JP2001051961A - Device and system for distributing information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To predict and previously store data requested from a terminal in an information kiosk for receiving the supply of data from a distribution center and supplying these data to the terminal. SOLUTION: This device is composed of a first information processor 2, a second information processor 3 and a third information processor 4 and data D10 received from the information processor 2 are supplied to the information processor 4. In this case, the processor 3 is provided with a program information receiving means 301 for acquiring broadcasting program information viewable in that area, a data selecting means 302 for extracting identification data, with which the data D10 predicted to be related to this program information, from this information and specifying the data D10 specified by that identifier or identification data and a data caching means 303 for receiving the data D10 specified by the data selecting means 302 from the information processor 2 and storing them inside the information processor 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information distribution device for supplying data from an information processing device to a terminal device, and particularly to a cache for predicting data to be supplied from the terminal device and storing the data in the information distribution device in advance. The present invention relates to an information distribution apparatus and an information distribution method having functions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, distribution and sale of various types of information to users as data have been widely performed. These data are stored in a server in advance, and necessary data is downloaded from the server to a PC or a portable terminal connected to the server via a communication line and used. These terminals and the server are physically separated from each other, and may be connected using a data communication line such as telephone, communication satellite, broadcasting, or the Internet. ), A connection cable, a connector, or the like to connect the terminal and the server, or a storage medium such as a floppy disk or an IC memory without using a communication line for data exchange between the server and the terminal.

In particular, the latter two servers are called information kiosks and the like, and are installed in public institutions, shops, and the like. A user brings a terminal to a place where the information kiosk is installed, and connects a terminal device to the information kiosk. It receives and supplies data.

As an example of receiving data via a communication line as described above, there is a system as shown in US Pat. No. 5,778,366. That is, a conventional book printed on paper is digitized and stored in a server, and the digitized book data is viewed on a reading terminal via a communication line. That is, a reading terminal is connected via a communication line to a library server storing book data, and a user downloads desired book data to the reading terminal and displays the book data on a liquid crystal display device. .

[0005] The information kiosk is often installed in many physically separated places, and these child servers (information kiosk) receive data supply from a parent server (distribution center) and receive data from a terminal. In many cases, data is stored in advance in preparation for a request.

[0006]

2. Description of the Related Art The above-mentioned prior art has the following problems. The child server receives the supply of data from the parent server and stores the data in advance in preparation for a request from the terminal. However, if the type of data that can be selected by the user in the child server exceeds the capacity that can be stored in the child server in advance, data that is predicted to be frequently requested by the user is stored in the child server in advance, and the user If the data requested from is not stored in the child server, the child server downloads the data from the parent server at that time. In the latter case, a problem arises in that the user takes time to acquire data from the child server.

Therefore, in order to avoid this problem,
The accuracy of the prediction of the data requested by the user is important. In addition, data such as music and books has a problem that the data requested by the user greatly differs depending on the region, that is, the installation location of the child server, and the prediction is difficult. For example, in the above-described example of the electronic book data, the acquisition request from the user for the book data related to the content of the broadcast broadcasted in the area or the news tends to increase immediately after the broadcast. However, it is difficult to predict such a situation in advance, and even if it is predicted, the area where one broadcast can be viewed is limited, so that appropriate data is distributed from the parent server to the child server over a wide area. It was difficult to accumulate. This leads to overlooking the user's purchase request.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a child server, such as an information kiosk, which receives data supplied from a parent server, predicts data requested from a terminal, and stores the data in advance. An object of the present invention is to solve the problem that data requested by a user greatly differs depending on the region, that is, the installation location of a child server, and the prediction is difficult. In particular, the data is music or electronic book data,
To solve the above-mentioned problem in the case where the type of data requested by the user is greatly affected by broadcast contents and news broadcasted in the area.

[0009]

According to the present invention, a child server such as an information kiosk receives data supplied from a parent server, predicts data requested from a terminal, and stores the data in advance. Program information acquisition means for acquiring information on a viewable broadcast program, information for identifying data such as a book or music related to each program from the broadcast program information, or a keyword for explaining the title and content of the program; A data type prediction unit for extracting an identifier and selecting data relevant to each program; and a selected data acquisition and storage for obtaining data selected by the data type prediction unit from a parent server and storing the data in the child server By providing the means, the above-mentioned problem is solved.

