as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication 10) Pub. No.: US 2006/0080342 Al
`(43) Pub. Date: Apr.13, 2006
`
`Takaki
`
`US 20060080342A1
`
`(54) CONTENTS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM,
`CONTENTS MANAGEMENT METHOD, AND
`COMPUTER PROGRAM
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Goro Takaki, Kanagawa (JP)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, FARABOW,
`GARRETT & DUNNER
`LLP
`901 NEW YORK AVENUE, NW
`WASHINGTON, DC 20001-4413 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/242,957
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Oct. 5, 2005
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Oct. 7, 2004
`
`(IP) veces eseseesesees P2004-295078
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. CL
`GO6F
`(52) U.S. C1.
`
`(2006.01)
`7/00
`cssccsstcssssessesestensseesseevestenessnseeveses 707/100
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A contents management system manages multiple contents
`stored in a plurality of apparatuses. The contents manage-
`ment system includes a command input unit that assigns a
`viewing style for guiding a user to desired contents and a
`contents search condition; a screen format generating unit
`that generates a screen format according to the assigned
`viewing style; a contents search unit that searches a contents
`providing space constituted by the plurality of apparatuses,
`each storing contents, according to the assigned search
`condition; and a contents presenting unit that displays and
`outputs information on the individual contents searched by
`the contents search unit on the screen format
`through
`mapping.
`
`101a
`
`COMMAND INPUT
`CONTENTS VIEW DISPLAY. UNIT
`CC =4
`
`
`101
`109
`
`
`
`
`SCREEN CONTROL UNIT
` 101b
`CONTENTS
`
`
`UTILIZING UNIT
`
`
`(REPRODUCTION,
`
`
`
`
`SEARCH CONDITION
`CONTENTS
`ACQUIRING
`GENERATING UNIT
`UNIT
`CONTENTS
`INFORMATION
`ACQUIRING UNIT
`
`
`
`
`
`CONTENTS PROVIDING SPACE
`
`SAMSUNG 1040
`
`SAMSUNG 1040
`
`1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 13,2006 Sheet 1 of 25
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`Patent Application Publication Apr. 13,2006 Sheet 5 of 25
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`US 2006/0080342 Al
`
`Apr. 13, 2006
`
`CONTENTS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, CONTENTS
`MANAGEMENT METHOD, AND COMPUTER
`PROGRAM
`
`CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`subject matter
`invention contains
`[0001] The present
`related to Japanese Patent Application JP 2004-295078 filed
`in the Japanese Patent Office on Oct. 7, 2004, the entire
`contents of which being incorporated herein by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002]
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0003] The invention relates to a contents management
`system which suitably manages various media kinds of
`digitalized contents, to a contents management method, and
`to a computer program. More particularly,
`the invention
`relates to a contents management system which suitably
`manages enormousscattered contents, to a contents man-
`agement method, and to a computer program.
`
`the invention relates to a contents
`Specifically,
`[0004]
`management system which suitably manages contents scat-
`tered and stored in various apparatuses such that desired
`contents is easily searched from the contents, to a contents
`management method, and to a computer program. More
`particularly, the invention relates to a contents management
`system which provides a user with a clue or guide for
`allowing the user to reach desired contents under a comput-
`ing circumstance in which various media kinds of contents
`exist, to a contents management method, and to a computer
`program.
`
`[0005]
`
`2. Description of Related Art
`
`In recent days, with the rapid progress in an infor-
`[0006]
`mation technology (IT) field, various computer systems
`have been developed and manufactured, and have been
`comeinto use in a university or other research institutes, an
`office of a company, and a home. On a computer, in addition
`to a documentfile of a text format, various kinds of media,
`such as sound, images, natural languages, andthe like, are
`digitalized and mathematically handled, such that a high-
`speed processing, such as edition/processing, storage, man-
`agement, communication, and sharing of information, can
`be performed. As such, on the computer system, various
`media kinds of contents can be handled.
`
`[0007] Further, in recent years, an information communi-
`cation network from a private network, such as a domestic
`LANorthelike, to a wide area network, such as Internet or
`the like, is set up. For example, to the domestic LAN,all
`apparatuses, such as a camcorder, a digital camera, a TV
`receiver, a DVD player, an HD recorder, and the like, in
`addition to a PC or a PDA, are connected, and these
`apparatuses can store generated or acquired contents, share
`them with one another, and utilize the contents by repro-
`duction or the like. In addition, a user can obtain desired
`contents from a remote contents server. In summary, in a
`network in which all apparatuses are connected, various
`media kinds of enormous contents can be used.
