JP2003263380A - Transmission device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform efficient data delivery, while suppressing load increase on the reception side. <P>SOLUTION: When an object registered in a database 3 is updated by a server 2, and a subject which is data wherein the object after updation and an identifier of the object before updation are arranged is generated. In addition, an event which is data wherein information necessary for acquiring the subject and the same identifier as an identifier included in the subject are arranged is generated by the server 2, and transmitted through, for example, a broadcast network 4 such as a satellite circuit. On the other hand, the event is received by a reception terminal 5, and the subject having the same identifier as an identifier arranged there is acquired based on the event. Then, the object having the same identifier as the identifier arranged there is updated based on the subject. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transmitting device,
In particular, for example, large numbers of data in distributed databases
To distribute data to the database, IP (Intern
et Protocol) Distribute data by multicast
Or when distributing data to unspecified majority
A transmission device suitable for use. 2. Description of the Related Art There are various data distribution methods.
Has been proposed, for example, on the current Internet
In the case of HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol)
l) TCP / IP (Transmission Control Prot)
ocol / Internet Protocol)
Have been used. TCP / IP receives data distribution
A call is made from the receiving side to the data sending side.
In addition, each time data is sent or received,
Because a connection is established with the calling party,
High data delivery can be performed. But
However, on the other hand, the load on the transmitting side and the network increases.
May make it difficult to deliver data efficiently.
there were. That is, the number of terminals receiving data is increasing.
Access to servers that provide data
Causes a heavy load on servers and networks,
Data, but it takes a lot of time to get the data
Was required. [0004] Therefore, data distribution is performed, for example, in a large area.
Satellite channels and CATV networks that can broadcast all over the area
A method using such methods has been proposed. In this case, the terminal
Increase the load on servers and networks
It is not affected. [0005] By the way, the satellite link
When data is distributed using any method, the receiving side
The desired data is stored in which channel (for satellite lines,
Which transponder's frequency band)
Is always available because you do not know when it will be broadcast.
All channels must be monitored,
The burden increases. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances.
And reduce the burden on the receiving side while increasing efficiency.
Data distribution.
You. [0007] A transmitting apparatus according to the present invention has a
When the content registered in the database is updated
The update data for performing the update
To identify content that is updated with new data
Update data generation to generate the one with the identification information added
Means and acquisition data for acquiring update data.
Update data acquired based on the acquired data
Therefore, the identification information of the content to be updated
Data acquisition means for generating
And [0008] In the transmitting apparatus of the present invention, the database
If the content registered in the source is updated,
Update data for performing a new
Identification information for identifying the content to be updated
Is generated, and update data is acquired.
Data that is acquired based on the acquired data.
Knowledge of the content updated by the obtained update data
The one to which the different information is added is generated. And update
Data and acquired data are transmitted. FIG. 1 shows data to which the present invention is applied.
Distribution system (in this specification, a system
Means a logical collection of a number of devices.
Regardless of whether they are in the same housing).
2 shows a configuration example. [0010] Information providers A to C record various data.
It has memorized databases 1a to 1c. What
The databases 1a to 1c include, for example, traffic information
News, weather information, stock quotes and other real-time changes
Data that does not change in real time
Text data, image data, audio data
Data, computer programs, etc.
Data in the format provided by the
And homepages provided on the WWW (World Wide Web)
Including the data that composes the page)
It is made to be able to. Here, for example, traffic information
And a set of information such as weather information (for example,
Files) as appropriate,
Or an object. The data stored in the databases 1a to 1c
When the object (content) is updated,
Objects stored in the databases 1a to 1c are changed
Or a new object is registered there.
Or the objects stored there
An update object that, when deleted, will perform that update
The information is transmitted to the server 2 constituting the broadcast station,
In 2, based on the updated object information,
Base 3 is updated. Here, the update object information includes
If the object has changed, for example, after the change
Object is registered when a new object is registered.
If, for example, the new object is
If the object is deleted, for example,
The removal command is sent from the databases 1a to 1c,
Transmitted to the server 2. In this case, the update object
Information indicates when an object has changed
New object equal to later object
Is registered, equals the new object.
No. The server 2 is based on the updated object information.
When the registered contents of the database 3 are updated,
Object information is stored in, for example, an analog public network or IS
DN (Integrated Services Digital Network), Inn
Internet or other, at least two-way communication
Communication network 6 or dedicated line
Via the mirror server 7. The mirror server 7
Receives updated object information from server 2 and updates it.
Updates database 8 based on new object information
I do. Therefore, the registered contents of the databases 3 and 8 are always
Sometimes they are the same. Further, the server 2 registers the database 3
When the recorded contents are updated, the updated object information
Objects updated by new object information
Data with an identifier (identification information) added for identification
(Hereinafter referred to as subject, as appropriate)
New data). That is, stored in the database 3
Objects to identify each object
Identifier, and the updated object information
The identifier of the object updated by
Subject is generated by adding to the subject information
Is done. In the server 2, the subject is obtained.
Is also generated. That is, the subject
Is transmitted from the server 2 to the broadcast network 4 as described later.
Through the subject, in which case the subject
To get the subject, the time and date when the subject is broadcast
A channel is required. Also, the subject
As described above, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
Managed by server 2 and mirror server 7
In this case, the subject
Needs that URL. Therefore, in server 2,
Such information is used to retrieve the subject
Are generated as data. Further, the server 2 acquires the subject
Data to be obtained based on that data
The identifier of the object to be updated by the subject
(Hereinafter referred to as “event” as appropriate)
Generate). In the server 2, the subject and its
An event is generated to get the subject
And these are according to a given transmission schedule, eg
For example, satellite lines, CATV networks, terrestrial waves, and other small
At least one user can broadcast to many users simultaneously.
Broadcast network)
4, for example, IRD (Integrated Receiver an
d Decoder) or STB (Set Top Box)
5 is transmitted. That is, a subject is generated and obtained.
For the event (with the same identifier as the subject
When an attached event is generated, basically,
First, the event is sent via the broadcast network 4.
Be trusted. In addition, events sent this way
The subject's broadcast time, channel, etc.
