JP2002183097A - Method and system device for contents agent distribution - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and system device for contents agent distribution which is simple and has safety and can reduce a labor and cost for system construction and advertising activity. SOLUTION: The system device is provided with an entry device 4 for generating a user ID intrinsic to the user and informing the contents user of contents of this when the title name, the user name and the password of a distribution desired content are inputted from a user, a contents distribution device 1 which prepares a distribution list file (1a) in which the correspondence of a file name corresponding to the title name of the contents and the user ID concerning all the users desiring the distribution is described and file-transfers this to system manager equipment 6 with the entity of the contents, and a repeating device 9 for file-transferring the entity of the contents corresponding to the file name of the contents described in the distribution list file with respect to a directory (21a) only for a user within a gateway device 3 with the user ID described in the distribution list file as a key.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a content proxy distribution method and a system apparatus, and more particularly, to a content-specific distribution method such as a still image, a moving image, and audio from a plurality of content owners to an unspecified number of users. The present invention also relates to a content proxy distribution method for distributing the content desired by the user via the Internet in a push-type manner on behalf of a plurality of content owners, and a content proxy distribution system apparatus directly used for implementing the method.

[Prior art]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a form of distribution of various contents using the Internet, a user who desires to distribute contents downloads required contents to his / her terminal via a content owner's html file, and a “pull type”. The user has previously set the content owner's ht
By completing the prescribed procedure via the ml file,
There is a “push type” in which required content is automatically distributed from a content owner while a user terminal is running.

[0003]

In any of these distribution modes, the user searches the html file of the content owner to confirm the content, and applies for distribution if the desired content is found. For example,
When applying for distribution of a plurality of contents to a plurality of content owners, an inconvenience arises in that the application procedure at that time must be repeatedly performed for each content owner.

[0004] On the other hand, the content owner constructs necessary and sufficient system equipment for content distribution, creates a required html file, and further promotes the advertisement to make many users aware of its existence. Must be carried out, and a heavy burden is imposed mainly on costs.

[0005] In an environment where the Internet is always connected, the global IP address has a property of specifying a home or an individual. For example, when a user signs a contract with a plurality of content owners to receive content distribution, Global I for all contracted content owners
Since it is necessary to present the P address, the global IP address of the individual is widely known, and there is a problem in security against unauthorized access by a third party.

Further, when a terminal managed by a user is directly designated as a content distribution destination, the content not only consumes a large amount of the hard disk area of the user terminal, but also causes the content owner to use the user terminal. The inconvenience of having to individually deal with different operating systems (OS), different architectures, different directory configurations, etc. is forced.

Here, the main objects to be solved by the present invention are as follows.

[0008] That is, a first object of the present invention is to provide a content proxy distribution method and a system apparatus capable of obtaining a content distribution environment that is simple and highly secure for a user who wants to distribute content. It is.

[0009] A second object of the present invention is to provide a content proxy distribution method and a system device capable of obtaining a content distribution environment which contributes to the content owner to reduce the labor and cost required for system construction and advertising activities. It is something you want to do.

[0010] A third object of the present invention is to provide a content proxy distribution method and a system device capable of further promoting the content distribution business.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the specification, the drawings, and particularly from the claims.

[0012]

According to the method of the present invention, at a single site on the Internet, an information screen for performing various procedures relating to the introduction and distribution of contents is presented, and the user is prompted for the contents desired to be distributed. When an arbitrary user name and password are input together with the title name, a user ID unique to the user is generated, and this is notified to the corresponding content owner together with the title of the content. A distribution list file in which the correspondence between the file name of the content corresponding to the title of the content notified from the single base and the user IDs of all the users who want to distribute the content is described. And transfer it to a single location with the relevant content entity, and then At a single location, the user ID described in the distribution list file transferred from a plurality of content owners is used as a key, and a predetermined directory in the gateway device accessible to the user is described in the distribution list file. And a file transfer of the substance of the content corresponding to the file name of the content in question.

