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`US 20040073610Al
`
`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication
`Terada et al.
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0073610 Al
`Apr. 15, 2004
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) CONTENTS REPRODUCING SYSTEM
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Katsuhiko Terada, Yokohama-shi (JP);
`Yoshiaki Kakimura, Tokyo (JP); Ryo
`Hirayama, Tokyo (JP); Akinori
`Suyama, Fujisawa-shi (JP); Kazuyuki
`Miyauchi, Kawasaki-shi (JP)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`LOUIS WOO
`LAW OFFICE OF LOUIS WOO
`717 NORTH FAYETTE STREET
`ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/665,513
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Sep.22,2003
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Sep. 30, 2002
`
`(JP) ...................................... 2002-286237
`
`Int. CI.7 ..................................................... G06F 15/16
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................................ 709/203; 709/219
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A network connects first, second, and third apparatuses. The
`first apparatus generates a first list of contents represented by
`data stored therein. The second apparatus generates a second
`list of contents represented by data stored therein. The first
`apparatus gets the second list of contents from the second
`apparatus, and combines the first list of contents and the
`second list of contents into a third list of contents. The
`second apparatus gets the first list of contents from the first
`apparatus, and combines the first list of contents and the
`second list of contents into a fourth list of contents which is
`equal to the third list of contents. The third apparatus refers
`to one of (1) the third list of contents which is generated by
`the first apparatus and (2) the fourth list of contents which
`is generated by the second apparatus.
`
`101
`
`SERVER
`ALL
`OWN
`CONTENTS CONTENTS
`LIST
`LIST
`
`m(n)l
`
`fn(m)
`
`SERVER
`ALL
`OWN
`CONTENTS CONTENTS
`LIST
`LIST
`
`100
`,.
`
`r'q
`C\ ..
`r
`
`rp
`
`01
`
`l>200
`
`CLIENT
`
`201
`/V1
`
`CLIENT
`
`DISH, Exh. 1006, p. 1
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 15, 2004 Sheet 1 of 12
`
`US 2004/0073610 Al
`
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`DISH, Exh. 1006, p. 2
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 15, 2004 Sheet 2 of 12
`
`US 2004/0073610 Al
`
`FIG. 2
`
`100H
`~H-DD__._.
`
`100C
`
`100R
`/V
`
`100
`
`r
`REMOTE ~ CPU i----- LAN, USB, IEEE1394, IrDA
`
`CONTROL
`
`MEMORY
`
`100M
`
`TV TUNER, ENCODER/DECODER
`- - - CARD I/F
`..____ A/V OUT~ TO DISPLAY 100a
`
`FIG. 3
`
`200C
`200R
`/V
`/V
`CPU
`REMOTE
`CONTROL ~ MEMORY
`r
`2 QOM
`
`-
`
`LAN, IrDA
`DECODER
`CARD I/F
`-
`- A/V OUT ~ TO DISPLAY 200a
`
`DISH, Exh. 1006, p. 3
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 15, 2004 Sheet 3 of 12
`
`US 2004/0073610 Al
`
`FIG. 4
`
`MACHINE
`NUMBER
`
`IP ADDRESS
`
`SERVICE TYPE
`
`#100
`
`#101
`
`#200
`
`#201
`
`#202
`
`200.100.100.001
`
`SERVER
`
`200.100.100.002
`
`SERVER
`
`200.100.100.003
`
`200.100.100.005
`
`200.100.100.009
`
`CLIENT
`
`CLIENT
`
`CLIENT
`
`FIG. 5
`CONTENTS LIST IN
`MACHINE #100
`
`aa1
`aa2
`
`aa3
`
`FIG. 6
`CONTENTS LIST IN
`MACHINE #101
`
`bb1
`bb2
`
`bb3
`
`DISH, Exh. 1006, p. 4
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 15, 2004 Sheet 4 of 12
`
`US 2004/0073610 Al
`
`FIG. 7
`CONTENTS TITLE : bb2
`
`ADDRESS : #101 /MPG/bb2. MP
`
`ADDED INFORMATION: (SINGER'S NAME, GENRE)
`
`SERVER
`OWN
`ALL
`CONTENTS CONTENTS
`LIST
`LIST
`
`m(n)l
`
`fn(m)
`
`FIG. 8
`
`101
`
`201
`/',../
`
`CLIENT
`
`100
`..