If there is something mentioned, at that broadcast time,
In the channel, the subject is
And sent. Here, in the server 2, for example,
An object transmission schedule is created (broadcast time and
And broadcast channel are determined), and its transmission schedule
According to the rules,
A broadcast time and a broadcast channel are described. And
The transmission schedule of the event is set. Also, if the subject is, for example, a URL
Associated with each other and managed by the server 2 and the mirror server 7.
Event, an event containing the URL is generated.
And transmitted via the broadcast network 4. That is,
The object is under the control of server 2 or mirror server 7
If you place the server 2 or mirror server respectively
URL that has the IP address of server 7 as the domain name
Is generated and transmitted. As described above, via the broadcast network 4
The event that is transmitted (distributed) is received by the user
It is received by the terminal 5. In the receiving terminal 5, the received event
Of the objects desired by the user
Are selected and, based on the selected event,
The object is obtained. That is, for example, the subject
If the broadcast time or channel is included,
In the base 2, as described above, at the broadcast time,
In the channel, the subject connects the broadcast network 4
Is transmitted through the receiving terminal 5,
Then, the transmitted subject is received. For example, in the event, the subject
If the URL associated with
Terminal 5 communicates with the server corresponding to the domain name of the URL.
On the other hand, access via the communication network 6
Request and receive a project. More specifically, the URL of the event
The server corresponding to the domain name is, for example, server 2
If the subject is under the control of the server 2,
Therefore, the receiving terminal 5 is connected via the communication network 6
Access the server 2 and obtain the subject. Also, the domain of the URL included in the event
For example, the server corresponding to the mirror name is the mirror server 7.
If the subject is under the management of the mirror server 7,
Therefore, the receiving terminal 5 is connected via the communication network 6
To access the mirror server 7 and retrieve the subject.
Get. The receiving terminal 5 operates as described above.
After obtaining the object, the object is
Update the project. The subject is broadcast from the server 2.
Transmitted over the network 4 and the server 2
Or under the management of the mirror server 7. Sa
In the embodiment of FIG. 1, only one mirror server 7 is provided.
, The same processing as that of the mirror server 7 is performed.
The mirror server (information processing device) is connected to the communication network 6
Multiple units can be provided above, in which case the subject
Can be managed by multiple mirror servers.
You. The subject is also transmitted from the server 2 to the broadcast network.
Via network 4 at a certain time on a certain channel
Not just sent, but multiple channels and multiple
It may be sent at the time. As described above, a certain subject is obtained.
If there is more than one method, the event
Information on each law (broadcast time, broadcast channel
, URL, etc.), but any of these
The method of acquiring the subject depends on the receiving terminal 5
Is determined. That is, for example, broadcast to an event
The time to send the subject via the network 4
When a plurality is included, the receiving terminal 5
Subject broadcast at the time closest to the current time
Is received, the subject is obtained. Ma
For example, an event includes a plurality of URLs
In this case, the server located closest to the receiving terminal 5
Is selected, and the communication network is
The request for the subject is made via the
Then, the subject is obtained. Further, for example,
To the subject via the broadcast network 4
In the case where the communication time and the URL are included,
For example, when the line condition of the broadcast network 4 is bad (S
/ N (Signal / Noise) is low).
And the subject is obtained as described above.
You. In addition, the subject can be
Is obtained based on the operation of the user of the receiving terminal 5 or the like.
Can be determined. According to the data distribution system described above,
For example, if an event that describes how to get a subject
It is distributed via the broadcast network 4 and is
And the subject is retrieved based on the event.
The object is updated, and the receiving terminal 5
Efficient data distribution while suppressing the increase in load
Can be. That is, in general, updating of an object (particularly
, Change object and register new object)
The amount of subject data including subject information is large,
In addition, the subject responds to object updates
Because it is generated, you do not know when it will occur. Therefore,
Such sub-programs that occur irregularly and have a large amount of data
Project, as early as possible, the broadcast network 4
Server 2, at this time
Send subject using available channel
There is a need to. However, in this case, the receiving terminal 5
So, you know when and on what channel
You have to wait for no subject, which can be a burden. On the other hand, an event is a subject
In general, it contains a description of how to obtain
The amount of data is the subject that contains the updated object information
Much less than for this, for example, there is a narrow band
Transmission at a fixed time on a regional channel
Is possible. Therefore, in this case, the receiving terminal 5
Is sent at a fixed time on the channel
All you have to do is receive the event,
It is much smaller than waiting for the transmission. Further, in this embodiment, the event is
Broadcasting network 4 that can broadcast all over a large area
, The number of receiving terminals 5 increases,
Affecting the load on server 2 and broadcast network 4
Nor. In the present embodiment, the subject
Is not only provided via the communication network 6
Since it is also provided via the broadcast network 4,
Server 2 and mirror server 7
Access is rarely concentrated in the
Efficient distribution of objects becomes possible. The broadcast network 4 and the communication network
Network 6 needs to be a physically separate network
Absent. That is, the broadcast network 4 is, for example, CATV
In the case where the CATV network is configured by a communication network,
It can also be used as a network 6. Also,
The distribution of data by the broadcast network 4 is, for example,
IP (Internet Protoco
l) In case of multicast, communication network
Work 6 can also be configured on the Internet
It is. Further, data from the server 2 to the receiving terminal 5
Data (events and subjects)
For example, scrambled
Only users (users who have subscribed)
It is also possible to make it possible. Next, FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the server 2 in FIG.
Is shown. The communication control unit 11 includes, for example, a modem,
A (Terminal Adapter)
The communication via the network 6 is controlled.
The resource allocating unit 12 stores data via the broadcast network 4.
Resource allocation for data transmission.
That is, the resource allocating unit 12
Of the event, the event and
And subjects via the broadcast network 4
Resource allocation (eg, events and objects)
Project transmission channel, transmission time (time), data
Rate, number of transmissions (transmission frequency), etc.)
It has been made. Event by the resource allocation unit 12 and
The result of resource allocation for subject transmission is data
It is adapted to be supplied to the configuration unit 17 and the transmission unit 18.
ing. The data search unit 13 is provided for the communication network 6
Of the subject transmitted from the receiving terminal 5 via
The request is received from the communication control unit 11 and the subject
The updated object information that constitutes
Search from. Then, the data search unit 13 transmits the data to be described later.
