproducing of the content starts, the HTML content is reproduced such that
an upper end of the HTML content overlaps an upper end of the display region.
However, when the point of interest is not included in the display region, it is difficult
for the user of the reception side to recognize that the content and the point of interest
have been transmitted. Therefore, the reproducing unit 210 can control the display
region, such that the point of interest is included in the display region. At this time, if
the content is reproduced such that the point of interest becomes approximately the
center of the screen, the user can easily recognize the point of interest. When a
plurality of points of interest are included in the content, the content may be re
produced such that the display region includes all of the points of interest or includes
as many points of interest as possible.
[0044] The reproducing unit 210 can change a reproduction state, on the basis of operation
information supplied from the operation information acquiring unit 215. For example,
as illustrated in Fig. 12, the reproducing unit 210 can scroll the display region of the
content, on the basis of operation information input by a remote controller 22. At this
time, the reproducing unit 210 can change the position of the mark M, such that the
mark M showing the point of interest overlaps the object shown by the point of
interest. In this example, the point of interest is designated on an image of a DVD
player. The point of interest information includes the information to specify the image
object. For this reason, even when the arrangement of the image object changes, the
mark M can be displayed on the image object, according to the change in the ar
rangement of the image object. Likewise, as illustrated in Fig. 13, the reproducing unit
210 can enlarge or reduce content and display the content, on the basis of operation in
formation input by the remote controller 22. Even in this case, the reproducing unit 210
can change the position of the mark M, such that the mark showing the point of interest
overlaps the same object.
[0045] (Operation Information Acquiring Unit 215)
The operation information acquiring unit 215 has a function of acquiring an input
signal that is generated when the user performs a desired operation using an operation
unit. The operation unit may be a touch panel, a mouse, a keyboard, a button, a mi
crophone, a switch, a lever, and various sensors (for example, inclination detecting
sensor). In this embodiment, the operation information acquiring unit 215 can acquire
the operation information from the remote controller 22. The reproducing device 20
can operate on the basis of the operation information acquired by the operation in
formation acquiring unit 215.
[0046] (Output Unit 220)
The output unit 220 has a function of outputting information to the user. The output
unit 220 may be a display unit that outputs a display screen. The output unit 220 can
output a display screen, according to control from the reproducing unit 210 functioning
as a display control unit. The output unit 220 may have a function of a voice output
unit. The output unit 220 can output the content and the point of interest reproduced by
the reproducing unit 210.
[0047] <3. Second Embodiment
Next, a content sharing system according to a second embodiment of the present
disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 14 and 15. Fig. 14 is a block
diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a transmitting device according to the
second embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating an
operation when the transmitting device according to the second embodiment transmits
an erasure command.
[0048] First, referring to Fig. 14, a transmitting device 10b according to the second em
bodiment of the present disclosure mainly includes a communication unit 105, a
content storage unit 110, an output unit 115, an operation information acquiring unit
120, a point of interest information generating unit 125, and an update information
generating unit 130.
[0049] In this case, because functions of the communication unit 105, the content storage
unit 110, the output unit 115, the operation information acquiring unit 120, and the
point of interest information generating unit 125 are the same as those of the first em
bodiment, repeated explanation thereof will be omitted.
[0050] (Update information Generating Unit 130)
The update information generating unit 130 has a function of generating update in
formation with respect to point of interest information generated by the point of
interest information generating unit 125. The update information may be transmitted
separately to the reproducing device 20, after the point of interest information is
transmitted to the reproducing device 20. A user of the transmission side may transmit
the update information at timing at which the user desires to perform update and the r e
producing device 20 may update the point of interest information at timing at which
the update information is received. The update information may be transmitted to the
reproducing device 20 at the same time as the point of interest information. For
example, when the update information transmitted at the same time as the point of
interest information includes information showing a message that the point of interest
information is updated after a predetermined time passes, the reproducing device 20
may update the point of interest information after the predetermined time passes,
according to the update information.
[0051] If the transmitting device 10b transmits the update information to the reproducing
device 20, the reproducing device 20 can update a reproduction state of the point of
interest information according to the update information. Therefore, the point of
interest information that is transmitted once according to the intention of the
transmission side can be updated. For example, the point of interest information may
be erased by the update information. Alternatively, the exterior of the point of interest
such as a displayed shape or color may be changed by the update information.
[0052] For example, as illustrated in Fig. 15, when a user of the transmitting device 10b
performs an operation for rubbing the mark M displayed at the position of the point of
interest on the display screen (image to be erased by an erasure), the update in
formation generating unit 130 of the transmitting device 10b can generate update information
indicating an erasure instruction of the point of interest shown by the mark
M.