`
`,,, q
`I C\ ..
`r
`I :
`
`I
`I
`
`SERVER
`ALL
`CONTENTS
`LIST
`
`OWN
`CONTENTS
`LIST
`
`rp
`
`01
`
`15200
`
`CLIENT
`
`DISH, Exh. 1006, p. 5
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 15, 2004 Sheet 5 of 12
`
`US 2004/0073610 Al
`
`FIG. 9
`LIST OF ALL CONTENTS
`aa1
`bb1
`aa2
`bb2
`aa3
`bb3
`
`FIG. 10
`
`aa1
`bb1
`aa2
`bb2
`aa3
`bb3
`
`FIG. 11
`
`aa1
`bb1
`aa2
`
`DISH, Exh. 1006, p. 6
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 15, 2004 Sheet 6 of 12
`
`US 2004/0073610 Al
`
`FIG. 12
`
`SINGER X 1 aa1
`SINGER Y l aa2
`
`aa3
`bb3
`
`bb1
`
`FIG. 13
`
`SINGER X
`
`(1
`
`+
`SINGER Y
`
`+
`aa2
`
`+
`bb1
`
`(2
`(3
`(4
`
`SINGER'S NAME
`
`FIG. 14
`SINGER X 1 aa1
`SINGER Y L aa2
`bb1
`
`aa3
`bb3
`
`TUNE NAME
`
`A
`
`L aa1
`aa3
`
`GENRE
`
`B
`
`--C bb2
`bb1
`POPS L aa1
`bb1
`L aa2
`bb3
`
`JAZZ
`
`DISH, Exh. 1006, p. 7
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 15, 2004 Sheet 7 of 12
`
`US 2004/0073610 Al
`
`FIG. 15
`
`BM 1 : CONTENTS TITLE : bb 1
`
`ADDRESS : #101 /MPG/bb1. MP
`
`WATCHED AND LISTENED TIME : 01 (h) OS(m) 35(s)
`
`BM2 : CONTENTS TITLE :
`(UNOCCUPIED)
`
`ADDRESS:
`
`WATCHED AND LISTENED TIME :
`
`FIG. 16
`
`100R
`
`0
`CBM1
`
`0
`CBM2
`
`DISH, Exh. 1006, p. 8
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 15, 2004 Sheet 8 of 12
`
`US 2004/0073610 Al
`
`FIG. 17
`
`101
`1)
`
`-
`---------·
`
`SERVER
`[J----- 101 M
`
`BM1
`/
`TO
`-
`CLIENT 201
`AND PDA 202 ..----- --+----------....
`
`SERVER
`[J----- 1 QOM
`
`m11
`
`rp1
`l5' 100
`m2\.
