JP2002082988A - Retrieving device, distributing device, and contents data distributing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make speedily findable and useable a server device which has good operability and whose communication cost can be reduced from a plurality of server devices accumulating target contents. SOLUTION: A retrieval keyword from terminal equipment 2 and area information are transmitted to the server device 3. The server device 3 retrieves data in the storage part of a server device for retrieval list 34 based on the retrieval keyword and area information, which are received by a reception part 31. The control part 32 of the server device 3 rearranged the list of the content server devices storing target contents data being a retrieval result in accordance with area information and transmits it to terminal equipment 2 through a transmission part 35.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a search device, a distribution device, and a content data distribution system that allow a user to search for and download a content server device storing desired content data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A server device and a terminal device for converting content data (content) such as audio data, video data, and game programs (game data) into digital signals and storing the digital signals in a large-capacity memory are connected to an analog telephone line.
A so-called content that is connected via a public line such as an SDN (Integrated standard digital network) or a satellite line, the terminal device requests the target content data from the server device, and the terminal device is provided from the server device through the public line. -On-demand systems are known.

As shown in FIG. 7, server devices having a large-capacity memory for storing various types of content data as described above and providing stored content in response to requests are installed around the world. Are connected through a communication line that runs around like a net or a spider web.

[0004] Content data can be received from any server device in the world through a terminal device connectable to a communication line. Such a distributed database system formed by extending communication lines around the world like a network is generally a W
It is called WW (World wide Web).

In general, when searching for desired content data stored in a server device, a user accesses a search Web site through a terminal device and performs a search by inputting a content name, a content creator name, and the like. We
The site b performs a search by making full use of search software as a search engine, and displays a URL (Uniform resource locator) address of a server device in which desired content data is recorded on a display unit of a user terminal device to notify the user.

The user automatically clicks (selects) a search result displayed on the display unit of the user's terminal through an operation unit such as a pointing device such as a mouse so as to move to a searched Web site, so-called LI.
NK is released, and downloading of desired content data becomes possible.

[0007]

By the way, for example, when a user's download location or search location is in Japan, desired content data has been stored in server devices in various countries including Japan. in case of,
In some cases, it is more convenient to access a site of a Japanese server device than to a server device installed in a foreign country.

In other words, if a server device stores the same contents, it is shorter for a communication line path to access a server device in Japan than to a server device in the United States (USA), which is a remote place. As a result, communication costs can be reduced. Furthermore, for a Japanese user in Japan, accessing the Japanese server device is more likely to result in a GU displayed on the display unit of the user's terminal device.
I (Graphic User Interface) is written in Japanese and is easy for users to use.

[0009] Further, some of the server devices are connected to a large-capacity communication line and capable of transmitting large-capacity data, and some are not. For this reason, if a server device stores the same content, priority is given to a server device capable of high-capacity transmission with low communication line congestion and good communication, resulting in low communication costs. There is also a request from users who wants to know.

However, the order in which the search results of the content data desired by the user as described above are displayed on the display unit of the terminal device of the user is not considered at all and is random. For this reason, it is necessary for the user to find and select a server device that is easy to use in terms of the GUI and the like, and that can communicate well and that can reduce the communication cost as a result of the user's own judgment. No.

In view of the above, the present invention quickly finds a server device that is easy to use and that can reduce the communication cost among a plurality of server devices storing target contents. It is an object of the present invention to apply a search device, a distribution device, and a content distribution system that can be used out.