On the other hand, the apparatus of the present invention presents an information screen for performing various procedures related to introduction and distribution of contents, and allows a user to select an arbitrary user name and password along with a title name of the contents desired to be distributed. Is generated, a user ID unique to the user is generated,
An entry device that notifies the content owner of the content together with the title of the content, a file name of the content corresponding to the title of the content notified from the entry device, and all of the users who want to distribute the content. A distribution list file that describes the correspondence between the user and the user ID of the user is created and the file is transferred to the system administrator's facility together with the substance of the corresponding content, and the file is transferred from the content distribution apparatus. By using the user ID described in the distribution list file as a key, the entity of the content corresponding to the file name of the content described in the distribution list file is stored in a predetermined directory in the gateway device accessible to the user. With the relay device to transfer Comprising, with characteristic means that.

More specifically, in solving the problem, the present invention achieves the above object by employing the following novel characteristic configuration methods and means.

[0015] That is, the first feature of the method of the present invention is that a plurality of content owners, each of which owns various types of content, sends an unspecified number of users the content that the user desires to distribute via the Internet. A content proxy distribution method for distributing in a push type on behalf of a plurality of content owners, wherein introduction of the content scheduled to be distributed by the plurality of content owners at a single base on the Internet; An information screen for performing various procedures related to the distribution,
When presented to the user via the Internet, and along with the display of the information screen, when the user inputs an arbitrary user name and password together with the title of the content desired to be distributed, the user Generate a unique user ID and generate the generated user ID
Is registered in the database with the user name and the password and the user information associated with the global IP address available to the user, while the user ID and the title of the content are stored in the database. Notify the content owner via the Internet, and in each of the plurality of content owners, distribute the file name of the content corresponding to the title name of the content notified from the single location and the distribution of the content. Create a distribution list file describing the correspondence between the user IDs of all desired users and file the distribution list file together with the contents of the content to the single location via the Internet. Transfer,
Further, at the single site, using the user ID described in the distribution list file transferred from the plurality of content owners as a key, the corresponding global IP address and the user name are acquired from the database. A predetermined directory that is uniquely specified by the acquired global IP address and the user name and that is accessible to the user, corresponding to a file name of the content described in the distribution list file. The present invention resides in adopting a configuration of a content proxy distribution method in which a substance of content is transferred via the Internet.

According to a second feature of the method of the present invention, the notification of the user ID and the title of the content to the content owner in the first feature of the method of the present invention is as follows.
The present invention resides in adopting a configuration of a content proxy distribution method performed by electronic mail.

A third feature of the method of the present invention is that the distribution list file and the substance of the content in the first or second feature of the method of the present invention are stored in the single location at each of the plurality of content owners. In this case, a file is transferred to a content owner dedicated directory having a predetermined capacity.

According to a fourth feature of the method of the present invention, the global IP address usable by the user according to the first, second or third feature of the method of the present invention is installed in a home of the user, The present invention resides in adopting a configuration of a content proxy distribution method set in a gateway device that can be remotely operated from the single site via the Internet.

According to a fifth feature of the method of the present invention, in the fourth feature of the present invention, the predetermined directory accessible by the user can be stored in a predetermined directory in the gateway device by remote control from the single base. In a content proxy distribution method, which is a user-specific directory created on the storage area based on the contents of the user information in the database.

According to a sixth feature of the method of the present invention, in the fifth feature of the method of the present invention, the user-only directory is created with the same name as the user name included in the user information. The present invention is based on the configuration of a content proxy distribution method in which an access password is set to the same password as the password included in the user information.

[0021] A seventh feature of the method of the present invention is that the reproduction of the content according to the sixth feature of the present invention is performed by the user using the access password through a web browser mounted on the gateway device. The present invention resides in adopting a configuration of a content proxy distribution method performed by directly accessing a directory.