`
`v
`p2
`
`6>100R
`
`rBM1
`____ £!_ ____
`
`-
`
`CLIENT
`[J----- 200M
`
`200
`l)
`. -
`
`FIG. 18
`
`REPRODUCTION
`BY SERVER 100 Lf T(STOP)
`,-----~'---- :
`.. +----BM1(100R)
`(START)•
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I,-----------"'---~
`I
`--~-(END)
`
`REPRODUCTION
`BY CLIENT 200
`
`~
`BM1(200R)
`
`TIME
`
`DISH, Exh. 1006, p. 9
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 15, 2004 Sheet 9 of 12
`
`US 2004/0073610 Al
`
`FIG. 19
`
`START
`
`YES
`
`UPDATE CONTENTS LIST
`
`NOTIFY UPDATING OF CONTENTS LIST
`TO OTHER SERVER
`
`NO
`
`NO
`
`TRANSMIT NEW CONTENTS LIST TO
`OTHER SERVER
`
`END
`
`22
`
`23
`
`25
`
`DISH, Exh. 1006, p. 10
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 15, 2004 Sheet 10 of 12
`
`US 2004/0073610 Al
`
`FIG. 20
`
`START
`
`31
`
`FIG. 21
`
`START
`
`TRANSMIT REQUEST FOR
`CONTENTS LIST TO OTHER
`SERVER
`
`NO
`
`TRAN SM IT ALL CONTENTS
`LIST
`
`END
`
`32
`
`RECEIVE CONTENTS LIST
`FROM OTHER SERVER
`
`33
`
`READ OUT OWN CONTENTS
`LIST FROM INTERNAL
`MEMORY
`
`34
`
`MERGE RECEIVED CONTENTS
`LIST AND READ-OUT
`CONTENTS LIST INTO ALL
`CONTENTS LIST
`
`35
`
`STORE ALL CONTENTS LIST
`INTO INTERNAL MEMORY
`
`END
`
`DISH, Exh. 1006, p. 11
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 15, 2004 Sheet 11 of 12
`
`US 2004/0073610 Al
`
`FIG .. 22
`
`START
`
`NO
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`STOP REPRODUCTION
`
`GENERATE BOOKMARK SIGNAL
`
`STORE BOOKMARK SIGNAL INTO
`INTERNAL MEMORY
`
`TRANSMIT BOOKMARK SIGNAL TO
`OTHER APPARATUSES
`
`END
`
`53
`
`54
`
`55
`
`56
`
`DISH, Exh. 1006, p. 12
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 15, 2004 Sheet 12 of 12
`
`US 2004/0073610 Al
`
`FIG. 23
`
`START
`
`YES
`
`NO
`
`READ OUT BOOKMARK SIGNAL
`
`IDENTIFY CONTENT BY REFERRING TO
`BOOKMARK SIGNAL, AND DERIVE
`ADDRESS AND BOOKMARK POINT FROM
`BOOKMARK SIGNAL
`
`ACCESS APPARATUS AT DERIVED
`ADDRESS, AND GET IDENTIFIED
`CONTENT THEREFROM
`
`START REPRODUCING IDENTIFIED
`CONTENT FROM DERIVED BOOKMARK
`POINT
`
`CANCEL BOOKMARK SIGNAL
`
`END
`
`63
`
`64
`
`65
`
`66
`
`67
`
`DISH, Exh. 1006, p. 13
`
`

`
`US 2004/0073610 Al
`
`Apr. 15, 2004
`
`1
`
`CONTENTS REPRODUCING SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0002] This invention relates to a contents reproducing
`system and a contents recording and reproducing system
`such as those of home-use types. In addition, this invention
`relates to a system for reproducing or recording and repro(cid:173)
`ducing contents data such as moving picture data (MPEG2
`data), still picture data (Bmap data), and audio data (MP3
`data). Furthermore, this invention relates to a home-use
`system in which a plurality of apparatuses storing respective
`contents data are connected by a network, and desired one
`of the contents represented by the data can be reproduced by
`desired one of the apparatuses.
`
`[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
`
`In a known system, a plurality of apparatuses
`[0004]
`storing respective contents data are connected by a network,
`and one of the apparatuses can get content data from another
`apparatus and then reproduce the content represented by the
`data. The known system includes a display which indicates
`a contents list, that is, a list of contents represented by the
`data stored in the apparatuses. In the case of audio contents,
`an example of the contents list is a list of tune names.
`Desired one of the contents can be designated by referring
`to the contents list, and then the designated content can be
`reproduced.
