JP2003337735A - Information processing system, information processing device and its method, program storage medium, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To use a storage in a terminal connected to a router for storing a large quantity of data in a storage in the router. <P>SOLUTION: When a data quantity of contents data stored in the storage 32 of the router 31 reaches a previously set reference value, according to a previously set policy, terminals connected to storages 42, 52, and 62 are selected from terminals 41, 43, 51, and 61 connected to a LAN 30, and the contents data stored in the storage 32 are moved to the storages of the selected terminals. This system can be applied to the router or a gateway and an apparatus having the storage connected to it. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing system and method, an information processing apparatus and method, a program storage medium, and a program, and particularly, for example, an information processing system and an information processing system capable of efficiently managing content data. The present invention relates to a method, an information processing device and method, a program storage medium, and a program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, the number of users who use the Internet has increased. Each user accesses various servers via the Internet, downloads various data such as computer programs as well as content data such as video data and audio data, and is connected to a personal computer. Record on a hard disk.

[0003]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
When the hard disk is full of data and the recordable capacity (remaining amount) is exhausted, the user cannot obtain and store the data thereafter.

A hard disk is also used as a temporary storage for realizing the network cache function. However, if there is no recordable capacity (remaining capacity), old data is deleted and data is newly cached. Since it is necessary to save the data, if the data deleted from the cache is needed again, it is necessary to access the server, which reduces the efficiency of the network cache.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and makes it possible to record more data.

[0006]

In an information processing system according to the present invention, a first information processing device stores data received via a first network, and the data amount of the stored data reaches a reference value. It is determined whether or not the second information processing device as the transfer destination to which the stored data is transferred is determined and stored from among the plurality of second information processing devices connected to the second network. When the data amount of the data reaches the reference value, at least a part of the stored data is transferred to the determined transfer destination via the second network,
The second information processing device receives the data transferred from the first information processing device and stores the received data.

In the information processing method of the information processing system of the present invention, the information processing method of the first information processing apparatus stores the data received via the first network, and the data amount of the stored data is a reference value. Is determined, and the second information processing device as a transfer destination to which the stored data is transferred is determined from the plurality of second information processing devices connected to the second network, When the data amount of the stored data reaches the reference value, at least a part of the stored data is transferred to the determined transfer destination via the second network, and the information processing of the second information processing device is performed. The method receives data transferred from the first information processing device,
It is characterized by storing received data.

The information processing apparatus of the present invention has a storage means for storing data received via the first network, and a data amount for judging whether or not the data amount of the data stored by the storage means has reached a reference value. Determination means, determination means for determining another information processing apparatus as a transfer destination to which the stored data is transferred from the plurality of other information processing apparatuses connected to the second network, and data amount determination means Due to
When it is determined that the data amount of the data stored by the storage means has reached the reference value, a transfer means for transferring at least a part of the data stored in the storage means to the transfer destination determined by the determination means. It is characterized by being provided.

The system further comprises designation means for designating a rule for selecting the transfer destination from among the plurality of other information processing devices connected to the second network, and the determination means is designated by the designation means. The transfer destination can be determined based on the rule.

If the other information processing device as the transfer destination candidate does not have the function of holding the data, the determining means is arranged in the same room as the other information processing device as the candidate. The other information processing apparatus having a function of holding the data, which is different from the other information processing apparatus as the candidate, can be determined as the transfer destination.

[0011] When the code specifying the intended user is added to the data, the determining means determines the other information processing device used by the user corresponding to the code as the transfer destination. You can

[0012] The system further comprises a delivery capability determining means for determining the delivery capability of the other information processing device, and the determining means causes the delivery capability determining means to determine the other of the transfer destination candidates in the second network. If it is determined that the distribution capability of the data to the information processing device is lower than a reference value, the other information processing device having the distribution capability higher than the reference value in the second network and different from the candidate It can be determined as the transfer destination.

According to the information processing method of the present invention, the storage control step of controlling to store the data received via the first network, and the control of the storage control step,
The data amount determination step of determining whether or not the data amount of the storage-controlled data has reached a reference value, and the stored data from the plurality of other information processing devices connected to the second network. When it is determined that the data amount of the stored data has reached the reference value by the determination step of determining another information processing device as a transfer destination and the processing of the data amount determination step, ,
A transfer step of transferring at least a part of the stored data to the determined transfer destination.

The program storage medium of the present invention has a storage control step for controlling to store the data received via the first network, and a data amount of the storage-controlled data by the control of the storage control step. A data amount determination step of determining whether or not a reference value has been reached, and another information processing as a transfer destination to which the stored data is transferred from a plurality of other information processing devices connected to the second network. When it is determined that the data amount of the stored data has reached the reference value by the processing of the determination step of determining the device and the data amount determination step, the data is stored in the determined transfer destination by the processing of the determination step. A computer-readable program is stored.

According to the program of the present invention, a storage control step for controlling to store the data received via the first network, and a data amount of the data whose storage is controlled by the control of the storage control step is a reference value. And a data amount determining step for determining whether or not the number of times has reached, and another information processing device as a transfer destination to which the stored data is transferred from among the plurality of other information processing devices connected to the second network. When it is determined that the data amount of the stored data has reached the reference value by the determination step of determining and the processing of the data amount determination step, the data stored in the determined transfer destination is determined by the processing of the determination step. And a transfer step of transferring at least a part of the above.

In the information processing system and method of the present invention, the first information processing apparatus stores the data received via the first network, and whether or not the data amount of the stored data reaches the reference value. Of the second data processing device connected to the second network, the second data processing device as a transfer destination to which the stored data is transferred is determined, and the data of the stored data is determined. When the amount reaches the reference value, at least a part of the stored data is transferred to the determined transfer destination via the second network, and the second information processing apparatus sets the first information processing device to the first transfer destination. The data transferred from the information processing device is received and stored.

In the information processing apparatus and method, the program storage medium, and the program of the present invention, the data received via the first network is stored, and the data amount of the stored data has reached the reference value. Whether or not the other data processing device connected to the second network is determined as another data processing device to which the stored data is transferred, and the data of the stored data is determined. When it is determined that the amount has reached the reference value, at least a part of the stored data is transferred to the determined transfer destination.