A subject is configured in the same manner as the data configuration unit 17,
The information is supplied to the communication control unit 11. Duplicate tube
The management unit 14 controls the mirror server 7 (further, the communication network).
For specifying a mirror server (not shown) on the network 6
Manage information. That is, the replication management unit 14
For example, if the communication network 4 is the Internet
Stores the IP address of the mirror server 7. So
Then, the duplication management unit 14 sends the object
When an update is notified, the update
Read object information from database 3 and communicate
By controlling the control unit 11, the updated object information
The information is managed by, for example, the mirror server 7 or the like itself.
IP address of the server on the communication network 6
Has been made to send. The copy management unit 14
Can transfer information that it manages to data
It is also supplied to the component 17. The registration unit 15 stores the data of the information providers A to C.
Update object supplied from database 1a to 1c
Information, and based on the updated object information,
Update object (database 3)
Have been. That is, the database 1 of the information providers A to C
a to 1c together with the updated object information
Object updated by the updated object information
The identifier of the client is also supplied. Registration unit 1
5 receives this updated object information and identifier
The object corresponding to the identifier is stored in the database.
Search from step 3. Further, the registration unit 15
Object searched for in the updated object information
And then update the object
The resource allocation unit 12, the replication management unit 14, and the data structure
Output to the component 17. The registration unit 15 stores the database
Updated object information and identification from
The child is also registered in the database 3. The data configuration unit 17 sends the object
When you receive a notification that your project has been updated,
Update object information about the object
Database 3 and its updated object information
Is generated and output to the transmission unit 18.
It has been made to empower. Further, the data configuration unit 17
Also generates an event to get the subject
The data is output to the transmission unit 18. In addition,
In the data configuration unit 17, generation of an event is determined by resource allocation.
From the result of resource allocation by this unit 12 and from the copy management unit 14
This is performed using the supplied information.
That is, the data composition unit 17 transmits the subject
Channel, time, data rate, and even managing it
Information about the server to be managed
Resource allocation results and information from the replication management unit 14
Being recognized and included in the event. The transmission unit 18 receives the data from the data construction unit 17
Assigning events and subjects to the resource allocation unit 12
According to the result, ie, for example, a given channel
At a predetermined time, at a predetermined data rate, etc.
The data is transmitted via the network 4. FIG. 3 shows the structure of the mirror server 7 shown in FIG.
An example is shown. In the figure, the server 2 in FIG.
The same reference numerals are used for the parts corresponding to
is there. That is, the mirror server 7 includes the resource
The management unit 14, the data configuration unit 17, and the transmission unit 18 are provided.
The configuration is basically the same as that of server 2 except that
Have been. Note that the registration unit 1 constituting the mirror server 7
5, the replication management unit 14 constituting the server 2
By controlling the control unit 11, the communication network 6
Update object information sent via
It has been made to be. In the server 2 configured as described above,
Register data in database 3 (contents of database registration)
Update) registration process, subject and event
Data transmission to be generated and transmitted via the broadcast network 4
Transmission processing and from the receiving terminal 5 via the communication network 6
Request for a subject,
Request data for transmitting the event via the communication network 6
Transmission processing is performed, and the mirror server 7 registers
Recording and request data transmission
Has been done. First, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The registration process performed by the server 2 will be described. In the registration process, first, in step S1
In the databases 1a to 1c of the information providers A to C
1c to identify the updated object information
The registration unit 15 determines whether the child has been delivered.
If it is determined that the
Return to step S1. Also, in step S1, the update object
Is determined that the project information and identifier have been delivered.
If so, the process proceeds to step S2, and the registration unit 15
The identifier is added to the updated object information, and the
Database 3 Here, from the databases 1a to 1c
Indicates that the update object information and the identifier
To be supplied in a format as shown in
I have. The identifier is, for example, traffic information
And weather information, stock price information, and other information
For each type of object, such as component
Unique ID (Identificati
on), and version information indicating the newness of the object.
Information. The version information is, for example, the object
Is incremented by one each time the event is updated.
Numerical values are used.
For objects to which one ID has been added,
By comparing the version information of
Can be recognized. The ID and the version information are stored here.
For example, both are fixed length. The registration unit 15 stores the database 1a to 1c
The update object information distributed from
Identifiers distributed from databases 1a to 1c
Addition (association), furthermore, in step S2
The ID that has the same ID as the ID that constitutes the identifier
The object to which the offspring is added is stored in the database 3
And update based on the updated object information.
You. Then, the registration unit 15 stores the updated object
The version information of the identifier added to
Increment by one. Thereafter, the registration unit 15 proceeds to step S3.
And that the object has been updated, the resource allocation unit 1
2. Output to replication management unit 14 and data configuration unit 17
Then, the process returns to step S1. The object supplied as described above
When the copy management unit 14 receives the notification that the
Update object registered in database 3 in step S2
The information and the identifier attached to it are read out,
The server that it manages, that is, here, for example,
Sent to the mirror server 7 via the communication network 6
Be trusted. Further, the replication management unit 14
A feature to identify the server that sent the information and identifier
Information, that is, for example, the I of the mirror server 7
The P address is output to the data configuration unit 17. In the mirror server 7, the steps shown in FIG.
The processing except for step S3 of steps S1 to S3 is
This is performed as a registration process. That is, in the mirror server 7,
In step S1, the server 2 updates the object
The registration unit 15 determines whether the information and the identifier have been distributed.
Therefore, if it is determined that the content has not been distributed,
If so, the process returns to step S1. Also, in step S1
Update object information and identifiers
If it is determined that the mirror
The registration unit 15 of the server 7 stores an identifier in the update object information.
Is added and registered in the database 8. In addition, mirror
In step S2, the registration unit 15 of the server 7
The same ID as the ID constituting the identifier received from the server 2
An object to which an identifier having
Searches from base 8 and retrieves the object from server 2
Update based on the update object information received from the server.
Then, the registration unit 15 of the mirror server 7 updates the
Version information of the identifier added to the object
Is incremented by 1 and step S3 is skipped.
Then, the process returns to step S1. In the server 2, the registration processing as described above is performed.
Registration in step S3.
