JP2002157227A - Information processor, contents information updating method and recording medium recording contents information updating program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor, a contents information updating method and a recording medium recording contents information updating program capable of reducing labor and costs required for updating contents for both a contents provider and a user. SOLUTION: Terminal equipment 40 inquires the version of contents information recorded on a recording medium 45 through a communication network 50 to a host server 10. When updating information on the new version of contents information is prepared, the host server 10 transmits this updating information to the terminal equipment 40. When the received updating information is contents information of the new version, the terminal equipment 40 updates the contents information recorded on the recording medium 45 on the basis of this received updating information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer for performing information processing using content information provided in advance, and a content for updating content information using such an information processing apparatus. The present invention relates to an information updating method and a recording medium on which a content information updating program is recorded and which can be read by an information processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various types of contents (or programs) have been available in information processing apparatuses such as personal computers. As content,
For example, there are video content composed of video information, audio content composed of audio information such as music, still image content composed of still images such as map information, and text content composed of text information such as car price information and telephone directory information. These contents are, for example, CD-RO
A package-type recording medium such as M (CompactDisc-Read Only Memory) (hereinafter referred to as a package medium)
It is usually recorded, distributed, and provided to the public.

[0003] Conventionally, such content provided as package media is usually updated by the user physically replacing the package media itself with an updated new package media.

[0004] In addition, as another content update method, for example, the content provider publishes the update content on a homepage on the Internet, and each user checks the update content by looking at the homepage. A method of updating the package media based on the updated content may be considered.

[0005]

However, in the above-described method based on the physical replacement of package media, the content provider sends new package media to all desired users by mail or home delivery every time an update is performed. It must be distributed by mail or the like, which is complicated and requires a delivery cost. This is especially true for contents that are frequently updated. In addition, there is also a problem that it takes a long time for delivery and thus lacks immediacy. The user must always pay attention to the update information issued by the content provider in order to always keep the version of the package media up to date, which is a heavy burden. Further, since there are several types of package media, a plurality of types of update package media may have to be prepared according to the user's request, which places a heavy burden on the content provider.

Further, the method of using a homepage on the Internet has a problem in that the updated contents can be easily and easily understood and transmitted to the user, and the user is forced to perform a complicated updating operation. Because of the necessity, there is a problem that the burden on the user is further increased.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus capable of reducing the labor and cost required for updating a content for both a content provider and a user. Another object of the present invention is to provide a content information updating method and a recording medium on which a content information updating program is recorded.

[0008]

An information processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus for performing information processing using content information provided in advance, and is provided through a predetermined communication network. There is provided a receiving means for receiving the transmitted update information, and an updating means for updating the content information based on the update information received by the receiving means.

An information processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus for performing information processing using video content information provided at least including video information provided in advance, and is provided via a predetermined communication network. A receiving unit for receiving the transmitted update information, and an updating unit for updating the video content information based on the update information received by the receiving unit are provided.

[0010] A content information updating method according to a first aspect of the present invention is a content information updating method applied to an information processing apparatus that performs information processing using content information provided in advance. And updating the content information based on the received update information.

[0011] A content information updating method according to a second aspect of the present invention is a content information updating method for updating content information provided in advance in a form usable by an information processing apparatus. Connecting to the communication network, transmitting the update information from the transmission side to the information processing apparatus via the communication network, and receiving the update information transmitted via the communication network by the information processing apparatus. And an updating step of updating the content information based on the received update information.

A recording medium on which the content information updating program of the present invention is recorded stores a content information updating program applied to an information processing apparatus which performs information processing using previously provided content information, and A storage medium readable by an apparatus, wherein a content information update program receives update information sent via a predetermined communication network, and updates content information based on the received update information And

[0013] In the information processing apparatus, the content information updating method, and the recording medium storing the content information updating program of the present invention, the update information sent via a predetermined communication network is received, and based on the received update information. The content information provided in advance is updated. The content information includes, for example, video content information.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
1 shows an overall configuration of a network system to which a content information updating method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
In addition, regarding the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment and the recording medium on which the content information update program is recorded,
A description will be given together with the content content information updating method according to the present embodiment.

The network system shown in FIG. 1 includes a host server 10, a local server 20, and a terminal device 40 connected to a communication network 50. The local server 20 is a LAN (Local Area Net)
A plurality of clients 30, 31, 32, and 33 are connected by a work (local area network) 60. The communication network 50 is configured by, for example, a combination of the Internet and a telephone line or a dedicated line.
Although FIG. 1 shows one local server 20 and one terminal device 40 for simplicity, a large number of such devices are connected to the communication network 50 in practice. Here, the local server 20 or the terminal device 40 corresponds to a specific example of “information processing device” in the present invention.

The host server 10 is operated by a content provider, and provides information (hereinafter simply referred to as “update”) to the local server 20 and the terminal device 40 for updating content already provided by distribution or distribution. Information).

If the user is an organization such as a company or government office, the local server 20
It is a central element for constructing an AN, and holds content information such as video content recorded on the recording medium 25. The recording medium 25 also stores an application program that is a subject that uses the content information, as described later. As the recording medium 25, for example, a CD-ROM that is a read-only recording medium, a CD-R (Recordable) that is a write-once recording medium, or a CD-RW (ReWritable) that is a rewritable recording medium can be used. . In the present embodiment, the rewritable recording medium C
Description will be made assuming that D-RW or the like is used.

