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

• US 8,625,489 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2011
• Issued: 01/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Kikkawa, Norifumi, Suzuki, Hideyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Man
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kaur, Pamit
• Application Number:
  US12/932,348
• Publication Number:
  US 20110222474A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,048 Days
• Field of Search: 370/328, 370/310.2, 370/338
• 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 of a list;

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,

in which the investigating by the communication control unit is based on whether or not a connection is possible to the content output apparatus by a content transmission apparatus having the content data which is requested, such that if the result of the investigation indicates that the connection is not possible the output control unit automatically rearranges the output order so as to automatically lower the position of the content data in the output order without a user interaction at a time thereof and without removing the content data from the list.

2. The content output apparatus according to claim 1, 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.

3. The content output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if the result of the investigation indicates that the connection is not possible the output control unit automatically rearranges the output order so as to automatically lower the position of the content data in the output order by one position without the user interaction at such time.

4. The content output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if the result of the investigation indicates that the connection is not possible the output control unit automatically rearranges the output order so as to automatically lower the position of the content data in the output order to an end of the list without the user interaction at such time.

5. The content output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication control unit investigates whether or not acquisition of the content data is possible for a plurality of pieces of content data each piece having a respective position in the output order.

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 of a list,

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,

in which the investigating by the communication control unit is based on whether or not a connection is possible to the content output apparatus by the content transmission apparatus having the content data which is requested, such that if the result of the investigation indicates that the connection is not possible the output control unit automatically rearranges the output order so as to automatically lower the position of the content data in the output order without a user interaction at a time thereof and without removing the content data from the list.

7. The content playback system according to claim 6, wherein if the result of the investigation indicates that the connection is not possible the output control unit automatically rearranges the output order so as to automatically lower the position of the content data in the output order by one position without the user interaction at such time.

8. The content playback system according to claim 6, wherein if the result of the investigation indicates that the connection is not possible the output control unit automatically rearranges the output order so as to automatically lower the position of the content data in the output order to an end of the list without the user interaction at such time.

9. The content playback system according to claim 6, wherein the communication control unit investigates whether or not acquisition of the content data is possible for a plurality of pieces of content data each piece having a respective position in the output order.

10. A content output method for use by a content output apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

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

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,

in which the investigating step is based on whether or not a connection is possible to the content output apparatus by a content transmission apparatus having the content data which is requested, such that if the result of the investigation indicates that the connection is not possible the rearranging step automatically rearranges the output order so as to automatically lower the position of the content data in the output order without a user interaction at a time thereof and without removing the content data from the list.

11. 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 of a list,

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,

in which the investigating by the communication control unit is based on whether or not a connection is possible to the content output apparatus by a content transmission apparatus having the content data which is requested, such that if the result of the investigation indicates that the connection is not possible the output control unit automatically rearranges the output order so as to automatically lower the position of the content data in the output order without a user interaction at a time thereof and without removing the content data from the list.