Content output apparatus, content playback system, content output method, and program

• US 20110222474A1
• Filed: 02/24/2011
• Published: 09/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Suzuki, Hideyuki, Kikkawa, Norifumi
• Granted Patent: US 8,625,489 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/639 using playlists

Abstract

There is provided a content output apparatus including a wireless communication unit for transmitting an acquisition request for content data based on a position of the content data in an output order, a communication control unit for investigating whether or not acquisition of the content data is possible, before transmitting the acquisition request, and an output control unit for rearranging the output order according to a result of the investigation.

Claims

1. A content output apparatus comprising:

a wireless communication unit for transmitting an acquisition request for content data based on a position of the content data in an output order;

a communication control unit for investigating whether or not acquisition of the content data is possible, before transmitting the acquisition request; and

an output control unit for rearranging the output order according to a result of the investigation.

2. The content output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output control unit rearranges the output order, in a case the result of the investigation indicates that output of the content data is not possible, so as to lower the position of the content data in the output order.

3. The content output apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the communication control unit carries out the investigation based on whether communication with an apparatus having the content data is possible or not.

4. The content output apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the communication control unit carries out the investigation according to the output order, with respect to a plurality of pieces of the content data.

5. The content output apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the wireless communication unit receives an acquisition request for an output list for managing the output order, and

wherein the output control unit causes the communication control unit to transmit the output list, in response to the acquisition request for the output list.

6. A content playback system comprising:

a content output apparatus including

a wireless communication unit for transmitting an acquisition request for content data based on a position of the content data in an output order,

a communication control unit for investigating whether or not acquisition of the content data is possible, before transmitting the acquisition request, and

an output control unit for rearranging the output order according to a result of the investigation; and

a content transmission apparatus having the content data and transmitting the content data in response to the acquisition request.

7. A content output method comprising the steps of:

transmitting an acquisition request for content data based on a position of the content data in an output order,

investigating whether or not acquisition of the content data is possible, before transmitting the acquisition request, and

rearranging the output order according to a result of the investigation.

8. A program for causing a computer to function as a content output apparatus including

a wireless communication unit for transmitting an acquisition request for content data based on a position of the content data in an output order,

a communication control unit for investigating whether or not acquisition of the content data is possible, before transmitting the acquisition request, and

an output control unit for rearranging the output order according to a result of the investigation.