[0018]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an information processing system to which the present invention is applied.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a LAN (Local Area Network) 30 is provided in a home 1, and a router 31 having a storage 32 is provided in the LAN 30.
And the devices in the rooms 11 to 13 are connected.

A terminal 41 having a storage 42 and a terminal 43 having no storage are arranged in the room 11 and are connected to the LAN 30. A terminal 51 having a storage 52 is arranged in the room 12 and is connected to the LAN 30. In the room 13, a terminal 61 having a storage 62 is arranged, and the LAN 30
It is connected to the.

The router 31 is connected to the LAN 30 as an internal network and is also connected to an external network 22 including the Internet. Content servers 21-1 to 21-3 that provide various contents are connected to the network 22.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the router 31. The router 31 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 7
1, ROM (Read Only Memory) 72, and RAM (Random A)
ccess Memory) 73.

The CPU 71, the ROM 72, and the RAM 73 are connected to each other via a bus 74. On the bus 74,
The switch 75 is also connected. The switch 75 is connected to the storage 32 via the storage interface 76.
Is connected to the terminal 41, terminal 43, terminal 51,
And network interface ports 77-1 to 77-4 for connecting to the terminal 61.

The ROM 72 stores programs used by the CPU 71 and basically fixed data among the calculation parameters. The CPU 71 executes various application programs and programs of a basic OS (Operating System), thereby performing various kinds of processing as described below. The RAM 73 stores programs executed by the CPU 71, data necessary for its processing, and the like.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the terminal 41. The terminal 41 has a CPU 81, a ROM 82, and a RAM 83.

The CPU 81, ROM 82, RAM 83, input / output storage interface 85, network interface port 86, and decoder 87 are connected to each other. Storage interface 85
A storage 42 is connected to the. The network interface port 86 is for connecting to the router 31. The decoder 87 is for decoding the content data sent via the network interface port 86 or read from the storage 42 and displaying it on a display (not shown).

Although not shown, the terminals 51 and 61 have the same configuration as the terminal 41.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a process in which the terminal 41 acquires the content when the content data does not exist in the home will be described.

In step S1, the terminal 41 transmits a content request signal for requesting acquisition of predetermined content to the content server 21 as a request from the user. The content request signal passes through the router 31. Therefore, in step S11, the router 3
1. The content request signal from the terminal 41 is once received.

Router 31 that received the content request signal
Detects that the request signal is addressed to the content server 21, and in step S12, the content server 2
1, the content request signal is transmitted. Step S
At 21, the content server 21 receives the content request signal sent from the router 31.

Upon receiving the content request signal, the content server 21 reads the content stored in the storage section inside the content server 21 and transmits the content data to the router 31 in step S22. In step S13, the router 31 receives the content transmitted from the content server 21, and can temporarily store the content data in the storage 32 attached to the router 31 if necessary.

While temporarily storing the content, the router 31 transfers the content data to the terminal 41 which is the final destination in step S14. Step S
In 2, when the terminal 41 receives the content from the router 31, the terminal 41 can decode and display the received content data on the display connected to the terminal 41, or can store the content data in the storage 42.

It should be noted that, based on the user's instruction, the terminal 41
When the content data is requested to be stored, the router 31 changes the temporarily stored content data to the permanent storage state.
When there is an access request from the terminal to the content that is permanently stored in the storage 32, the CPU 71 of the router 31 reads out the content and provides it to the terminal. The date and time of the access is stored in the management table of the RAM 73 ( It will be registered in the content access entry of FIG. 9 described later). This date and time is sequentially updated to the latest one.

Thus, the storage 32 of the router 31
Is used not only for temporary storage of data, but also for permanent storage. When the recordable capacity (remaining capacity) of the storage 32 becomes small, it goes without saying that it becomes impossible to permanently save the data, but it becomes impossible to temporarily save the data. As a result, it becomes difficult to smoothly receive data via the network 22.

Therefore, it is necessary to delete the content data from the storage 32 or move it to another storage before the storage capacity of the data reaches the limit.

Next, referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, in order to increase the recordable capacity (remaining capacity) of the storage 32 by deleting the content data from the storage 32 or moving it to another storage. The processing will be described.

This process is periodically executed at regular intervals.

In step S31, the CP of the router 31
The U71 determines whether or not the current storage amount exceeds a reference value L1 (FIG. 7) preset to a value smaller than the maximum storage capacity L12 (FIG. 7) of the storage 32.

Here, the data storage capacity of the storage 32 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 7, L
Reference numeral 11 is a base point of storage storage capacity, and L12
Is the maximum storage storage capacity. L13 is the capacity used at that time for temporarily storing the data. The range from L13 to L14 is
This is the capacity used at that time in order to permanently save data according to a save instruction from the terminal.
After all, at the present time, the range from L11 to L14 is used, and the range from L14 to L12 is the recordable capacity (remaining capacity).

L1 is a reference value for starting the process of deleting the content data from the storage 32 or moving it to another storage, and L2 (L2 <L1) is
Delete the content data from the storage 32, or
It is a reference value for ending the process of moving to another storage.

If it is determined in step S31 that the current storage amount does not exceed the reference value L1, there is still a margin, so the process of deleting the content data from the storage 32 or moving it to another storage is not possible. The process is terminated without being executed. If the current storage amount exceeds the reference value L1, the remaining capacity is not sufficient, so in step S32, the CPU 71 stores erasable or overwritable contents (temporarily stored in the range from L11 to L13). Content that has been accessed for the longest time is selected and erased.

Next, in step S33, the CPU 71
Determines whether all the content data that can be erased or overwritten have been checked. If all the content data have not been checked, then in step S34, the CPU 71 determines whether or not the storage capacity of the storage 32 after deleting one content data has become equal to or less than a preset reference value L2. . If the storage capacity after deletion is less than the reference value L2, the process of deleting the content data or moving it to another storage is terminated, and if it is not less than the reference value L2,
The process returns to step S32, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

If it is determined in step S33 that all content data has been checked, step S3
In step 5, the CPU 71 selects content data that can be moved to another storage according to a preset policy, copies the content data to the destination storage, and then deletes the content data from the storage 32.

The preset policy mentioned here is a rule for deleting the content data from the storage 32 of the router 31 and moving it to another storage. When moving the content data to another storage,
The user can select different rules.

