Abstract: A volume control apparatus that is connectable to a controller and controls a volume value of a sound signal based on an instruction from the controller includes a receiving section for, when a controller-side volume setting value settable in the controller is changed by a user's operation, receiving the changed controller-side volume setting value from the controller. The apparatus also includes a first difference value calculating section for calculating a first difference value between the changed controller-side volume setting value and the controller-side volume setting value before change, a second difference value calculating section for calculating a second difference value between a maximum volume value controllable by the controller and a current volume value, and an increase value calculating section for multiplying the second difference value by a ratio of the first difference value so as to calculate an increase value of the volume value.

Abstract: When continuously reproducing a plurality of contents, a content reproducing apparatus determines whether or not a remaining time of an expiration date of a session key is shorter than a total reproduction time of the plurality of contents to be continuously content. When it is determined that the remaining time of the expiration date of the session key is shorter than the total reproduction time of the plurality of contents to be continuously reproduced, a new session key is acquired from a server, and then the plurality of contents are continuously reproduced, using the new session key. When it is determined that the remaining time of the expiration date of the session key is not shorter than the total reproduction time of the plurality of contents to be continuously reproduced, the plurality of contents are continuously reproduced, using the current session key without acquiring the new session key from the server.

Abstract: When a media player reproduces a content identical to a content being reproduced by a renderer, the media player obtains, from the media renderer, content information of the content being reproduced by the media renderer. The media player then obtains a content list from a server, and specifies a content having content information identical to content information received from the media renderer as well as its position in the content list. As a result, a user can specify the content being reproduced by the media renderer, and can start reproduction without operating the media player and searching for the content.

Abstract: Respective room output functions of an AV amplifier are set as respective devices. A controller receives device information about the devices from the AV amplifier, and can recognize the room output functions of the AV amplifier as different devices. As a result, the user can operate the room output functions of the AV amplifier individually through the controller.

Abstract: When continuously reproducing a plurality of contents, a content reproducing apparatus determines whether or not a remaining time of an expiration date of a session key is shorter than a total reproduction time of the plurality of contents to be continuously content. When it is determined that the remaining time of the expiration date of the session key is shorter than the total reproduction time of the plurality of contents to be continuously reproduced, a new session key is acquired from a server, and then the plurality of contents are continuously reproduced, using the new session key. When it is determined that the remaining time of the expiration date of the session key is not shorter than the total reproduction time of the plurality of contents to be continuously reproduced, the plurality of contents are continuously reproduced, using the current session key without acquiring the new session key from the server.

Abstract: A volume control apparatus that is connectable to a controller and controls a volume value of a sound signal based on an instruction from the controller, comprises: a receiving section for, when a controller-side volume setting value settable in the controller is changed by a user's operation, receiving the changed controller-side volume setting value from the controller; a first difference value calculating section for calculating a first difference value as a difference value between the changed controller-side volume setting value and the controller-side volume setting value before change; a second difference value calculating section for calculating a second difference value as a difference value between a maximum volume value controllable by the controller and a current volume value; and an increase value calculating section for multiplying the second difference value by a ratio of the first difference value to (a maximum value of the controller-side volume setting value?a minimum value of the controller