Further, according to the present invention, at least one second information processing device (information kiosk) receives first data from the first information processing device (distribution center) using first communication means. And an information distribution apparatus including a second information processing apparatus in which one or more third information processing apparatuses (terminals) receive the first data from the second information processing apparatus using the second communication unit. , The position where the second information processing device is installed,
Alternatively, at a position where a third information processing device connected to the second information processing is installed, information reception that specifies or describes second data receivable using the third communication means is received. Means, and an identifier for identifying first data from information received by the information receiving means, or identification data for identifying first data predicted to be related to the information from information received by the information receiving means. Data extracting means for extracting the first data specified by the identifier or the identification data, and receiving the first data specified by the data selecting means from the first information processing device; Data caching means for storing the information in the information processing apparatus.

The second data of the present invention is a television, radio or data broadcast program, and the information for specifying or explaining the second data is the information for explaining each broadcast program. It is. The first data of the present invention is data obtained by digitizing a book or data obtained by digitizing music.

Further, the information for specifying or explaining the second data is ISBN (International Standard Bo
ok Number), ISSN (International Standard Serial
Number), DOI (Digital Object Identifier), or D
ublin Core bibliographic information.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An outline of the configuration of an information distribution system using the above information distribution apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. The information distribution system includes a distribution center (first information processing unit) 2 that distributes digitized book data and digitized music data (first data) D10, and the like, and the first data D1.
One or more information kiosks (second information processing means) 3 for receiving and storing 0, a terminal (third information processing means) 4 for receiving the first data D10 from the information kiosk 3,
A program information center 5 for transmitting information (for example, EPG) D1 for specifying or explaining second data (radio, television, data broadcast, etc.) receivable using the third communication means 95; Means 2 and second information processing means 3
Communication means 7 for transmitting the first data D10 between
1 and a second communication means 9 for transmitting the first data between the second information processing means 3 and the third information processing means.

The second information processing means 3 is located at a position where the second information processing means 2 is installed or at a position where the third information processing means 4 connected to the second information processing is installed. Second receivable using the third communication means 95
Receiving means 301 for receiving information D1 specifying or explaining the data (radio, television data, etc.)
From the information received by the information receiving means 301
Of the data D10, or identification data identifying the first data predicted to be related to the information from the information received by the information receiving means, and extracting the identification data identifying the first data identified by the identifier or the identification data. Data selecting means 302 for specifying the first data, and data for receiving the first data D10 specified by the data selecting means 302 from the first information processing means 2 and storing the data in the second information processing means 3 And caching means 303.

[0015] The information distribution system having the above-described configuration receives data related to broadcast receivable at a place where the information kiosk 3 is installed from the program information center 5 in advance, and reads an electronic book related to the content of the broadcast. Since the data D10 can be stored in the information kiosk 3, data adapted to the user's request can be provided at an appropriate time.

An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an electronic book distribution system will be described below.

(System Configuration) FIG. 2 shows the system configuration of the electronic book distribution system. The e-book distribution system,
A distribution center 2, a plurality of information kiosks 3 connected to the distribution center 2 via a communication line 71, an e-book terminal (hereinafter referred to as a terminal) 4 for receiving e-book data D10 from the information kiosk 3, and a communication line 72. Information Kiosk 3 through
And a program information center 5 connected thereto.

The distribution center 2 stores all electronic book data D10 distributed in the system.

The information kiosk 3 converts program information data (EPG) supplied from the program information center 5 into satellite broadcasting, terrestrial broadcasting, cable, telephone, digital line,
It is obtained via a communication line 72 such as a communication satellite.

The information kiosk 3 receives the electronic book data D10 from the distribution center 2 via a communication line 71 such as a telephone, a communication satellite, a digital line, and a broadcast.

The information kiosk 3 sends an infrared signal (I
R) The electronic book data D10 received from the distribution center 2 via the 91, the cable connector 92, or the storage medium 6 such as an IC memory, a magnetic storage device, or an optical storage device.
And other data.