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a search device according to the first aspect of the present invention is provided in a plurality of content server devices arranged at a plurality of remote locations and storing a plurality of content data. A search device for searching for a content server device in which a user stores desired content data, wherein the search keyword and a user download the content server device in which the user stores the desired content data. Operating means for receiving an input of area information indicating an area to be executed, transmitting means for transmitting the search keyword and the area information input by the operating means to a search server device, and transmitting means for transmitting the information by the transmitting means. Information indicating a search result performed in the search server device based on the search keyword and the area information. Receiving means for receiving, from the search server device, a list of content server devices which are arranged in the same region as or adjacent to the region indicated by the region information and in which the user has stored desired content data; A predetermined content server device is located from the list received by the receiving means, which is a search result of a content server device in which the desired content data is stored, which is located in the same region as or adjacent to the region indicated by the information. Selecting means for selecting, and the user downloads desired content data from the predetermined content server device selected by the selecting means.

[0013] According to the search device of the first aspect,
The search keyword and the regional information received through the operation means are transmitted to the search server device through the transmission means.
The search server device creates a list of content server devices in which the user has stored desired content data by rearranging the list based on regional information from the user, and the list is transmitted.

[0014] The list of content server devices from the search server device is received by the receiving means and provided to the user. From the list provided by the user through the selection means, a GU such as a content server device in the country where the user is located or a content server device in a neighboring country is located.
I. It is possible to select a content server device that is convenient for the user in terms of the communication path length and the communication environment. This allows the user to quickly select a convenient content server device,
Desired content data can be provided from the selected content server device.

[0015] The search device according to the second aspect of the present invention is arranged at a plurality of remote locations and stores content data desired by a user from a plurality of content server devices storing a plurality of content data. A distribution device that provides a list of content server devices that are provided, receiving means for receiving a search keyword for user-desired content data transmitted from the user terminal and region information indicating a region where the user downloads, Storage means for storing a content server list stored for each piece of content data in association with the area information; and receiving the content server list associated with the area information stored in the storage means. The above search keyword and the above area sent from the user terminal received by the means And a content server list that matches a search keyword related to a user-desired content in the search means based on the regional information from the user, and downloads from each content server device. It is characterized by comprising control means for setting a billing amount at the time of execution, and transmitting means for transmitting the rearranged content server list and the set billing amount to the user terminal.

[0016] The distribution device according to the second aspect of the present invention provides
The search keyword and the regional information from the user are received by the receiving unit, and based on the received search keyword and the regional information, a content server list associated with the regional information stored in the storage unit is selected. The content server device storing the target content data is searched by the search means.

Then, the control means rearranges the list of the content server devices storing the target content data as the search results based on the regional information, sets the billing amount for the download, and transmits them. Through to the user.

Thus, the user can, based on the sorted search results from the distribution server device and the billing information,
It is possible to quickly select and use a server device that is a content server device in which the target content is stored and that is convenient for the user himself / herself.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a content data distribution system, wherein a search keyword for searching for a content server device in which a user has stored desired content and area information indicating an area in which the user downloads. Operating means for receiving the input of the search keyword, the transmitting means for transmitting the search keyword and the area information input by the operating means to a search server device, the search keyword and the area transmitted by the transmitting means Information indicating a search result performed in the search server device based on the information, the content server being located in the same area as or adjacent to the area indicated by the area information, and storing content data desired by the user. Receiving means for receiving a list of devices from the search server device; The user selects a predetermined content server device from the list received by the receiving means, which is a search result of a content server device in which the desired content data is stored and which is arranged in the same region as or adjacent to the region indicated by. A receiving unit for receiving the search keyword and the regional information transmitted from the terminal unit, and a content server list stored for each content data. Storage means for storing the area information in association with the area information, and the search transmitted from the terminal unit when the content server list associated with the area information stored in the storage means is received by the receiving means Search means for searching based on a keyword and the local information; and the search keyword by the search means. Control means for rearranging the content server list corresponding to the content on the basis of the region information and setting a charging amount for downloading from each content server device, and charging the set content server list and the set charging. And transmitting means for transmitting the amount to the terminal unit.