According to an eighth feature of the method of the present invention, the reproduction of the content in the sixth feature of the present method is performed through a web browser mounted on a predetermined user terminal device externally connected to the gateway device. And a method of remotely accessing the user-dedicated directory using the access password.

According to a ninth feature of the method of the present invention, the reproduction of the content in the eighth feature of the method of the present invention is such that the content is read from the user-dedicated directory in the gateway device in the predetermined user terminal device. In the content proxy distribution method, which is performed after downloading to an arbitrary directory.

On the other hand, a first feature of the apparatus of the present invention is that a plurality of content owners who own various types of content send an unspecified number of users the content that the user wishes to distribute via the Internet. A content proxy distribution system apparatus for distributing in a push type on behalf of a plurality of content owners, which is installed in a system administrator's facility for performing required content proxy distribution, and is distributed by the plurality of content owners. An information screen for introducing the contents and performing various procedures related to the distribution of the contents is presented to the user via the Internet, and the user desires distribution with the display of the information screen. An arbitrary user name and password have been entered along with the title of the content. To come, the user-specific user ID
And an entry device for notifying the user ID and the title of the content to the corresponding content owner who owns the content via the Internet, and installed in the facility of the system administrator. The user I generated in the entry device
D, a database for registering user information associated with the user name and the password, and a global IP address available to the user; and And creating a distribution list file that describes the correspondence between the file name of the content corresponding to the title of the content notified from the user ID and the user IDs of all users who want to distribute the content. A content distribution device that transfers the distribution list file to the system administrator's facility via the Internet together with the substance of the content, and a file that is installed in the system administrator's facility and receives a file from the content distribution device. The transferred distribution list The user I described in the yl
Using the D as a key, the corresponding global IP address and the user name are obtained from the database, and the user is able to access the predetermined global IP address and the user name uniquely specified by the obtained global IP address and the user name. Content proxy distribution comprising a relay device for transferring a substance of the content corresponding to the file name of the content described in the distribution list file to the directory via the Internet. The configuration of the system unit is adopted.

A second feature of the device of the present invention is that the user information in the first feature of the above device of the present invention is used for a content distribution market research in which the user arbitrarily inputs the information in accordance with the display of the information screen. The present invention resides in a configuration adoption of a content proxy distribution system device configured to include additional information.

According to a third feature of the present invention, the relay device according to the first or second feature of the present invention is characterized in that the relay list file and the substance of the content transferred from the content delivery device are transferred. The present invention resides in a configuration of a content proxy distribution system device including a content owner dedicated directory for accommodating and setting a capacity for each of the plurality of content owners.

A fourth feature of the device of the present invention is that the global IP address usable by the user in the first, second or third feature of the device of the present invention is a gateway installed in the home of the user. The system is set in the device, the facility of the system administrator, by remotely controlling the gateway device via the Internet, as the predetermined directory accessible to the user, a predetermined directory in the gateway device A gateway that creates a user-dedicated directory having the same name as the user name included in the user information on a storage area, and sets the same password as the password included in the user information as an access password for the user-dedicated directory. Content proxy with management terminal In the configuration adopted Shin system unit.

According to a fifth feature of the present invention, the gateway device according to the fourth feature of the present invention is provided with a web browser capable of directly accessing the user-dedicated directory accompanied by input of the access password. The present invention is to adopt a configuration of a content proxy distribution system device.

A sixth feature of the device of the present invention is that the gateway device according to the fourth feature of the above-described device of the present invention permits an external connection of a predetermined user terminal device, and A content proxy distribution system device comprising a web browser capable of remotely accessing the user-dedicated directory with input of the access password.

[0030]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, using examples of apparatuses and methods.