The terminal 4 connects to the information kiosk 3 or the distribution center 2 via a communication line 93 such as a telephone or a digital line and the communication line 71 to download the electronic book data D10 from the information kiosk 3 or the distribution center 2. It is also possible.

(Appearance of Information Kiosk) The appearance of the information kiosk 3 will be described with reference to FIG. The information kiosk 3 includes a display screen 31 and an infrared interface (IR) 32
And a memory card slot 33.

The display screen 31 constitutes a touch screen, and is a display means used by the user to operate the information kiosk 3 and by the user to perform an operation of selecting a desired electronic book, which will be described later. is there. The infrared interface (IR) 32 is an interface for performing data communication such as downloading the electronic book data D10 to the information terminal 4. The memory card slot 33 is a memory card (MC) for storing electronic book data D10 and the like.
6 is a slot for setting 6. Information Kiosk 3
The infrared interface 32 connecting between the terminal 4 and the terminal 4 may be a cable or a connector as described with reference to FIG.

(Hardware Configuration of Information Kiosk) FIG.
The outline of the hardware configuration of the information kiosk 3 will be described with reference to FIG. The information kiosk 3 includes a display device (LCD) 31,
Electronic book terminal connection mechanism (IR I / F) 32, storage medium reading mechanism (MCRW) 33, program information data acquisition mechanism (EPG I / F) 34, and electronic book data reception mechanism (NA I / F) 36 And a data storage device (HD
D) 37 and a processing mechanism (CPU) 38.

Electronic book terminal connection mechanism (IR I / F) 3
2 has a function of transmitting the electronic book data D10 to the terminal 4. Storage Media Reading Mechanism (MCRW) 33
Transmits the electronic book data D10 to the storage medium (M
C) It has the function of supplying via (6). The program information data acquisition mechanism (EPG I / F) 34 receives the program information data (EPG) D1 supplied from the program information center 5. Electronic book data receiving mechanism (NA I / F) 36
Functions as an interface for receiving the electronic book data D10 from the distribution center 2. The data storage device 37 is storage means for storing the electronic book data D10 and the like. The processing mechanism (CPU) 38 controls these mechanisms 31 to 37 and performs various processes such as a data type prediction process described later.

(Appearance of Electronic Book Terminal) The appearance of the terminal 4 will be described with reference to FIG. The terminal 4 includes a liquid crystal display device (LCD) 41 for displaying a page of the electronic book, a page turning button 491 for performing an operation of sequentially switching and displaying the pages of the electronic book one by one, and a display for displaying the previous page. It has a page return button 492 for returning, a power switch 493 for turning on / off the power of the terminal 4, and a slot 494 for inserting a memory card (MC) 6 for storing the electronic book data D10.

(Hardware Configuration of Electronic Book Terminal) The hardware configuration of the terminal 4 will be described with reference to FIG. Terminal 4
Is a liquid crystal display device (LCD) 41, a nonvolatile memory (FM) 42, a memory (MM) 43, a memory card controller (MCRW) 44, an infrared interface (IR I / F) 45, and a processing mechanism (CPU ) 46
Are connected by a bus 47.

On the liquid crystal display device (LCD) 41, pages of the electronic book are displayed. Non-volatile memory (FM) 4
2 stores a program such as a process for displaying the electronic book data D10. The memory (MM) 43 is loaded with a program stored in the nonvolatile memory (FM) 42.
The memory card controller (MCRW) 44 has a CPU
The electronic book data D10 stored in the memory card (MC) 6 is read out by the processing in 46. The CPU 46 executes a program such as a process for displaying the electronic book data D10 loaded in the memory (MM) 43. Bus 47
Data transfer between the units 41 to 46 described above is performed.

From the information kiosk 3, the electronic book data D1
0 may be stored in the nonvolatile memory (FM) 42 or the memory card (MC) 6 via the infrared interface (IR I / F) 45.

(Hardware Configuration of Distribution Center) The hardware configuration of the distribution center 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The distribution center 2 is an electronic book data transmission mechanism (NA I / F) 2 for transmitting electronic book data to the information kiosk 3.
1 and a data storage device 2 for storing electronic book data
2, a processing mechanism (CP) for controlling these mechanisms 21 to 22 and performing various processes such as a data type prediction process described later.
U) 23.

