JP2004220209A - Method and apparatus for measuring distribution state of content in wireless peer-to-peer communication, mobile terminal and program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for measuring a distribution rate of contents in wireless peer-to-peer communication. <P>SOLUTION: In a wireless peer-to-peer (W-P2P) network 100, many user terminals 1, stepping terminals 3 having relay functions and measuring terminals 2 are connected in P2P connections by radio one another. The measuring terminal 2 acquires identifying information of the contents communicated among a plurality of user terminals 1 participating in the network 100 when data is relayed to send the information to a measuring server 4. The measuring server 4 calculates the distribution rate of the contents, based on the received information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a content distribution status measurement method and a distribution status measurement device, a mobile terminal, and a program in wireless peer-to-peer communication. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for measuring the distribution status of content in a network system based on wireless peer-to-peer communication including a plurality of mobile terminals.
[0002]
[Prior art]
P2P (Peer to Peer) is one of the technologies attracting attention in the electronic content industry. In general content distribution, each user downloads a file from a server managed by a business operator, whereas in P2P, there is no server that stores digital contents centrally, and users can use their own personal computers. It exchanges the digital content stored above directly.
[0003]
Such P2P file exchange tools have spread rapidly among students and others, and users have been able to provide their own digital contents free of charge to other people, and conversely, have their own digital contents free of charge. It became possible to put in. Among them, music file exchange in mp3 format is particularly popular, and the download of the latest hit songs has developed into a social problem. In other words, it has been pointed out that music files exchanged in P2P are distributed without the permission of the copyright holder, and as a result, sales of the latest hit song CDs are deteriorated.
[0004]
For example, even if a copyrighted business provides digital content to users online for a fee, if some users register the paid (or streaming) content for a fee in a P2P file exchange tool, money will be lost. Users who have not paid for can use the content. As a result, the service provider will not be able to obtain the expected revenue, and as a result, will not be able to generate the expected sales. Such P2P content distribution may violate copyright laws.
[0005]
For businesses that use digital content as a source of revenue, how to prevent illegal distribution of copyrighted works through P2P file exchange has become an important management issue, but the participants in P2P file exchange are extremely large. Due to the large number of users and the fact that users often exchange content with the intention of volunteering and anti-power, rather than exchanging files for profit purposes, P2P file exchange by detecting violators or legally forcing The fact is that deterrence is very difficult.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In order to promote the distribution of contents, P2P supported by many users is suitable, but there is a problem that illegal copying cannot be suppressed. If the P2P file exchange cannot be suppressed, it is only necessary to pay a usage fee according to the distribution of the content by the P2P file exchange. The future content distribution business refers to a system that pays money to content rights holders in a form that maximizes distribution efficiency, makes users unaware of the price of content before using it, and convinces the value of the content. Is established. " Such a favorable content distribution business is considered to be realized by a P2P system.
[0007]
However, there is no system that can accurately grasp the distribution status of content in P2P, and at this time, the above-described content distribution business has been difficult. There has been a need for a technology that accurately measures the distribution status of content in wireless peer-to-peer communication.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides a distribution status measurement method, a distribution status measurement device, and a program for wireless peer-to-peer communication. The present invention relates to a method for measuring the distribution status of content in a network system based on wireless peer-to-peer communication including a plurality of mobile terminals, and relates to measurement of distribution status in a content distribution business and storage agency business using the same. Used for
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is a method for measuring the distribution status of content in a network system based on wireless peer-to-peer communication including a plurality of mobile terminals, and includes a music file, etc., owned by each of the mobile terminals in the network system. If the content is shared and downloaded and used by each other,
Providing a measuring terminal for recording the distribution status of the content downloaded in the system,
A step in which a first mobile terminal receives information for specifying content, creates a search request packet for searching for the content, and transmits the search request packet to another terminal;
A second mobile terminal receiving the search request packet and searching for its own content;
When the content is found, the second mobile terminal creates a search result packet for notifying the result, and transmitting the search result packet to the first mobile terminal;
Receiving the search result packet, the first mobile terminal creates a transfer request packet for the content, and transmitting the transfer request packet to the second mobile terminal;
Receiving the transfer request packet, the second mobile terminal transmitting the content to the first mobile terminal;
The measuring terminal relays the transfer of the content, and at that time, acquires identification information of the content, and transmits the acquired information.
The first mobile terminal receiving the content;
A step in which the measurement server receives the identification information relating to the distributed content, and obtains a distribution status of the content based on the identification information.
[0010]
The distribution status indicates how much the content is distributed, and is, for example, a value obtained by dividing the number of downloads of a specific content by the number of downloads of all contents (this value is, for example, a distribution rate. Can be called).
[0011]
Preferably, the method further includes the step of the measurement server calculating an amount to be allocated to a right holder of the content based on the distribution situation.
[0012]
Preferably, a plurality of the measuring terminals are provided within a coverage area of the network system, and are evenly arranged so as to appropriately sample a distribution state of contents in the network system.