[0020]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a retrieval apparatus, a distribution apparatus and a content data distribution system according to the present invention. In the embodiment described below, a WWW (World Wide Web)
A description will be given of an example in which the present invention is applied to a content-on-demand system that distributes content data such as music data in response to a request from a user by using the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a content-on-demand system according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the search location or download location of the user is Japan, and the content desired by the user is China, Taiwan, United Kingdom (United Kingdom), United States (United States: FIG. S.
Described as A. ), The content is stored in a content server device installed in each country in Australia.

In FIG. 1, reference numerals OJ1, OJ2,
Each of OJ3, OJ4, and OJ5 shows a display screen of a so-called Web site for receiving distribution of target content data provided in content server devices in each country.

In this embodiment, even if the content server device is installed in any of China, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, the Web site OJ1,
By using OJ2, OJ3, OJ4, and OJ5, the same target content data stored in the content server devices installed in the respective countries can be provided.

As described above, there are cases where content server devices storing target content data are installed in various parts of the world.
A search is performed by accessing a site and inputting information such as a search keyword for searching for a storage location of content data desired by the user.

The search keywords for searching the storage location of the content data desired by the user include a content name, a content creator name, a genre of the content data, and an identification code of the content data (if the content data is music data, ISRC ( international stand
ard record code) etc.).

The user can input information such as the above-mentioned content name, content creator name, content data genre, and content data identification code into a so-called pointing device, such as a keyboard or a mouse, which is an operation unit of the user terminal device. The information is input through the operation unit, transmitted to the search server device, and the search is executed.

Then, the user accesses a desired content server device based on the list of content server devices transmitted from the search Web site to the user terminal device and receives desired content data. To Note that a search W for searching content data according to information such as a search keyword from a user.
The server device having the website may be installed in Japan, or may be installed in a country other than Japan.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an outline of the entire content-on-demand system according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, a content-on-demand system according to this embodiment includes a search data providing company 1, a terminal device (user terminal) 2, a server device having functions as a search server device and a billing server device. 3, a settlement company 4 such as a bank or a credit company, and a content server device group 10, which are connected through a communication line.

The search data providing company 1 manages search data in which content servers in each country are associated with content data stored in those content server devices, and searches the server device for this search data (search list). It is provided to the list server device through a communication line.

A search list provided from the search data providing company 1 through a communication line such as a predetermined public line (analog telephone line, ISDN, satellite line, etc.) or a dedicated line is received by the receiving unit 31 of the server device 2. It is stored in the storage unit of the search list server device 34 via the control unit 32. The search list stored in the storage unit of the search list server device 34 is automatically updated based on the search list transmitted from the search data provider 1 at regular intervals (for example, every day, every week, every month). Has been.

The terminal device 2 includes an operation unit such as a keyboard and a so-called mouse, and can input various information and select and input an item from a provided selection item group. The terminal device 2 also includes a communication unit including a transmission unit and a reception unit. In this embodiment, the terminal device 2 can connect to a search Web site provided by the server device 3 via a predetermined public line. The user server inputs the user's region information (regional information) indicating the user's search location or download location and information (search keyword) related to the content desired by the user, such as a search name.
It can be transmitted to the server device 3 having the function of

The user region information and the search keyword transmitted from the terminal device 2 are received by the receiving unit 31 and supplied to the control unit 32. The control unit 32 searches the data in the storage unit of the search list server device 34 based on the user region information and the search name of the content desired by the user, and obtains a search result.

The storage unit of the search list server device 34 stores a plurality of content server names, IP addresses, regional information, etc. in association with each content data. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a list stored in the storage unit of the search list server device 34.

As shown in FIG. 3, the content name “○ △ ×
The content indicated by “× △ Δ” is stored in a plurality of server devices. That is, the target content “○
△ ×× ○ △ ”means the server name“ ○○○○ .UK ”, IP
A content server device installed in the United Kingdom indicated by the address “XXX.
○○. USA ”, IP address“ ×××. ○ △ ○. △ ×
A content server device installed in the United States indicated by “Δ”, a content server name “XXXXX.JP”, and an IP address installed in Japan indicated by an IP address “ΔXX.ΔXX.XX” It can be seen that the content is stored in the content server device.