`
`[0008] A computing circumstance in which various media
`kinds of enormous contents can be handled seems to be
`
`convenient seemingly. However, how to manage enormous
`
`contents is problematic. In an extreme case, astronomical
`numbers of contents are scattered on a global scale, and thus
`it may be difficult for a user to reach desired contents.
`Accordingly, the user loses track of the desired contents.
`
`[0009] At present time, on a desktop screen in which a
`graphical user interface (GUI)is provided, various resource
`objects are displayed with icons, and thus it is convenient in
`that various resource objects can be handled by an intuitive
`input operation. However, these icons do not provide the
`clue or guide for allowing the user to reach the desired
`contents. As a result, the user may not effectively utilize
`available contents, and the contents may be stored away.
`
`[0010] For example, an information search system has
`been suggested in which a search navigation is provided to
`correctly feedback which portion of stored information
`corresponds to information represented on the system by a
`searcher (for example, see Japanese, Patent Laid-Open No.
`8-44759). In the information search system, stored informa-
`tion is divided by individualfixed viewpoints, and a view for
`displaying each elementis prepared for each viewpoint. The
`views dynamically change in connection with one another in
`response to the numbersof search result and a view selection
`processing of the user in course of search. Further, for the
`collection of information limited by the searcher, the feed-
`back of information searched by applying the previous view
`is performed, and a new limitation condition is given. The
`feedback becomesa clue for finding out a limitation condi-
`tion, which is not intendedat first, and thus the searcher, who
`does not have expert knowledge in the technical field, is
`helped to find out a desired main subject in accordance with
`a keyword given in generous examination.
`
`[0011] However, in the information search system, for the
`user, who does not have a guide on search, for example,
`which media kind of contents is available, the clue or guide
`for finding out the desired contents from a massive contents
`storage space may not be provided.
`
`[0012] Further, a contents search apparatus has been sug-
`gested in which a keyword is automatically extracted by
`performing sound recognition or image recognition on input
`information, such as sound information or image informa-
`tion, so as to efficiently search desired contents (for example,
`see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-229180). In the
`contents search apparatus, for example,
`the keyword is
`acquired through the sound recognition of the input sound
`information,
`the keyword is compared with a keyword,
`which is stored and managedin correlation with contents in
`a keyword-contents correlation table, and the contents cor-
`responding to the keyword of the sound recognition result is
`outputted as the search result.
`
`the
`in the contents search apparatus,
`[0013] However,
`keyword search is basic, and thus the user, who does not
`have the guide on search (that is, does not even have a
`technique for assigning the keyword) may not be provided
`with the clue or guide for finding out the desired contents
`from the massive contents storage space. Further,
`in the
`contents search apparatus, it is assumedthat the keyword of
`the contents to be searched is registered in the keyword-
`contents correlation table. It may be impossible to perform
`a keywordregistration processing on all the contents, which
`are scattered in the massive contents storage space, and thus
`the application range is restricted.
`
`27
`
`27
`
`

`

`US 2006/0080342 Al
`
`Apr. 13, 2006
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is desirable to provide a contents management
`[0014]
`system which can suitably manage enormousscattered con-
`tents, a contents management method, and a computer
`program.
`
`[0015] Further, it is desirable to provide a contents man-
`agement system which can provide a user with a clue or
`visual guide for allowing the user to reach desired contents
`under a computing circumstance in which various media
`kinds of contents exist, a contents management method, and
`a computer program.
`
`[0016] Accordingto a first aspect of the invention, there is
`provided a contents management system which manages
`multiple contents stored in a plurality of apparatuses. The
`contents management system includes a commandinputunit
`that assigns a viewing style for guiding a user to desired
`contents and a contents search condition, a screen format
`generating unit that generates a screen format according to
`the assigned viewing style, a contents search unit
`that
`searches a contents providing space constituted by the
`plurality of apparatuses, each storing contents, according to
`the assigned search condition, and a contents presenting unit
`that displays and outputs information on the individual
`contents searched by the contents search unit on the screen
`format through mapping.
`
`[0017] The ‘system’ described herein means the logical
`collection of the plurality of apparatuses (or functional
`modules for implementing specified functions), regardless
`of whether or not
`the individual devices or functional
`modules are incorporated in a single case.
`
`it can be expected that it
`format on the basis of 5W1H,
`becomeseasy for the user to find out the desired contents.
`
`[0021] For example, a calendar view is a viewing style in
`which the contents are divided and arranged in a format of
`a table in which days of one month are arranged by seven
`dates to be presented, and, in each column, an icon of the
`contents in association with the corresponding date is
`arranged. The associated date is, for example, the date on
`which the contents is produced, edited, updated, or copied.