[0013]
For example, if the mobile terminals are uniformly distributed within the network coverage area, the measurement terminals are arranged at regular intervals, and if the distribution of the mobile terminals is biased, many mobile terminals are concentrated in the area where the mobile terminals are concentrated. It is conceivable to arrange a measuring terminal. The mobile terminals within a certain distance from each measurement terminal are arranged so as to have the same number. If the communication status (such as download frequency) of the mobile terminal is biased, it is conceivable to arrange many measurement terminals in an area with heavy traffic. In order to perform accurate measurement, it is desirable that the arrangement state of the measurement terminals is secret.
[0014]
Further, when transmitting the content to the first mobile terminal, the second mobile terminal may include a step of transmitting an information packet including information related to transmission of the content.
[0015]
In order to increase the supplement rate of content distribution, when transmitting content, information related to content transmission may be transmitted from the mobile terminal. In this manner, the content is measured when it is actually transmitted. Specifically, the user's terminal broadcasts an information packet "I will send such content from now on". If there is a measurement terminal in the range where the packet reaches, the measurement terminal can acquire the transmission information of the content. When the route to the measuring terminal is known, the mobile terminal unicasts the information packet. Not all mobile terminals need to have the information packet transmission function, and some mobile terminals may have the function.
[0016]
The measurement terminal relays the search request packet, the search result packet, and / or the transfer request packet of the content, and at that time, transmits the search request packet, the search result packet, and / or the transfer request packet of the content. Acquiring and storing the identification information of the content and the information of the request source terminal and / or the possession terminal of the content;
In a case where the measurement terminal cannot obtain the identification information of the content when relaying the transfer of the content, the measurement terminal obtains information of the transmission destination terminal and / or the transmission source terminal of the content, and transmits the information to the search request. Determining the identification information of the content by comparing information obtained from the packet, the search result packet, and / or the content transfer request packet, and transmitting the identification information.
[0017]
Since the network topology changes with the movement of the terminal, only part of the transferred content data may pass through the measurement terminal. For example, if the header portion is relayed, the measuring terminal knows what content has been downloaded, but if the portion other than the header is relayed, it does not know what content it is. Even in the latter case, since the source terminal and the destination (destination) terminal are known, the content can be specified based on these information (reference information). Prior to the transfer of the content, the search request packet, the search result packet, and the content transfer request packet pass, so that the information of the requesting terminal and the content holding terminal and the information of the requested content can be obtained from a part / all of them. . By comparing these with the previously acquired reference information, it is possible to specify the actually downloaded content.
[0018]
For example, it is assumed that a search result packet is transmitted from terminal B to terminal A, and the identification information of the content included in the packet is X. Information of A, B, and X is stored in the measurement terminal. Next, when a part of the content is relayed but the identification information of the content cannot be obtained, the measuring terminal checks whether the destination terminal and the source terminal are A and B, and if they match, downloads the content. Presumes that it corresponds to the previous search result packet, and notifies the measurement server that the content X has been downloaded. If the content has been downloaded before the time has elapsed since the relay of the search result packet, the above guess is considered to be generally correct. From this point, a time limit may be set in the above processing. For example, the above processing is not performed after a predetermined time has elapsed. Incidentally, since the search request packet and the like are relatively small, it is considered that the route of the packet is rarely switched on the way.
[0019]
The measurement terminal relaying the search request packet and / or the search result packet;
A step in which the measuring terminal acquires and transmits identification information of the content to be searched from the search request packet and / or the search result packet;
A step in which the measurement server receives the identification information of the content and obtains the popularity of the content based on the identification information.
Since the fact that a search request is made is considered to be more popular, the search request rate may be used as a popular barometer.
[0020]
Preferably, a plurality of stepping stone terminals are provided within the coverage area of the network system, and the stepping stone terminal relays all or part of the search request packet, the search result packet, the content transfer request packet, and the content transfer. I do.
[0021]
Preferably, all or a part of the stepping stone terminal acquires the identification information of the content when relaying the transfer of the content, and transmits the identification information to the measurement terminal.
[0022]
The present invention relates to a content distribution situation in a wireless peer-to-peer communication network system including a plurality of mobile terminals, in which content such as music files held by the mobile terminals is shared, and mutually downloaded and used. A device for measuring
A storage device, a communication connection unit for communicating with an external network, a wireless module for communicating with a terminal within a predetermined range, and searching for a nearby terminal through the wireless module, connecting to a nearby terminal, A P2P middleware that exchanges packets with a connected terminal and executes a process of transferring a packet, monitors a packet to be transferred, and relays the transfer of the content when the packet is a content. A packet monitoring module that acquires the identification information of the storage device and records the identification information in the storage device, and a distribution data upload module that transmits the identification information recorded in the storage device by the packet monitoring module to the outside through the communication connection unit. , Is provided.