(Example of Apparatus) First, FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a content proxy distribution system apparatus according to an example of the apparatus of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, in the content proxy distribution system device α according to the present device example, a plurality of content owner facilities (both owner and facility are not shown).
From the content distribution device 1 installed in the home to the gateway device 3 installed in the user's home 2, the content desired by the user (not shown) is distributed to a plurality of content owners via the Internet 5. In place of the push type distribution, an entry device 7 is installed in a system administrator facility 6 set on the Internet 5.
, A database 8, a relay device 9, and a gateway management terminal 10.

Here, the entry device 7 is an information screen composed of an html file for performing various procedures such as introduction of contents scheduled to be distributed by a plurality of content owners and application, registration change, and suspension of the distribution. Is presented to the user via the Internet 5.

That is, when the user inputs an arbitrary user name and a password along with the title of the content desired to be distributed along with the display of the information screen, the entry device 7 displays the information unique to the user. An ID (details will be described later) is generated, and the user ID and the title of the content are notified to the content distribution device 1 of the corresponding content owner who owns the content via the Internet 5. .

The database 8 stores the entry device 7
Is registered with the user ID (details will be described later), which associates the user ID generated in the above with the user name and password, and the global IP address of the gateway device 3 that can be used by the user.

Here, the content distribution device 1 compares the file name of the content corresponding to the title of the content notified from the entry device 7 with the user IDs of all the users who want to distribute the content. Distribution list file describing the correspondence (details will be described later)
And a function of transferring the distribution list file to the relay device 9 in the system administrator facility 6 via the Internet 5 together with the substance of the corresponding content.

The relay device 9 acquires the corresponding global IP address and user name from the database 8 using the user ID described in the distribution list file transferred from the content distribution device 1 as a key, and For a predetermined directory (to be described in detail later) accessible by the user, which is uniquely specified by the acquired global IP address and user name, the content of the content corresponding to the file name of the content described in the distribution list file is stored. It functions to transfer an entity via the Internet 5 to a file.

On the other hand, by remotely operating the gateway device 3 via the Internet 5, the gateway management terminal 10 stores the user in the predetermined storage area in the gateway device 3 as the predetermined directory accessible by the user. It functions to create a user-dedicated directory having the same name as the user name included in the information (details will be described later) and set the same access password as the password included in the user information as the access password for the user-dedicated directory.

As the user terminal device 4 connected to the gateway device 3, a personal computer having an information processing function and having a web browser program (a "remotely accessible web browser" according to the present invention) is used. In addition, a television receiver or the like which does not have the function can be applied.

Further, among the components described above,
The content distribution device 1, the gateway device 3, the entry device 7, the relay device 9, and the gateway management terminal 10
As is clear from the drawing, the Internet 5 is always connected.

Next, FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram inside the gateway device 3 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, a gateway device 3 applied to the present example includes a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a CPU
14, an IDE interface 15, an expansion bus bridge 16, a serial port 17, an input / output device interface 18 for connecting a keyboard and a mouse (both not shown), and an analog for connecting a display (not shown). Video signal output interface 19
It comprises.

The IDE interface 15, the expansion bus bridge 16, the serial port 17, the input / output device interface 18, and the analog video signal output interface 19 each include circuit elements.

On the IDE bus 20 connected to the IDE interface 15, a large-capacity hard disk 21 is provided as a predetermined storage area for obtaining the above-mentioned user-specific directory.

An expansion bus 22 connected to the expansion bus bridge 16 has an internet connection network card 23 for establishing a network connection with the Internet 5 and a LAN for connecting a user terminal device 4 such as a personal computer. A connection network card 24 and an NTSC signal output card 25 for connecting the user terminal device 4 such as a television receiver are provided.

The gateway device 3 configured as described above includes, as software, an OS program, a driver program for driving various hardware, a web server program, an FTP server program, a mail server program, a web browser program (this book). "Web browser with direct access" in the invention),
A mail client program, a moving image / sound reproduction program, and the like are installed, and if necessary, necessary software can be downloaded via the Internet 5 and installed.