The fact that the object output by the recording unit 15 has been updated is
In addition to being supplied to the production management unit 14, the resource allocation unit 12 and the data
The data is also supplied to the data configuration unit 17. The resource allocating unit 12 updates the object
Will receive an event about the update and
Send the subject via the broadcast network 4
To allocate resources for
The signal is output to the unit 17 and the transmission unit 18. Data configuration unit 17
Upon receiving notification that the object has been updated,
Update object for the new object
Reads information from database 3 and retrieves subject
Generate and output to the transmission unit 18. Furthermore, the data structure
The unit 17 performs an event for acquiring the subject.
The resource allocation result of the resource allocation unit 12 and the copy management unit 14
(For example, as described above, the mirror server 7
Generated by using the IP address of the
You. Then, in the transmission section 18, the data
The event or the subject is assigned by the resource
According to the result, transmission via the broadcast network 4
Is done. That is, the resource allocation unit 12, the data configuration unit 17, and the
The transmission unit 18 performs data transmission processing as shown in FIG.
Is performed. That is, in the data transmission process, first,
In step S11, a resource allocation process is performed. Ingredient
Specifically, in step S11, the resource allocation unit 12
Receives the notification that the object has been updated,
New events and objects on the broadcast network
A broadcast channel for transmission via work 4
The transmission time, data rate, number of transmissions, etc. are determined. this
These resource allocation results are sent to the data configuration unit 17 and the transmission unit 1
8 is supplied. Then, in step S12, the data
The configuration unit 17 generates an event and a subject.
You. That is, the data configuration unit 17 reads from the database 3
Update object information used to update the object
And the identifier attached to it,
For example, a subject as shown in FIG.
Note that FIG. 7A (the same applies to FIG.
Like), a discrimination file exists between the identifier and the updated object information.
Although a lag is placed, this discrimination flag
Indicates whether it is a subject or an event. Further, the data forming unit 17 stores the subject
, The identifier added to the subject and
The same identifier is added, for example, as shown in FIG.
Configure such events. That is, the event is
In the same identifier as the identifier added to the
Lag, broadcast schedule information, and server access information
Information is sequentially arranged. The broadcast schedule information includes the subject
Is broadcast over the broadcast network 4,
This is the information required to receive the information (reception required information).
Contains a sub-project that is a resource allocation result from the resource allocation unit 12.
Broadcast channel, broadcast time (time), data
And the number of transmissions. Therefore, configure events
By referring to the broadcast schedule information to be generated,
To update the object of the identifier that constitutes the event
Recognize the broadcast channel and broadcast time of the subject
That allows you to receive that subject
It is possible to do. The server access information indicates that the subject is
Via the communication network 6 from the server 2 or the mirror server 7
Is transmitted via the communication network 6,
Information required to request the subject (request required
Information), which includes, for example, server 2 and mirror server
7 are included. And this IP address
For the dress, etc., the server 2 and the mirror server 7 are specified.
From the copy management unit 14 to the data configuration unit
17. That is, the server 2 and the mirror server 7
Update object information stored in databases 3 and 8 and
FIG. 7 (A) shows the relationship between the
The subject from the request and responds to the request from the receiving terminal 5.
In response, the subject is transmitted via the communication network 6.
And send it in this way.
When acquiring the object, the server access information
Illuminated. Here, the server 2 and the mirror server 7
The updated object information and the
The subject consisting of the identifier
A URL configured by adding an identifier to an IP address
In response, subject management is performed.
ing. In this case, the receiving terminal 5 that has received the event
Identifies the server access information that constitutes the event
From the child, the same identifier as the event is added.
The URL of the subject can be recognized. The subject is a broadcast network
It is only possible to provide via
In the event about the subject,
No access information is placed. Conversely, the subject
Can be provided only via the communication network 6
But in this case, the subject
No broadcast schedule information is placed for
No. The subject is a broadcast network
4 and transmitted on multiple channels and multiple times
The event for that subject,
Corresponds to each of the multiple channels and multiple times
Broadcast schedule information is arranged. Similarly, sub
When a plurality of services are
The subject, if available.
All events correspond to each of the servers.
Server access information is arranged. Note that the broadcast schedule information and the server
Access information, broadcast schedule information, etc.
Information or server access information only
If present, combine them all into one event
Instead of including, create an event for each of them.
You can do it. Returning to FIG. 6, in step S12,
Events and subjects as above are generated
And the event and the subject are stored in the data
Are supplied to the transmission section 18 from the transmission section 18. The transmission unit 18
In step S13, an event from the data configuration unit 17
The subject receives the resource allocation result from the resource allocation unit 12
Therefore, it is transmitted via the broadcast network 4.
In other words, events and subjects are transmitted, for example,
At a given transmission time on a channel, at a given data rate
Is transmitted via the broadcast network 4 and the
Proceed to 14. In step S14, the data configuration unit 17
The transmission of these events and subjects is performed by the resource allocation unit 12.
Line for the number of transmissions included in the resource allocation result from
It is determined by the transmission unit 18 whether
If it is determined that there is no event, the process returns to step S13 and the event
And the transmission of the subject and the subject are repeated. That is, broadcast
Data transmission by the network 4 is received from the server 2.
Since the communication is performed only in one direction of the communication terminal 5, between them,
Check that data was sent and received correctly
I can't. Therefore, the server 2 transmits data.
Is the transmission time, which is the result of resource allocation by the resource allocation unit 12.
It is made to repeat by number,
In the receiving terminal 5, it is confirmed that accurate data reception is performed.
It has been made to improve the rate. On the other hand, in step S14, the data structure
Transmission of events and subjects from the component 17
Only the number of transmissions included in the resource allocation result from the allocation unit 12
If it is determined that the operation has been performed repeatedly, the process returns to step S11.
Thereafter, the same processing is repeated. As described above, in general, an event
Is the data volume low and the subject has a large data volume?
In the resource allocation unit 12, the number of transmissions is basically
More about the subject and less about the subject
Resource allocation is performed as follows. Therefore, the receiving terminal
5, the data is transmitted via the broadcast network 4.
The probability of dropping an event (the probability of not being able to receive it)
And the event can be received normally.