[0023]
The present invention includes a storage device, a communication connection unit for communicating with an external network, a wireless module for communicating with terminals within a predetermined range, and a computer, and includes a music file and the like held by each mobile terminal. A program for realizing an apparatus for measuring the distribution status of content in a network system based on wireless peer-to-peer communication including a plurality of mobile terminals, wherein the content is shared and mutually downloaded and used. So,
To the computer,
P2P middleware for searching for a nearby terminal through the wireless module, connecting to the nearby terminal, exchanging packets with the connected terminal, and executing a process of transferring the packet;
A packet monitoring module that monitors a transferred packet, relays the transfer of the content when the packet is the content, acquires identification information of the content at that time, and records this in the storage device,
And a distribution data upload module for transmitting the identification information recorded in the storage device by the packet monitoring module to the outside through the communication connection unit.
[0024]
The present invention relates to a wireless peer-to-peer communication network system including a plurality of mobile terminals, in which content such as music files owned by the mobile terminals is shared and mutually downloaded and used. Mobile terminal for transmitting content to be received and receiving content of another terminal,
A storage device for storing content, a communication connection unit for communicating with an external network, a wireless module for communicating with a terminal within a predetermined range, and searching for a nearby terminal through the wireless module, and searching for a nearby terminal P2P middleware that connects to, exchanges packets with, and forwards packets to, connected terminals, and creates search request packets to search for content based on information entered by users, and sends them to other terminals. A search request module that receives a search result packet from another terminal and notifies the user of the search result, and receives a search request packet from another terminal to search the content in the storage device and find the requested content. A search module that creates a search result packet and sends it to the requesting terminal. A download module for creating a download request packet based on the retrieved search result packet and requesting a terminal holding the content to download the file, a file reconstructing module for dividing and constructing a file during download and upload, A file division module, a playback module that plays back the content stored in the storage device, and, when receiving the download request packet from another terminal and transmitting the content, obtains the identification information of the content and sends it to the outside. And a distribution information transmitting module for transmitting.
[0025]
The present invention includes a storage device, a communication connection unit for communicating with an external network, a wireless module for communicating with terminals within a predetermined range, and a computer, and includes a music file and the like held by each mobile terminal. In a network system by wireless peer-to-peer communication including a plurality of mobile terminals, in which shared content is shared and mutually downloaded and used, transmit own content and receive content of other terminals A program for implementing a mobile terminal,
To the computer,
P2P middleware for searching for a nearby terminal through the wireless module, connecting to the nearby terminal, exchanging packets with the connected terminal, and executing a process of transferring the packet;
A search request module for creating a search request packet for searching for content based on information input from a user and transmitting the search request packet to another terminal, receiving a search result packet from another terminal, and notifying the user of the search result;
A search module that receives a search request packet from another terminal, searches the content in the storage device, creates a search result packet when finding the requested content, and sends the search result packet to the requesting terminal;
A download module for creating a download request packet based on a search result packet received from another terminal and requesting a terminal holding the content to download;
A file restructuring module and a file dividing module for dividing and constructing files at the time of download and upload;
A playback module for playing back the content stored in the storage device;
When transmitting the content in response to a download request packet from another terminal, the distribution information transmitting module for acquiring identification information of the content and transmitting the acquired identification information to the outside is made to function.
[0026]
The program according to the present invention is recorded on a recording medium, for example.
Examples of the medium include an EPROM device, a flash memory device, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, a magneto-optical disk, a CD (including a CD-ROM and a Video-CD), a DVD (DVD-Video, a DVD-ROM, and a DVD-ROM). RAM cartridge), a ROM cartridge, a RAM memory cartridge with a battery backup, a flash memory cartridge, a nonvolatile RAM cartridge, and the like.
[0027]
In addition, communication media such as a wired communication medium such as a telephone line and a wireless communication medium such as a microwave line are included. The Internet is also included in the communication medium mentioned here.
[0028]
A medium is a medium on which information (mainly digital data and programs) is recorded by some physical means, and which allows a processing device such as a computer or a dedicated processor to perform a predetermined function. is there.
[0029]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
First Embodiment of the Invention
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a system / method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
The present system / method is for providing a service in which content such as a music file held by each user terminal can be shared and freely downloaded and used. For the user, the fee is fixed, not proportional to the number of downloaded contents. A portion of the revenue is distributed to the right holder of the content according to the ratio of the downloaded content. For that purpose, it is necessary to appropriately measure the distribution rate for each content, and the terminal for that is a measurement terminal.