`Further, as the icon of the contents, for example, the repre-
`sentative frame extracted from motion picture contents or a
`jacket of a DVDtitle can be used. According to the calendar
`view,
`the user can easily reach the desired contents,
`in
`particular, with the attribute of “When”of 5W1H as the clue.
`
`[0022] Further, as another example of the screen format
`for mapping the contents, a map view is used. The map view
`is a viewing style in which the contents are divided and
`arranged according to geographical information, such as a
`world map, a Japan map,or the like, to be presented, and the
`individual contents are mapped at associated places on the
`map or its peripheries. The associated place is a place at
`whichthe contents is produced, edited, updated, or copied or
`a place for representing (concerning) the details of the
`contents. Further, as the icon of the contents, for example,
`the representative frame extracted from the motion picture
`contents or a jacket of a DVDtitle can be used. According
`to the map view,
`the user can easily reach the desired
`contents,
`in particular, with the attribute of “Where” of
`5W1H asthe clue.
`
`the map view handles
`[0023] The calendar view or
`“When” or “Where” of 5W1H as the attribute of the con-
`tents, and provides the valid clue or guide, in which the
`[0018] An information communication network from a
`contents view visually using information, such as the date or
`private network, such as a domestic LAN orthe like, to a
`the place, is presented, for allowing the user to find out the
`wide area network, such as Internetor the like, is set up, and
`desired contents. In this case, however, there is a problem in
`various media kinds of enormous contents are used. In such
`that a dead space on the screen is widened. Therefore, a
`a case, a user, who does not have a guide on search, for
`matrix view in which the icons of the contents are orderly
`example, which media kind of contents is available, needs to
`arranged on a screen inalattice shape is prepared as one of
`be provided with a clue or guide for finding out desired
`the viewing styles. According to the matrix view, a larger
`contents from a massive contents storage space.
`numberof icons can be presented on the screen, and the dead
`space on the screen can be narrowed. For example, when a
`large numberofstill pictures are managed, the matrix view
`is directed to present the contents to be easily searched only
`with display of thumbnails.
`
`[0019] The inventors have considered that optimal view-
`ing styles for the individual contents exist. Therefore, in the
`invention, a contents management system is provided in
`which easily viewable viewing styles can be obtained in
`accordance to the contents attribute, without performing a
`presentation restricted by a place of the contents, unlike a
`related art directory structure.
`
`[0020] For example, if the viewing style for guiding to the
`desired contents with 5W1H asthe clue is assigned with the
`command input unit,
`the screen format generating unit
`generates the screen format for arranging the individual
`contents according to 5W1H in response to the assignment
`of the viewing style. Then, when a browse request of the
`contents is received from a user, an available contents
`providing space is searched according to thinking of the
`user, the media kind, or other search conditions inputted by
`the user, and representative frames of the individual founded
`contents are mapped on a format corresponding to the
`attribute assigned by the user, such that it becomes easy for
`the user to find out the desired contents. When a person
`performs context analysis or the like, 5W1H is used as the
`clue. Therefore, if the contents are mapped on the screen
`
`there is a case in which
`like a movie,
`[0024] Further,
`attribute information, such as a contents title or the like, is
`used instead of 5W1H asthe cluefor finding out the contents
`by the user. A list view hasa list-type view style in which the
`contents titles, as well as the representative frame, are
`introduced together.
`
`Ifthe list is selected on a view style selection menu,
`[0025]
`and the motion picture is selected as the media kind,the list
`view for the motion picture contents extracted on the con-
`tents providing space is presented. For example, banners are
`correspondingly provided for the motion picture contents,
`and, in each banner, the representative frame, the title, the
`date of the motion picture contents, and the like are dis-
`played. Further, in case of a new movie, a mark of “New”
`is attached so as to call a user’s attention.
`
`In the calendar view or the map view, for the user
`[0026]
`whosearchesthe contents, the valid clue or guide for finding
`
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`
`out the desired contents can be provided on the basis of
`5W1H. On the other hand, according to the user who ends
`contents search working, the search condition used for the
`contents search up to now can be used as the valid clue or
`guide at the time of the subsequent contents search.
`
`[0027] Therefore, a shelf view is further prepared, and the
`shelf view is a viewing style in which the search condition
`assigned by the user is allocated for each shelf. That is, in
`each shelf, a metaphor is used that a group of contents
`extracted from the contents providing space on the basis of
`the search condition are stored and are drawn out from the
`shelf. Each shelf has reference information for the contents
`extracted on the basis of the registered search condition (that
`is, virtually stored in the shelf). Further, whenever the shelf
`opens, the search of the contents providing space is per-
`formed according to the search condition, and thus the
`reference information for the contents is updated.