Then, for example, the broadcast schedule information contained in
By referring to the subject, the broadcast network 4
Recognize the channel and time transmitted via
As a result, events with a small number of transmissions can be
The probability of dropping can be reduced. Also, temporary
In addition, based on the event,
When receiving a recognized subject fails.
Or before the broadcast time
Even if it is necessary, the server
Access information is included in the server access information.
Server 2 or Mira via the communication network 6
-By accessing the server 7, the subject can be
Period and can be obtained reliably. Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
Request data transmission processing performed by server 2 and mirror server 7
Will be described. In this case, in step S21, the reception
Subject from the terminal 5 via the communication network 6
For example, whether the URL was sent
Is determined by the communication control unit 11 and transmitted.
If it is determined that it has not come, the process returns to step S21.
In step S21, the URL is transmitted.
If it is determined that the URL has been
Is transferred to the data search unit 13. Data search unit 13
Receives the URL, in step S22,
Adds the same identifier as the data identifier that constitutes the URL of
Search for updated object information (server 2
Then, search from database 2 and use mirror server 7
Is retrieved from the database 8). That is, in the present embodiment, as described above,
At the receiving terminal 5 receiving the event,
IP address as server access information that configures
From the event and the identifier, the same identifier as the event is assigned.
Subject URLs added are now recognized
Has been done. Then, the receiving terminal 5 communicates with the communication network.
If a subject is requested via
The URL is transmitted. Therefore, the receiving end
The URL from the end 5 contains the identifier and the server
In the mirror server 7 or the mirror server 7, this identifier is updated, so to speak.
The search is performed as the file name of the object information.
It is. In step S22, the update object
When the search information is searched, the data search unit 13 updates the
Object with the identifier stored with it
By adding, the subject is configured and communication control
To the unit 11. The communication control unit 11 includes the data search unit 1
3 is received, and in step S23
Then, it is sent to the receiving terminal that sent the URL (here,
Is transmitted to the receiving terminal 5) via the communication network 6.
Then, the process returns to step S21. Next, FIG. 9 shows a configuration example of the receiving terminal 5 of FIG.
Is shown. The receiving unit 21 transmits the broadcast network from the server 2.
Data transmitted via the network 4, that is,
Receives the event or subject and outputs it to the selection unit 22.
It has been made to empower. The selection unit 22 includes the reception unit 21
Event and subject selection from
Have been. Further, the selection unit 22 displays the selected event
The database 23 is also temporarily stored.
You. In addition, the selection unit 22 includes in the selected subject
Objects corresponding to the identifiers to be
3 and retrieves the updated objects included in the subject.
It is also updated based on project information. The database 23 has, for example, a large capacity
Hard disk, magneto-optical disk, and other recording media.
To store the object, and from the selection unit 22
Is temporarily stored. The communication control unit 24 controls the communication network 6
Communication control via the
The request for the subject from the request unit 25 is transmitted to the communication network.
To the server 2 and the mirror server 7 via the network 6.
Communication from the server 2 or the mirror server 7, etc.
Subject transmitted via the communication network 6
Has been made to receive. The request section 25 is stored in the database 23.
The broadcast schedule information included in the event
Therefore, it is transmitted via the broadcast network 4
Control the receiving unit 21 to receive the subject
It has been done. In addition, the request unit 25
Server access included in the event stored in
According to the information, via the communication network 6, the server
2 and the mirror server 7 for the subject,
Request from the server 2 or the mirror server 7 in response to the request.
Receiving the subject transmitted via the network 6
Control the communication control unit 24 so that
Have been. Further, the request unit 25 receives the request from the communication control unit 24.
Object corresponding to the identifier contained in the subject
The subject is searched from the database 23,
Update based on the update object information included in the project
It is also made to do. Note that the request unit 25
In addition to performing such processing periodically, for example,
26, if there is a request to update the object
Has been made to do. The reading section 26 responds to the operation of the operation section 28.
In response, the data stored in the database 23 is read out.
Then, it is supplied to the output unit 27. Output section
27 includes, for example, a display and a speaker.
Display data from the reading unit 26 or the like, or
It is designed to output as audio. Operation unit 28
Is a case where a predetermined input is given to the reading unit 26
Is operated. In the receiving terminal 5 configured as described above,
Transmitted from the server 2 via the broadcast network 4
Processing to receive data stored in the database 23
Requesting a subject based on the event
Data request processing and data registered in the database 23.
Output processing to output data is performed.
I have. First, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
Next, the receiving process will be described. From the server 2 via the broadcast network 4
When the data is transmitted, the receiving unit 21 performs step
In S31, the data, that is, the event or the
The object is received and supplied to the selection unit 22. Choice
In the unit 22, in Step S32, the receiving unit 21
Events or subjects to choose
Is determined. That is, the broadcast network 4 is transmitted from the server 2
All events and subjects sent through
Is received, as the database 23,
A huge storage capacity is required. Also, the user
Each user has a preference and records it in the database of server 2.
It is unlikely that you need all the remembered objects.
I don't know. Nevertheless, the database of server 2
All the registered contents of source 3 in database 23
Is not preferred. Therefore, for example, when the user
ID of desired object (identifier described above)
Is registered, the selection unit 22 outputs the ID.
And objects having the same ID as the ID of the event
Is selected only. Therefore, step
The determination in step S32 is based on the ID registered by the user and the received ID.
Identification of events and subjects supplied from the communication unit 21
This is performed by comparing the ID with the child. In step S32, the receiving unit 21
Event or subject should not be selected
Is determined, that is, for example, I registered by the user
D and the event or sub-file supplied from the receiver 21.
If the ID described in the project does not match,
The event or subject connects the broadcast network 4
And then returns to step S31.
You. Therefore, in this case, the event is stored in the database 23.
Unremembered and subject-based databases
23 is not updated. On the other hand, in step S32, the receiving unit 2
What events or subjects from 1 should choose
Is determined, that is, for example, the user registers
ID and the event supplied from the receiving unit 21 or
If the ID described in the subject matches,
Proceeding to step S33, the selection unit 22 returns to the event.
Or the subject is for a new object
Is determined. In step S33, step S32
The event or subject selected in
If it is determined to be related to the object,
That is, the I or the I included in the event or subject
An object with the same ID as D is stored in the database 23.
If not registered, skip step S34.