`
`Japanese patent application publication number
`[0005]
`P2002-83485A discloses an AV network system in which a
`set top box, video data recording and reproducing appara(cid:173)
`tuses, disc drives, a home server, and a display are connected
`by an IEEE1394 network. Examples of the recording and
`reproducing apparatuses are a digital camera, a digital video
`recorder, and a digital VTR. Examples of the disc drives are
`a CD drive, an MD drive, and a DVD drive. The home server
`stores contents data. The home server holds first information
`representing the attributes of the contents represented by the
`stored data. The home server collects, from the recording
`and reproducing apparatuses and the disc drives, second
`information representing the attributes of the contents rep(cid:173)
`resented by data stored in the recording and reproducing
`apparatuses and data stored in recording mediums set within
`the disc drives. The home server gets third information
`representing the relation between the contents data and the
`apparatuses and disc drives. On the basis of the first infor(cid:173)
`mation, the second information, and the third information,
`the home server generates a signal representative of a list of
`the contents represented by the data stored therein, the data
`stored in the recording and reproducing apparatuses, and the
`data stored in the recording mediums within the disc drives.
`The display is fed with the contents list signal and is
`controlled by the home server to indicate the contents list
`represented by the signal. The indicated contents list shows
`the attributes of each of the contents. For example, the
`contents list shows the genre and title, the date, and the
`recording time of each of the contents. Furthermore, the
`contents list shows which of the homer server, the recording
`and reproducing apparatuses, and the disc drives data rep(cid:173)
`resenting each of the contents are stored in.
`
`[0006] There is a known CD or DVD player having a
`bookmark providing function which is designed as follows.
`
`In the case where the reproduction of a content is suspended
`and a power supply to the player is cut off, the bookmark
`providing function automatically loads a memory with
`bookmark information indicating the specified position in
`the content at which the reproduction thereof is suspended.
`When the reproduction of the same content is requested
`again, the bookmark providing function retrieves the book(cid:173)
`mark information and restarts the reproduction thereof from
`the specified position (the reproduction suspension place). In
`this way, the rest of the content is automatically reproduced.
`
`Japanese patent application publication number
`[0007]
`P2002-44586A discloses a video data recording and repro(cid:173)
`ducing apparatus including a bookmark adding button for a
`bookmark providing function. The apparatus in Japanese
`application P2002-44586A is designed as follows. During
`the reproduction of a video content, when the bookmark
`adding button is depressed, the apparatus generates a book(cid:173)
`mark information piece. The bookmark information piece
`includes an ID signal for the content, and also a position
`signal representing a desired reproduction start place in the
`content which corresponds to the moment of the depression
`of the bookmark adding button. The apparatus stores the
`bookmark information piece into a recording device such as
`a magnetic hard disk, a recordable DVD, or a non-volatile
`memory. Specifically, the apparatus registers the bookmark
`information piece in a bookmark list provided in the record(cid:173)
`ing device. The bookmark list is able to have bookmark
`information pieces relating to different contents respectively.
`The bookmark list is indicated by a display. When one is
`selected from the bookmark information pieces in the indi(cid:173)
`cated list, the apparatus identifies a content in accordance
`with the ID signal in the selected bookmark information
`piece. Then, the apparatus starts the reproduction of the
`identified content from the desired reproduction start place
`indicated by the position signal in the selected bookmark
`information piece.
`
`In the system of Japanese application P2002-
`[0008]
`83485A, the contents list shows the attributes of contents in
`groups assigned to the homer server, the recording and
`reproducing apparatuses, and the disc drives respectively.
`Thus, as the number of the homer server, the recording and
`reproducing apparatuses, and the disc drives increases, it
`takes a longer time to select one among the contents by
`referring to the contents list.
`
`[0009] The bookmark providing function disclosed in
`Japanese application P2002-44586 is designed for a single
`apparatus, and is unsuited to a contents reproducing system
`including a plurality of apparatuses connected by a network.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0010]
`It is a first object of this invention to provide an
`improved contents reproducing system.
`
`[0011]
`It is a second object of this invention to provide an
`improved contents recording and reproducing system.