The control unit 32 of the server device 3 compares the list information stored in the storage unit of the content server device 34 with local information such as user region information indicating a search place or a download place input by the user and the content. Compare the countries where servers are installed and sort them in ascending order to create a list.

In this case, the closeness of the distance can be realized by, for example, storing the latitude and longitude information together with the information in the storage unit of the search list server device 34, or by setting the region to Asia, Europe, the Middle and Near East. , And the search results of only the countries belonging to the group including the search place or the download place inputted by the user can be displayed.

Further, the billing data server device 33
Is set in such a manner that the charge amount generated by downloading the content data is changed for each content server device in the search list, which is the search result, according to the user's download location or proximity to the search location. .

The search list, which is the search result, is supplied to the transmission unit 35 through the control unit 32.
To the terminal device 2 through a public line or a dedicated line. In the terminal device 2, based on the search list transmitted from the server device 3, a desired content server device is selected using a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, which is an operation unit of the terminal device 2, and the selected content server device is selected. (User selection information) is transmitted to the server device 3.

The user selection information transmitted from the terminal device 2 to the server device 3 includes a credit card number, a bank account number, a resident area, a name, and an e-mail necessary for performing a charging process as payment for content acquisition. User identification information such as an address is also transmitted.

The transmitted user selection information is received by the receiving section 31 of the server apparatus 3 and transmitted to the accounting data server apparatus 33 through the control section 32 so that accounting processing is performed.

When the authentication is correctly performed in the accounting data server device 33, the accounting information is transmitted from the accounting data server device 33 to the control unit 32. The billing information is stored in the control unit 3
2. It is transmitted to the bank or credit company 4 that performs the charging process (settlement process) through the transmission unit 35. If the billing process has been correctly performed, the link is switched based on the user selection information transmitted from the terminal device 2.

The link switching means switching to the content server device selected in the terminal device 2, and is typically a content server device selected by the user from the content server device group 10 installed in each country. The switching unit 36 switches the communication path to a predetermined content server device selected by the user from the content server device group 10 based on the user selection information transmitted from the terminal device 2. .

With the above operation, the terminal device 2 and the selected content server device in the desired content server device group 10 are connected, and the target content can be downloaded.

FIG. 4 shows a search Web displayed on the display screen of the terminal device (user terminal) 2 in this embodiment.
It is a figure for explaining the example of a display of the screen of site b. As shown in FIG. 4, a search song name input field 11, a search artist name input field 12, a search location list display area 13 having a scroll bar 14, and a search result display area 15 having a scroll bar 16 are provided. It is provided.

When the user searches for a desired song, the user inputs the searched song into the search song input field 11 through the operation unit of the terminal device 2 such as a keyboard. First, information is input to the search artist name input field 12 through an operation unit of the terminal device 2 such as a keyboard.

Further, the user selects a search place where the user is searching from the search place selection frame 13 using the toolbar 14 or the like. In FIG. 4, the search location is Japan (JAPA).
9 shows an example in which N) is selected. When the search information such as the search keyword and the regional information is not transmitted from the terminal device 2, nothing is displayed in the search result display column 15.

When the information indicating the search tune, the search artist, and the search place is transmitted to the server device 3 as the search information, and the search result is transmitted from the server device 3 to the terminal device 2, the display element of the terminal device is displayed. The search results are displayed in the search result display field 15 of the screen GM as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 4, Japan is selected as the search location, and the search result display field 15 is a content server device in which the song “△ ×× □□” is recorded. A content server name of × ○ △ is displayed, and it is informed that a charge of 100 yen is required. In addition, the content server name of xxxxx, which is installed in Korea as a content server device that contains the song of △ xxxxx, is displayed as a search result, and a charge of 200 yen is required. It has been announced.