[0053] In this embodiment, because the functional configuration of the reproducing device
20 is the same as the functional configuration of the first embodiment illustrated in Fig.
9, repeated explanation thereof will be omitted. The reproducing unit 210 can
reproduce the point of interest information, according to the update information
received by the communication unit 205.
[0054] <4. Third Embodiment
Next, a content sharing system according to a third embodiment of the present
disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 16 and 17. Fig. 16 is a block
diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a transmitting device according to the
third embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 17 is a diagram illustrating an
example of additional information that is transmitted by the transmitting device
according to the third embodiment.
[0055] First, referring to Fig. 16, a transmitting device 10c according to the third em
bodiment of the present disclosure mainly includes a communication unit 105, a
content storage unit 110, an output unit 115, an operation information acquiring unit
120, a point of interest information generating unit 125, an update information
generating unit 130, and an additional information generating unit 135.
[0056] In this case, because functions of the communication unit 105, the content storage
unit 110, the output unit 115, the operation information acquiring unit 120, the point of
interest information generating unit 125, and the update information generating unit
130 are the same as those of the first embodiment or the second embodiment, repeated
explanation thereof will be omitted.
[0057] (Additional Information Generating Unit 135)
The additional information generating unit 135 has a function of generating ad
ditional information with respect to the content. The additional information generating
unit 135 can transmit the generated additional information to the communication unit
105. For example, the additional information may be a memo with respect to the point
of interest. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 17, the transmitting device 10c can
transmit a memo command as the additional information to the reproducing device
20c. A reproducing unit 210 of the reproducing device 20c can display the memo at the
position of the point of interest, according to the received memo command. At this
time, an example of the memo command is as follows.
"memo={text:'gain',size:'10',fontcolor:'black',bgcolor:'orange',poi_id:'123'}"
In this case, the size shows a font size of the memo, the fontcolor shows a character
color of the memo, the bgcolor shows a background color of the memo, and the poi_id
shows an ID to identify a point of interest provided with the memo.
[0058] In this embodiment, because the functional configuration of the reproducing device
20 is the same as the functional configuration of the first embodiment illustrated in Fig.
9, repeated explanation thereof will be omitted. The reproducing unit 210 can
reproduce the point of interest information, together with the additional information
received by the communication unit 205.
[0059] <5. Fourth Embodiment
Next, a content sharing system according to a fourth embodiment of the present
disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 18 and 20. Fig. 18 is a diagram i l
lustrating an outline of the content sharing system according to the fourth embodiment
of the present disclosure. Fig. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of point of
interest information that is displayed by a reproducing device according to the fourth
embodiment. Fig. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the r e
producing device according to the fourth embodiment.
[0060] In the fourth embodiment, sharing of a point of interest when it is assumed that a
plurality of users shares a piece of content with each other is considered. Referring to
Fig. 18, the reproducing device 20 can receive point of interest information from a
plurality of transmitting devices 10. The reproducing device 20 may display the
received point of interest information with an expression different for each user. By
this configuration, each of the users who view the content to be shared can determine
the point of interest displayed by each user, on the basis of the exterior.
[0061] In addition, transmitting devices 10-1, 10-2, and 10-3 can share the same content and
display the content. Users of the transmitting devices 10-1, 10-2, and 10-3 can
designate points of interest while viewing a screen of the transmitting device 10.
[0062] With respect to an expression of the point of interest, the reproducing device 20 may
select a mark M different for each user and use the mark. For example, the reproducing
device 20 may display point of interest information transmitted from the transmitting
device 10-1 by a cross mark M-l. If the reproducing device 20 receives the point of
interest information, the reproducing device 20 can specify the user who has
designated the point of interest information and select the mark M different for each
user. The reproducing device 20 may display the point of interest information
transmitted from the transmitting device 10-2 by a triangular mark M-2. The re
producing device 20 may display the point of interest information transmitted from the
transmitting device 10-3 by a circular mark M-3.
[0063] The reproducing device 20 may select a mark M having a color different for each
user and use the mark. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 19, the reproducing device 20
can display a mark M-1 showing a point of interest transmitted from the transmitting
device 10-1, a mark M-2 showing a point of interest transmitted from the transmitting
device 10-2, and a mark M-3 showing a point of interest transmitted from the
transmitting device 10-3, with different colors, respectively.
[0064] Next, an example of an operation of the reproducing device 20 that receives the point
of interest information from the plurality of transmitting devices 10 will be described
with reference to Fig. 20. If the communication unit 205 of the reproducing device 20
receives the point of interest information (SlOO), the reproducing unit 210 determines a
display position of the mark M showing the point of interest, on the basis of the point
of interest information (S105).