`
`[0012] A first aspect of this invention provides a contents
`reproducing system comprising first, second, and third appa(cid:173)
`ratuses; a network connecting the first, second, and third
`apparatuses; means provided in the first apparatus for gen(cid:173)
`erating a first list of contents represented by data stored in
`the first apparatus; means provided in the second apparatus
`for generating a second list of contents represented by data
`
`DISH, Exh. 1006, p. 14
`
`

`
`US 2004/0073610 Al
`
`Apr. 15, 2004
`
`2
`
`stored in the second apparatus; means provided in the first
`apparatus for getting the second list of contents from the
`second apparatus and combining the first list of contents and
`the second list of contents into a third list of contents; means
`provided in the second apparatus for getting the first list of
`contents from the first apparatus and combining the first list
`of contents and the second list of contents into a fourth list
`of contents which is equal to the third list of contents; and
`means provided in the third apparatus for referring to one of
`(1) the third list of contents which is generated ?Y t?e first
`apparatus and (2) the fourth list of contents which is gen(cid:173)
`erated by the second apparatus.
`
`[0013] A second aspect of this invention is based on ~he
`first aspect thereof, and provides a contents reproducmg
`system further comprising means provided in the first appa(cid:173)
`ratus for, when data representing a first new content is stored
`in the first apparatus, updating the first list of contents to
`include the first new content; means provided in the second
`apparatus for, when data representing a second new content
`is stored in the second apparatus, updating the second list of
`contents to include the second new content; means provided
`in the first apparatus for updating the third list of contents in
`response to the updating of the first list of contents and the
`updating of the second list of contents; and means provided
`in the second apparatus for updating the fourth list of
`contents in response to the updating of the first list of
`contents and the updating of the second list of contents.
`
`[0014] A third aspect of this invention is based on the first
`aspect thereof, and provides a contents reproducing system
`further comprising means provided in the first apparatus for,
`when the second apparatus is disconnected from the net(cid:173)
`work, updating the third list of contents to delete therefrom
`the contents represented by the data stored in the second
`apparatus; and means provided in the second apparatus for,
`when the first apparatus is disconnected from the network,
`updating the fourth list of contents to delete therefrom the
`contents represented by the data stored in the first apparatus.
`
`[0015] A fourth aspect of this invention provides a con(cid:173)
`tents reproducing system comprising a first reproducing
`apparatus; a second reproducing apparatus; a network con(cid:173)
`necting the first reproducing apparatus and the second
`reproducing apparatus; first means for, when the first repro(cid:173)
`ducing apparatus suspends reproduction of a content and
`there occurs an un-reproduced part of the content, generating
`first information to identify the content, second information
`to identify a place storing data representing the content, and
`third information indicating a bookmark point correspond(cid:173)
`ing to a beginning of the un-reproduced part of the content;
`and second means for, when the un-reproduced part of the
`content is requested to be reproduced by the second repro(cid:173)
`ducing apparatus, causing the second reproducing apparatus
`to identify the content in response to the first information, to
`get the data representing the identified content from the
`place identified by the second information, and to reproduce
`the un-reproduced part of the content in response to the
`bookmark point indicated by the third information.
`
`[0016] A fifth aspect of this invention is based on the
`fourth aspect thereof, and provides a contents reproducing
`apparatus further comprising a content bookmark button
`provided in the first reproducing apparatus; third means for
`causing the first reproducing apparatus to suspend the repro(cid:173)
`duction of the content when the content bookmark button is
`
`actuated; and fourth means for activating the first means
`when the content bookmark button is actuated.
`[0017] A sixth aspect of this invention is based on the
`fourth aspect thereof, and provides a contents reproducing
`apparatus further comprising a memory provided in the first
`reproducing apparatus; third means for combining the first
`information, the second information, and the third informa(cid:173)
`tion into bookmark information; fourth means for writing
`the bookmark information into the memory; and fifth means
`for transmitting the bookmark information to the second
`reproducing apparatus.
