JP2005234721A - Content distribution system, content relay device, user client, content distribution method and computer program therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To remotely operate a content distributed to a user client from a content provision server in a lump. <P>SOLUTION: This content distribution system includes: the content provision server 112 connected to a communication network 110 for providing the content; the user client 114 using the content; and a content relay device 116 relaying the content provision server and the user client. In the content distribution system, the content relay device preforms complicated control related to the distribution of the content in a lump. Thereby, a processing load of the content provision server or the user client can be reduced, and the content management of each the user client can be remotely operated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a content distribution system, a content relay device, a user client, a content distribution method, and a computer program thereof.

  With the development of the Internet, it has become possible to easily acquire contents including video data such as music data, still images, and moving images. In addition, content provision opportunities have increased, and the number of content options for users has increased.

  As described above, when the content that can be used increases, various content acquisition methods are devised. For example, a user client obtains a content distribution schedule from a content distribution source server, accesses the server at a time determined by the distribution schedule and receives the content, or sends a content distribution request to the server. And a method of delivering content to the user client mainly by the server is known (for example, Patent Document 1), and processing such as content addition and deletion is performed by a program used by the user client or a user instruction. It was.

  However, in the former method, it is necessary to start the user client in accordance with the delivery time from the server and perform content acquisition processing. In the latter method, content acquisition processing is not performed mainly by the user client. There was an opaque part such as acquisition time. In either method, a burden of content distribution management has occurred on the user client and the distribution side server.

  As described above, when content distribution is provided by various methods, the program for managing the content becomes complicated and expensive, and the deletion of the content to avoid the decrease in the storage area accompanying the addition of the content is consistent. Not done in the way. In addition, when a user tries to delete content independently, specialized knowledge corresponding to each method is required. Furthermore, management such as addition and deletion of content cannot be remotely controlled from a separate device, and a user client must be used when requesting content.

JP 2002-202927 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of conventional content distribution systems, and an object of the present invention is content distributed from one or more content providing servers to one or more user clients. A new and improved content distribution system, content relay device, user client, content distribution method, and computer program thereof that can collectively manage content and allow users to request and delete content consistently It is.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved content distribution system, content relay device, user client, content capable of remotely controlling content distribution as described above from a separate device or user client. It is to provide a distribution method and a computer program thereof.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to a first aspect of the present invention, at least one content providing server connected to a communication network and providing content, and at least one user client of a user who uses the content, A content distribution system that distributes content including a content relay device that is connected to a communication network and relays between the content providing server and the user client, wherein the content relay device distributes content to the user client Content input means for inputting the above information; relay content acquisition means for acquiring the content from the content providing server; and relay content storage means for storing the acquired content, wherein the user client stores the relay content storage From means A user content obtaining means for obtaining Ceiling; characterized in that it comprises a user content storage means for storing the content and the acquired content distribution system is provided.

  The content relay device includes: a relay list update unit that updates a relay attribute list that describes content attribute information distributed to each user client in accordance with the presence or absence of the content in the relay content storage unit; Relay attribute storage means for storing a list, wherein the user client stores user attribute list storing attribute information of content stored in the user content storage means; user attribute storage means; The relay attribute list is further compared with the user attribute list to further update the user attribute list, and the user content acquisition unit is configured to update the user attribute list according to the updated user attribute list. From the relay content storage means to the user container Tsu retrieve content in the storage means, or may remove content from the user content storage means. The content attribute information includes a content name and a content ID that identifies the content.

  The content providing server, the content relay device, and the user client include a personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile phone, and a set-top box (Settop Box). The communication network may include a communication path such as the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), an intranet, and the like, and may be an encrypted or dedicated communication path.

  In order to solve the above problem, according to a second aspect of the present invention, a content relay device relays at least one content providing server that provides content and at least one user client of a user who uses the content. A content input unit that inputs information of content to be distributed to the user client; a relay content acquisition unit that acquires the content from a content providing server; and a relay content storage unit that stores the acquired content. A content relay device is provided.

  The content relay apparatus is connected to one or more content providing servers and one or more user clients, and collectively manages the contents distributed to the user clients. With this configuration, the user can add content consistently by an easy and standard method. In addition, all user clients to which the content relay apparatus is connected can be managed, and remote control can be performed using a communication network or wireless communication from a separate apparatus or user client.

  The content relay device includes: a relay list update unit that updates a relay attribute list that describes content attribute information distributed to each user client in accordance with the presence or absence of the content in the relay content storage unit; Relay attribute storage means for storing the list may be further provided.

  The relay attribute list may describe the attribute information of the content that has already been distributed to the user client among the content requested by the user, and the attribute information of the content that has not yet been acquired by the relay content acquisition means. The relay list update means may be performed according to a remote operation by the user.

  The content information may include content, a user client as a delivery destination, and a delivery time. By specifying the content, the user client of the delivery destination, and the delivery time, what content is delivered to which user client by what time is specified.

  The relay list update means may update the relay attribute list a predetermined time before the requested delivery time. What is updated here is the content for which the delivery time is specified. The predetermined time can be freely set, and 0 seconds (time 0), that is, the delivery time itself can be set. Such a predetermined time may be set according to a comparison interval of a user list updating means of the user client described later.