A program corresponding to the policy is stored in the ROM 72 (or RAM 73) of the router 31, and in step S35, the CPU 71 reads and executes the program corresponding to the policy specified by the user. The program corresponding to the policy can be downloaded from a specific URL of the external network 22.

FIG. 8 shows the case where the user sets a policy.
An example of a GUI (Graphical User Interface) 101 is shown. In this example, three policies can be selected. The user selects a policy by designating one of the codes corresponding to the three policies.

The first policy is to delete or move the oldest content data, and will be described later with reference to FIG.
The flowchart of the program corresponding to it is shown in FIG. The second policy is to delete or move the oldest content data, but to move to a terminal in the same room, and FIG. 15 to be described later shows a flow chart of the corresponding program. There is. The third policy is to delete or move the oldest content data, but the move destination is the terminal of the corresponding user, and FIG. 16 described later shows a flowchart of the corresponding program. There is.

As will be described in detail later, a value indicating whether or not the content data could be copied to the move destination is returned by the processing of the program (subroutine) corresponding to the policy in step S35 (steps S54 and S5 in FIG. 10).
7, steps S76 and S79 of FIG. 15, and steps S92 and S100 of FIG.

Next, in step S36, the CPU 71
Determines whether the return value indicates that the content data has been copied successfully.

When the return value does not indicate successful copying (indicates unsuccessful), it means that the current storage capacity of the content data in the storage 32 has not fallen below the reference value L2. That is, since the content data capacities of the storage 32 and other storages are insufficient, in step S40, the CPU 71
A storage expansion request message is displayed on the GUI of a predetermined terminal (or router 31). In response to this message, the user takes measures to add storage, if necessary.

When the return value indicates that copying is successful, the current storage capacity of the content data in the storage 32 is
It has become less than the standard value L2. Therefore, in step S37, the CPU 71 determines whether or not the distribution capacity of the storage to which the content data has been copied is insufficient, and if it is insufficient, further executes a process of copying the content to another storage. . Details of this processing will be described later with reference to FIGS. 17 to 19.

Next, in step S38, the CPU 71
Is the return value of the result of the process of step S32 (step S131 of FIG. 18, step S137 and S13 of FIG. 19).
9) determines whether or not the content data has been successfully copied.

If the return value does not indicate that the copy is successful,
In step S40, the terminal (or router 31)
Display the message of storage expansion request on GUI.

When the return value indicates that copying is successful, in step S39, the CPU 71 determines whether or not the current storage capacity of the content data in the storage 32 has become the reference value L2 or less.

The current storage capacity is the reference value of the storage 32.
If not less than L2, return to step S35,
The subsequent processing is repeated. When the current storage capacity becomes equal to or less than the reference value L2, the process of deleting the content data from the storage 32 or moving it to another storage ends.

As described above, the storage 3 of the router 31
2 and the storages 42, 52 of the terminals 41, 51, 61,
When the content data cannot be stored in the storage 32 of the router 31 in order to manage the content data in a distributed manner by moving the content data to and from the storage device 62, the content data is stored in the storages 42, 52 of the terminals.
62, the router 31 is unable to temporarily store the data to be transferred via the network 22, and a part of the received data is lost, so that the function for caching the content data is provided. It is possible to prevent a situation such as a situation in which the content data is reduced or a situation in which there is no space even if it is desired to save the content data.

Furthermore, since the movement of the content data is performed according to the preset policy, the user can extend the policy by using the GUI from the terminal and adding the definition of the policy. Also,
The program corresponding to the policy can be downloaded from a specific URL on the external network.

Next, the processing for each policy performed in step S35 will be described. The policy of code 1 receives an instruction from the terminal to save the content data in the past, and retrieves the content data from the content data that is permanently stored in the storage 32 in ascending order of access date and time and instructs the storage. If the terminal has a storage, the content data is copied to the storage of the terminal and the content data in the storage 32 of the router 31 is erased to increase the content data storage capacity of the storage 32.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the content access entry. As described above, this content access entry records information about the content managed by the router 31. In the example of FIG. 9, a content ID for identifying the content, a designated save date and time indicating the designated date and time for storing the content, an access date and time indicating the latest date and time for accessing the content, and a content A data size representing the amount of data is registered. Further, in this content access entry, a storage destination terminal that represents the terminal to which the content has been transferred and registered in the processing of step S35 described above is also registered.

The processing of the policy of code 1 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S51, the CPU
Reference numeral 71 denotes a content data stored in the storage 32 of the router 31 when receiving a storage instruction from the terminal.
The content data with the oldest access date and time is taken out as one processing target.

Next, in step S52, it is determined whether or not a storage is attached to the terminal that has instructed to save the content to be processed. Whether or not the storage is attached to the terminal is recorded in the connection terminal profile database shown in FIG. 11, and is determined based on that. In this connection terminal profile database, the terminal ID of each terminal, the number of the connection port of the router 31 to which the terminal is connected, the presence or absence of storage, the number of the room in which the terminal is installed, the profile of the main user ( Gender, age group), free storage space, etc. are described.

As shown in FIG. 12, the symbol "0" in the storage presence / absence column in FIG. 11 indicates that there is no storage, and the symbol "1" indicates that there is storage. Figure 1
As shown in FIG. 3, the symbol “1” in the gender column of the profile of the main user in FIG. 11 is male, “2” is female,
“0” indicates that it is not specified.

As shown in FIG. 14, of the symbols in the age group column of the main user profile in FIG. 11, "1" is displayed.
Is 0 to 10 years old, "2" is 11 to 20 years old,
"3" is 21 to 30 years old, "4" is 31 to 4 years old
"0" and "5" represent age groups such as 41 to 50 years old. Further, “0” indicates that the age group is not specified.

In step S52, when it is determined that the storage is not attached to the terminal designated to save,
In step S54, the CPU 71 sets the return value to a value indicating that the content data could not be copied, and ends the processing.

If it is determined in step S52 that the storage has been attached to the designated storage terminal, in step S53, the CPU 71 determines whether the storage of the corresponding terminal has a free space for copying the content data. To judge. This determination is made by comparing the data size of the content data shown in FIG. 9 with the free space of the storage of the corresponding terminal shown in FIG.