`[0018] A seventh aspect of this invention provides a
`contents recording and reproducing system comprising first,
`second, and third apparatuses; a network connecting the
`first, second, and third apparatuses; means provided in the
`first apparatus for generating a first list of contents repre(cid:173)
`sented by data stored in the first apparatus; means provided
`in the second apparatus for generating a second list of
`contents represented by data stored in the second apparatus;
`means provided in the first apparatus for getting the second
`list of contents from the second apparatus and combining the
`first list of contents and the second list of contents into a
`third list of contents; means provided in the second appa(cid:173)
`ratus for getting the first list of contents from the first
`apparatus and combining the first list of contents and the
`second list of contents into a fourth list of contents which is
`equal to the third list of contents; and means provided in the
`third apparatus for referring to one of (1) the third list of
`contents which is generated by the first apparatus and (2) the
`fourth list of contents which is generated by the second
`apparatus.
`[0019] An eighth aspect of this invention pro".i~es a
`contents recording and reproducing system compnsmg a
`first reproducing apparatus; a second reproducing apparatus;
`a network connecting the first reproducing apparatus and the
`second reproducing apparatus; first means for, when the first
`reproducing apparatus suspends reproduction of a content
`and there occurs an un-reproduced part of the content,
`generating first information to identify the content, second
`information to identify a place storing data representing the
`content, and third information indicating a bookmark point
`corresponding to a beginning of the un-reproduced part of
`the content· and second means for, when the un-reproduced
`part of the' content is requested to be reproduced by the
`second reproducing apparatus, causing the second reproduc(cid:173)
`ing apparatus to identify the content in response to the first
`information, to get the data representing the identified con(cid:173)
`tent from the place identified by the second information, and
`to reproduce the un-reproduced part of the content in
`response to the bookmark point indicated by the third
`information.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`[0020] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a contents reproducing
`system or a contents recording and reproducing system
`according to an embodiment of this invention.
`[0021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a portion of a server
`in FIG. 1.
`[0022] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a portion of a client
`in FIG. 1.
`[0023] FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example of an apparatus
`list.
`
`DISH, Exh. 1006, p. 15
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`US 2004/0073610 Al
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`Apr. 15, 2004
`
`3
`
`[0024] FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example of a contents list
`in a first server in FIG. 1.
`[0025] FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example of a contents list
`in a second server in FIG. 1.
`[0026] FIG. 7 is a diagram of a correspondence relation
`among the title of a content, the address of a place or an
`apparatus storing a file of the content, and added information
`representing the name of a singer relating to the content and
`the genre of the content.
`[0027] FIG. 8 is a diagram of a portion of the system in
`FIG. 1 and signals transmitted among servers and clients.
`[0028] FIG. 9 is a diagram of an example of a list of all
`contents.
`[0029] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a reproducible contents
`menu (an all contents list) indicated on a display of a server
`in FIG. 1.
`[0030] FIG. 11 is a diagram of an example of a portion of
`an all contents list which is indicated on a display of a client
`in FIG. 1.
`
`[0031] FIG. 12 is a diagram of a first example of a
`hierarchical contents list in servers in FIG. 1.
`
`[0032] FIG. 13 is a diagram of pictures successively
`indicated on a display of a client in FIG. 1 and correspond(cid:173)
`ing to respective unit portions of a hierarchical contents list.
`
`[0033] FIG. 14 is a diagram of a second example of the
`hierarchical contents list in servers in FIG. 1.
`
`[0034] FIG. 15 is a diagram of bookmark areas of a
`memory which are assigned to respective bookmark signals
`in each of servers, clients, and a portable digital assistant in
`FIG. 1.
`
`[0035] FIG. 16 is a plan view of a portion of a remote
`control unit in a server in FIG. 1.
`
`[0036] FIG. 17 is a diagram of a portion of the system in
`FIG. 1 and signals transmitted among servers, clients, and
`a portable digital assistant.
`
`[0037] FIG. 18 is a time-domain diagram of reproduction
`of a first part of a content by a server in FIG. 1 and
`reproduction of a subsequent part of the content by a client
`in FIG. 1.