Similarly, there are two types of content server devices in which a song △ △ × 収録 is recorded: a content server device × ○ 台湾 in Taiwan and a content server device × ○ ○ in China. It is displayed and notified that the billing amount for downloading the content from these content server devices is 400 yen and 500 yen.

Here, the charging amount is determined in the charging data server device 33 shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 4, in the case of downloading from a content server device located in the same country as the search location, the charging fee is reduced, and the higher the location of the content server device that downloads the content, the higher the distance. I am trying to do it.

By doing so, the download from the content server device installed in the same country or the like as the search location (the area where the user uses the terminal device) is installed abroad. By making the download cheaper than the download from the content server device, it is possible to prevent access to a distant content server device, and as a result, the congestion degree of the communication line can be reduced.

As described above, even when downloading the same content data, the amount of consideration can be changed according to the selected content server device. Then, when the user selects a desired content server device by clicking the mouse or the like in the search result display field 15, a so-called link switch is automatically performed to switch to the selected content server device.

FIG. 5 shows a search Web displayed on the display screen of the terminal device (user terminal) 2 in this embodiment.
It is a figure for explaining other examples of a display of a screen of site b. In FIG. 5, portions indicated by reference numerals 21 to 26 correspond to reference numerals 11 to 16 in FIG.
Since they are the same as the corresponding parts shown in the above, their description is omitted here.

FIG. 5 shows a second display mode, in which the charge amount is changed from the content server device close to the search location where the user searches for the target content data using the terminal device. This is an example of a case in which a high billing process is performed when downloading.

When the target content is downloaded from a nearby content server device,
There is an effect that the content can be downloaded in a short time and the content data can be obtained quickly, and the charge amount is increased in consideration of the effect.

In the case of the example shown in FIG. 5, contrary to the case of the example shown in FIG. 4, even though Japan is the search place, the content server device installed in Japan If the intended content is downloaded, it costs 500 yen, and if the content is downloaded from a content server device located in Korea located farther than the Japanese content server device,
It is shown that it costs 400 yen. Hereinafter, in the order of Taiwan and China, the charge for downloading content from the content server device installed in that country is 30
It becomes cheap at 0 yen and 100 yen.

In this way, when it is not necessary to download the target content data in a hurry, the target content data is obtained from a distant content server device, and the target content data is downloaded. If you don't need to hurry the download,
By using the nearest content server device, the content server device can be used properly.
It is possible to reduce the amount of communication and services.

Next, a terminal device on the user side (user terminal)
2 and a process of transmitting and receiving data to and from the server 3 will be described. FIG. 6 is a data transition diagram illustrating a procedure of a process related to transmission and reception of information between the terminal device 2 and the server device 3. At step SP1, the terminal device 2 transmits the search keyword and the regional information input to the terminal device 2 through the operation unit to the search server device 34 of the server device 3.

Then, the server device 3 proceeds to step SP2
, The search of the content server device stored in the search list server device 34 is started based on the search tune, the search place, and the search artist name transmitted from the user from the terminal device 2 to create the search list. Start.

At step SP 3, a search list as a search result from the search list server device 34 is transmitted to the terminal device 2. Then, based on the search list transmitted from the server device 3, the content server selected by the user in step SP4 is selected, the content server device selected in step SP5 is linked, and the user is connected in step SP6. Prepares a preparation screen for downloading user-desired content data from the content server device selected by the user on the display screen GM of the terminal device 2.
To be displayed.

The user inputs necessary information for charging based on a preparation screen for downloading the user-desired content data displayed on the display screen GM of the terminal device 2 and transmits it to the server device 3 as charging information in step SP7. I do.

The billing information transmitted from the terminal device 2 is transmitted to the billing data server device. At step SP8, a predetermined authentication process and a billing process are performed between the bank and the credit card company. If the processing has been correctly performed, the end of the charging process is transmitted to the selected content server device in step SP9. The selected content server device transmits the user-desired content data to the requesting user terminal device 2 in step SP10. If the download has been completed, the terminal device 2 transmits to the server device 3 that the download has been completed in step SP11.