(Program Information Data) The structure of the program information data D1 will be described with reference to FIG. Program information data (EP
G) D1 is composed of program data D11 relating to each program. Each program data D11 includes service identification information D111 that describes a route on which the program is provided, that is, terrestrial waves, satellites, cables, and their channel numbers, or data for identifying the service providers, and the title of the program. D1121, program identification information D112 that describes the broadcast time D1122, etc., and program description information D113 that describes identification of the content of the program, performers, related music and books. ISBN (International Standard Book Numb)
er), ISSN (International Standard Serial Numbe
r), DOI (Digital Object Identifier), Dublin Core
An Element Set or the like may be used.

(Receivable Service Registration Data) The structure of receivable service registration data will be described with reference to FIG. Receivable service registration data D2 is stored in data storage device 37 of information kiosk 3 and stores in advance service identification information D21 for identifying a broadcast that can be received and viewed in an area where the information kiosk is installed. Be composed.
The service identification information D21 corresponds to the service identification information D111 of the program information data D1 described with reference to FIG.

(Caching Control Data) The structure of the caching control data will be described with reference to FIG. The caching control data D3 is data for determining a storage period of the electronic book data D10 stored in the information kiosk 3. The caching control data D3 includes a storage confirmation offset time D31 and a storage holding time D32. The storage confirmation offset time D31 is to confirm the time at which the program determined to be related to the accumulated electronic book data D10 is broadcast and the storage of the electronic book data D10 in the data storage device 37 (stored in the data storage device 37). Otherwise, the book data is acquired from the distribution center 2). In other words, if it is described as -24 hours, it is determined whether or not the electronic book data D10 is stored in the data storage device 37 one day before the time at which the program related to the electronic book data D10 is broadcast. Is confirmed.

The storage holding time D32 is stored in the data storage device 37 after the electronic book data D10 stored in the data storage device 37 of the information kiosk 3 is confirmed to be stored. Indicates the time that needs to be continued. In other words, if it is described as 72 hours, the electronic book data D10 is held in the data storage device 37 for three days after the storage of the electronic book data D10 is confirmed.

(Electronic Book DB) The structure of the electronic book database will be described with reference to FIG. The electronic book database (DB) D4 holds a list of all electronic book data D10 distributed in the system of FIG. The electronic book database D4 includes an electronic book data identifier D41 and keyword information D42 related to the electronic book data D10 corresponding to the electronic book data identifier D41. The keyword information D42 includes one or more keywords D423 that describe the contents of the electronic book data, or an ISBN (International Standby) that specifies the electronic book data.
ard Book Number: Publication Number), ISSN (International
Standard Serial Number: Publication Number), DOI (Digital)
Object identification Identifier (ID number of digital publication) and other information D421 for identifying the publication, Dublin Core Elem
This is an identifier such as bibliographic information D422 such as the author name or publisher name of the ent Set.

(Caching Management Data) The structure of the caching management data will be described with reference to FIG. The caching management data D5 specifies the electronic book data D10 stored in the data storage device 37 of the information kiosk 3. The caching management data D5 is an electronic book data identifier D51 that uniquely identifies electronic book data.
, A file name D52 storing the electronic book data D10 corresponding to the electronic book data identifier D51, and a retention time limit D53 indicating a storage time limit of the electronic book data D10.

(Caching reservation data) The structure of the caching reservation data will be described with reference to FIG. The caching reservation data D6 is data indicating a storage schedule of the electronic book data D10 to be stored in the data storage device 37 of the information kiosk 3. The caching reservation data D6 includes an electronic book data identifier D61, a registration confirmation time D62,
And a retention time limit D63. Registration confirmation time D
Reference numeral 62 denotes a time at which it is determined whether or not the electronic book data D10 corresponding to the electronic book data identifier D61 is registered in the data storage device 37. That is, the registration confirmation time D62 indicates the broadcast start date and time of the program related to the electronic book data D10. The retention date and time D63 is the electronic book data D10 corresponding to the electronic book data identifier D61.
Is stored in the data storage device 37.