`
`[0038] FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a segment of a control
`program for a server in FIG. 1 which relates to the genera(cid:173)
`tion and updating of a contents list.
`
`[0039] FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a segment of a control
`program for a server in FIG. 1 which relates to the trans(cid:173)
`mission of a contents list and the merger of contents lists.
`
`[0040] FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a segment of a control
`program for a server in FIG. 1 which relates to the trans(cid:173)
`mission of an all contents list.
`
`[0041] FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a segment of a control
`program for a server, a client, or a digital portable assistant
`in FIG. 1 which relates to a bookmark providing function.
`
`[0042] FIG. 23 is a flowchart of a segment of a control
`program for a server, a client, or a portable digital assistant
`in FIG. 1 which relates to the start of content reproduction
`responsive to a bookmark signal (bookmark information).
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`[0043] With reference to FIG. 1, a contents reproducing
`system or a contents recording and reproducing system of an
`embodiment of this invention includes servers 100 and 101,
`clients 200 and 201, and a personal digital assistant (PDA)
`202 which are also referred to as apparatuses. The servers
`100 and 101 operate as media banks. Each of the servers 100
`and 101 includes a recording medium, and acts to record and
`reproduce contents data on and from the recording medium.
`Each of the servers 100 and 101 can provide contents data
`to a communication opposite party. The clients 200 and 201
`are of a simple type such as a playback only type. Each of
`the clients 200 and 201 can reproduce a content or contents
`represented by data mainly provided by the server 100 or
`101. The personal digital assistant 202 operates as a client
`for reproducing a content or contents represented by data
`mainly provided by the server 100 or 101. For example, the
`servers 100 and 101 and the clients 200 and 201 are located
`in different rooms of a house, respectively.
`
`[0044] A network 10 connects the server 100 and 101 and
`the clients 200 and 201. The network 10 includes a wired
`LAN such as an Ethernet (trademark) or a wireless LAN
`conforming to the "802.llb" standards. The network 10
`leads to a router 300 for connection with the Internet. A
`wireless LAN access point 301 is connected with the net(cid:173)
`work 10. The personal digital assistant 202 includes a
`wireless communication unit. The personal digital assistant
`202 can be connected with the network 10 via the wireless
`LAN access point 301.
`
`[0045] The server 100 includes a display lOOa. The server
`101 includes a display lOla. The client 200 includes a
`display 200a. The client 201 includes a display 201a. The
`personal digital assistant 202 includes a display (not shown).
`
`[0046] The servers 100 and 101 are similar in structure.
`Only the server 100 will be described below in more detail.
`As shown in FIG. 2, the server 100 includes a CPU lOOC,
`a memory lOOM, and a hard disk drive lOOH. The memory
`lOOM and the hard disk drive lOOH are connected with the
`CPU lOOC. The hard disk drive lOOH contains a recording
`medium (a hard disk) therein. The server 100 further
`includes encoders/decoders for different signal formats,
`input/output portions of LAN, USE, IEEE1394, and IrDA
`types, an interface for a memory card, input/output devices
`for audio/visual (AIV), and a TV tuner which are connected
`with the CPU lOOC. The input/output devices for A/V lead
`to the display lOOa. The server 100 also includes a remote
`control unit lOOR which can communicate with the CPU
`lOOC via a suitable interface. The server 100 (the CPU lOOC
`in the server 100) operates according to an OS such as
`Linux, and executes application programs. The OS and the
`application programs are stored in the memory lOOM or the
`hard disk in the drive lOOH. Alternatively, the OS and the
`application programs may be stored in a ROM.
`
`[0047] The server 100 acts as a recording and reproducing
`apparatus including the hard disk drive lOOH. The server
`100 can record and reproduce contents data on and from the
`hard disk in the drive lOOH. Examples of the contents data
`are moving picture data (MPEG2 data), still picture data
`(Bmap data), and audio data (MP3 data). The moving picture
`data are generated by compressing a TV program signal
`received by the TV tuner. The still picture data are fed from
`
`DISH, Exh. 1006, p. 16
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`

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`US 2004/0073610 Al
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`Apr. 15, 2004
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`4
`
`a digital camera (not shown) via a memory card. The audio
`data are fed from a music distribution service via the
`Internet. Alternatively, the audio data can be generated by
`compressing a digital audio signal, outputted from a home(cid:173)
`use CD player, into the MP3 format.