[0065] Next, the reproducing unit 210 determines a shape and a color of the mark M
showing the point of interest, for each of the users who have designated the points of
interest (SI 10). The reproducing unit 210 causes the output unit 220 to display the
content and the mark showing the point of interest.
[0066] In this case, the reproducing device 20 displays the point of interest with an ex
pression different for each user. However, the reproducing device 20 may display the
point of interest with an expression different for each transmitting device 10.
[0067] In the example described above, the reproducing device 20 is configured to
determine the expression of the mark M. However, the present disclosure is not limited
to the example described above. For example, at the side of the transmitting device 10,
the user may select the expression of the mark M while viewing the shared screen. In
this case, the reproducing device 20 can display the point of interest using the mark
designated in the transmitting device 10.
[0068] The example of the functions of the transmitting device 10 and the reproducing
device 20 according to this embodiment has been described. However, the structural
elements may be configured using general-purpose members or circuits and may be
configured using hardware specialized to the functions of the structural elements. The
functions of the structural elements may be realized by reading a control program from
a storage medium such as a read only memory (ROM) or a random access memory
(RAM) storing the control program describing a processing sequence to realize the
functions by an arithmetic device such as a central processing unit (CPU) and
analyzing and executing the control program. Therefore, the used configuration can be
appropriately changed according to a technical level when this embodiment is carried
out.
[0069] A computer program that realizes the functions of the transmitting device 10 and the
reproducing device 20 according to this embodiment can be generated and can be
mounted on a personal computer. A computer readable recording medium that stores
the computer program can be provided. For example, the recording medium may be a
magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto optical disk, or a flash memory. The
computer program may be distributed through the network without using the recording
medium.
[0070] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, com
binations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design re
quirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended
claims or the equivalents thereof.
[0071] For example, in the embodiments described above, the mobile phone and the
television receiver have been exemplified. However, the present disclosure is not
limited thereto. The present disclosure is applicable to all information processing ap
paratuses that have an environment in which content can be shared.
[0072] Additionally, the following configurations are also within the technical scope of the
present disclosure.
(1) An apparatus including:
a transmitter configured to transmit content and a point of interest indicator to a
second device, the content and the point of interest indicator being selected by a user of
the first device using a single action, the point of interest indicator identifying a portion
of the content to be highlighted by the second device.
(2) The apparatus according to (1), further comprising:
an interface configured to receive a selection of the content and the point of interest
indicator by a single action of the user which is a flick operation, the first device
setting the point of interest indicator based on a portion of the content touched by the
user during the flick operation.
(3) The apparatus according to (2), wherein the interface includes a touch screen.
(4) The apparatus according to (1), further comprising:
an interface configured to receive a selection of the content and the point of interest
indicator by a single action of the user which is a touch operation, the first device
setting the point of interest indicator based on a portion of the content touched by the
user during the touch operation.
(5) The apparatus according to (4), wherein the interface includes a touch screen.
(6) The apparatus according to (1), further comprising:
an interface configured to detect a direction of a face of a user, the interface selecting
the content and the point of interest indicator based on the direction.
(7) The apparatus according to (1) to (6), wherein the apparatus is a mobile phone.
(8) The apparatus according to (7), wherein the second device is a personal computer.
(9) The apparatus according to (1) to (8), wherein the transmitter transmits additional
information to the second device, the additional information including text in
formation.
(10) The apparatus according to (1) to (9), wherein the second device displays a mark
representing the point of interest indicator on a display of the content.
( 11) The apparatus according to (10), wherein the second device displays a first mark
representing the point of interest indicator on the display of the content when the point
of interest indicator includes an exact location and the second device displays a second
mark representing the point of interest indicator on the display of the content when the
point of interest indicator includes an approximate location.
(12) The apparatus according to (1) to (11), wherein the second device receives a point
of interest indicator from a plurality of devices with respect to a same content.
(13) The apparatus according to (12), wherein the second device displays a different
mark for each point of interest indicator from the plurality of devices on a display of
the content.
(14) The apparatus according to (1) to (13), wherein the second device controls a
display region to include a mark representing the point of interest indicator on a
display of the content.
(15) The apparatus according to (1) to (14), wherein the second device updates a mark
representing the point of interest indicator on a display of the content.
(16) The apparatus according to (15), wherein the transmitter sends an updated point of
interest indicator that indicates that the mark should be erased, and the second device
deletes the mark representing the point of interest indicator on the display of the
content after receiving the updated point of interest indicator.
(17) A system comprising the apparatus according to (1) to (16); and
the second device configured to receive the content and the point of interest indicator
from the apparatus and to reproduce the content with an indicator highlighting the
portion of the content identified by the point of interest indicator.
(18) A method performed by the apparatus according to (1) to (16), the method
including:
transmitting the content and the point of interest indicator to the second device.