Then, the process proceeds to step S35. In step S33, step
The event or subject selected in S32 is
If it is determined that the object is not related to a regular object
If it is included in the event or subject
Object with the same ID as the existing ID
23, the process proceeds to step S34 to select
The selection unit 22 has already registered the
Objects (hereinafter, registered objects as appropriate)
Version information described in the identifier
Is the event or sub-process selected in step S32.
Equal to the version information described in the project identifier.
It is determined whether it is. In step S34, the registered object
If the version information described in the
Described in the event or subject selected in step 2.
If the version information is not equal to
Then, as described in the data transmission processing of FIG.
In order to improve the
Is repeatedly transmitted via the broadcast network 4
But in the past of such repeated transmissions
Depending on the subject of the transmission made, the registered object
If the object has already been updated, step S
Steps S35 to S37 are skipped.
Waiting for the object to be transmitted, step S3
Return to 1. Therefore, in this case, the event is
Data that is not stored in the
The database 23 is not updated. On the other hand, in step S34, the registered
The version information described in the object is
To the event or subject selected in step S32.
If it is determined to be equal to the described version information
In this case, the process proceeds to step S35,
If the data selected in step S32 is an event or sub
Refer to the discrimination flag to determine which of the objects
Is determined. In step S35, step S32
The data selected in was determined to be a subject
In this case, the process proceeds to step S36, where the selecting unit 22
The database 23 is updated based on the project. That is, in the subject, the update object
New object is placed as object information.
If the subject has an
Objects are associated with each other and stored in the database 23.
It is newly registered. In the subject, the update object
The updated object is placed as object information.
If the ID is the same as the ID included in the subject,
The object associated with the identifier having the D
Database 23, and the searched object
Is changed to the updated object. further,
Version information associated with the object
Is incremented by one, for example. Further, in the subject, the update object
Object deletion command is placed as object information.
If the ID is included in the subject,
Associated with an identifier having the ID of
Is retrieved from the database 23 and the object
Is deleted together with the identifier associated with. Note that the registration process described with reference to FIG.
In step S2, update object information
Updating based objects is performed in a similar manner.
You. In step S36, as described above,
After the database 23 has been updated,
Wait for event or subject to be sent
Then, the process returns to step S31. On the other hand, in step S35,
It is determined that the data selected in S32 is an event
If it has, the process proceeds to step S37, where the selection unit 22
The vent is supplied to the database 23 and temporarily stored.
You. And then the event or subject is sent
Then, the process returns to step S31. In step S37, the database
The event stored in the source 23 is a data request described later.
Processing (FIG. 11) and data output processing (FIG. 12)
Read from the database 23 by the request unit 25
After being deleted. Next, referring to FIG. 11, data request processing will be described.
Will be described. Note that this data request processing
It is performed periodically in the terminal 5. However, the data request processing
It is also possible to carry out the management irregularly. In the data request processing, first, the step
In step S41, the registered contents of the database 23 are required.
The search is performed by the requesting unit 25, the process proceeds to step S42,
Whether the event is stored in the database 23
Is determined. In step S42, the event is recorded.
If it is determined that the data is not memorized, the data request processing is terminated.
Complete. In step S42, the database
If it is determined that the event is stored in the source 23,
If the event is read out,
If so, one of them is read out),
Proceeding to step 43, the request unit 25
The reception of subjects based on
Network 4 or a communication network capable of two-way communication
It is determined which of the six is advantageous to do
You. Here, the determination in step S42 is made, for example,
This is done as follows. That is, in the request section 25, the
By referring to the broadcast schedule information,
Sub-identifier with the same identifier as the identifier attached to the vent
The number of times that a project is sent (transmission frequency)
The time is recognized. And, for example, if the number of transmissions is large
If the transmission time is close to the current time,
Low cost of receiving
Of the subject via the broadcast network 4
It is determined that receiving is advantageous. Also, for example, when the number of transmissions is small,
If the sending time is far from the current time,
Subject reception via the network 6
Is determined to be advantageous. In addition, for example, if the event
The broadcast schedule information includes the subject's data volume.
If it is described (the data amount itself is described
The data rate and the time it takes to transmit
If described, the amount of data can be recognized
), Based on the amount of data,
Through any of the communication networks 6
To determine if it is advantageous to receive the project
Is also possible. Furthermore, the broadcast network 4 or the communication network
Of the subject via any of the
Whether the reception is advantageous or not is determined by the user via the operation unit 28.
And make decisions corresponding to those operations.
It is possible. [0106] Also, through the bidirectional network 6,
When receiving a project, a two-way network
6 corresponds to a plurality of transmission rates, and the receiving terminal 5
Communication over such multiple transmission rate lines
Subject data volume when possible
It is possible to change the line used
It is. Here, as described above, the event includes:
Of broadcast schedule information or server access information
Only one of them may be included. Event
If the event contains only broadcast schedule information,
In step S43, the service is transmitted via the broadcast network 4.
It is determined that receiving the object is advantageous.
Conversely, the event contains only server access information
If not, in step S43, the communication network
It is advantageous to receive the subject via
It is determined that there is. In step S43, the broadcast network
It is advantageous to receive the subject via
If it is determined that the request unit 2
5 indicates whether the receiving unit 21 is in an operable state (eg,
For example, make sure that power is supplied (
Is not determined). In step S44
The receiving unit 21 is determined not to be in an operable state.
In step S45, the request unit 25
Sub-pages located in the event broadcast schedule information
Wait until immediately before the transmission time of the
State, that is, the receiving unit 21 enters the sleep state.
If so, the power supply is started, and step S4
Proceed to 6. In step S44, the receiving unit 2
Step 1 if it is determined that 1 is in an operable state
Skip S45 and proceed to step S46 to request
The control unit 21 controls the receiving unit 21 so that the database
Broadcast schedule information of the event read from the source 23
And the broadcast channel
At the transmission time set in the schedule information,
Subject sent via network 4
That is, the same identifier as the identifier added to the event
The subject is received and supplied to the selection unit 22. So
Then, in step S47, the selecting unit 22
0 in the same manner as in step S36.
21 based on the subject from
The update is performed, and the data request processing ends. [0110] Here, the receiving terminal 5 collects data.
In the event of a drop, the power of the receiving unit 21 is turned off.