Next, FIG. 3 is a data configuration diagram of the user information registered in the database 8 by the entry device 7 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG.
Contains the user IDs generated and issued by the entry device 7 for all the users who wished to distribute the content.
The global IP address, username, password,
User information 8a associated with the desired content name (synonymous with “title name”, not shown) is registered.

Here, the user name registered as the user information 8a can be arbitrarily determined by each user, and is also used as a directory name of a user-specific directory set on the hard disk 21 in the gateway device 3. The password registered as the user information 8a can be arbitrarily determined by each user together with the user name, and is also used as an access password for the user-specific directory on the hard disk 21.

The database 8 is presented from the entry device 7 described above, for example, for the purpose of providing more detailed information to the content provider and conducting a market survey of the content distribution in addition to the above information. In the information screen, a questionnaire on part of the user's address, age, gender, occupation, interests / interests (hobbies and preferences) is conducted, and the resulting additional information of the user's voluntary input is displayed in the user information 8.
It can also be registered as part of a.

Next, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the form of a user-specific directory created on the hard disk 21 in the gateway device 3 shown in FIGS. As shown in the figure, the “root” already set by the OS program is stored on the hard disk 21 in the gateway device 3.
In addition to “t” and other directories, a directory “contents” for content distribution is first set under the directory “web” that can be managed by the web server program of the gateway device 3.

Further, by remote operation from the gateway management terminal 10, a content distribution destination to each user who has registered the use of the content proxy distribution system device α in the lower layer of the directory, for example, “user
User dedicated directories 21a such as “1”, “user2”, “user3”,... Are created and set.

Here, the directories "user1" and "user" constituting the user-specific directory 21a
The directory names of "2", "user3",... Are the same as the user names registered as the user information 8a, and the access password of each directory is also registered as the user information 8a. The password is set.

The above access password is stored in the user directory 21 by the gateway 3 itself.
The browsing by the direct access to the gateway a is enabled, and the browsing by the indirect access to the user dedicated directory 21a by the user terminal device 4 connected to the gateway device 3 is enabled.

Next, FIG. 5 is a data configuration diagram of a distribution list file created by the content distribution device 1 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG.
a describes the correspondence between the file name of the content corresponding to the title of the content (the desired content name) and the user IDs of all the users who have registered use of the content proxy distribution system device α. is there.

The distribution list file 1a is individually created in the content distribution device 1 of each content owner (the distribution list file 1a shown is
1 shows the entire data structure of a file created in a specific content distribution device 1).

Next, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the form of the content owner directory set in the relay device 9 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, on a storage area (not shown) such as a hard disk in the relay device 9, in addition to the already set “root” and other directories, first, a content distribution directory “cont”
ents "is set.

Further, under the directory, a directory 9a dedicated to the content owner assigned to each of a plurality of content owners (for example, the content owner A
Is set to “A”, and to the content owner B, a directory “B”).

The content owner-specific directory 9a stores the contents (“content 1”, “content 2”,...) Of contents transferred from the content distribution device 1 of each content owner and the content distribution device. 1 is stored in the distribution list file 1a (only one exists in each content owner directory).

The above-mentioned content owner-only directory 9a is allocated in advance by a system administrator with a capacity determined for each content owner, and furthermore, security is ensured in the content owner-only directory 9a. Therefore, a password is set so that only the assigned content owner can access.

In this content proxy distribution system apparatus α, the content owner uses a unique user identifier, that is, a user ID. However, if the above-described user identification method based on the distribution list file 1a is not adopted, The content owner adopts a method of further creating a directory for each user in the content owner dedicated directory 9a assigned to the content owner,
Alternatively, a method of embedding a user ID in the content itself must be adopted.

On the other hand, when the distribution list file 1a is used, there is no need to modify the content itself or the directory 9a exclusively for the content owner. Means can be used.

(Example of Method) Next, an example of a method applied to the content proxy distribution system apparatus α configured as described above will be described based on its operation (including user operation).

First, FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the content proxy distribution system apparatus α shown in FIG. 1 relating to content ordering. As shown in the figure, first, the user uses the gateway device 3 or the user terminal device 4 in the user home 2 to use the entry device 7 in the system administrator facility 6 for content distribution ht.
Web access to the ml file (information screen).

After confirming the contents of the contents scheduled to be distributed, for example, one or more contents desired to be distributed are selected from a contents list (not shown) displayed as a title with a check box. The user selects a title name (desired content name), inputs an arbitrary user name and password desired by the user into a predetermined entry column, and executes an operation of registering each of these pieces of information on the screen (ST1).

At this time, in order to provide more detailed user information (8a) to the content owner, besides selecting the desired content and inputting the user name and password, for example, the user's tastes and preferences are clarified. By performing such a questionnaire, the result can be registered as the additional information described above.

Next, the entry device 7 generates a unique user ID for the user who has performed the above-described registration operation, issues it to the user, and obtains the user ID and the user ID from the gateway device 3 via the Internet 5. Global I
The P address, user name, password, desired content name, and the like (and additional information in some cases) are registered in the database 8 as user information 8a (ST2).

The entry device 7 sends the user ID and the desired content name to the corresponding content distribution device 1 storing the content desired by the user by using, for example, electronic mail. And order the required content (ST
3).

On the other hand, the gateway management terminal 10 in the system administrator equipment 6 searches the user information 8a registered in the database 8 to find out the global IP address of the gateway device 3 used by the user,
Then, the user name and password of the user are acquired (ST4).

Then, based on the acquired global IP address, the gateway management terminal 10 remotely operates the corresponding gateway device 3 in the user home 2 via the Internet 5 to acquire the acquired user name of the user. Then, a user directory 21a having the same directory name as that described above is created and set, and the obtained password of the user is set as an access password for the user directory 21a (ST5).

Next, FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation related to the content distribution of the content proxy distribution system apparatus α shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the content distribution device 1 includes a content entity for each user registered by the content owner,
The above-described distribution list file 1a describing the correspondence between the file name of the content and the user ID of the distribution destination is transferred to the content owner dedicated directory 9a set in the relay device 9 in the system administrator equipment 6. (ST6).

Accordingly, the relay device 9 first obtains the user ID described in the distribution list file 1a stored in each content owner-specific directory 9a, and then uses the user ID as a key to store the database in the database. 8, the corresponding global IP address and user name are obtained (ST7).

Next, the relay device 9 sets the global IP address and the user name of the gateway device 3 in the user home 2 acquired from the database 8 (that is, the directory name of the user dedicated directory 21) as the contents distribution destination. Then, the entity of the content corresponding to the user ID acquired from the distribution list file 1a (those contained in the content owner dedicated directory 9a) is stored in the corresponding user dedicated directory 21a set on the hard disk 21 in the gateway device 3. (ST8).

Then, the user in the user home 2 starts the web browser program (or plug-in software) installed in the gateway device 3 or the user terminal device 4 and stores the web browser program (or plug-in software) in the user dedicated directory 21a assigned to the user. By directly or remotely accessing, the required content is reproduced in the user-dedicated directory 21a, or, when the user terminal device 4 is used, the content is stored in an arbitrary directory in the user terminal device 4. (Not shown) and then play back (ST9).

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not necessarily limited to only the above-described means and methods, and achieves the object of the present invention.
Changes can be made as appropriate within a range having the effects described below.

[0074]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, first, since the window of the user who wants to distribute the content is unified, the user is required to have a plurality of different content owners. Various procedures related to the content confirmation and distribution of the content to be provided can be performed at a time, and the adoption of the user ID enables the
The risk of leaking the address to anyone other than the system administrator is eliminated, and the security is improved.

On the other hand, the content owner can independently construct the system equipment for introducing and distributing the content, and it is not necessary to carry out an advertising activity for informing many users of its existence. Labor and cost can be greatly reduced.