As described above, in this embodiment,
Since the content server device storing the target content data can be known in order from the content server device closer to the search location, a content server device having a short communication path can be quickly selected, and the target content data can be retrieved. Can be downloaded.

In the above-described embodiment, the search list (list list) of the content server device as the search result is rearranged based on the search location and provided to the user. is not. For example,
In the information stored in the storage unit of the search list server device of the server device 3, detailed information such as the communication environment of each content server device, for example, the number of usable communication lines and the transmission capacity of the communication line is stored. To do.

In this way, even if the server device stores the same content data, the content server device that can use a large-capacity communication line and can transmit the content data more quickly is given priority. Thus, the search result can be displayed at the top of the search list of the content server device. Also, in this case,
Of course, the local information from the user may be considered.

In the above-described embodiment, the content data has been described as music data, for example. However, the content data is not limited to music data. So-called video data such as video data and still image data, game data such as game programs and related data, or music data,
Of course, video data, game data, and the like may be combined, and text data such as novels, and various application programs such as word processors and spreadsheets may be used.

In the above embodiment, the charging data server device 33 and the search list server device 34 are used.
Has been described as being provided in the server device 3,
It is not limited to this. Billing data server device 33
The search list server device 34 may be separate and independent, or may be installed in a different country. Also,
In this case, the connection between the user's terminal device 2 and the accounting data server device 33 or the search list server device 34 provided on the WWW is established by, for example, an ISP (Internet Service P).
rovider) server device.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the regional information transmitted from the user's terminal device together with the search keyword is described as indicating the search location where the user searches or the download location where the user downloads. It is not limited. For example, there are cases where an American or a British resident in Japan wants to access a server installed in their own country from Japan from the viewpoint of a GUI or the like.

For this reason, the selection of the search place shown in FIGS.
By using the information as high-priority area information, it is also possible to preferentially search for a content server device installed in a target country or a neighboring country and provide the user with the content server device. In this case, the billing amount can be set based on the actual search location by transmitting the information indicating the actual search location, that is, the information indicating the area where the user is located, to the server device that performs the search.

Further, it is of course possible to set the area information in the terminal device of the user in advance so that it is not necessary to input the area information every time the search is performed.

[0071]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a user searches for and downloads a content server device in which desired content data is stored, the user specifies a search location or a download destination. Since a candidate list of content server devices adjacent to the designated search location or download destination area is displayed, it is possible to prevent access to a distant server device, and as a result, to reduce the congestion degree of the communication line. be able to.

Further, by downloading target content data from a nearby content server device,
Downloading can be performed in a relatively short time, and content data can be obtained quickly.

Further, the charge amount for downloading is made different between the case where content data is downloaded from a nearby content server device and the case where content data is downloaded from a distant content server device. As a result, it is cheaper for the user and the communication cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a content-on-appliance to which a search device, a distribution device, and a content data distribution system according to the present invention are applied
FIG. 1 is a diagram for describing an overview of a demand system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a content-on-application to which a search device, a distribution device, and a content data distribution system according to the present invention are applied;
It is a block diagram for explaining a demand system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining information stored in a storage unit of the search list server device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a search screen displayed on a display screen GM of a terminal device and a display example of a search result.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining another display example of a search screen and a search result displayed on the display screen GM of the terminal device.