[0030]
FIG. 1 shows an Internet system 101 and an existing P2P network 102 together with a wireless peer-to-peer (W-P2P) network 100 (which constitutes this system) including a user terminal 1, a measuring terminal 2, and a stepping stone terminal 3. Is shown. The network 100 of the present system is formed in a certain area, and a large number of user terminals 1, stepping stone terminals 3, and measurement terminals 2 are wirelessly P2P connected to each other in the area. Each terminal can directly connect to each other within a wirelessly communicable range (covered area), and each terminal can communicate beyond the range by relaying data. The measuring terminal 2 and the stepping stone terminal 3 are unique to the network 100 and are fixed, but the user terminal 1 is not mobile but can move into and out of the network 100 and move within the network 100 with the movement. The relative positional relationship between the terminals changes. Therefore, although the topology of the network 100 is constantly changing, it is possible to communicate by specifying a partner by a predetermined protocol.
[0031]
The measurement terminal 2 monitors contents exchanged between a plurality of user terminals 1 participating in the network 100 (services are provided by the present system). Specifically, when the measurement terminal 2 relays data between the user terminals 1 (for example, the data flows B and C in FIG. 1, the measurement terminal 2 is located between them), the identification information of the content to be exchanged And sends it to the measurement server 4 via the Internet 101 (data flow D in FIG. 1). The measurement server 4 calculates the distribution rate of the content based on the received information. Since the measurement terminal 2 monitors the exchange of data when it happens to be relayed, it cannot monitor when the user terminals 1 directly exchange data. Therefore, although it is not possible to monitor all content exchanges in the network 100, it is considered that a statistically significant distribution rate can be measured without monitoring all data. It can be said that the measurement terminal 2 monitors the distribution status of the content in the network 100 by sampling.
[0032]
The processing of the measurement server 4 will be briefly described. For example, suppose that a service of 2,000 yen per month is started in the W-P2P network 100 for 1,000,000 members. The service has a lot of content and you can download as much as you want. It is assumed that the report collected in the measurement server 4 in one month has revealed that the total number of downloads is 10,000, of which 800 is a file A. In this case, the distribution rate of the file A is 0.08 (800 / 10,000). The value of the file A is calculated based on the distribution rate and the membership fee, and is 160,000,000 yen (2,000 × 1,000,000 × 0.08).
[0033]
The stepping stone terminal 3 merely relays data when exchanging contents between the user terminals 1. If the number of user terminals 1 is small, data relay is not performed and distant terminals may not be able to communicate with each other. However, the stepping stone terminal 3 compensates for the shortage of the user terminals 1 and enables communication between distant terminals. is there.
[0034]
This system measures the content distribution rate in the W-P2P network 100, but this is related to the content distribution status not only in the network 100 but also in other networks. For example, contents are downloaded between personal computers (PCs) 5 using the existing P2P network 102, and the downloaded contents are entered into the user terminal 1 via a medium such as an MD or a flash memory. When participating, the distribution ratio of the content in the existing P2P network 102 can be measured by the measuring terminal 2.
[0035]
FIG. 2 shows an example of the W-P2P network 100. The network 100 in FIG. 2 includes twelve user terminals 1, two measurement terminals 2, and four stepping stone terminals 3. Each terminal communicates directly with the nearest terminal, and communicates with the distant terminal via the nearest terminal. When two arbitrary user terminals 1 communicate, there are two types of routes. That is, reference numeral E shown in FIG. 2 indicates a case where at least the measurement terminal 2 is included in the middle, and reference numeral G indicates a case where the measurement terminal 2 is not passed (including a case where two terminals communicate directly). The measuring terminal 2 monitors the flow of the data of the code E. However, even if the path between the two terminals is the code G at a certain time, it may change to the code E at another time (the same applies to the change from the code E to the code G). This is because the user terminal 1 is a portable terminal and moves, so that the network topology in FIG. 2 changes every moment. In other words, since the sampling target changes due to the movement of the user terminal 1, even if the measurement terminal 2 is fixed, statistically unbiased data can be obtained. Even if the data relay is performed for a part of the content, but the data relay is no longer performed due to a change in the topology, the measurement terminal 2 desirably reports the distribution status of the content to the measurement server 4.
[0036]
Next, each terminal will be described.
[0037]
The stepping stone terminal 3 is a plurality of terminals installed to satisfy the communication quality (QoS) in the network 100. Only a basic function (data relay function) for implementing W-P2P is provided. No other special functions need to be provided. The stepping stone terminal 3 has the following wireless communication function and packet transfer function. (1) Can search for nearby terminals, (2) Can connect to nearby terminals, (3) Can exchange packets with connected terminals, (4) Can transfer packets.
[0038]
The measuring terminal 2 records a part of the contents of the packet when transferring the packet. Therefore, the measurement terminal 2 has a recording device and a function of uploading the recorded contents to the measurement server 4 via the Internet. Therefore, the measuring terminal 2 has the following functions in addition to the above (1) to (4). (5) Part of the contents of the packet can be written to the secondary storage device, and (6) Recorded data can be uploaded to the server.