Secondly, according to the present invention, since the distribution destinations of many contents are centralized in the relay device, the content owner can expect to reduce labor and mistakes in distribution, and can reduce You do not need to be aware of the terminal environment.

Third, according to the present invention, since the gateway device in the user's home is used as the distribution destination of the content, the user prepares a large-capacity hard disk and special software essential for receiving the content. And the user does not need to perform the maintenance, and the user can receive the content distribution service as long as the user owns at least the television receiver.

Fourth, according to the present invention, since the distribution list file is adopted, the content owner can use general content distribution means despite the use of a unique user identifier called a user ID. It is possible to apply

As described above, according to the present invention, it is expected that the number of users who can receive content distribution and the number of content owners (number of distribution companies) will increase significantly, and accordingly, the content distribution market will be activated. Can be expected to encourage.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a content proxy distribution system device according to a device example of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram inside the gateway device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a data configuration diagram of user information registered in a database shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a user-dedicated directory created on a hard disk in the gateway device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is a data configuration diagram of a distribution list file created by the content distribution device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a form of a content owner-dedicated directory set in the relay device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an operation related to a content order of the content proxy distribution system device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an operation related to content distribution of the content proxy distribution system device shown in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 α: Content proxy distribution system device 1: Content distribution device 1a: Distribution list file 2: User home 3: Gateway device 4: User terminal device 5: Internet 6: System administrator equipment 7: Entry device 8: Database 8a: User information Reference Signs List 9 relay device 9a content owner dedicated directory 10 gateway management terminal 11 system bus 12 ROM 13 RAM 14 CPU 15 IDE interface 16 expansion bus bridge 17 serial port 18 input / output device interface 19 ... Analog video signal output interface 20 ... IDE bus 21 ... Hard disk 21a ... User dedicated directory 22 ... Expansion bus 23 ... Internet connection network card 24 ... LAN connection network Over de 25 ... NTSC signal output card

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 17/30 340 G06F 17/30 340A 17/60 302 17/60 302E (72) Inventor Tomoki Sugawa Tokyo 2-3-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Norio Tamaki 2-3-1, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo F-term in Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation 5B075 KK07 KK13 KK33 ND06 ND12 ND14 ND16 NK54 5B082 EA12 HA05 5B085 AE02 AE03 CE03