If there is no free space in the storage of the corresponding terminal for copying the content data, the CPU 71 executes the process of step S54, and ends the process.

If the storage of the corresponding terminal has a free space for copying the content data, the CPU 71 copies the content data to the storage of the corresponding terminal in step S55, and stores the copied content data in step S56. Erase from 32. After that, in step S57, the CPU 71 sets the return value to a value indicating that the content data has been copied, and ends the processing.

As described above, according to the policy of code 1, since the content data which is instructed to be stored by the terminal is moved from the storage 32 of the router 31 to the storage of the terminal which is instructed to be stored, the same content is read again. When accessing the data, the content data can be read without the access overhead required when reading the content data from a router having a storage or a terminal having another storage (the terminal that issued the save instruction Content can be easily accessed).

Next, the code 2 policy will be described. According to the policy of code 2, when the storage device is attached to the terminal to which the content data is moved and the free space of the storage is sufficient, the same processing as the policy of the code 1 is performed, but the content data is moved. If the storage device is not attached to the destination device, or if the storage device is attached but the free space is insufficient, the content data is the same as the room where the destination device to which the content data is moved is located. Processing to move to another terminal having a storage arranged in the room.

This is because the content data for which the user of the terminal having no storage has instructed to save is in the same room as that of the terminal for which it is possible that the user himself can freely manage it. It means a policy that wants to put data in a terminal that is placed in the terminal and has a storage.

Next, the processing of the policy of code 2 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S71, the CPU 71 receives a save instruction from the terminal, and of the content data stored in the storage 32, sets the content data with the oldest access date and time as the processing target.

Next, in step S72, the CPU 71
Determines whether the storage has been attached to the terminal instructed to save.

If the storage has been attached to the terminal instructed to save, then in step S74, the CPU 71
Determines whether the storage of the terminal instructed to save has enough space to copy the content data. If there is a vacancy, in step S77, the CPU 71
Copies the data to the storage of the terminal instructed to save. Next, in step S78, the CPU 71 erases the copied data from the storage 32, in step S79, sets the return value to a value indicating that copying has been completed, and ends the processing.

If it is determined in step S72 that the storage is not attached to the terminal instructing the save,
In step S73, the CPU 71 determines whether or not the storage is attached to another terminal arranged in the same room as the terminal instructing the saving. When another terminal having a storage is present in the same room, the CPU 71 determines in step S74 whether or not there is a free space for copying the content data. If there is space, step S
Proceeding to 77, the same processing as described above is performed.

When it is determined in step S73 that there is no other terminal having a storage in the same room, or when it is determined in step S74 that there is no free space for copying the content data to the storage. Next, in step S75, the CPU 71
It is determined whether or not the storage availability of all terminals in the same room has been checked.

If the storage vacancy of all the terminals in the same room has not been checked yet (when there is a terminal that has not been checked yet), the process returns to step S73 and the subsequent processing is repeated. If all the terminals in the same room are checked, the CPU 71 returns the return value in step S76.
A value indicating that copying could not be performed is set, and the processing ends.

The policy of code 2 is that the content data for which a storage instruction is received from a terminal that does not have a storage,
Since the storage 32 of the router 31 moves to the storage of another terminal having the storage arranged in the same room as the room in which the terminal instructed to save is arranged, when accessing the same content data again, it is necessary to use the network. Since it is not necessary to access the terminal that has the storage of the other room connected to it, it interferes with the access of the terminal mainly used by the person in the other room, or is mainly used by the person in the other room. It eliminates the possibility of using the storage of your terminal to store your content data.

Next, the code 3 policy will be described. The policy of code 3 is based on the premise that the audience code is specified in the header information or metadata attached to the content data. As the audience code, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, gender, age group, and the like can be mentioned. The policy of code 3 is to copy the content data designating the viewing target to the storage of the terminal mainly used by the user (user) who matches the viewing target, and to copy the content stored in the storage 32 of the router 31. By deleting the data, the content data storage capacity of the storage 32 is increased.

Next, the processing of the policy of code 3 will be described with reference to FIG. First, in step S91, the CPU 71 receives a save instruction from the terminal, and of the content data stored in the storage 32, sets the content data with the earliest access date and time as the processing target.

Next, in step S92, the CPU 71
Causes the return value to be set to a value indicating that the content data could not be copied. Next, in step S93, the CPU 71 determines whether or not the content data specifies a viewing target person (whether or not a code specifying the viewing target person is attached).

If the content data does not specify the viewer, the CPU 71 ends the process.

If the content data specifies the viewer, the CPU 71 in step S94.
Determines whether the specified viewing target person is the same as the main user of the terminal profile requesting the storage of data shown in FIG. 11. For example, when the terminal to be processed is the terminal 41, the main user is a male aged 11 to 20. The specified viewer of the content data is 11 to 20 years old.
If the man is old, the profiles will match.

If they do not match, in step S95, the CPU 71 reads the next line of the connection terminal profile (targets the next terminal connected to the router for processing), and in step S96 all terminals. Determine if you have checked for free storage in your. If the storage availability of all the terminals has been checked, the process ends, otherwise, the process returns to step S94.

If it is determined in step S94 that the specified viewer is the same as the main user of the terminal requesting to save the data, the CPU 71 saves the data in step S97. It is determined whether or not the storage of the requested terminal has enough space to copy the content data. If there is no space, step S
The processing returns to 95 and the subsequent processing is executed. If there is free space in the storage, in step S98, the CPU 71
Copies the data to the storage of the terminal, step S
In step 99, the copied data is erased from the storage 32, and in step S100, the return value is set to a value indicating that copying has been completed, and the process ends.

As described above, the policy of the code 3 is the content data for which the storage instruction is received from the terminal.
When the code for designating the viewer is added, the content data is transferred from the storage 32 of the router 31 to the
Since the user who matches the audience group moves to the storage of the terminal that is mainly used by the user, the possibility that the content data is viewed by the user who is the audience can be increased.

As described above, by copying the content data from the storage 32 of the router 31 to the storage of the terminal and deleting the copied content data from the storage 32, the storage 32 of the router 31 and the storage of the terminal Content data can be managed in a distributed manner. As a result, the storage 32 can be provided with a margin, the data received via the network 22 cannot be cached, and the function for caching the content data deteriorates. It is possible to prevent a situation in which there is no space even if you want to save it.