(Software Configuration of Information Kiosk) The software configuration of the information kiosk 3 will be described with reference to FIG. The software of the information kiosk 3 includes a program data receiving process P1, an electronic book data receiving process P2 for requesting the distribution center 2 to transmit the electronic book data D10 and receiving the corresponding electronic book data, and a caching management process P3.
, An electronic book data update process P4, an electronic book data supply process P5, and an operating system program P6 that controls these processes P1 to P5. Each of the processes P1 to P5 will be described later in detail.

The program data receiving process P1 is a process for receiving the program information data (EPG) D1 sent from, for example, the program information center 5 shown in FIG. The electronic book data receiving process P2 is a process of receiving the electronic book data D10 sent from the distribution center 2. The caching management process P3 is based on the caching control data D3 shown in FIG. 10 and the caching management data D5 shown in FIG. 12 and the caching reservation data D6 shown in FIG.
This is the process of generating. Electronic book data update processing P4
Is a process of deleting or adding the caching management data D5 and the electronic book data D10 of the information kiosk 3 based on the deletion instruction data D8 or the addition instruction data D9 from the distribution center 2. The electronic book data supply process P5 is a process of supplying the electronic book data D10 from the information kiosk 3 to the user terminal 4.

Next, each processing of the present embodiment in the above-described configuration will be described. (E-book data update processing) E-book data update processing P
4 will be described with reference to FIG. The electronic book data update processing P4 is processing for deleting and adding the electronic book data D10 stored in the data storage device 37 of the information kiosk 3, and is performed based on an instruction from the distribution center 2.

Upon receiving deletion instruction data D8 for instructing deletion of electronic book data D10 from distribution center 2 (S
1) It is determined whether the content of the instruction is deletion or addition (S2). If it is determined that the content of the instruction is to delete, the caching management data D5 described with reference to FIG.
An electronic book data identifier D51 that matches the electronic book data identifier D81 described in the deletion instruction data D8.
Is retrieved (S3), and the caching management data D5 having the electronic book data identifier D51 and the file (electronic book data D10) having the file name D52 are deleted from the data storage device 37 (S4). ).

Upon receiving the additional instruction data D9 for instructing the addition of the electronic book data D10 from the distribution center 2 (S
1) It is determined whether the content of the instruction is deletion or addition (S2). If it is determined that the content of the instruction is additional, the electronic book data D10 included in the additional instruction data is stored in the data storage device 37 as a file D10 (S10).
5) The file name and the electronic book data identifier D91 also included in the additional instruction data D9 are registered as the electronic book data identifier D51 and the file name D52 in the caching management data D5 described with reference to FIG. 12 (S).
6). Note that the retention expiration date and time D53 is recorded as indefinite.

(Electronic Book Data Supply Process) The electronic book data supply process P5 will be described with reference to FIG. The electronic book data supply process P5 is a process in which the information kiosk 3 supplies the electronic book data D10 to the terminal 4, and is executed when the user instructs the information kiosk 3 to select an electronic book.

In the electronic book data supply process P5, first, the electronic book DBD4 described with reference to FIG. 11 is read, a list of electronic books is displayed (S11), and the user selects an electronic book (S12).

Next, the caching management data D5 described with reference to FIG. 12 is searched (S13), and an electronic book data identifier D51 matching the electronic book data identifier D41 registered in the electronic book DBD4 of the selected electronic book is found. It is determined whether or not there is (S14). If there is a matching electronic book data identifier D51 in the caching management data D5, the file storing the electronic book data D10 corresponding to the user's selection is read (S15), and the information is read. The data is loaded into the memory card 6 of the terminal 4 connected to the kiosk 3 (S17). The terminal 4 displays the electronic book data stored in the memory card 6 on the LCD 41.

On the other hand, in step S14, the electronic book DBD of the selected electronic book is stored in the caching management data D5.
If there is no e-book data identifier D51 that matches the e-book data identifier D41 registered in No. 4, the e-book data receiving process P2 is started and the e-book data D10 corresponding to the e-book data identifier D51 is received. After that (S16), the electronic book data D10 is loaded on the memory card 6 of the terminal 4 connected to the information kiosk 3 (S17).

(Program Information Data Processing) The program information data reception processing P1 will be described with reference to FIG. The program information data receiving process P1 is executed every time new program information data (EPG) D1 described with reference to FIG.