[0039]
The user terminal 1 is a reproduction terminal. The target data is, for example, a music file. The user terminal 1 is, for example, a reproduction-only terminal that reproduces MP3 format music data having a wireless communication function. This is equipped with a flash memory or the like as a storage device, in which data exchanged with another terminal can be written and read. Furthermore, music data can be constructed from packets for music data reception, and music data can be divided for music data transmission. Furthermore, a search packet can be created for content search and transmitted. It has an input interface and a display for searching and downloading. The user terminal 1 has the following functions in addition to the above (1) to (4). (7) music data can be reproduced, (8) each packet can be transmitted, (9) each packet can be received, (10) music data can be constructed from received packets (resume function), (11) Music data can be divided (file division function), (12) music data can be written to the storage device, and (13) music data can be read from the storage device.
[0040]
The configuration and operation of each terminal will be further described with reference to FIGS.
[0041]
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the user terminal 1. The user terminal 1 includes a wireless module 19 for wirelessly communicating with another terminal, a processor 10, a storage device 20, and input / output interfaces 21, 22, 23. The wireless module 19 is a module that performs transmission and reception in wireless communication (physical layer). For example, a known blue tooth is used. The processor 10 performs processing based on a predetermined program, and realizes the following functions.
[0042]
The P2P middleware 11 is a module that uses a wireless module 19 to perform transmission and reception on the transport layer, delegate processing to the control container 12, and transfer on the transport layer. The P2P middleware 11 executes processing of (1) searching for a nearby terminal, (2) connecting to a nearby terminal, (3) exchanging a packet with the connected terminal, and (4) transferring a packet.
[0043]
The control container 12 is a module that transmits and receives the application layer and distributes the processing of the application layer packet coming from the middleware to each module.
[0044]
The search request module 13 creates a search request packet from a keyword or the like input by a user at the input interface 21, processes the search result packet, and displays the search result on the output interface 22.
[0045]
The search module 14 is a module that receives a search request packet, searches for a music file in the storage device 20, and creates a search result packet when the requested content is found.
[0046]
The search request module 13 is for searching whether another terminal in the W-P2P network 100 has the content that the user wants, and the search module 14 is for performing a search when receiving the request. belongs to.
[0047]
The download module 18 receives a user's input, creates a download request packet, and performs the processing. The download request packet is transmitted to the terminal holding the content when the desired content is found by the search request. The terminal that has received the download request packet transmits the specified content to the request source.
[0048]
The file restructuring module 16 and the file dividing module 17 are modules that are responsible for dividing and constructing files at the time of downloading and uploading.
The reproduction module 18 is a module that reproduces music data stored in the storage device 20.
The storage device 20 is a storage device for writing music data and the like.
[0049]
The input interface (button) 21 is a button for the user to operate the terminal, and the output interface (display) 22 is for displaying information to the user. The output interface (speaker) 23 is for playing music.
[0050]
Data exchange between the user terminals 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 shows a processing flow chart when two user terminals 1 exchange data by direct communication. However, even if a measuring terminal or a stepping stone terminal enters and relays data between them, the user terminals at both ends are shown. The operation of 1 does not change. S20 to S24 are processes of the user terminal of the request source, and S30 to S34 are processes of the user terminals other than the request source.
[0051]
S20: The user operates the input interface 21 to input a search request for a desired file (file A). In response, the search request module 13 creates a search request packet.
[0052]
S21: Broadcast a file A search request (search request packet). Since it is not known which terminal has file A, the search request module is transmitted to all terminals. Processed by the P2P middleware 11.
[0053]
S30: The other user terminal 1 having received the search request for the file A searches the storage device 20 of itself using the search module 14.
[0054]
S31: When the file A is not found, the search request for the file A is transferred to the adjacent terminal (S32). The processes in S30 to S34 are performed in the transfer destination user terminal 1.
[0055]
S33: When the file A is found, the search result that the file A is found is transmitted to the requesting user terminal.
[0056]
S22: The search result is received.
[0057]
S23: The download module 15 creates a transfer request for the file A with reference to the search result. The P2P middleware sends the transfer request to the terminal that has answered that the file A is held.
[0058]
S34: The user terminal that has received the transfer request transmits the file A to the requesting terminal. The file A is divided by the file dividing module 17 and transmitted as a plurality of packets.
[0059]
S24: The requesting terminal receives the file A, reconstructs the file with the file reconstruction module 16, stores the file in the storage device 20, and reproduces the file with the reproduction module 18 as necessary.
[0060]
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the measuring terminal 2. The P2P middleware 31 and the wireless module 34 in the figure are the same as those shown in FIG.
[0061]
The packet monitoring module 32 monitors the transferred packet, measures the distribution of the content, and records the measurement result in the storage device 35.
[0062]
The distribution data upload module 33 is a module for uploading data recorded in the storage device 35 by the packet monitoring module 32 to the measurement server 4 on the Internet. The distribution data upload module 33 includes an Ethernet module 36 for connecting to the Internet 101.
[0063]
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the stepping stone terminal 3. Since the stepping stone terminal 3 is merely for relaying data, it has only the P2P middleware 41 and the wireless module 44, but may have other functions (see Embodiment 2 of the invention).