The local server 20 performs various services in response to requests from the clients 30 to 33 in the LAN 60, for example, providing content information recorded on the recording medium 25. The clients 30 to 33 are configured by, for example, personal computers, and can use the content information held by the local server 20. The local server 20 is always connected to the communication network 50, for example, and can perform data communication with the host server. The local server 20 also checks the version of the content information on the recording medium 25, receives the update information transmitted from the host server 10, and
It has a function of automatically updating content information that has already been distributed or distributed based on this update information. Thus, the plurality of clients 30 to 33 can use the updated content information.

The terminal device 40 is composed of, for example, a stand-alone personal computer, and can perform data communication with a host server by dial-up connection to a communication network 50 as necessary. . The terminal device 40 holds content information such as video content recorded on the recording medium 45. Similarly to the recording medium 25, the recording medium 45 also stores an application program that is a subject that uses the content information. In the present embodiment, the recording medium 45 is also a rewritable storage medium, like the storage medium 25.
The description will be made assuming that it is D-RW.

The terminal device 40 checks the version of the content information on the recording medium 45 and, if necessary, receives update information from the host server 10 based on the update information. Is automatically updated. Thus, the user using the terminal device 40 can use the updated content information.

Next, a schematic configuration of the host server 10, the local server 20, and the terminal device 40 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the host server 10. This host server 10 has a storage unit 1
0A, input unit 10B, and display unit 10C
And a communication unit 10D and a control unit 10E.

The storage unit 10A stores created update information and the like. Input unit 10B
Is for inputting data and the like necessary for creating and distributing update information. The display unit 10C is for displaying a screen or the like necessary for creating and distributing update information. The communication unit 10D transmits update information and the like to the local server 20 and the terminal device 40 via the communication network 50 as needed (for example, in response to a request from the local server 20 or the terminal device 40). Has become. The control unit 10E includes the storage unit 10
A, the input unit 10B, the display unit 10C, and the communication unit 10D, respectively, and control the operations of these units.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the local server 20. The local server 20 includes a storage unit 20A, an input unit 20B, and a display unit 20C.
And a communication unit 20D, 20F, a recording medium drive unit 20e, and a control unit 20G.

The storage unit 20A is configured using, for example, a hard disk device, and stores application programs and the like installed from the recording medium 25. This application program
It mainly includes a browsing program (browser) or the like that is the main entity that uses the content information, but also includes a content information update program for updating the content information.

The input unit 20B is for inputting necessary data and the like when updating content information and when executing an application program. The display unit 20C displays necessary screens when updating the content information and when executing the application program.

The communication unit 20D performs data communication with the host server 10 via the communication network 50, and the communication unit 20F communicates with the plurality of clients 30, 31, 32, 33 via the LAN 60. Is used for data communication.

When the removable recording medium 25 is mounted, the recording medium drive unit 20E
For example, reading of content information recorded in the storage medium 25, writing of update information to the recording medium 25, and the like are performed. The recording medium 25 may be built in the local server 20 or may be an external medium, as described later. The recording medium drive unit 20E includes a CD-RW that is a rewritable recording medium, a CD-R that is a write-once recording medium, and a CD-ROM that is a read-only recording medium.
It is preferable to be able to also perform an access operation to.

The control unit 20G includes a microprocessor (not shown) and a main memory, and includes a storage unit 20A, an input unit 20B, a display unit 20C, communication units 20D and 20F, and a recording medium drive unit 20E. Each operation is controlled. Further, the control unit 20G determines the type of the recording medium 25 attached to the recording medium drive unit 20F, and updates the content information recorded on the recording medium 25 by a method according to the result of the determination. It has become.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the terminal device 40. The terminal device 40 includes a storage unit 40A, an input unit 40B, a display unit 40C, a communication unit 40D, a recording medium drive unit 40E, and a control unit 40F. These storage units 40
A, the input unit 40B, the display unit 40C, the communication unit 40D, and the recording medium drive unit 40E
Each has the same configuration and function as the storage unit 20A, the input unit 20B, the display unit 20C, the communication unit 20D, and the recording medium drive unit 20E in the local server 20 shown in FIG. Is omitted. Here, the control unit 4
0F is "update means" and "determination means" in the present invention.
The communication unit 40D corresponds to a specific example of “receiving means” in the present invention.

Next, referring to FIG.
0 and the recording medium 25 used by the terminal device 40,
Forty-five recording formats will be described. here,
These are collectively referred to as a rewritable recording medium 70 in particular.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a recording format of a rewritable recording medium. As shown in this figure, in the rewritable recording medium 70, content information 71 of version 1.0 is recorded in a recording area 74. Both the recording area 74 and the remaining recording area 75 are areas in which data can be freely rewritten (update information is overwritten). Content information 71
Is, for example, video content (a program including video information or the like), and includes control data C (1.0) and a plurality of files F1 (1.0) to Fn (1.0). Where “(1.0)
"Means the version number of the data or file. The control data C (1.0) includes the authoring data including the link information and the display control information, and the file (based on the recording medium) of the file used in accordance with the authoring data. FAT (File Allocatio) indicating the recording position
n Table) data. Multiple files F1
(1.0) to Fn (1.0) include various materials (for example, text data, video data, and audio data). Although FIG. 5 shows a single control data C (1.0), the control data may be divided into a plurality as necessary.