In the program information data receiving process P1, first, the program information data (EPG) D1 shown in FIG. 8 supplied from the program information center 5 is received by using the program information data acquiring mechanism 34 (S21). Next, the program information data (E
PG) In D1, the program data D having the service identification information D111 that matches the service identification information D21 with reference to the receivable service registration data D2 described in FIG.
11 is extracted (S22).

Next, from the program identification information D112 and the program description information D113 of the extracted program data D11, keywords indicating the program contents, performer names, identification information K1 of related music and books are extracted (S23). As the identification information of music and books, ISBN (International Standard Book Num
ber), ISSN (International Standard Serial Number),
DOI (Digital Object Identifier), Dublin Core Elemen
t Set or the like is used.

Next, the electronic book DBD4 described with reference to FIG. 11 is searched using these keywords K1 and the like, and the number of matches between the keywords K1 and the like and the keyword group D423 described in the keyword information D42 is determined in advance. If the value is equal to or more than the specified value, the corresponding electronic book data identifier D51 is read from the electronic book DB. In addition, ISBN (International Standard Book Num
ber), ISSN (International Standard Serial Number),
DOI (Digital Object Identifier), Dublin Core Elemen
If t Set or the like is detected, an electronic book data identifier D51 having the corresponding identification information is read from the electronic book DB (S24).

Next, by referring to the program identification information D112 of the program data D11, the broadcast start time D1122
Is extracted (S25).

Then, the broadcast start time D112 of the program
Then, the time of the sum of the storage confirmation offset time D31 of the cache control data D3 and the registration confirmation date and time is calculated (S26).

The broadcast start time D1122 of the program
And the storage time D32 of the cache control data D3, that is, the storage expiration date and time (S27).

Next, the correspondence between the electronic book data identifier D51 read in step S24, the registration confirmation time, and the holding expiration date and time D53 is shown in the electronic book data identifier of the caching reservation data D62 described in FIG. It is recorded as D61, registration confirmation time D62, and retention expiration date and time D63 (S28).

(Caching Management Process) The caching management process P3 will be described with reference to FIG. The caching management process P3 is executed at predetermined time intervals such as 10 minutes or 1 hour.

The caching management process P3 is first performed in FIG.
With reference to the retention expiration date and time D63 of the caching reservation data D62 described in 3 above, the electronic book data identifier D61 whose time at the processing time has passed the registration confirmation time D62 is extracted (S31).

Next, the caching management data D5 is searched using the electronic book data identifier D61 (S32).
It is checked whether the electronic book data identifier D61 is registered as the electronic book data identifier D51 of the caching management data D5 (S33).

In step S33, if the electronic book data identifier D61 is not registered, the electronic book data receiving process P2 is started and the electronic book data identifier D6 is started.
The electronic book data D10 corresponding to 1 is received from the distribution center (S34). Then, it is stored in the data storage device 37 as a file (S35).

The electronic book data identifier D61, the file name of the file, and the retention date and time D63 are shown in FIG.
Are recorded as the electronic book data identifier D51, the file name D52, and the retention date and time D53 of the caching management data D5 described in (S37).

On the other hand, if the electronic book data identifier D61 is not registered in the step 33, the retention period date D53 of the caching management data D5 is replaced with the retention period date D63 of the caching reservation data D62 and updated (S37). ).

After the processing of steps S36 and S37, the cache management data D5 is searched (S38), and the electronic book data D10 whose processing time has passed the registration confirmation time D53 is checked (S39). With regard to the file name D52 of the electronic book data D10, the record of the caching management data D5 and the file name D5
2 is deleted from the data storage device 37 (S40), and the caching management data D5 is deleted (S41).

(Data Type) In the above embodiment, the example of the electronic book data D10 has been described. However, the data supplied from the information kiosk 3 to the terminal 4 may be a database of music, news, encyclopedia, management information, etc. , Anything.
That is, the present invention is effective when the first data supplied via a medium such as a broadcast has some relationship with the second data supplied from the information kiosk 3 to the terminal 4.
Therefore, in this specification, the data obtained by digitizing a book includes text and / or images (still images, moving images) and / or sounds of news, encyclopedias, management information, video software, games, and the like. The data of computerized music includes a database composed of sound or voice such as music.