[0064]
The stepping stone terminal 3 performs only the relay processing shown in S40 and S41 in FIG. At the time of relay processing, the measuring terminal 2 records necessary information such as the ID of the file related to the transfer request in order to identify the distributed content (S51), and transmits the information to the measuring server 4 (S53). .
[0065]
Next, the operation of the present system / method will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0066]
S1: The user terminal A inputs a content search condition. There are two ways to search.
(1) Search without target
It's a way to search for available content from anything. This is a search performed by the user when he / she wants to listen to a tune appropriately but cannot come up with a particular tune to listen to. As a result of this search, if it is found that there are a total of 12 songs that can be downloaded at present, the user can select an appropriate song from the list and press the download button to download it.
(2) Search with target
It is a way to search for specific content. A search request is created by inputting information (song name, ID, keyword, etc.) specifying the desired content.
[0067]
S2: Send a search request. The transmitted search request is broadcast, relayed and propagated by each terminal (S3 to S5).
[0068]
S6: The user terminal B searches its own storage device. As a result, the requested content was found.
[0069]
S7: The user terminal B transmits a search result “I have the requested content”. The transmitted search result is relayed by each terminal and transmitted to the user terminal A (S8, S9).
[0070]
S10: Looking at the search result, the user instructs the user terminal A to start downloading.
[0071]
S11: The user terminal A creates a file transfer request to the user terminal B, and transmits this. The transmitted transfer request is relayed by each terminal and transmitted to the user terminal B (S12, S13).
[0072]
S14: Upon receiving the file transfer request, the user terminal B transmits a file to the user terminal A. The transferred file is relayed by each terminal and reaches the user terminal A (S16, S17).
[0073]
S15: The measurement terminal relays the file transfer, and records that the content has been distributed at that time (S51 in FIG. 7). For example, necessary information such as the ID (JASRAC number) of the transferred file is recorded. The acquired information is transmitted to the measurement server (S53 in the figure).
[0074]
The user terminal 1 includes a reproduction-only mobile terminal (portable player) and an electronic book reader.
[0075]
In the present system / method, an amount corresponding to the content download ratio is paid to the right holder of the content. This is based on the idea that the value of content is higher the more people use it. The important thing here is to measure the rate. It is not possible to grasp all distributions in the W-P2P network 100. However, the distribution rate can be increased in accuracy by increasing the number of samples.
[0076]
The advantage of this service for users is that they can download music and other content freely without worrying about money. The benefit of the right holder is, indirectly, the ability to recover a portion of the fee for fraudulent file exchanges currently taking place on the Internet. This is because it is expected that many contents distributed on the W-P2P network 100 have been obtained through an unauthorized file exchange network on the Internet (see an arrow A in FIG. 1).
[0077]
According to the present system / method, illegally distributed contents currently performed on the Internet can be advantageously used indirectly. This has the effect of maximizing the total number of content from the beginning of the service. In addition, for record companies that cannot currently count as sales, there is an opportunity to turn unauthorized distribution into sales.
[0078]
On the other hand, as a convenience for the user, there is a point that the content not currently owned can be used even while traveling, and can be used as a flat-rate service. By adopting the P2P model for the distribution method, another service value can be derived.
[0079]
As described above, the P2P method is powerful as a method that maximizes distribution. Adding the keyword wireless to it limits the distance, but it's not all bad. The powerful search feature is one of the appeals of the Gnutella model, but the added distance limits the search results to be uneven and add a word of mouth. This should be more effective as the number of contents increases. For example, have you ever looked into a book that your neighbor is looking at? Have you read all the books you have prepared on the train and borrowed them from a friend? Such an effect should be given by wireless P2P.
[0080]
Embodiment 2 of the invention
In the system / method according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the distribution of contents is recorded when the measuring terminal relays data. Alternatively / in conjunction with this, the stepping stone terminal may acquire the distribution of the content and transfer this to the measurement terminal.
[0081]
9 and 10 show a flowchart according to the second embodiment of the present invention. When the stepping stone terminal A transfers a file (S14a, S17), the distribution information of the content is acquired and transferred to the measuring terminal (S18). In this case, the stepping stone terminal includes a packet monitoring module 32 as shown by a dotted line in FIG.
[0082]
Embodiment 3 of the Invention
When transmitting the content to the requesting user terminal, the user terminal holding the content may transmit an information packet including information related to the transmission of the content to the outside. This is measured when the content is actually transmitted. The user terminal broadcasts an information packet stating that “we will send such content from now on”. If the measurement terminal exists within the communication range from the user terminal, the information packet can be received and used for measuring the distribution status of the content. When the route to the measuring terminal is known, the information packet is unicast.
[0083]
FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a user terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 24 denotes a distribution information transmission module that acquires identification information of the content and transmits the acquired information to the outside when transmitting the content in response to a download request packet from another terminal.