FIG. 6 is a data transition diagram illustrating a procedure of processing between a terminal device and a server device.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining WWW on which a content-on-demand system is formed.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Search data providing company, 2 ... Terminal device (user terminal), 3 ... Server device, 31 ... Receiving part, 32 ... Control part,
33: billing data server device, 34: search list server device, 35: transmission unit, 36: switcher, 4: settlement company such as bank or credit company, 10: content server device group

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Shunsuke Furukawa 6-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Mitsuru Toriyama 6-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Tatsuya Inokuchi 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Kaoru Kijima 6-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sonny Inside (72) Inventor Kazuko Sakurai 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Takashi Kihara 3-13-16, Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo Career Development Co., Ltd.・ Internal F-term (reference) 5B075 KK04 ND06 ND14 PP03 PP13 PP22 PP30 PQ02 PQ46

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A search device for a user to search for a content server device in which desired content data is stored, from among a plurality of content server devices located in a plurality of remote locations and storing a plurality of content data. Operating means for receiving an input of a search keyword for searching for a content server device storing desired content data and area information indicating an area where the user downloads; Transmitting means for transmitting the search keyword and the area information to a search server device; and a search result performed by the search server device based on the search keyword and the area information transmitted by the transmission means. Information that is located in the same area as or adjacent to the area indicated by the area information, Receiving means for receiving, from the search server device, a list of content server devices storing desired content data from the search server device; and a receiving unit arranged in the same region as or adjacent to the region indicated by the region information. Selecting means for selecting a predetermined content server device from the list received by the receiving device as a search result of the content server device in which content data is stored, wherein the predetermined content server selected by the selecting device is provided. A search device that allows a user to download desired content data from the device. 2. A distribution apparatus for providing a list of content server apparatuses in which user-desired content data is stored from among a plurality of content server apparatuses arranged in a plurality of remote locations and storing a plurality of content data. Receiving means for receiving a search keyword relating to user-desired content data transmitted from the user terminal and regional information indicating a region in which the user downloads, content stored for each content data Storage means for storing a server list in association with the area information; and a user terminal receiving the content server list associated with the area information stored in the storage means by the receiving means. Search means for searching based on the search keyword and the regional information; Control means for rearranging the content server list matching the search keyword relating to the content desired by the user by the search means based on the regional information from the user and setting a charging amount when downloading from each content server device; And a transmitting unit for transmitting the rearranged content server list and the set charging amount to the user terminal. 3. The distribution apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control means increases a billing amount for a content server apparatus closer to an area where the user indicated by said area information downloads. apparatus. 4. The distribution apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control means reduces a billing amount for a content server apparatus closer to an area where the user indicated by said area information downloads. apparatus. 5. The distribution device according to claim 2, wherein the content data includes any one of music data, image data, and game data. 6. An operation means for receiving an input of a search keyword for searching for a content server device in which a desired content is stored by a user and area information indicating an area in which the user downloads. Transmitting means for transmitting the input search keyword and the area information to a search server device; and a search result performed in the search server apparatus based on the search keyword and the area information transmitted by the transmission means. Receiving means for receiving, from the search server device, a list of content server devices which are arranged in the same region as or adjacent to the region indicated by the region information and in which the user has stored desired content data. And located in the same or adjacent area as the area indicated by the area information, A selecting unit for selecting a predetermined content server device from the list received by the receiving unit, which is a search result of a content server device in which desired content data is stored by the user; Receiving means for receiving the search keyword and the area information transmitted from the terminal unit; storage means for storing a content server list stored for each content data in association with the area information; Search means for searching a content server list associated with the area information stored in the storage means, based on the search keyword and the area information transmitted from the terminal unit received by the receiving means And a content server list that matches the search keyword by the search means based on the regional information. Control means for setting the billing amount when re-ordering and downloading from each content server device; and transmitting means for transmitting the rearranged content server list and the set billing amount to the terminal unit. Content data distribution system. 7. The content data distribution system according to claim 6, wherein said control means increases a charge amount for a content server device closer to a region where the user indicated by said region information downloads. Content data distribution system. 8. The content data distribution system according to claim 6, wherein said control means reduces the charge amount for a content server device closer to a region where the user indicated by said region information downloads. Content data distribution system. 9. The content data distribution system according to claim 6, wherein the content data includes any one of music data, image data, and game data.