  The relay attribute list is updated not when the content is acquired by the relay content acquisition means, but after the content is acquired, the time when the user needs the content, that is, the set distribution time or slightly before the distribution time. . With this configuration, content is distributed in accordance with the distribution time required by the user client, and the storage area of the user content storage unit can be used effectively.

  Content deletion means for deleting content from the relay attribute list may be further provided. With this configuration, content that is no longer necessary can be deleted from each user client. Here, when the content not acquired by the relay content acquisition means is deleted, the acquisition of the content by the relay content acquisition means is cancelled.

  The content deleted from the relay attribute list in this way is also reflected in the user client by the user list updating means of the user client described later, but the content is forcibly deleted from the user client by the content deletion command of the content relay device. It may be.

  Attribute list display means for displaying the relay attribute list may be further provided. With this configuration, it is possible to add or delete content while checking the content currently held by each user client.

  In addition, in the attribute list display means, a warning message can be displayed when it is difficult to acquire the content required by the distribution time desired by the user. Further, it is possible to provide warning means for notifying the user client that the content is not in time for the delivery time.

  The apparatus may further include a storage capacity acquisition unit that acquires a capacity capable of storing content of the user client, and the attribute list display unit may also display a capacity of the storage capacity acquisition unit.

  With this configuration, it is possible to check the remaining capacity that can be acquired by the user client in the attribute list display means, and the user can consider the capacity of the content to be acquired. In addition, by grasping the remaining capacity that can be acquired in this way, it is possible to efficiently delete the content by the content deleting means.

  When the relay content storage unit has the content input by the content input unit, the relay content acquisition unit may not acquire the content.

  When the content requested by the user has already been acquired in the past and exists in the relay content storage means, the existing content is used without performing duplicate acquisition of the content. With this configuration, it is possible to save time and effort for content acquisition, and it is possible to provide content without requiring a long time from a user request. In addition, since such content is not stored redundantly, the storage area of the relay content storage means is kept to a minimum, and efficient use is possible.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, according to a third aspect of the present invention, a user client connected to a content relay device that acquires content from a content providing server that provides content: user content that stores content Storage means; user attribute storage means for storing a user attribute list describing attribute information of the content stored in the user content storage means; relay attribute list of the content relay device for the user client; and user attribute list And a user list update means for updating the user attribute list; in accordance with the updated user attribute list; acquiring content from the content relay device to the user content storage means; or storing the user content Content from the means Characterized in that it comprises a user content acquisition means for dividing the user client is provided. When content is used by such a user client, the content is requested from the content relay device.

  Thus, by making the relay attribute list related to the user client managed by the content relay apparatus equal to the user attribute list, the content held by the user client can be made to correspond to the relay attribute list. Accordingly, the contents of each user client can be collectively managed in the content relay apparatus.

  The comparison of the user list update means may be performed periodically every predetermined time, or may be performed before or before the distribution time designated by the user. Further, when an event of the content relay apparatus occurs, a comparison request signal may be received from the content relay apparatus and comparison processing may be performed, and a configuration in which the content relay apparatus includes a comparison unit may be employed.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a content distribution method using the above-described content providing server, content relay device, and user client. There is also provided a computer program that functions as the content relay device or user client.

  The content providing server and the content relay device, or the content relay device and the user client may be integrated as one device. The relay content storage means, the relay attribute storage means, the user content storage means, and the user attribute storage means can be configured as one or two or more databases, and can be provided separately from each belonging device. .

  As described above, according to the present invention, contents distributed from a plurality of content providing servers to a plurality of user clients can be collectively managed, and a user can consistently request content and delete contents. It is also possible to remotely control content distribution scheduling and content deletion from a separate device or user client.

  Also, the total cost can be reduced without imposing a burden on each individual user by a complicated distribution method related to content distribution as in the past.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

(First embodiment: content distribution system)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a content distribution system. The content distribution system includes a content providing server 112 connected to the communication network 110, a user client 114, and a content relay device 116.

  The communication network 110 includes, for example, an Internet network that is a public network, and each terminal is connected by a telephone line or the like.

  The content providing server 112 is a server managed by a content provider that provides content including music data, video data such as still images and moving images, and distributes content in response to requests from other terminals. Do.

  The user client 114 is a terminal used by a user, and is a device including a personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile phone, a set top box that is a terminal device installed in a television, or the like.

  The content relay device 116 relays content distributed from the content providing server 112 to the user client 114, and collectively manages the distribution of the content for each user client 114.

  With the content distribution system as described above, the content used by the user client 114 is temporarily stored in the content relay device 116 and then distributed to the user client 114. By placing a device functioning as a buffer between the content providing server 112 and the user client 114, the content relay device 116 can perform content management for each user client 114. In the above, the content distribution apparatus 116 includes one stage in the content distribution system. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a multistage configuration can be adopted.

  Further, the content distribution system can be configured such that the user client 114 is not directly connected to the content relay device 116 but is connected via the communication network 110.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing such a content distribution system. In the content distribution system, a content providing server 112, a user client 114, and a content relay device 116 are connected via a communication network 110. With this configuration, the content relay apparatus 116 can be managed independently of the user client 114.