[0084]
FIG. 12 is a processing flowchart of the user terminal. When transmitting the requested file A, the information packet relating to the transmission of the file A is broadcast (or unicast to the measuring terminal) (S35). The information packet includes all or a part of the identification information of the content to be transmitted, the identification information of the request source (transmission destination), and the identification information of the self (transmission source).
[0085]
According to the present invention, a content fee can be paid to a right holder according to the actual use situation of the content. Since the profit is returned to the right holder of the content that is used more frequently, it is considered that it is preferable because it encourages creation of useful content. As another cost collection method for content distribution, a storage agency business is conceivable, but with this method, the effects described above are hardly expected. For example, in the e-book distribution service, users are charged for communication fee + content fee, and each publisher is paid a content fee minus commission, but in this way the price of content is already decided It does not include the task of determining the value after using the content, and it is not possible to allocate appropriate profits to the right holder of the content when illegally copied or distributed. In addition, it is thought that this is inconsistent with the current flow of constant connection and flat-rate services. The present invention does not have such a drawback and can be said to be an excellent method.
[0086]
In the first to third embodiments of the present invention, a description has been given by taking only wireless peer-to-peer communication as an example. However, the present invention can be applied to peer-to-peer communication other than wireless.
[0087]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, which are also included in the scope of the present invention. Needless to say,
[0088]
Further, in this specification, a module does not necessarily mean a physical means, but also includes a case where the function of each module is realized by software. Further, the function of one module may be realized by two or more physical means, or the function of two or more modules may be realized by one physical means.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a system / method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows an example of a W-P2P network according to the embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a user terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the measuring terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the stepping stone terminal according to the embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6 is a processing flowchart when two user terminals exchange data by directly communicating with each other.
FIG. 7 is a processing flowchart of the stepping stone terminal and the measuring terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a content search and transfer process according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of content search and transfer processing according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a processing flowchart of a stepping stone terminal and a measuring terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of a user terminal according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a processing flowchart of a user terminal according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 user terminal
2 Measurement terminal
3 Stepping stone terminal
4 Measurement server
5 PC
10 processor
11 P2P middleware
12 control container
13 Search request module
14 Search module
15 Download module
16 File Reconstruction Module
17 File division module
18 Playback module
19 Wireless module
20 Storage device
21 Input interface (button)
22 Output interface (display)
23 Output interface (speaker)
24 Distribution information transmission module
32 Packet Monitoring Module
33 Distribution data upload module
36 Ethernet module
100 Wireless Peer to Peer (W-P2P) Network
101 Internet
102 Existing P2P network

Claims (12)

A method for measuring a distribution state of contents in a network system based on wireless peer-to-peer communication including a plurality of mobile terminals, wherein contents such as music files held by the mobile terminals are shared by the network system. Are downloaded and used by each other,
Providing a measuring terminal for recording the distribution status of the content downloaded in the network system,
A step in which a first mobile terminal receives information for specifying content, creates a search request packet for searching for the content, and transmits the search request packet to another terminal;
A second mobile terminal receiving the search request packet and searching for its own content;
When the content is found, the second mobile terminal creates a search result packet for notifying the result, and transmitting the search result packet to the first mobile terminal;
Receiving the search result packet, the first mobile terminal creates a transfer request packet for the content, and transmitting the transfer request packet to the second mobile terminal;
Receiving the transfer request packet, the second mobile terminal transmitting the content to the first mobile terminal;
The measuring terminal relays the transfer of the content, and at that time, acquires identification information of the content, and transmits the acquired information.