`
`[0028] Further, according to a second aspect of the inven-
`tion,
`there is provided a computer program which is
`described in a computer readable format to cause a computer
`system to execute a processing for managing multiple con-
`tents stored in a plurality of apparatuses. The computer
`program includes inputting a commonfor assigning a view-
`ing style for guiding a user to desired contents and a contents
`search condition, generating a screen format accordingto the
`assigned viewing style, searching a contents providing space
`constituted by the plurality of apparatuses, each storing
`contents, according to the assigned search condition, and
`displaying and outputting information on the individual
`contents searched in the searching the contents on the screen
`format through mapping.
`[0029] The computer program according to the second
`aspect of the invention is defined as a computer program
`which is described in a computer readable format so as to
`implement a predetermined processing on a computer sys-
`tem. Specifically, by installing the computer program
`according to the second aspect of the invention in the
`computer system, a cooperative operation is exhibited on the
`computer system, and thus the same advantages as those in
`the contents management system according to the first
`aspect of the invention can be obtained.
`[0030] According to the aspects of the invention, a con-
`tents management system which can suitably manage enor-
`mous scattered contents, a contents management method,
`and a computer program can be provided.
`[0031] Further, according to the aspects of the invention,
`a contents management system which can provide a user
`with a clue or visual guide for allowing the user to reach
`desired contents under a computing circumstance in which
`various media kinds of contents exist, a contents manage-
`ment method, and a computer program can be provided.
`[0032] Other effects,
`features, and advantages of the
`invention will be apparent from the detailed description by
`way of embodiments of the invention to be described below
`or the accompanying drawings.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0033] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a
`configuration of a network in which contents is utilized;
`
`[0034] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a
`hardware configuration of a system for implementing the
`contents management;
`
`FIG.3 is a diagram showing a functional configu-
`[0035]
`ration of a contents management system according to an
`embodiment of the invention;
`
`[0036] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a basic
`configuration of a contents view screen according to an
`embodiment of the invention;
`
`[0037] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a
`configuration of a tool bar;
`
`[0038] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a
`configuration of a view style selection menu;
`
`[0039] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a
`configuration of a contents view screen in which a calendar
`view is selected as a screen format;
`
`[0040] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a screen operation
`whena specified date is selected by tapping orthe like on the
`calendar view;
`
`[0041] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a mode in which a
`motion picture starts to be reproduced in response to tapping
`of a representative frame;
`
`[0042] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modein which, if
`a still picture button is pressed on a toolbar, only still picture
`contents are filtered, and only icons of the still picture
`contents are displayed;
`
`FIG.11 is a flowchart showing a process sequence
`[0043]
`when a view style is switched;
`
`[0044] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a
`configuration of a contents view screen in which a map view
`is selected as a screen format;
`
`[0045] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a mode in which a
`selected pedestal is being magnified on the map view;
`
`[0046] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a mode in which
`another selected pedestal is being magnified on the map
`view;
`
`[0047] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a mode in which
`another selected pedestal is being magnified on the map
`view;
`
`[0048] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a
`screen configuration of a matrix view;
`
`[0049] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a
`screen when a specified thumbnail is selected on the matrix
`view;
`
`[0050] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a
`screen configuration ofa list view, which introduces motion
`picture contents, such as a movie andthelike;
`
`[0051] FIG. 19 isa diagram illustrating an operation when
`a specified banner is selected on the list view;
`
`[0052] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a
`screen configuration of a shelf view;
`
`[0053] FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an operation when
`a desired shelf is selected;
`
`[0054] FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an operation
`sequence for registering a shelf search condition;
`
`[0055] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an operation
`sequence for registering a shelf search condition;
`
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`
`[0056] FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an operation
`sequence for registering a shelf search condition; and
`
`[0057] FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a
`screen configuration which displays a home network.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0058] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will
`be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
`A. Outline
`
`[0059] With the progress of the information technology, an
`information communication network from a private net-
`work, such as a domestic LAN orthe like, to a wide area
`network, such as Internet or the like, is setup. For example,
`to the domestic LAN,all apparatuses, such as a camcorder,
`a digital camera, a TV receiver, a DVD player, an HD
`recorder, and the like, in addition to a PC or a PDA,are
`connected, and these apparatuses can store generated or
`acquired contents, share them with one another, and utilize
`the contents by reproduction or the like. Further, a user can
`acquire desired contents from a remote contents server.