By the way, if the distribution capacity of the terminal holding the content data is low, when the content data is requested at the same time from another terminal, the requested content data cannot be stably supplied to the other terminal. The reproduced image of the transmitted content data may be disturbed, and in the worst case, the content data cannot be transmitted.

Therefore, according to the present invention, as described above, when the move process corresponding to the policy is performed in step S35 of FIG. 6 and copying is possible, further step S37.
Then, the router 31 calculates the data distribution capability of the terminal having the storage and copies the content data to another terminal according to the distribution capability.

Specifically, when the distribution capability of the terminal storing the content data in the process of step S35 is low,
When the content data is stored in another terminal having a sufficient distribution capability, and the other terminals request transmission of the content data at the same time, either of the distributable terminals transmits the content data.

Now, the distribution capability of the terminal X (X = 41, 51, 61, ...) Holding the content data in the attached storage is R
If TxCAP is used and α is a safety factor for fluctuations in distribution capability due to load fluctuations of the terminal, α (0 <α <1), the distribution capability when terminal X is a server is αRTxCAP. If the encoding rate of the content data is C and the number of terminals requesting the terminal X to transmit the content data is N, and the value of NC-αRTxCAP is positive, the distribution capability is insufficient. Indicates that you are In such a case, it suffices to find a terminal capable of compensating for the insufficient delivery rate and save the content data also in this terminal.

However, if there is no user accessing the terminal having the storage at the place where the terminal is placed, it can be distributed to the other terminals at the maximum distribution rate, but it is in use. In this case, there is an access load by the terminal user. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the distribution rate used in the place where the terminal is placed and calculate the distribution capability by subtracting the distribution rate in use from the maximum distribution rate.

Therefore, the CPU 71 of the router 31 collects the maximum value of the distribution rate in use for each terminal having a storage at regular time intervals and stores it in the router 31 or the designated terminal. This value of each terminal X (X = 41, 51, 61, ...) Is RTxMAX.

When the terminal X serves as a server and transmits the content data at the distribution rate C, the shortage of the distribution rate is set to Rx.
Then, Rx = NC− (αRTxCAP−RTxMAX).

Terminals N other than terminal X (N = 41,51,6
1 ,. ． ． ) Is TMPn, TMPn = αR
TnCAP-RTnMAX. It suffices to find a terminal N whose TMPn is larger than Rx and copy the content data not only to the terminal X but also to the terminal N.

The CPU 71 of the router 31 manages which terminal holds the content, in addition to the terminal N to which the content data has been copied, in the content data holding terminal list FIG. If the capability TMPn is small, it is not necessary to calculate the delivery margin capability of the same terminal again by adding it to the copy exclusion target terminal list FIG. 20 (described later).

Next, referring to FIGS. 17 to 19, FIG.
Details of the process of copying the content data in the case where the distribution capability is insufficient performed in step S37 will be described. First, in step S121, the CPU 71 of the router 31
Is the distribution rate Rx = N for the terminal X that has copied the content data in the process of step S35, due to the insufficient distribution capability.
Calculate C- (αRTxCAP-RTxMAX).

Next, in step S122, it is determined whether Rx is a positive value. If Rx is not a positive value (0 or negative), that is, if the distribution capability is not insufficient, the CPU 71 sets the copy success value to the return value in step S137, and executes the processing. finish.

If Rx is a positive value, that is, if the distribution capability is insufficient, in step S123, CP
U71 uses i = 1, tmp = 0, MAX = -1, target = 0 for each variable.
And the initial values are stored. The variable i represents the number of times of processing incremented in step S128 described later, the variable tmp represents the margin of the distribution capability of the terminal i calculated in step S126 described later, and MAX is the maximum value in step S127 described later. Is a variable to be set, and ta
In the rget, when there is a terminal to which the content data is copied in addition to the terminal X, a variable i representing the terminal is a variable set in step S127 described later.

In step S124, the CPU 71
The terminal i determines whether the content data has been copied (whether it is the terminal X) or is included in the copy exclusion terminal list 151.

That is, the CPU 71 stores the RAM 73 in FIG.
The copy exclusion target terminal list 151 as shown in (1) is generated, and when a terminal with a small attached storage capacity is detected, the ID of the terminal is registered in this list 151. Therefore, by referring to this list 151,
It is not necessary to newly check whether or not the storage of the terminal has a sufficient free capacity, and a quick determination can be made. Whether the storage space available for each terminal is small may change depending on the time.Therefore, the free space is checked at regular intervals, and if sufficient space is created, the copy exclusion terminal It can be removed from the list 151.

If the terminal i has copied the content data (whether it is the terminal X) or is included in the copy exclusion terminal list 151, step S12.
In 8, the CPU 71 increments the variable i by 1, and in step S129, determines whether the value of i is larger than the total number of terminals connected to the router 31 via the LAN 31.

If the value of i is not larger than the total number of terminals, the process returns to step S124.

When it is determined in step S124 that the terminal i has not copied the content data and is not registered in the copy exclusion terminal list 151, then in step S125, the CPU 71 causes the terminal i to Determines whether it has enough storage space to copy the content data.

If the terminal i does not have an empty storage to the extent that the content data can be copied, the process proceeds to step S128, and the same processing as that described above is executed. If the storage of the terminal i has free space that can be copied, in step S126, the CPU 71
The distribution capacity margin of the terminal i, tmp = αRTiCAP−RTiMAX, is calculated, and if tmp> MAX in step S127, MAX is calculated.
= Tmp and i at this time is set to target. Step S
At 128, the CPU 71 sets i = i + 1. next,
In step S129, the CPU 71 determines whether or not the value of i is larger than the total number of terminals. If it is not large, the process returns to step S124, and if it is large, it is determined in step S130 whether target = 0.

In step S130, when it is determined that target = 0 (when there is no copyable terminal),
In step S131, the CPU 71 sets the return value to a value indicating that there is no terminal that can be copied,
The process ends.

When it is determined in step S130 that target = 0 is not satisfied (when there is a copyable terminal), the CPU 71 determines in step S132 that t
It is determined whether or not the storage of the terminal indicated by arget is more than the capacity of the content data to be copied.