Often it occurs due to. So, as mentioned above
Whether the receiving unit 21 is in an operable state
Is determined, and if not, the receiving unit 21 can be operated.
The receiving unit 21 is turned off.
Subject is lost due to
Can be prevented. On the other hand, in step S43, the bidirectional network
It is useful to receive the subject via the network 6.
If it is determined that it is profitable,
The requesting unit 25 controls the communication control unit 24 so that the data
An identifier included in the event read from the base 23;
The subject to which the same identifier is added
Network server 6 and mirror server 7
Request. That is, the request unit 25 determines whether the database 23
And the identifier included in the event read from
Server access information (here,
IP address) and the same identifier as the identifier
Is associated with the subject to which the child is attached
By configuring a URL and controlling the communication control unit 24,
Server 2 and mirror server 7 via communication network 6
To be sent. The server 2 or the mirror server to which the URL was transmitted
In the server 7, the request data transmission processing described in FIG.
As a result, the sub-
Is transmitted via the communication network 6.
You. This subject is sent in step S49.
Received by the communication control unit 24 and supplied to the request unit 25.
You. The request unit 25 receives the subject from the communication control unit 24.
Upon receipt, the process proceeds to step S47, and as described above.
The database 23 is updated based on the subject.
A new request is made and the data request process ends. As described above, the subject is connected to the broadcast network.
Network 4 or communication network 36
Determine whether it is more advantageous to receive via
Received subject sent via
Therefore, the receiving terminal 5 efficiently receives the subject.
Communication and update of objects.
You. Note that the subject is defined as a broadcast network.
4 and the broadcast schedule of the event
When multiple transmission times are arranged in the Joule information
For example, the transmission time closest to the current time
Hourly (except for the time before (past) before the current time)
The incoming subject is received. However, you
To operate the operation unit 28 and select the transmission time.
It is also possible. Also, the subject is defined as a communication network.
When requesting and receiving via
Server access information contains the IP addresses of multiple servers.
Is located, for example, the receiving terminal
Using the IP address of the server closest to 5.
A URL is configured. However, the user operates the operation unit 28
You can ask them to select a server. Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
Next, the data output process will be described. The data output
The power processing is also performed, for example, as in the data request processing in FIG.
Basically, it is started periodically. In the data output process, first, the step
In step S51, the operation unit 28 displays the data (in the present embodiment).
Has been manipulated to output the object)
Is determined by the reading unit 26,
If it is determined that is not operated, data output processing
To end. In step S51, the operation unit 2
8 is determined to have been operated to output an object
If the output has been requested, the process proceeds to step S52.
Events about the object, that is, the object
Event with the same identifier as the event identifier
Is stored in the database 23.
The determination is made by the protruding unit 26. In step S52
Event on the object whose output was requested
Is determined not to be stored in the database 23.
, Ie, as the object whose output is requested
Is the latest one stored in the database 23
If the event is not missed
The process proceeds to step S53, and the reading unit 26
Stores the requested output object in the database 2
3 and supplied to the output unit 27. In the output unit 27
Indicates that the object from the reading unit 26 is displayed, or
The voice output is performed, and the data output process ends. In step S52, the output required
Events about the requested object are
If it is determined that the information is stored in the source 23,
The requested object is updated on server 2
However, at the receiving terminal 5, if it has not been updated yet,
In step S54, the object is updated.
The reading unit 26 determines whether or not to perform. That is, in step S54, the reading unit 2
6 inquires whether to update the object
Message is displayed on the output unit 27, and the user is operated.
The operation of the working unit 28 is prompted. Then, in step S54,
Updates the object in response to the operation of the operation unit 28.
Is determined. Alternatively, in step S54, the output
Broadcasting events about force-requested objects
Refers to schedule information and updates the object
Subject to broadcast over the broadcast network 4
Of the transmission times sent by
Things are recognized. Then, in step S54,
The transmission time closest to the current time is
Whether it is within a predetermined time set in the receiving terminal 5
To determine whether to update the object.
(The transmission time is within the specified time from the current time.
Is determined to update the object.
). In step S54, an output request is issued.
If it is determined that the updated object will not be updated,
Proceeding to step S55, the readout unit 26 receives the output request.
Object, that is, the object before update
From the database 23, and thereafter, to step S53.
Output to the output unit 27 in the same manner as
The data output process ends. In this case, the output unit 27
Output an object and the object
Display a message stating that the project is
You may make it. On the other hand, in step S54,
If it is determined to update the requested object,
Proceed to step S56 to update the object.
A database update process is performed. That is, step
In S56, the object for which the output is requested is
Steps of the data request processing of FIG. 11 using events
Processing similar to the processing in S43 to S49 is performed,
This updates the requested object for output.
You. Then, the process proceeds to step S53, where the updated object is
Is output from the output unit 27 as described above.
Then, the data output process ends. By the way, the server access information of the event
When multiple server IP addresses are allocated
Request a subject from any server
Is, for example, as described above, the position from the receiving terminal 5.
Or determined according to the operation of the operation unit 28 by the user.
In some cases, access to a certain server may be concentrated.
You. [0126] Therefore, the receiving
Multiple servers sending subjects to the communication terminal 5
If it exists (for example, as shown in FIG.
If there is a mirror server 7 outside,
If there are more mirror servers than 7)
Is used to distribute access to servers (1 server
Receiver 5 or
Is a unique ID for the user.
), And the server 2 receives the IP address of each server.
Associated with a predetermined user ID and server access information.
As information, processing to be placed in an event (hereinafter, load
Distributed processing), and then send the event
Can be done. On the other hand, the receiving terminal 5
Of the IP address associated with the user ID
Server recognition process (hereinafter referred to as access server determination as appropriate)
Process), and then send the subject to that server.
You can make it required. Therefore, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
Next, the load distribution processing performed by the server 2 will be described. What
Note that this load distribution processing is performed by
Server that sends the subject via the network 6
If there is more than one (other than server 2, communication network
Service that can send the subject via
In the data transmission process of FIG.
This is performed as part of the process of step S12. In the load distribution processing, first, step
In S61, the sub-network is established via the communication network 6.