As a rewritable recording medium, MO (Magneto) is used.
Optical Disk; MD (Mini Disk;
Mini-disc), CD-RW, DVD-RAM (Digita
l Versatile Disk-RAM), HD (Hard Disk), and semiconductor memory. Of these, MO, MD, CD-RAM, and DVD-RAM
Is a removable recording medium. On the other hand, the hard disk and the semiconductor memory are usually built-in devices, but may be removable.

Next, the operation of the information processing apparatus having the above configuration will be described. It is assumed that the recording media 25 and 45 containing the content information to be updated are distributed to the user of the local server 20 and the terminal device 40 in advance and set in each device.

First, referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, content information recorded on recording medium 45 distributed to terminal device 40 (here, rewritable recording medium 70 for convenience of explanation). The operation at the time of update processing and the use thereof will be described. Here, FIG. 6 shows how the content information on the rewritable recording medium 70 changes before and after the update, (A) shows a state before update, (B) shows update information,
(C) shows the state after the update. FIG. 7 illustrates a flow of a content information update process performed by the control unit 40F of the terminal device 40. Here, the rewritable recording medium 70
The description will be made assuming that the initial state is as shown in FIG.

When the terminal device 40 executes an application program, a content information update program included in the application program starts. Thereby, the control unit 40F (FIG. 4) inquires the host server 10 of the version of the content information via the communication unit 40D (step A).
1). Specifically, under the control of the control unit 40F,
The communication unit 40D performs a connection process to the communication network 50 so that data communication can be performed. Next, the communication unit 4
0D transmits the version inquiry request output from the control unit 40F to the host server 10 via the communication network 50.

The inquiry of the version of the content information by the terminal device 40 is performed not when the application program is started but when a predetermined time elapses or when the user instructs the version inquiry. Is also good.

The control unit 10E of the host server 10
Receives the version inquiry request transmitted from the terminal device 40 via the communication unit 10D (FIG. 2).
The control unit 10E responds to the version inquiry request by
It is determined whether or not the update information on the new version of the content information is stored in the storage unit 10A. When the update information is stored in the storage unit 10A, the control unit 10E reads the update information from the storage unit 10A and outputs it to the communication unit 10D. On the other hand, when the update information is not stored in the storage unit 10A, the control unit 10E outputs uncreated information indicating that the update information has not been created to the communication unit 10D. The communication unit 10D transmits the update information or the uncreated information output from the control unit 10E to the terminal device 40 via the communication network 50.

The control unit 40F (FIG. 4) of the terminal device 40 determines whether the communication unit 40D has received update information from the host server 10 (step A).
2). When the communication unit 40D receives the uncreated information (step A2; N), the control unit 40F determines that it is not necessary to update the content information recorded on the rewritable recording medium 70, and executes this update process. finish.

On the other hand, the communication unit 40D
When (FIG. 6B) is received (step A2; Y),
The control unit 40F includes the control data and the file version number included in the received update information 76, the control data and the file in the content information 71 recorded on the rewritable recording medium 70 set in the recording medium drive unit 40E. (Step A3). The control unit 40F determines whether or not the update information 76 relates to a new version of the content information based on the result of the comparison of the version numbers (step A4). When it is determined that the update information 76 does not relate to a new version of the content information (step A4; N), the update process ends without performing the update process on the content information. On the other hand, when it is determined that the update information 76 relates to a new version of the content information (step A4; Y), the control unit 40F performs a content information update process (step A5). The update process is performed by overwriting the update information 76 on the content information 71 in the rewritable recording medium 70. In the present embodiment, the update information 76 is
Since it is configured as difference information including only a portion different from the content information of the original version, overwriting is performed only for a part of the content information of the original version.

Here, the updating process by overwriting will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

As shown in this figure, the update information 76
Only the difference from the original content information 71 recorded on the rewritable recording medium 70 is included. Specifically, the update information 76 includes data (including the updated content) 76A for instructing the control data C (1.0) in the content information 71 to be updated to a new version, and a file F
Data 76B instructing to delete 1 (1.0), data 76C instructing to update file F2 (1.0) to a new version (including the updated content), and new file F (n + 1) ( 1.0) (including the added content) 76D instructing the addition of the data. The control unit 40F, based on such update information 76,
Overwriting on the recording area 74 where the content information 71 is recorded, writing on the recording area 75 which is a data non-recording area, and the like are performed. More specifically, the following processing is performed.

Although the version of the control data C in the update information 76 (FIG. 6B) is (1.1), the rewritable recording medium 7
The version of the control data C of the content information 71 in 0 (FIG. 6A) is (1.0). Therefore, the control unit 40F determines that the update information 76 relates to the new version of the content information 71, and
As shown in (C), the control data C (1.0) in the rewritable recording medium 70 is rewritten to C (1.1).

The update information 76 includes the file F1 (1.0)
However, the content information 71 in the rewritable recording medium 70 includes a file F1 (1.0). Therefore, the control unit 40f
As shown in (C), the file F1 (1.0) is deleted from the content information 71 in the rewritable recording medium 70.

The version of the file F2 in the update information 76 (FIG. 6B) is (1.1), while the version of the file F2 of the content information 71 in the rewritable recording medium 70 is (1.0). . Therefore, the control unit 40
F is a rewritable recording medium 70 as shown in FIG.
Rewrite the file F2 (1.0) in the file to F2 (1.1).

The update information 76 includes a new F (n + 1) (1.
0) is included, but the file F (n + 1) (1.0) does not exist in the content information 71 in the rewritable recording medium 70. Therefore, the control unit 40f additionally writes a new file F (n + 1) (1.0) on the content information 71 in the rewritable recording medium 70 as shown in FIG.