`
`In the network to which all apparatuses are con-
`[0060]
`nected, various media kinds of enormous contents are avail-
`able, but, in order to effectively utilize the contents, how to
`manage enormouscontents is problematic. A contents man-
`agement system according to an embodimentof the inven-
`tion provides a user with a clue or visual guide for allowing
`the user to reach the desired contents and helps the contents
`to be effectively utilized.
`
`is
`the contents management
`In the related art,
`[0061]
`generally performed with a hierarchy structure using a
`directory. When a directory structure in which a contents
`management method or a managementpolicyis reflected is
`logically constructed, on a browse screen, such as a so-
`called ‘Explorer’ or the like, the contents, which share the
`attribute, are arranged below onedirectory, and thus the user
`can easily find out the desired contents. However, in the
`directory structure, a logical storage space of a directory is
`formed for each physical storage space of a disk drive, and
`thus display depends on the physical arrangement. Unlike a
`closed system in which all available contents are stored in a
`signal local disk,
`in a system in which a remote disk is
`transmissively connected to a local disk, when all available
`contents on the domestic LAN or Internet are to be viewed,
`a plurality of associated contents are divided for each disk
`(that is, extend over the directories) to be displayed. Accord-
`ingly, it is difficult to search the desired contents. Thatis, it
`maybe impossible to allow a large number of contents
`scattered amonga plurality of physical storage spaces to be
`viewed simultaneously.
`
`[0062] The inventors have considered that optimal view-
`ing styles for the individual contents exist. In the embodi-
`ment of the invention, all the available contents on the
`domestic LAN or the wide area network, such as Internet or
`the like are to be viewed, but an easily viewable viewing
`style is obtained in accordance with the contents attribute,
`without performing presentation restricted by a place of the
`contents, unlike the directory structure in the related art.
`Thatis, in the embodimentof the invention, a large number
`of contents scattered in a plurality of physical storage spaces
`are simultaneously to be viewed.
`
`Specifically, a screen format, in which the contents
`[0063]
`are arranged in accordance with the media kind or the
`attribute, such as 5W1H orthelike, to be easily viewed, is
`prepared. Then,
`if a browse request of the contents is
`received from a user, the available contents providing spaces
`are searched according to thinking of the user, the media
`kind, or other search conditions inputted by the user, and the
`representative frames of the individual founded contents are
`mappedon a format corresponding to the attribute assigned
`bythe user, such that it becomeseasy for the user to find out
`the desired contents.
`
`[0064] The contents attribute generally includes the con-
`tentstitle, a file type (format) or the media kind, the date, the
`abstract of the contents, and the like, but, in the present
`embodiment, 5W1H associated with the contents is further
`handled as the attribute. When a person performs context
`analysis or the like, 5W1H is used as the clue. In this case,
`if the contents are mapped on the screen format on the basis
`of 5W1H,it can be further expected that the user easily finds
`out the desired contents.
`
`[0065] Here, as an example of the screen format for
`mapping the contents, a calendar view is used. The calendar
`view is a viewing style in which the contents are divided and
`arranged in a format of a table in which days of one month
`are arranged by seven dates to be presented, and, in each
`column, the icon of the contents in association with the
`corresponding date is arranged. The associated date is, for
`example, the date on which the contents is produced, edited,
`updated, or copied. Further, as the icon of the contents, for
`example, the representative frame extracted from motion
`picture contents or a jacket of a DVD title can be used.
`According to the calendar view, the user can easily reach the
`desired contents, in particular, with the attribute of “When”
`of 5W1Hasthe clue.
`
`[0066] Further, as another example of the screen format
`for mapping the contents, a map view is used. The map view
`is a viewing style in which the contents are divided and
`arranged according to geographical information, such as a
`world map, a Japan map,or the like, to be presented, and the
`individual contents are mapped at associated places on the
`maporits periphery. The associated place is a place at which
`the contents is produced, edited, updated, or copied or a
`place for representing (concerning) the details of the con-
`tents. Further, as the icon of the contents, for example, the
`representative frame extracted from motion picture contents
`or ajacket of a DVDtitle can be used. According to the map
`view,
`the user can easily reach the desired contents,
`in
`particular, with the attribute of “Where” of 5W1H as the
`clue.
`
`[0067] The screen configuration or the operation of the
`calendar view or the map view will be described in detail
`herein below.
`
`B. System Configuration
`
`[0068] FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of a
`network in which the contents is utilized. On a home
`network, a homeserver, and one or more client terminals
`exist. The home network is connected to an external net-
`work, such as Internet or the like, through a homerouter.
`
`[0069] The clie