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A method in which a plurality of content owners, each of which owns various types of content, sends a content that the user wants to distribute to an unspecified large number of users via the Internet in place of the plurality of content owners. A content proxy distribution method for distributing content at a single site on the Internet, the information for introducing the content scheduled to be distributed by the plurality of content owners and performing various procedures related to the distribution. A screen is presented to the user via the Internet, and with the display of the information screen, when the user inputs an arbitrary user name and a password together with the title of the content desired to be distributed. , And generates a user ID unique to the user. D in the database with the user name and the password and user information associated with the global IP address available to the user, while the user ID and the title of the content are registered in the database. Notifying the content owner via the Internet, and in each of the plurality of content owners, a file name of the content corresponding to the title name of the content notified from the single base, and distribution of the content Create a distribution list file in which the correspondence with the user IDs for all the users who want to create the distribution list file is described, and store the distribution list file with the substance of the content at the single site via the Internet. File transfer, and In offices, the user ID stored in the file transferred the distribution list file from the plurality of content owners
The corresponding global IP address and the user name are obtained from the database using the as a key, and the user is able to access a predetermined directory uniquely specified by the obtained global IP address and the user name. On the other hand, a content proxy distribution method, wherein a substance of the content corresponding to the file name of the content described in the distribution list file is transferred via the Internet. 2. The user ID for the content owner
The content proxy distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the notification of the title of the content is performed by electronic mail. 3. The distribution list file and the substance of the content are file-transferred to the single site to a content owner-dedicated directory set for each of the plurality of content owners with a predetermined capacity. 3. The content proxy distribution method according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The global I available to the user.
The P-address is set in a gateway device that is installed in the user's home and that can be remotely operated from the single base via the Internet. Content proxy delivery method. 5. The predetermined directory accessible to the user is stored in a predetermined storage area in the gateway device based on the contents of the user information in the database by remote control from the single base. 5. The content proxy distribution method according to claim 4, wherein the created directory is a user-only directory. 6. The user-dedicated directory is created with the same name as the user name included in the user information, and an access password for the user-dedicated directory is set to be the same as the password included in the user information. The content proxy distribution method according to claim 5, wherein: 7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the reproduction of the content is performed by directly accessing the user directory using the access password through a web browser mounted on the gateway device. Content distribution method described. 8. The reproduction of the contents is performed by remotely accessing the user-dedicated directory using the access password through a web browser mounted on a predetermined user terminal device externally connected to the gateway device. The content proxy distribution method according to claim 6, wherein: 9. The reproduction of the content is performed after downloading the content from the user-specific directory in the gateway device to an arbitrary directory in the predetermined user terminal device. 8. The content proxy distribution method according to item 8. 10. A plurality of content owners, each of which owns various contents, sends to a general user an unspecified number of users a content that the user desires to distribute via the Internet, in place of the plurality of content owners. A content proxy distribution system apparatus for distributing the content, installed in a system administrator's facility for performing required content proxy distribution, introducing the content scheduled to be distributed by the plurality of content owners and the An information screen for performing various procedures related to distribution is presented to the user via the Internet, and along with the display of the information screen, an arbitrary screen is displayed from the user together with a title of the content desired to be distributed. When the user name and password are entered, the user unique to the user An entry device that generates an ID and notifies the user ID and the title of the content to the content owner who owns the content via the Internet; and an entry device installed in the facility of the system administrator. A database for registering user information generated by the entry device in association with the user ID and the password and a global IP address available to the user; and a plurality of content owners. Each of which is installed in the facility, the file name of the content corresponding to the title name of the content notified from the entry device,
Create a distribution list file that describes the correspondence between the user IDs of all the users who want to distribute the content and create the distribution list file,
A content delivery device that transfers a file to the system administrator's equipment via the Internet together with the applicable substance of the content, and the distribution list installed in the system administrator's equipment and transferred from the content delivery device as a file Using the user ID described in the file as a key, the corresponding global IP address and the user name are acquired from the database, and uniquely identified by the acquired global IP address and the user name. A relay device that transfers a substance of the content corresponding to a file name of the content described in the distribution list file to the predetermined directory accessible to the user via the Internet. system Be built, content agency distribution system and wherein the. 11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the user information includes additional information for content distribution market research arbitrarily input by the user in accordance with the display of the information screen. The content proxy distribution system device described in the above. 12. The relay device, wherein the capacity is determined and set for each of the plurality of content owners for accommodating the distribution list file transferred from the content distribution device and the substance of the content. The content proxy distribution system device according to claim 10, further comprising a content owner directory. 13. The global IP address that can be used by the user is set in a gateway device installed in the user's home. The facility of the system administrator connects the gateway device to the Internet. By performing remote control via the server device, a user-dedicated directory having the same name as the user name included in the user information is created in a predetermined storage area of the gateway device as the predetermined directory accessible by the user. The content proxy distribution according to claim 10, 11 or 12, further comprising a gateway management terminal that sets the same password as the password included in the user information as an access password for the user dedicated directory. System device. 14. The content proxy distribution system device according to claim 13, wherein said gateway device comprises a web browser capable of directly accessing said user-dedicated directory with input of said access password. . 15. The gateway device allows external connection of a predetermined user terminal device, wherein the predetermined user terminal device has a remote access to the user dedicated directory accompanied by the input of the access password. The content proxy distribution system device according to claim 13, further comprising a web browser capable of performing the process.