If the storage of the terminal indicated by target is not larger than the capacity of the content data to be copied, in step S139, the CPU 71 sets the return value to a value indicating that there is no terminal that can be copied. , The process ends.

If it is determined in step S132 that the storage of the terminal indicated by target is not less than the capacity of the content data to be copied, the CPU 71 determines in step 133 the distribution margin capability of the terminal indicated by target. MAX is the delivery rate Rx of the shortage of terminal X
Determine if greater than.

If the value of MAX is larger than the value of Rx, the CPU 71 tars the content data in step 134.
Copy to the storage of the terminal indicated by get, and in step S135, as shown in FIG. 21, the content data holding terminal list 161 stores the ID of the terminal indicated by target and the content ID, and Rx = Rx− MAX.

Next, in step S136, the CPU 7
1 judges whether Rx is 0 or less, and if Rx is 0 or less (when the shortage of the delivery capability is compensated for), step S13
In 7, the CPU 71 sets the return value to the value of copy success, and ends the processing. If Rx is not less than 0,
The process returns to step S123, and the subsequent processing is repeated.

In step S133, the delivery margin capacity MAX of the terminal indicated by target is the delivery rate Rx corresponding to the shortage.
When it is determined that the copy exclusion target terminal list 151 is not larger than the above, the CPU 71, in step S138,
The terminal indicated by target is added to step S136, the process proceeds to step S136, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

As described above, the router 31 calculates the content data distribution capability of the terminal having the storage and copies the content data in duplicate or triple according to the content data distribution capability of the terminal having the storage. When data is stored in a terminal having a storage with low distribution capability, the shortage of the distribution capability can be compensated by another terminal having sufficient distribution capability.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 22 and 23, a process in which the router 31 collects the distribution capability (RTiCAP) of the terminal, the available capacity, and the distributable rate (RTiMAX) will be described.

First, in step S151, the router 31 transmits a signal for inquiring the distribution capability to the terminal 41, and in step S171, the terminal 41 determines that the router 3 has the distribution capability.
1 receives the inquiry signal of the distribution capability.

In step S172, the CP of the terminal 41
The U 81 transmits its own delivery capability RT41CAP to the router 31, and in step S152, the router 31 receives the delivery capability signal from the terminal 41.

Similarly, in step S153, the router 31 transmits a distribution capability inquiry signal to the terminal 51, and in step S181, the terminal 51 determines that the router 3 has the distribution capability inquiry signal.
The distribution capability inquiry signal from 1 is received.

In step S182, the terminal 51
Router 3 sends a signal to reply its own delivery capability RT51CAP
1 to the router 31 in step S154.
Receives a distribution capability response signal from the terminal 51.

Next, in step S155, the router 31 transmits the distribution rate confirmation signal and the storage free space confirmation signal to the terminal 41, and in step S173, the terminal 41 receives the distribution rate confirmation signal and the storage free space confirmation from the router 31. Receive the signal.

In step S174, the terminal 41
The delivery rate of itself and the free space of the storage 42 are checked, and the reply signal of the check result is transmitted to the router 31. In step S156, the router 31 determines that the terminal 4
The distribution rate response signal and the storage free space response signal from 1 are received. Based on this, the router 31 stores the maximum distribution rate RT41MAX and the free space data of the terminal 41.

Similarly, in step S157, the router 31 transmits the distribution rate confirmation signal and the storage free space confirmation signal to the terminal 51, and in step S183, the terminal 51 sends the distribution rate confirmation signal and the storage free space from the router 31. Receive a confirmation signal.

In step S184, the terminal 51
The distribution rate and the free space of the storage 52 are checked, and a reply signal based on the checked result is transmitted to the router 31. In step S158, the router 31 receives the distribution rate response signal and the storage free space response signal from the terminal 51. Based on this, the CPU 71 of the router 31
The maximum distribution rate RT51MAX of the terminal 51 and free space data are stored.

Although not shown, the same processing is performed by the terminal 4
This is also done for 3,61. As a result, the router 31
Acquires and manages various states of each terminal connected to the network 30.

Next, the processing of the router 31 when the terminal acquires the content data will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step S301, the router 31
The CPU 71 determines whether any of the terminals 41, 43, 51, 61 has received a request for content data acquisition from the content server. If you have not received the request, wait until you receive the request.

If it is determined in step S301 that a request for content data acquisition has been received from any of the terminals by the content server, the process proceeds to step S30.
Go to 2. It is assumed that the terminal 41 has received a request for acquisition of content data. At this time,
The CPU 81 of the terminal 41 specifies the content ID for identifying the target content in the packet requesting the acquisition of the content data via the LAN 30. Therefore,
In step S302, the CPU 71 determines whether or not the data corresponding to the content ID in the request packet is stored in the storage 32 attached to itself. When recording the content data in the storage 32, the CPU 71 registers the content ID in the content access entry (FIG. 9). Therefore, the determination process in step S302 can be performed from this content access entry.

When it is determined in step S302 that the data corresponding to the requested content ID is stored in the storage 32, the process proceeds to step S303 and the request packet of the router 31 is sent to the content server without transmitting the request packet. The process of reading the data in the storage 32 is executed. Details of this processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

In step S302, the content ID
When it is determined that the data corresponding to No. is not stored in the storage 32, the process proceeds to step S304, and it is determined whether the content access entry (FIG. 9) has an entry corresponding to the content ID. If not, the process proceeds to step S311 to request the content data from the content server. If there is a corresponding entry, the process proceeds to S305, and the CPU 71 selects one terminal holding the content data corresponding to the content ID from the content access entry (FIG. 9). In step S306, the CPU 71 transmits a request packet to the selected one terminal, instead of transmitting the request packet to the content server in the process of step S305. Thereby, for example, a request packet requesting the transmission of the content data corresponding to the content ID is transmitted to the terminal 51. The terminal 51 that received this request packet
Determines whether or not the requested content data is stored in the storage 52, and transmits the corresponding response data to the router 31 via the LAN 30.