Although FIG. 6 shows that the file F (n + 1) (1.0) is written in the new recording area 75,
Actually, the file F (n + 1) (1.0) may be overwritten on the area where the deleted file F1 (1.0) was recorded. When a file or the like is fragmented by such an update process, a defragmentation process may be appropriately performed.

In this way, the content information 77 (FIG. 6C) whose version has been updated to (1.1) is obtained.

When the content information updating process is completed,
The main part of the application program starts. The main body is a program for using the content information 71, and corresponds to, for example, a program such as a video browser or a still image browser such as a map. Upon activation of the program body, the control unit 40f performs an essential operation such as reading out a file of the content information 71 and displaying the file on the display unit 40c based on an instruction from the user.

In this embodiment, since the recording medium is of the rewritable type, when the application program is executed,
The content information 77 updated by overwriting the update information 76 can be directly used and directly used.
Therefore, unlike the case of a write-once recording medium or a read-only recording medium, which will be described later, there is no need to perform a process of comparing existing content information and update information every time an application program is executed. Further, since the recording medium is a rewritable type, the update information 76 can be overwritten on the original content information 71, and the recording area 75 in the margin is not used much. Therefore, the recording capacity of the recording medium can be reduced.

Next, the operation of the local server 20 and the clients 30 to 33 will be described.

As described above, the local server 20
It is always connected to the communication network 50. Therefore, even if the local server 20 does not inquire the host server 10 about the version of the content information, the host server 1
From 0, the latest update information is automatically transmitted to the local server 20. The local server 20 updates the content information recorded on the recording medium 25 based on the received update information. The update processing operation in this case is the same as that of the terminal device 40 described above, and the description is omitted. In the local server 20, the version inquiry of the content information may be automatically performed when the application program is started, as in the case of the terminal device 40. Alternatively, a version inquiry may be made in response to a request from a user (for example, an administrator of the local server 20).

The clients 30 to 33 can use the content information recorded on the recording medium 25 by accessing the local server 20. Therefore, the clients 30 to 33 can always use the latest version of the content information.

As described above, according to the content information updating method of the present embodiment, the content information already distributed or distributed is updated based on the update information transmitted via the communication network. Thus, there is no need to physically exchange package media for upgrading the content information. Therefore, it is possible for the user to improve the immediacy of upgrading the content information. In addition, since no trouble is required to upgrade the version of the content information, even a user who is unfamiliar with the operation of the information processing apparatus can easily and reliably upgrade the version. Further, since package media is not used, version upgrade can be easily automated. In this case, the version upgrade can be performed without any user's awareness. That is,
The user can always use the latest version of the content information without being conscious of the old and new versions of the content information on hand. On the other hand, for the content provider, the trouble of manufacturing and distributing the upgraded package media is eliminated, and the cost required for upgrading can be reduced.

In this embodiment, the host server 1
Since the update information transmitted from 0 includes only the control data and the difference information of the file, the amount of data required for the update is minimized. Therefore, the transmission of the update information from the host server to the terminal device 40 or the local server 20 is performed in a shorter time. The update processing of the content information in the local server 20 or the terminal device 40 is also performed in a shorter time. However, the update information may be configured to include not only the difference but also the entire content information, and all the update information may be overwritten on the original (existing) content information.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described.

This embodiment relates to a case where the recording medium is of the write-once type. The configuration of the network system of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 4) except that the recording media 25 and 45 are write-once recording media. The description is omitted.
In the description of the operation, the reference numerals used in FIGS. 1 to 4 are used as they are.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a recording format of a write-once recording medium. As a write-once recording medium,
In addition to the above-described CD-R, for example, a DVD-R (Digital
Versatile Disc-Recordable) can be used. This write-once recording medium 80 includes a recording area 84 in which original (version 1.0) content information 81 including control data C (1.0) and a plurality of files F1 (1.0) to Fn (1.0) is recorded, And an additional recording area 85 which is an unrecorded area for additionally recording content information.

Generally, in a write-once type recording medium, information is recorded over an already recorded area (overwriting).
However, additional recording is possible only in the unrecorded area. Therefore, the recording area 84 of the write-once recording medium 80 where the original content information 81 is recorded.
Instead of overwriting the update information, the update content information is additionally recorded in the unrecorded recording area 85 as shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the terminal device 40 in the network system according to the present embodiment will be described.

First, the update processing operation will be described.

FIG. 9 shows how the recording state of the write-once recording medium 80 changes before and after updating.
(A) shows the recorded contents of the write-once recording medium 80 before updating,
(B) shows the contents of the update information 86 received from the host server 10, and (C) shows the contents of the recordable write-once recording medium 80 after the update. The update information 86 (FIG. 9B) is configured as difference information including only a part that is different from the original content information 81, similarly to the update information 76 in the first embodiment (FIG. 6). I have. When the control unit 40F (FIG. 4) of the terminal device 40 receives the update information 86 from the host server 10, based on the update information 86, as shown in FIG. In the area 85, the content information 81 is updated to version 1.
The update content information 186 for updating to 1 is written. In the example of FIG. 9, the update content information 186 is
Control data C (1.1), files F2 (1.1) and F (n + 1) (1.
0) and data (not shown) instructing deletion of the file F1 (1.0).