The first mobile terminal receiving the content;
A measurement server receiving the identification information on the distributed content, and obtaining a distribution status of the content based on the identification information, the distribution status measurement method for wireless peer-to-peer communication comprising: 2. The distribution of content in wireless peer-to-peer communication according to claim 1, wherein the measurement server includes a step of calculating an amount to be distributed to a right holder of the content based on the distribution status. Situation measurement method. 2. The measurement terminal according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the measurement terminals are provided within a coverage area of the network system, and are evenly arranged so as to appropriately sample a distribution status of content in the network system. 3. Content distribution status measurement method for wireless peer-to-peer communication. The wireless device according to claim 1, further comprising, when transmitting the content to the first mobile terminal, the second mobile terminal transmitting an information packet including information related to transmission of the content.・ Method of measuring the distribution status of contents in peer-to-peer communication. The measurement terminal relays the search request packet, the search result packet, and / or the transfer request packet of the content, and at that time, transmits the search request packet, the search result packet, and / or the transfer request packet of the content. Acquiring and storing the identification information of the content and the information of the request source terminal and / or the possession terminal of the content;
In a case where the measurement terminal cannot obtain the identification information of the content when relaying the transfer of the content, the measurement terminal obtains information of a destination terminal and / or a source terminal of the content instead, and Determining the identification information of the content by comparing information obtained from a search request packet, the search result packet, and / or the content transfer request packet, and transmitting the information.・ Method of measuring the distribution status of contents in peer-to-peer communication. The measurement terminal relaying the search request packet and / or the search result packet;
A step in which the measuring terminal acquires and transmits identification information of the content to be searched from the search request packet and / or the search result packet;
The method according to claim 1, further comprising: a measurement server receiving the identification information of the content, and calculating a popularity of the content based on the identification information. A plurality of stepping stone terminals are provided within the coverage area of the network system, and the stepping stone terminals relay all or part of the search request packet, the search result packet, the content transfer request packet, and the content transfer. 2. The content distribution status measuring method in wireless peer-to-peer communication according to claim 1, wherein: 8. The wireless communication system according to claim 7, wherein all or a part of the stepping stone terminal obtains identification information of the content when relaying the transfer of the content, and transmits the identification information to the measurement terminal. Content distribution status measurement method in peer-to-peer communication. To measure the distribution status of content in a wireless peer-to-peer communication network system including multiple mobile terminals, where content such as music files owned by each mobile terminal is shared and mutually downloaded and used. The device of
A storage device, a communication connection unit for communicating with an external network, a wireless module for communicating with a terminal within a predetermined range, and searching for a nearby terminal through the wireless module, connecting to a nearby terminal, A P2P middleware that exchanges packets with a connected terminal and executes a process of transferring a packet, monitors a packet to be transferred, and relays the transfer of the content when the packet is a content. A packet monitoring module that acquires the identification information of the storage device and records the identification information in the storage device, and a distribution data upload module that transmits the identification information recorded in the storage device by the packet monitoring module to the outside through the communication connection unit. , A distribution status measuring device comprising: The mobile device includes a storage device, a communication connection unit for communicating with an external network, a wireless module for communicating with terminals within a predetermined range, and a computer. Is a program for realizing an apparatus for measuring the distribution status of content in a network system by wireless peer-to-peer communication including a plurality of mobile terminals, which are used by being mutually downloaded and used,
To the computer,
P2P middleware for searching for a nearby terminal through the wireless module, connecting to the nearby terminal, exchanging packets with the connected terminal, and executing a process of transferring the packet;
A packet monitoring module that monitors a transferred packet, relays the transfer of the content when the packet is the content, acquires identification information of the content at that time, and records this in the storage device,
A program for functioning as a distribution data upload module for transmitting the identification information recorded in the storage device by the packet monitoring module to the outside through the communication connection unit. Transmission of content owned by the mobile terminal in a wireless peer-to-peer communication network system including a plurality of mobile terminals, in which content such as music files owned by each mobile terminal is shared and mutually downloaded and used. Mobile terminal for receiving the content of another terminal,
A storage device for storing content, a communication connection unit for communicating with an external network, a wireless module for communicating with a terminal within a predetermined range, and searching for a nearby terminal through the wireless module, and searching for a nearby terminal P2P middleware that connects to, exchanges packets with, and forwards packets to, connected terminals, and creates search request packets to search for content based on information entered by users, and sends them to other terminals. A search request module that receives a search result packet from another terminal and notifies the user of the search result, and receives a search request packet from another terminal to search the content in the storage device and find the requested content. A search module that creates a search result packet and sends it to the requesting terminal. A download module for creating a download request packet based on the retrieved search result packet and requesting a terminal holding the content to download the file, a file reconstructing module for dividing and building a file at the time of download and upload, and A file division module, a playback module that plays back the content stored in the storage device, and, when receiving the download request packet from another terminal and transmitting the content, obtains the identification information of the content and sends it to the outside. A mobile terminal comprising a distribution information transmitting module for transmitting. The mobile device includes a storage device, a communication connection unit for communicating with an external network, a wireless module for communicating with terminals within a predetermined range, and a computer. In a network system based on wireless peer-to-peer communication including a plurality of mobile terminals that are mutually downloaded and used, a mobile terminal that transmits its own content and receives the content of another terminal is realized. A program for
To the computer,
P2P middleware for searching for a nearby terminal through the wireless module, connecting to the nearby terminal, exchanging packets with the connected terminal, and executing a process of transferring the packet;
A search request module for creating a search request packet for searching for content based on information input from a user and transmitting the search request packet to another terminal, receiving a search result packet from another terminal, and notifying the user of the search result;
A search module that receives a search request packet from another terminal, searches the content in the storage device, creates a search result packet when finding the requested content, and sends the search result packet to the requesting terminal;
A download module for creating a download request packet based on a search result packet received from another terminal and requesting a terminal holding the content to download;
A file restructuring module and a file dividing module for dividing and constructing files at the time of download and upload;
A playback module for playing back the content stored in the storage device;
A program for functioning as a distribution information transmission module for acquiring identification information of the content and transmitting the information to the outside when transmitting the content in response to a download request packet from another terminal.

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