Therefore, in step S307, the CPU 71 of the router 31 receives the response data corresponding to the request packet transmitted from the terminal 51. Step S
In 308, the CPU 71 determines whether the response status included in the response received in the process of step S307 is normal. When it is determined that the response status is normal, the process proceeds to step S309, and a process of reading data from the storage (in this case, the storage 52) attached to the selected terminal (in this case, the terminal 51) is executed. . Details of this processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

When it is determined in step S308 that the response status is not normal, the process proceeds to step S310, and the CPU 71 determines whether or not the content access entry includes the next entry. If the content entry has the next entry, the process returns to step S305, and the subsequent processes are repeatedly executed.

As described above, the same processing is executed for all terminals holding the connected storages.

When it is determined in step S310 that the next entry does not exist in the content access entries, the process proceeds to step S311, and the CPU 71 requests the content server (eg, content server 21-1) to search for content. Upon receiving this request, the content server 21-1 searches whether or not it holds the requested content data, and sends a response corresponding to the search result to the router 31 via the network 22. .

Therefore, in step S312, the CPU 71 of the router 31 receives the response transmitted from the content server 21-1, and in step S313, determines whether or not the response status is normal. If the response status is normal, step S
Proceeding to 314, the CPU 71 determines that the content server 21-1
Process to receive data transfer from Details of this processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

When it is determined in step S313 that the response status is not normal, the CPU 71 of the router 31 returns an error response to the terminal 41 in step S315. The user of the terminal 41 can thereby know that the requested content could not be acquired.

Steps S303, S309, S314,
After the processing of S315, the processing returns to step S301,
The subsequent processing is repeatedly executed.

Next, with reference to FIG. 25, details of the process of reading data from the storage 32 attached to the router 31 in step S303 of FIG. 20 will be described.

In step S401, a content data request signal is transmitted to the content server 21-1 according to an instruction from the terminal 41. At the stage of reception by the router 31 on the way, this request signal is received and analyzed in step S411. , It is determined whether or not the content data is stored in the storage 32 attached to the router 31.

Storage 3 attached to the router 31
If the router 31 determines that the content data is stored in the storage device 2, the router 31 reads the content data stored in the storage 32 and transmits the content data to the terminal 41 instead of accessing the content server in step S412. Step S
At 402, the terminal 41 consequently receives the content data transmitted from the router 31.

Next, with reference to FIG. 26, the process of reading data from the storage attached to the selected terminal in step S309 of FIG. 24 will be described.

In step S441, the terminal 41
Although the content data request signal is transmitted to the content server 21-1, the request signal is received and analyzed in step S461 when it is received by the router 31 on the way. As a result, in the case of FIG. It turns out that the content data is stored in the storage 52.

Therefore, in step S462, the router 31 transmits a content data request signal to the terminal 51 instead of transmitting the content request signal to the content server 21-1. In step S481, the terminal 51 receives the content data request signal from the router 31.

In step S482, the terminal 51
The content data stored in the storage 52 is read out and transmitted to the router 31. In step S463, the router 31 receives the content data transmitted from the terminal 51.

In step S464, the router 31
Sends the content data received from the terminal 51 to the terminal 4
Transfer to 1. In step S442, the terminal 41
Receives the content data transferred from the router 31.

Next, with reference to FIG. 27, an example of the process of receiving the data transfer from the server in step S313 of FIG. 24 will be described.

In step S501, the terminal 41
Although the content data request signal is transmitted to the content server 21-1, the request signal is received and analyzed in step S511 when it is received by the router 31 on the way, and in the case of FIG. 27, it is attached to the router or terminal. It turns out that the content data is not stored in the storage of.

In step S512, the router 31
Via the network 22, the content server 21
-1 sends a signal requesting content data.
In step S531, the content server 21-1
Receives a signal requesting content data from the router 31.

At step S 532, the content server 21 reads the content data from the built-in storage and sends it to the router 31. Step S513
At, the router 31 receives the content data from the content server 21.

In step S514, the router 31
Transmits the content data received from the content server 21-1 to the terminal 41 which is the source of the content data request signal. In step S502, the terminal 4
1 receives the content data transferred from the router 31.

In the above, the present invention has been described by taking the case where the terminals having the storage are connected to each other via the network in the home as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the home. It can also be applied to a case where terminals having a storage are connected to each other via a network in an office or a factory.

Further, the present invention can be applied not only to a home router having a storage but also to a combination of an edge router of the Internet and a device having a plurality of home storages connected thereto.

Further, the terminal in the present invention can be a personal computer, a video tape recorder, an MD device, an optical disc recorder, or any other information processing device. Further, the data to be acquired may be content data such as video data and audio data, as well as data constituting a computer program.

The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware, but can also be executed by software. When the series of processes is executed by software, a computer (a CPU 71 in FIG. 2 or a CPU 81 in FIG. 3) in which a program forming the software is incorporated in dedicated hardware, or
It is installed from a program storage medium into, for example, a general-purpose personal computer capable of executing various functions by installing various programs.

A program storage medium for storing a program installed in a computer and put into a state executable by the computer is a ROM 72 or a RAM 7 shown in FIG.
3, storage 32, and ROM 82, RAM 83, storage 42, etc. of FIG. The storage of the program in the program storage medium is performed using a wired or wireless communication medium such as the LAN 30 and digital satellite broadcasting, as necessary.

Further, in the present specification, the steps for writing the program provided by the medium may be performed in parallel in the order described, not necessarily in the time series. Alternatively, it also includes processes that are individually executed.

In the present specification, the system means
It represents the entire apparatus composed of a plurality of devices.

[0155]

As described above, according to the information processing system and method of the present invention, it is possible to realize a system for acquiring data via the second network. In addition, it is possible to realize a system that receives more data via the second network. Furthermore, the first
Cache capacity by suppressing the loss of all or part of the received data due to a shortage of the capacity to temporarily hold the data received via this network. Can be prevented,
It is possible to realize a system that can store more than content data.