FIG. 9C shows a state in which one piece of update content information 186 is recorded in the additional recording area 85. However, in actuality, each time the version upgrade progresses, the update content having new contents is updated. The information 186 is sequentially added to the additional recording area 85. Hereinafter, this additional recording process will be specifically described.

FIG. 10 shows the recording state of the write-once recording medium 80 when the version has been upgraded a plurality of times (here, four times). Here, FIG. 10A shows the contents of the original (version 1.0) content information, which is the same as that shown in FIG. 9A. FIG.
(B) to (E) respectively show the update content information 1 of version 1.1 to 1.4 recorded in the additional recording area 85.
86, and includes only difference information that is a changed portion.

For example, FIG. 10B shows version 1.
1 is the content information for updating. Control data C (1.1) upgraded to version 1.1 and Ver.
I-th file Fi upgraded to 1.1
(1.1) is included. FIG.
(C) shows that the update content information of version 1.2 includes only the control data C (1.2) upgraded to Ver1.2 and the j-th file Fj (1.1) upgraded to version 1.1. Indicates that it contains. Also, FIG. 10D shows that the update content information of version 1.3 has the control data C (1.3) upgraded to Ver1.3 and the i-th file Fi ( 1.2), and only the j-th file Fj (1.2) upgraded to version 1.2. FIG.
0 (E) indicates that the update content information of version 1.4 is only the control data C (1.4) upgraded to Ver1.4 and the ith file Fi (1.3) upgraded to version 1.3. Is included.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11, a description will be given of a process in a case where an application program is executed in the terminal device 40 and the content information of the write-once recording medium 80 is used. Here, FIG. 11 illustrates a process of the control unit 40F (FIG. 4) of the terminal device 40 when the application program is activated.

When the application program is started, the control unit 40F reads the original content information 81 from the recording area 84 of the write-once recording medium 80 (step B1 in FIG. 11). Next, the control unit 40
F performs a search to determine whether or not the update content information 186 is recorded in the write-once area 85 of the write-once type recording medium 80 (step B2). As a result of this search, when the update content information 186 is not recorded in the additional recording area 85 (step B3; N), the control unit 40F determines that the content information 81 has not been updated, and The application program is executed using 81 (step B6).

On the other hand, as a result of the search, if the update content information 186 has been recorded in the additional recording area 85 (step B3; Y), the control unit 40F returns to the original content information 81 (see FIG. 10A). ), The update content information 186 of a version (here, Ver. 1.1) subsequent to the version (here, Ver. 1.0).
v1 (see FIG. 10B) (step B)
4). Next, the control unit 40F uses the original content information 8 based on the update content information 186V1.
1 is updated to generate updated content information (step B5). That is, a process of replacing a part of the data included in the original content information 81 with the difference information included in the update content information is performed. More specifically, the control data C (1.0) and the file Fi (1.0) included in the content information 81 are replaced with the control data C (1.0) included in the update content information 186V1.
(1.1) and the file Fi (1.1) (FIG. 10B).

Next, the control unit 40F returns the control to step B3. Here, the update content information 18 of the next version (here, version 1.2) is used.
If 6V2 is recorded (step B3; Y), the update content information 186V2 is read from the additional recording area 85 (step B4), and based on this, the content information updated in the previous step B5 is further updated. (Step B5). Hereinafter, by repeating the processing of steps B3 to B5, a newer version of the update content information 186V3,
186V4 (FIGS. 10D and 10E) is read, and the content information is updated using this.

When there is no more updated version of the update content information recorded in the additional recording area 85, the control unit 40F determines that the latest version of the content information has been obtained (step B3; N). The application program is executed using the content information.

The update processing operation of the local server 20 is such that the update information is transmitted from the host server 10 to the local server 2.
Since the operation is the same as that of the terminal device 40 except that the terminal device 40 is automatically sent to 0, the description is omitted. The operation when the application program is executed in the local server 20 is also the same as that in the terminal device 40. That is, when an application program is started on the local server 20 in response to a request from the clients 30 to 33, the content information is updated to the latest version by the processing shown in FIG. 11, and the latest version of the content information is used. The application program is executed.

As described above, according to the content information updating method of the present embodiment, the update information sent from the host server 10 is recorded as update content information in the additional recording area of the write-once recording medium, and the When the program is executed, the complete content information is generated by using the original content information and the added update content information. The content information on hand is automatically updated without any complicated operation.

Further, according to the present embodiment, only the difference information is recorded as the update content information in the additional recording area 85 of the write-once recording medium 80. The recording capacity of the area is small.

<Modification> In the second embodiment, a case has been described in which the update information sent from the host server 10 includes only the difference information. However, the update information itself includes a part that has not been changed. It may be the complete content information itself. In this case, the control unit 40F of the terminal device 40 performs an update process of adding the update information sent from the host server 10 to the additional write area 85 as it is, as in the case of the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 shows a case where the update information itself is complete content information including a portion that is not changed, and the write-once recording medium 80 in the case where the version is updated a plurality of times (here, four times). Indicates the recording state. Here, FIG. 12A shows the content of the original (version 1.0) content information 81, which is the same as that shown in FIG. 9A. FIGS. 12B to 12E show versions 1.1 to 1.1 recorded in the additional recording area 85, respectively.
Complete content information 81V1 updated to 1.4
~ 81V4. More specifically, for example, FIG. 12B shows the content information 81V1 completely upgraded to version 1.1. Control data C (1.1) upgraded to version 1.1 and Ver. It contains not only the i-th file Fi (1.1) upgraded to 1.1 but also other unmodified data. FIG. 12 (C)-
The same applies to (E).