[0063]

According to the present invention, a child server, such as an information kiosk, receives data supplied from a parent server and predicts data requested from a terminal and stores (caching) the data in advance. A program information acquisition means for acquiring broadcast program information that can be viewed at, and information for identifying a book related to each program from the broadcast program information, or a title and a keyword for explaining the content of the program, and an identifier are extracted. By providing data type prediction means for determining data relevant to each program, and selected data acquisition storage means for obtaining data selected by the data type prediction means from the parent server and storing the data in the child server In general, data that is expected to increase in demand from terminals in relation to contents broadcast in the region and news are stored in a child server in advance, Suegako it is possible to obtain a rapid data from the server.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of an information distribution system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic book data distribution system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an information kiosk.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the information kiosk.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an electronic book terminal.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the electronic book terminal.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a distribution center.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the structure of program information data.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining the structure of receivable service registration data.

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining the structure of caching control data.

FIG. 11 illustrates a structure of an electronic book DB.

FIG. 12 is a view for explaining the structure of caching management data.

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining the structure of caching reservation data.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of an information kiosk.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an electronic book data update process.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of electronic book data supply processing.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of program information data processing.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a caching management process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Distribution Center 3 Information Kiosk 4 Electronic Book Terminal 6 Memory Card (Storage Media) 71, 72 Communication Line 91 Infrared Interface 92 Cable Connector 93 Communication Line D1 Program Information Data (EPG) D2 Receivable Service Registration Data D3 Caching Control Data D4 Electronic book DB D5 Caching management data D6 Caching reservation data D10 Electronic book data P1 Program data reception processing P2 Electronic book data reception processing P3 Caching management processing P4 Electronic book data update processing P5 Electronic book data supply processing

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. One or more second information processing apparatuses receive first data from a first information processing apparatus using a first communication unit, and one or more third information processing apparatuses receive first data. A position where the second information processing device is installed, in an information distribution device including a second information processing device that receives the first data from the second information processing device using the second communication unit, or Information receiving means for receiving, at a position where a third information processing apparatus connected to the second information processing is installed, second information receivable or specified using the third communication means; And an identifier for identifying first data from information received by the information receiving means, or identification data for identifying first data predicted to be related to the information from information received by the information receiving means. , The identifier or identity The first specified by another data
And data caching means for receiving the first data specified by the data selection means from the first information processing device and storing the received first data in the second information processing device. Characteristic information distribution device. 2. The second data is a television, radio, or data broadcast program, and the information that specifies or describes the second data is information that describes each broadcast program. The information distribution device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The information distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first data is data obtained by digitizing a book or data obtained by digitizing music. 4. The information for specifying or explaining the second data is ISBN (International Standard Book Num).
ber), ISSN (International Standard Serial Numbe
r), DOI (Digital Object Identifier), or Dublin
4. The information distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the information distribution device is Core bibliographic information. 5. One or more second information processing apparatuses receive first data from the first information processing apparatus using first communication means, and one or more third information processing apparatuses receive the first data. In an information distribution method including an information distribution device including a second information processing device that receives the first data from the second information processing device using a second communication unit, the second information processing device is installed. At the position where the third information processing device connected to the second information processing is installed, or
Receiving information that specifies or describes second data receivable using the communication means, and an identifier that specifies first data from the information received by the information receiving process; Data selection processing for extracting identification data specifying first data predicted to be related to the information from the information received by the processing, and specifying the first data specified by the identifier or the identification data; An information distribution method, comprising: a data caching process of receiving first data specified by a process from a first information processing device and storing the first data in a second information processing device. 6. The second data is a television, radio, or data broadcast program, and the information specifying or describing the second data is information describing each broadcast program. The information distribution method according to claim 5, wherein: 7. The information distribution method according to claim 5, wherein the first data is data obtained by digitizing a book or data obtained by digitizing music. 8. The information for specifying or explaining the second data is ISBN (International Standard Book Num).
ber), ISSN (International Standard Serial Numbe
r), DOI (Digital Object Identifier), or Dubli
The information distribution method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the information distribution method is n Core bibliographic information.