`
`[0048] The servers 100 and 101 include interfaces with
`users. As will be mentioned later, a list of contents repre(cid:173)
`sented by data stored in the servers 100 and 101 is indicated
`by each of the displays lOOa and lOla. A user can select one
`from the contents by actuating the user interface of the
`server 100 or 101 while referring to the indicated list. The
`selected content is reproduced by the server 100 or 101. In
`the case where the data representing the selected content are
`absent from the server handled by the user, the server gets
`the data from the other server via the network 10 before
`reproducing the content represented by the data.
`
`[0049] Basic portions of the clients 200 and 201 and the
`portable digital assistant 202 are similar in structure. Only
`the basic portion of the client 200 will be described below
`in detail. As shown in FIG. 3, the client 200 includes a
`combination of a CPU 200C and a memory 200M. The client
`200 further includes decoders for different signal formats,
`input/output portions of LAN and IrDA types, an interface
`for a memory card, and input/output devices for audio/visual
`(AN) which are connected with the CPU 200C. The input/
`output devices for AN lead to the display 200a. The client
`200 also includes a remote control unit 200R which can
`communicate with the CPU 200C via a suitable interface.
`The client 200 (the CPU 200C in the client 200) operates
`according to an OS such as Linux, and executes application
`programs. The OS and the application programs are stored
`in the memory 200M. Alternatively, the OS and the appli(cid:173)
`cation programs may be stored in a ROM.
`
`[0050] Preferably, the client 200 is an apparatus exclu(cid:173)
`sively for playback which does not have any large-capacity
`recording medium. An example of the client 200 is an audio
`visual reproducing apparatus or a television set including an
`interface with the network 10.
`
`[0051] Preferably, the client 201 is a portable audio appa(cid:173)
`ratus exclusively for playback. An example of the client 201
`is a portable MD player, a portable CD player, or a portable
`MP3 player.
`
`[0052] The clients 200 and 201 and the portable digital
`assistant 202 have interfaces with users. Each of the clients
`200 and 201 can access contents data in the servers 100 and
`101 via the network 10. In response to user's request fed via
`the user interface, each of the clients 200 and 201 can select
`one from contents represented by the data in the servers 100
`and 101, and can get the selected-content data from the
`server 100 or 101 and reproduce the selected content. The
`portable digital assistant 202 can access contents data in the
`servers 100 and 101 via the wireless LAN access point 301
`and the network 10. In response to user's request fed via the
`user interface, the portable digital assistant 202 can select
`one from contents represented by the data in the servers 100
`and 101, and can get the selected-content data from the
`server 100 or 101 and reproduce the selected content.
`
`[0053] Each of the servers 100 and 101 generates a list of
`contents represented by data stored therein. The client 200
`gets information representative of the contents lists from the
`servers 100 and 101, and indicates the contents lists on the
`
`display 200a. In response to user's request, the client 200
`can select one from contents in the indicated lists, and can
`get the selected-content data from the server 100 or 101 and
`reproduce the selected content. Similarly, the client 201 gets
`information representative of the contents lists from the
`servers 100 and 101, and indicates the contents lists on the
`display 201a. In response to user's request, the client 201
`can select one from contents in the indicated lists, and can
`get the selected-content data from the server 100 or 101 and
`reproduce the selected content.
`[0054] For example, the server 100, the server 101, the
`client 200, and the client 201 are located in a first living
`room, a second living room, a study, and a kitchen in a
`house, respectively. The portable digital assistant 202 can be
`moved in the house.
`[0055]
`In the contents reproducing system or the contents
`recording and reproducing system of FIG. 1, contents
`represented by data in the server 1