Note that the local server 2 in this modification is
The update processing operation of 0 is the same as the operation of the terminal device 40 except that the update information is automatically sent from the host server 10 to the local server 20, and therefore the description is omitted.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, a description will be given of a process in a case where the terminal device 40 of the present modified example executes an application program and uses the content information of the write-once recording medium 80. Here, FIG.
Represents the processing of the control unit 40F (FIG. 4) of the terminal device 40 when the application program is started.

When the application program is started, the control unit 40F first stores the updated content information 18 in the write-once area 85 (FIG. 9) of the write-once recording medium 80.
A search is made as to whether or not 6 is recorded (step C1). As a result of this search, if the updated content information 186 is not recorded in the additional recording area 85 (step C2; N), the control unit 40F determines that the content information 81 has not been updated, and Is read from the recording area 84 of the write-once type recording medium 80 (step C5), and the application program is executed using the content information 81 (step C5)
4).

On the other hand, as a result of the search, if the updated content information 186 is recorded in the additional recording area 85 (step C2; Y), the control unit 40F selects one of the information recorded in the additional recording area 85 Only the latest version of the content information 81 is read (step C3).
Then, the control unit 40F executes the application program using the read latest content information (step C4). In this case, there is no need to read the original content information 81. Further, it is not necessary to read out all of the updated content information of a plurality of versions.

As described above, according to the content information updating method of the present modified example, the updated content information 81 of all versions is recorded in the additional recording area 85 as it is, so that the additional recording area 85 Although a larger storage capacity is required than in the second embodiment, when the application program is executed, only the latest content information 81 needs to be read, so that the processing can be performed quickly.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment will be described.

This embodiment relates to a case where the recording media 25 and 45 are read-only recording media. Read-only recording media include CD-ROM and DVD-RO
M (Digital Versatile Disc-Read Only Memory).

FIG. 14 shows a recording medium 45 of the terminal device 40.
(Hereinafter referred to as a read-only recording medium 90). The read-only recording medium 90 includes control data C in the same manner as the rewritable recording medium 70 (FIG. 5) and the write-once recording medium 80 (FIG. 8).
(1.0) and original content information 91 including a plurality of files F1 (1.0) to Fn (1.0).

However, in the read-only recording medium 90,
Unlike the rewritable recording medium 70, the recording area where the content information 91 is recorded cannot be overwritten with update information (update content information). No additional recording area for additional recording is provided.

Therefore, in this embodiment, for example, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, an update content information recording area 95 is secured on a rewritable recording medium 100 such as a hard disk originally built in the terminal device 40, and the update information (update content information ) And the read-only recording medium 90 and the rewritable recording medium 10
0 is used to execute the application program. That is, instead of the write-once area 85 (FIG. 8) of the write-once recording medium 80 in the second embodiment, the rewritable recording medium 1 built in the terminal device 40 is used.
The update content information recording area 95 of 00 is used. As the rewritable recording medium 100 of this type, for example, a hard disk constituting the storage unit 40A of the terminal device 40 is used as described with reference to FIG. Here, the rewritable recording medium 100 corresponds to a specific example of “second recording medium” in the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows the recording state of each medium before and after the update when the content information is updated using both the read-only recording medium 90 and the rewritable recording medium 100. Here, (A) shows the contents of the read-only recording medium 90 and the rewritable recording medium 100 before the update, (B) shows the contents of the update information 96 received from the host server 10, and (C) shows the contents after the update. 2 shows recorded contents of a dedicated recording medium 90 and a rewritable recording medium 100.
The update information 96 (FIG. 15B) is configured as difference information including only a part that is different from the original content information 81, similarly to the update information 76 in the first embodiment (FIG. 6). I have.

The control unit 40F (FIG. 4) of the terminal device 40 sends update information 96 (FIG. 15) from the host server 10.
When (B)) is received, based on this update information 96,
As shown in FIG. 15C, in the update content information recording area 95 of the built-in rewritable recording medium 100, the content information 91 in the read-only recording medium 90 is updated to version 1.1. Update content information 196
Write. Although not shown in FIG. 15, data instructing deletion of a file is also recorded in the update content information recording area 95. Such update information writing processing is performed each time the terminal device 40 receives new update information 96 from the host server 10. As a result, the update content information recording area 95 of the rewritable recording medium 100
In the same manner as in the second embodiment (FIG. 10), a plurality of different versions of the update content information 1 are stored.
96 will be recorded.

In the above-described second embodiment, when the application program of the terminal device 40 is executed, the control unit 40F operates the write-once recording area 8 of the write-once recording medium 80.
In the present embodiment, the access is made to the update content information recording area 95 of the rewritable recording medium 100 incorporated in the terminal device 40. Then, the content of the update content information 196 read from the update content information recording area 95 is reflected in the content information 91 of the read-only recording medium 90, and the latest version of the content information is generated. Will be offered. The processing in that case is the same as the processing shown in FIG. 11, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, according to the content information updating method of the present embodiment, the update information sent from the host server 10 is recorded on the built-in rewritable recording medium 100 as the update content information, and the When the program is executed, the complete content information is generated by using the original content information and the added content information for updating, so that even if the recording medium is a read-only type, Content information held by the user is automatically updated without performing complicated operations.

In the present embodiment, the update information 91 does not consist only of the difference information, as in the case of the modification (FIG. 12) in the second embodiment.
The content information may be complete content including not only the changed part but also the part that has not been changed.
The processing in that case is the same as the processing shown in FIG.