(19) A non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with a program that, when
loaded on a processor in the apparatus according to (1) to (16), causes the apparatus to
perform a method including:
transmitting the content and the point of interest indicator to the second device.
(20) An apparatus including:
a receiver configured to receive content and a point of interest indicator from another
apparatus; and
a display configured to reproduce the content with an indicator highlighting the portion
of the content identified by the point of interest indicator.
(21) The apparatus according to (20), wherein the display displays a mark representing
the point of interest indicator superimposed on the display of the content.
(22) The apparatus according to claim (21), wherein the display displays a first mark
representing the point of interest indicator on the display of the content when the point
of interest indicator includes an exact location and the display displays a second mark
representing the point of interest indicator on the display of the content when the point
of interest indicator includes an approximate location.
(23) The apparatus according to claim (21), wherein the receiver receives a point of
interest indicator from a plurality of devices with respect to a same content.
(24) The apparatus according to (23), wherein the display displays a different mark for
each point of interest indicator from the plurality of devices on a display of the content.
(24) The apparatus according to (21), wherein the display controls a display region to
include the indicator representing the point of interest indicator on a display of the
content.
(25) The apparatus according to (24), wherein the display controls the display region
such that the mark is approximately at a center of the display region.
(26) The apparatus according to (24), wherein the display updates the mark rep
resenting the point of interest indicator on a display of the content.
Reference Signs List
10 Transmitting device
105 Communication unit
110 Content storage unit
115 Output unit
120 Operation information acquiring unit
125 Point of interest information generating unit
130 Update information generating unit
135 Additional information generating unit
20 Reproducing device
205 Communication unit
210 Reproducing unit
215 Operation information acquiring unit
220 Output unit
PCT/JP2012/006486
Claims
[Claim 1] An apparatus comprising:
a transmitter configured to transmit content and a point of interest
indicator to a second device, the content and the point of interest
indicator being selected by a user of the first device using a single
action, the point of interest indicator identifying a portion of the content
to be highlighted by the second device.
[Claim 2]The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
an interface configured to receive a selection of the content and the
point of interest indicator by a single action of the user which is a flick
operation.
[Claim 3]The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first device sets the
point of interest indicator based on a portion of the content touched by
the user during the flick operation.
[Claim 4]The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
an interface configured to receive a selection of the content and the
point of interest indicator by a single action of the user which is a touch
operation, the first device setting the point of interest indicator based on
a portion of the content touched by the user during the touch operation.
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
[Claim 6]an interface configured to detect a direction of a face of a user, the
interface selecting the content and the point of interest indicator based
on the direction.
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter transmits
additional information to the second device.
[Claim 7]The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the additional information
includes text information.
[Claim 8]The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmitter sends an
updated point of interest indicator that indicates that the mark should be
erased, and the second device deletes the mark representing the point of
interest indicator on the display of the content after receiving the
updated point of interest indicator.
[Claim 9]A system comprising the apparatus according to claim 1; and
the second device configured to receive the content and the point of
interest indicator from the apparatus and to reproduce the content with
an indicator highlighting the portion of the content identified by the
point of interest indicator.
PCT/JP2012/006486
[Claim 10]A method performed by the apparatus according to claim 1, the method
comprising:
transmitting the content and the point of interest indicator to the second
device.
[Claim 11]A non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with a program
that, when loaded on a processor in the apparatus according to claim 1,
causes the apparatus to perform a method comprising:
transmitting the content and the point of interest indicator to the second
device.
[Claim 12]An apparatus comprising:
a receiver configured to receive content and a point of interest indicator
from another apparatus; and
a display configured to reproduce the content with an indicator high
lighting the portion of the content identified by the point of interest
indicator.
[Claim 13]The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the display displays a
mark representing the point of interest indicator on the display of the
content.
[Claim 14]The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the display displays a
mark representing the point of interest indicator superimposed on the
display of the content.
[Claim 15]The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the display displays a
first mark representing the point of interest indicator on the display of
the content when the point of interest indicator includes an exact
location and the display displays a second mark representing the point
of interest indicator on the display of the content when the point of
interest indicator includes an approximate location.
[Claim 16]The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the receiver receives a
point of interest indicator from a plurality of devices with respect to a
same content.
[Claim 17]The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the display displays a
different mark for each point of interest indicator from the plurality of
devices on a display of the content.
[Claim 18]The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the display controls a
display region to include the indicator representing the point of interest
indicator on a display of the content.
[Claim 19]The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the display controls the
display region such that the mark is approximately at a center of the
WO 2013/069205 PCT/JP2012/006486
display region.
[Claim 20] The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the display updates the
mark representing the point of interest indicator on a display of the
content.