Number of receiving terminals to be assigned to one server that sends a project
N (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as an assigned number) is calculated. That is,
In step S61, for example, the total number of
Server for transmitting a project via communication network 6
Is divided by the total number of
(Rounded up) is the assigned number N. The server 2
Here, it is assumed that the total number of receiving terminals is managed. Ma
In the server 2, the subject is transferred to the communication network 6
The total number of servers transmitted via the
It is made to be recognized from the information being processed. Thereafter, in step S62, the communication network
Multiple subjects sending subjects via the network 6
One of the servers is selected (this selected server
Is hereinafter referred to as a selection server as appropriate), step S63
Go to, for example, the reception near the selected server
Terminals are detected by the assigned number N. In addition, select server
And the position of the receiving terminal 5 is managed in the server 2.
It is assumed that Then, the flow advances to a step S64 to select the selected server.
N IP addresses detected in step S63
User ID of each receiving terminal is associated with
A set of IP address and N user IDs (request destination information)
Is placed in the event as server access information
You. Then, the process proceeds to step S65, where the communication network
All the servers that send the subject via
In step S62 to S64 as the selected server.
It is determined whether the processing has been performed. In step S65
All the multiple servers are still selected servers
If it is determined that there is not, the process returns to step S62, and
The server that is not selected as the selected server
The server is selected, and the same processing is repeated thereafter. one
In step 65, select all servers
If it is determined that processing has been performed as a server, load balancing
The process ends. As described above, in the load distribution processing, 1
N (or N-1) receiving terminals are assigned to
Hit. In the case described above, the reception is simply performed.
The total number of communication terminals, the subject
Divided by the total number of servers transmitted through
Although the number of receiving terminals assigned to the server was
The number of receiving terminals assigned to each
Alternatively, it may be determined in consideration of the processing capability of each server. Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
And the access server determination process performed by the receiving terminal 5
explain. Note that this access server determination process
In the terminal 5, in step S of the data request process of FIG.
This is done before configuring the URL to send at 48. In the access server determination processing, step S
At 71, the receiving terminal 5
User ID assigned to the user from the
And proceeds to step S72. In step S72
Is the IP address associated with the user ID.
The server that should request the subject is recognized.
Then, the access server determination processing ends. Then, the receiving terminal 5 will be described with reference to FIG.
As described above, in step S48, in step S72,
A URL is configured and transmitted using the recognized IP address.
Be trusted. As described above, the server 2 or the receiving terminal 5
, Load distribution processing or access server determination processing
Of the subject from the receiving terminal
Requests can be distributed to multiple servers,
Good subject distribution becomes possible. In the above case, the receiving terminal
The user ID is associated with the IP address, and the receiving terminal
The server to be accessed is restricted, but in addition,
For example, communication with the user ID of the receiving terminal and the server
Time zone accessible via network 6 (request
And the receiving terminal accesses the server.
By restricting the hours of access
Can also distribute access to the server
is there. As described above, the data distribution system to which the present invention is applied
System, but such a data distribution system
Is, for example, a large number of data in a distributed database.
Distribution of data to the base or IP multicast
When distributing data by
It is particularly useful when distributing to a specific number. In the present embodiment, the event is
The transmission is performed via the transmission network 4.
In addition, for example, in response to a request from the receiving terminal 5, the communication network
The data may be transmitted via the network 6. Further
In the present invention, the broadcast network 4 and the communication network
It is not essential to have both of the networks 6. Immediately
That is, the present invention relates to a broadcast network 4 or a communication network.
Applicable to systems equipped with only one of
Noh. In the present embodiment, the server access
The IP address of the server 2 or the mirror server 7 is allocated to the information.
The server access information,
Other, for example, managed by server 2 or mirror server 7
URL of subject, server 2 and mirror server 7
It is also possible to place a phone number etc. for accessing
Noh. The mirror server 7 has the receiving terminal 5
In the same way, you can receive events and subjects and
Database 8 can be updated.
is there. Further, in the present embodiment, the subject
The updated object information to be included in the
Objects, etc. were placed, but updated objects
Other object information, for example,
Object reflects the changes to the updated object
Data (for example, object before update)
Executable to change the
Computer program, objects after update and objects before update
Etc.) can also be placed.
It is. As described above, according to the present invention, the acquisition data
Update data based on the updated data, and
Therefore, the content can be updated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an embodiment of a data distribution system to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a server 2 of FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a mirror server 7 of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a registration process performed by a server 2. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a format of data supplied from databases 1a to 1c in FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a data transmission process performed by server 2. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a format of a subject and an event. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a request data transmission process performed by a server 2. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a receiving terminal 5 of FIG. 1; FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a receiving process performed by a receiving terminal 5; FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a data request process performed by a receiving terminal 5; FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a data output process performed by a receiving terminal 5; FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a load distribution process performed by a server 2. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an access server determination process performed by a receiving terminal 5; [Description of Signs] 1a to 1c databases, 2 servers, 3 databases, 4 broadcast networks, 5 receiving terminals, 6 communication networks, 7 mirror servers,
8 database, 11 communication control unit, 12 resource allocation unit, 13 data search unit, 14 replication management unit,
15 registration unit, 17 data configuration unit, 18 transmission unit,
Reference Signs List 21 receiving unit, 22 selecting unit, 23 database, 24 communication control unit, 25 requesting unit, 26 reading unit, 27 output unit, 28 operation unit

   ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page    (72) Inventor Yoshihisa Gonno             6-7-35 Kita Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Soni             ー Inc. (72) Inventor Kazuo Haraoka             6-7-35 Kita Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Soni             ー Inc. (72) Inventor Yasuaki Yamagishi             6-7-35 Kita Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Soni             ー Inc. F term (reference) 5C064 BA01 BA07 BB07 BC07 BC18                       BC23 BC25 BD02 BD03 BD08                       BD09

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A transmitting apparatus for transmitting data for providing contents registered in a database, wherein when the contents registered in the database are updated, the updating is performed. Update data generation means for generating update data to which identification information for identifying the content to be updated by the update data is added, and acquisition data for acquiring the update data. ,
Acquisition data generating means for generating a content to which the identification information of the content updated by the update data obtained based on the obtained data is added; and transmitting the update data and the obtained data via a predetermined transmission path. A transmitting means for transmitting the data.