Further, in the present embodiment, for example, a hard disk is used as the rewritable recording medium 100 built in the terminal device 40.
(Integrated Circuit) A semiconductor memory such as a memory card may be used. Furthermore, MO and DV
If a rewritable recording medium such as a D-RAM is built in, it is also possible to use them.

The rewritable recording medium 100 is not limited to the one built in the terminal device 40, but may be an external recording medium (hard disk, MO, MD, CD-RW, D-
VD-RAM or semiconductor memory).

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described.

FIG. 16 shows a network system including a plurality of terminal devices provided with different types of recording media. This network includes a plurality of terminal devices 41, 42, 43, 44 connected to a communication network 50. Each terminal device can be connected to the host server 10 via the communication network 50. The terminal device 41 includes a driving device (not shown) capable of driving the rewritable recording medium 41A, the terminal device 42 includes a driving device (not illustrated) capable of driving the write-once recording medium 42A, and the terminal device 43 includes A drive device (not shown) capable of driving the read-only recording medium 43A is provided. The terminal device 44 has a non-detachable (fixed) rewritable recording medium 4 such as a hard disk, for example.
An external hard disk drive (not shown) including 4A is connected. Original content information is previously recorded in each of the rewritable recording medium 41A, the write-once recording medium 42A, the read-only recording medium 43A, and the rewritable recording medium 44A.

[0096] In each terminal device, a common content information update program for performing an update process according to the type of recording medium using the update information transmitted from the host server 10 is installed. The content information update program is configured, for example, as a part of an application program that is a subject that uses content information on each recording medium, as in the above-described embodiments.

In the network system having such a configuration, when the terminal device receives the update information from the host server 10, the terminal device determines the type of the recording medium mounted or connected to its own drive device, Update processing is performed by a method according to the determination result (the type of recording medium). Specifically, for example, the terminal device 41 determines that the set recording medium is a rewritable recording medium, and
According to the procedure described in the embodiment, the rewritable recording medium 4
The content information recorded on 1A is updated by overwriting. Further, the terminal device 42 determines that the set recording medium is a write-once recording medium,
In accordance with the procedure described in the second embodiment (FIG. 11 or FIG. 13), the content information is updated by additional writing. In addition, the terminal device 43 determines that the set recording medium is a read-only recording medium, and performs the procedure (FIG. 11 or FIG. 1) described in the third embodiment.
3), the content information is updated using the rewritable recording medium 100 such as a built-in hard disk. Further, the terminal device 44 determines that the recording medium allocated for updating is the external rewritable recording medium 44A, and follows the procedure described in the first embodiment,
The content information on the rewritable recording medium 44A is updated by overwriting.

As described above, according to the content information updating method of the present embodiment, the type of the set recording medium is determined, and the updating process is performed according to the procedure according to the determination result. The server 10 may distribute the same type of update information to all the user terminal devices regardless of the type of recording medium on the user terminal device side. Therefore, the distributor does not need to prepare many types of update information corresponding to the type of the recording medium of the user, and can reduce the cost required for upgrading.

The content information update program installed in each terminal device is configured to enable the content information to be updated by a method according to the type of the recording medium. Even if the type of the recording medium driving device provided in the printer is changed, or a driving device for driving a recording medium of a type different from the currently available recording medium is newly added, the user is completely aware of it. Without this, the version upgrade of the content information is automatically performed. From a distributor's point of view, various types of recording media can be easily adopted as recording media used for providing (distributing or distributing) content information. This is because even if the type of the recording medium on which the existing content information is recorded varies depending on the user, the labor and cost required for upgrading the content information can be extremely reduced.

Note that, in the example shown in FIG.
Has been described, only the terminal device is connected, but the content information updating method according to the present embodiment is similarly applicable to the local server 20 shown in FIG.

Although several embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made. For example, even when a rewritable recording medium is used, an additional recording area or the like may be provided on the rewritable recording medium without overwriting the content information with the update information, and the update information may be written in this additional recording area. Good. Alternatively, another rewritable recording medium may be prepared in addition to the rewritable recording medium on which the original content information is recorded, and the update information may be additionally recorded on the rewritable recording medium. As a result, an update history regarding the content information can be left, and version management and the like can be easily performed.

In each of the above embodiments, the content information is automatically updated without imposing a burden on the user. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The content information may be updated only when the update request operation is performed above.

Also, in each of the above embodiments, the original content information has been described as being distributed as a detachable package medium.
May be distributed via the Internet. In this case, the entire distributed original content information is stored in a rewritable recording medium such as a built-in or external hard disk, and the received update information is overwritten on the content information, or an additional recording area is stored. May be added. In this case, the rewritable recording medium may be a CD-RW, DVD-RAM, MO
(Magneto-Optic) or a large-capacity semiconductor memory can be used.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the case where the content information is recorded on the removable recording medium has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as described above, the content information body may be stored in a fixed disk (hard disk) built in or external to the information processing apparatus.

Also, in the present embodiment, the application program including the content information updating program
Although it has been described that the content information is stored and provided on the recording medium 25 or the like in which the content information is recorded, the present invention is not limited to this, and the application is stored in a recording medium different from the recording medium 25 or the like in which the content information is stored. The program may be recorded and provided.

Further, in the present embodiment, the content information update program has been described as forming a part of the application program. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the content information update program is provided separately from the application program. May be created as a program.