Further, the information processing apparatus and method of the present invention,
According to the program storage medium and the program, the second
Data can be acquired through the network of. Also, more data can be received via the second network. Further, it is possible to suppress the loss of all or part of the received data due to a shortage of the capacity for temporarily storing the data received via the first network. Thus, it is possible to prevent the cache capacity from deteriorating and store more than the content data.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an information processing system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the router of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the terminal of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of receiving content data in the information processing system of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of deleting, moving, and copying content data of a router.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart following on from FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a storage capacity of a storage of a router.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a GUI for setting a policy.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a content access entry.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the policy of code 1.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a connection terminal profile database.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a symbol of presence / absence of storage in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a gender symbol of the main user profile of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating symbols of age groups in the main user profile of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the policy of code 2.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the policy of code 3.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of copying content data when distribution capacity is insufficient.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart following FIG.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart following FIG.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a copy exclusion target terminal list.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a content data holding terminal list.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a process of collecting information about the state of a terminal.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart following FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the router of FIG. 1 acquires content data.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing details of the processing in step S303 of FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing details of the process of step S308 of FIG. 24.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing details of the process of step S313 of FIG. 24.

[Explanation of Codes] 31 router, 32 storage, 41 receiving device,
42 storage, 43 receiving device, 51 receiving device, 52 storage, 61 receiving device, 62
storage

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 7/081 G11B 27/02 K 7/173 630 F term (reference) 5B082 CA17 CA18 5C053 LA14 5C063 AB03 AC01 CA23 DA07 DA13 5C064 BA01 BB10 BC18 BC25 BD02 BD08 BD09 5D110 AA13 BB01 BB23 DA01 DA06 DA12

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A first information processing device, which is connected between a first network and a second network and receives data via the first network, and a second information processing device, which is connected to the second network, In an information processing system including a second information processing device that receives the transfer of the data from the first information processing device, the first information processing device receives the data received via the first network. The stored data is stored, it is determined whether or not the data amount of the stored data reaches a reference value, and the stored data is stored from among the plurality of second information processing devices connected to the second network. When the second information processing device as a transfer destination to be transferred is determined and the data amount of the stored data reaches the reference value, the data stored in the determined transfer destination is determined. At least a part of the data is transferred via the second network, the second information processing device receives the data transferred from the first information processing device, and stores the received data. Information processing system characterized by. 2. A first information processing device connected between a first network and a second network and receiving data via the first network; and a first information processing device connected to the second network, In an information processing method of an information processing system including a second information processing device that receives the data transfer from the first information processing device, the information processing method of the first information processing device is the first network. Storing a plurality of the second information processing devices connected to the second network, storing the data received via a device, determining whether or not a data amount of the stored data reaches a reference value, From the above, the second information processing device as a transfer destination to which the stored data is transferred is determined, and when the data amount of the stored data reaches the reference value, the determined transfer information is determined. First, at least a part of the stored data is transferred via the second network, and the information processing method of the second information processing device is transferred from the first information processing device. An information processing method comprising receiving the data and storing the received data. 3. A data transfer device, which is connected between a first network and a second network and receives data via the first network, transfers the data to another information processing device via the second network. In the information processing device, a storage unit that stores the data received via the first network, and a data amount determination unit that determines whether or not the data amount of the data stored by the storage unit has reached a reference value. Determining means for determining the other information processing device as a transfer destination to which the stored data is transferred from a plurality of the other information processing devices connected to the second network; When the amount determination means determines that the data amount of the data stored by the storage means has reached the reference value, the determination determined by the determination means is performed. The Okusaki, the information processing apparatus comprising: a transfer means for transferring at least a portion of said data stored in said storage means. 4. A designation unit for designating a rule for selecting the transfer destination from among the plurality of other information processing devices connected to the second network is further provided, and the determination unit is configured to perform the designation by the designation unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the transfer destination is determined based on the designated rule. 5. The deciding means, if the other information processing apparatus as a candidate for the transfer destination does not have a function of holding the data, sets the room in the same room as the other information processing apparatus as a candidate. The said other information processing apparatus which has the function to hold | maintain the said data different from the said other information processing apparatus as the said candidate arrange | positioned is determined as the said transfer destination. Information processing equipment. 6. The deciding means decides, as the transfer destination, the other information processing device used by the user corresponding to the code when the code for identifying the user is added to the data. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: 7. The distribution capability determining means for determining the distribution capability of the other information processing apparatus is further provided, and the determining means is configured as the transfer destination candidate in the second network by the distribution capability determining means. When it is determined that the distribution capability of the data to the other information processing device is lower than a reference value, the second network has the distribution capability higher than the reference value.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the other information processing apparatus different from the candidate is determined as the transfer destination. 8. A data transfer device connected between a first network and a second network, the data received via the first network being transferred to another information processing device via the second network. In an information processing method of an information processing device, a storage control step of controlling to store the data received via the first network; and data of the data whose storage is controlled by the control of the storage control step. A data amount determination step of determining whether or not the amount has reached a reference value, and a transfer destination for transferring the stored data from among the plurality of other information processing devices connected to the second network. By the determination step of determining the other information processing device, and the data amount of the stored data by the process of the data amount determination step If it is determined to have reached the, by the processing of said determining step, the determined the transfer destination, the information processing method characterized by comprising a transfer step of transferring at least a portion of the stored the data. 9. A data transfer device connected between a first network and a second network, the data received via the first network being transferred to another information processing device via the second network. In the program of the information processing device, a storage control step of controlling to store the data received via the first network, and a data amount of the storage-controlled data by the control of the storage control step A data amount determination step of determining whether or not a reference value has been reached, and the data amount determination step as a transfer destination for transferring the stored data from among the plurality of other information processing devices connected to the second network. By the determination step of determining another information processing device and the processing of the data amount determination step, the data amount of the stored data is the reference value. When it is determined that the number has reached, it includes a transfer step of transferring at least a part of the stored data to the determined transfer destination by the processing of the determination step, which is readable by a computer. A program storage medium that stores programs. 10. A data transfer device connected between a first network and a second network, the data received via the first network being transferred to another information processing device via the second network. In the program of the information processing device, a storage control step of controlling to store the data received via the first network, and a data amount of the storage-controlled data by the control of the storage control step A data amount determination step of determining whether or not a reference value has been reached, and the data amount determination step as a transfer destination for transferring the stored data from among the plurality of other information processing devices connected to the second network. By the determination step of determining another information processing device and the processing of the data amount determination step, the data amount of the stored data is the reference And a transfer step of transferring at least a part of the stored data to the transfer destination determined by the processing of the determination step when the computer determines that the program has been reached. .