[0107]

As described above, claims 1 to 14 are provided.
According to the information processing apparatus according to any one of the claims, the content information updating method according to the claim 15 or 16, or the recording medium recording the content information updating program according to the claim 17, a predetermined communication network is established. Receiving the update information transmitted through the storage device, and updating the content information provided in advance based on the received update information. In comparison with the above, the labor and cost required for updating the content of both the content provider and the user can be reduced. In addition, since it is easy to automate the update process, it is possible to perform an accurate update without making the user aware.

In particular, according to the information processing apparatus of any one of claims 4 to 7, when the recording medium is a recordable recording medium, the content information is recorded on the recording medium. Since the update information is additionally recorded in the write-once area other than the write-once area, even the content information provided using the write-once recording medium can be easily updated.

Further, according to the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the update information is the difference information consisting of only the update portion, so that the information amount of the update information can be reduced. .

[0110] According to the information processing apparatus of claim 6,
In claim 5, the difference information is reflected in the original content information to generate the content information having the latest version number, so that the update information is accurately updated while suppressing the information amount of the update information. The latest version of content information can be used.

According to the information processing apparatus of any one of claims 9 to 11, a rewritable or additionally recordable second recording medium is further provided, and the update information is stored in the second recording medium. Since the recording is performed, the content information provided using the read-only recording medium can be easily updated.

According to the information processing apparatus of the twelfth aspect, the recording medium is any type of a group including a rewritable recording medium, a recordable recording medium, and a read-only recording medium. Is determined, and the content information is updated by a method according to the determined type of the recording medium. Therefore, the content information can be easily updated without making the user aware of the type of the recording medium. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network system including an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a host server shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a local server shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the terminal device shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a recording format of a rewritable recording medium.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a process of updating content information recorded on a rewritable recording medium.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process of updating content information in the terminal device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a recording format of a write-once recording medium used in a content information updating method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a process of updating content information recorded on a write-once recording medium.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process of updating content information recorded on a write-once recording medium.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining processing when an application program is executed in the content information updating method according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a process of updating content information recorded on a write-once recording medium in a content information updating method according to a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing another process for using the content information recorded on the write-once recording medium shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a recording format of a read-only recording medium used in a content information updating method according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a process of updating content information recorded on a read-only recording medium.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a network system to which a content information updating method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Host server, 10A, 20A, 40A Storage unit, 10B, 20B, 40B Input unit, 10
C, 20C, 40C: display unit, 10D, 20D,
20F, 40D: communication unit, 10E, 20G, 40
F: control unit, 20: local server, 25, 4
5, 41A to 44A: recording medium, 20E, 40E: recording medium drive unit, 30 to 33: client, 40 to
44: terminal device, 50: communication network, 60: LAN.

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B035 AA06 BB09 BC00 5B076 BB06 EA03 EA07 EB02 5B082 AA01 EA07 GA05 GA14 JA04 5B085 AA08 5C064 BA01 BA07 BB05 BB07 BC07 BC10 BC16 BC18 BC23 BC25 BC27 BD01 BD02 BD07

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus for performing information processing by using content information provided in advance, comprising: a receiving unit for receiving update information transmitted via a predetermined communication network; An information processing apparatus comprising: updating means for updating the content information based on the received update information. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content information is recorded on a removable recording medium. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the recording medium is the rewritable recording medium, the updating unit overwrites the update information on the content information. . 4. When the recording medium is a recordable recording medium, the updating means additionally records the update information in a recording area other than the area where the content information is recorded on the recording medium. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the update information is difference information including only an updated part. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising means for generating content information having the latest version number by reflecting said difference information in original content information. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the update information is the entire content information including a part other than the updated part. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when there are a plurality of pieces of update information, the information processing is performed using update information having the latest version number. 9. When the recording medium is a read-only recording medium, the apparatus further comprises a rewritable or post-recordable second recording medium, and the updating means stores the update information in the second recording medium. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information is recorded. 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the update information is difference information including only an update part. 11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the update information is the entire content information including an update part. 12. The updating method further comprising: determining whether the recording medium is of a group including a rewritable recording medium, a recordable recording medium, and a read-only recording medium. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the means updates the content information by a method according to a type of the recording medium determined by the determination means. 13. A fixed rewritable recording medium, further comprising: the content information stored in the fixed recording medium; and the updating unit stores the update information on the content information stored in the fixed recording medium. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information is overwritten. 14. An information processing apparatus for performing information processing by using video content information provided at least including video information provided in advance, and receiving an update information transmitted via a predetermined communication network An information processing apparatus comprising: means for updating the video content information based on the update information received by the receiving means. 15. A content information updating method applied to an information processing apparatus for performing information processing using previously provided content information, the method comprising receiving update information sent via a predetermined communication network. And a step of updating the content information based on the received update information. 16. A content information updating method for updating content information provided in advance in a form usable by an information processing apparatus, comprising: connecting the information processing apparatus to a predetermined communication network; Transmitting update information from the transmission side to the information processing device via a network, receiving the update information transmitted via the communication network by the information processing device, and receiving the update information An updating step of updating the content information based on the content information. 17. A recording medium on which a content information update program applied to an information processing device that performs information processing by using content information provided in advance is recorded and readable by the information processing device. Wherein the content information update program includes: a step of receiving update information sent via a predetermined communication network; and a step of updating the content information based on the received update information. And a recording medium on which a content information update program is recorded.