  Further, the user client 114 can be directly connected to the content providing server 112 via an in-house communication network such as an intranet.

(Second Embodiment: Content Relay Device 116)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the content relay device 116 according to the present embodiment. As described above, the content relay device 116 relays the content distributed from the content providing server 112 to the user client 114.

  The content relay device 116 includes a relay control unit 210, a content input unit 212, a relay content acquisition unit 214, a relay content storage unit 216, a relay list update unit 218, a relay attribute storage unit 220, and an attribute list display. A means 222, a content deletion means 224, and a storage capacity acquisition means 226 are included.

  The relay control unit 210 manages and controls the content relay device 116 by a control device including a central processing unit (CPU).

  The content input unit 212 inputs content information to be distributed to the user client 114. Such an input can be performed by remote operation from a separate device such as the user client 114 or can be performed by the content relay device 116 itself. The content information input here is recorded and managed in a relay attribute list to be described later. In addition of such content, it is assumed that a user ID and password for specifying the user are also input, and only the person who has the authority to set the content can use the content input means 212.

  The relay content acquisition unit 214 searches the content specified by the content information via the communication network 110, and performs content distribution processing with the content providing server 112 possessing the content. Here, when the content input by the content input unit 212 is already in the relay content storage unit 216 described later, the content acquisition by the relay content acquisition unit 214 is not performed.

  The relay content storage unit 216 stores the content acquired by the relay content acquisition unit 214 using a storage unit such as a database.

  The relay list update unit 218 confirms the presence or absence of the content input by the content input unit 212 in the content group stored in the relay content storage unit 216, and records the attribute information of the content distributed to each user client 114. Update the relay attribute list. If the content is already in the relay content storage unit 216, the update is performed at the timing. If not, the update is performed at the timing when the relay content acquisition unit 214 acquires the content.

  The relay attribute storage unit 220 stores the relay attribute list.

  The attribute list display means 222 displays the relay attribute list. This attribute list describes, in addition to the content requested by the user, the attribute information of the content that has already been distributed to the user client 114 and the attribute information of the content that has not yet been acquired by the relay content acquisition unit 214. .

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the relay attribute list 310. Here, the attribute information of the content distributed to each user client 114 (user client A, user client B), for example, the distribution time 320, the content name 322, and the content capacity 324 are described, and the content ID that identifies the content Associated with content. Further, the content is divided into content 326 already acquired in the relay content storage means 216 and content 328 not acquired yet. For example, referring to the user client A, the user has requested distribution of content A, content B, and content C, the content A and content B have already been distributed to the user client A, and the content C is waiting for distribution. .

  Regarding the user client B, the content D has already been distributed to the user client B (330), and the content E is waiting for distribution (332). Here, when the content E is acquired by the relay content acquisition means 214, it is moved from the unacquired 328 to the acquired 326 (334).

  In the above description, the acquired column 326 is attribute information of content that has already been distributed to the user client 114. To be exact, the content is acquired by the relay content storage unit 216 by the relay content acquisition unit 214. , A list of contents that can be distributed to the user client 114. The user client 114 compares the content described in the acquired 326 related to the user client 114 in the relay attribute list 310 with the content held by the user client, and relays the content not distributed to the user client 114 as content relay. Obtained from device 116. As a result, the acquired 326 indicates the content distributed to the user client 114.

  In addition, the timing at which the content attribute information moves from the unacquired 328 to the acquired 326 may be after the content is acquired by the relay content acquisition unit 214, but after the content is acquired and the distribution time set by the user Alternatively, it may be updated slightly before the delivery time. With this configuration, content is distributed in accordance with the distribution time required by the user client 114, and the storage area of the user client 114 can be used effectively.

  The relay attribute list 310 may store all the user clients 114 managed by the content relay apparatus 116 as one list data as shown in FIG. You can also

  The content deletion means 224 deletes content from the relay attribute list 310 in response to a user request. For example, in the user client A of FIG. 4, when the content B is no longer necessary, the content B can be designated and deleted from the relay attribute list 310. In response to this deletion, the main body of the content B is deleted from the user client A, but is not deleted from the relay content storage means 216.

  The storage capacity acquisition unit 226 acquires a capacity capable of storing the content of the user client 114. Here, the storable capacity of each content is determined for each client. For example, in the relay attribute list 310 of FIG. 4, the remaining capacity 340 of the user client A and the remaining capacity 342 of the user client B are displayed, and the user can check the remaining capacity and consider the capacity of the content to be acquired. . In addition, by grasping the remaining capacity that can be acquired in this way, the content deletion unit 224 can efficiently delete the content.

  In addition, a computer program that causes a computer to function as the content relay device 116 is also provided.

(Third embodiment: user client 114)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the user client 114 according to the present embodiment. The user client 114 receives content distribution from the content relay device 116.

  The user client 114 includes a user control unit 410, user content storage means 412, user attribute storage means 414, user list update means 416, and user content acquisition means 418.

  The user control unit 410 manages and controls the user client 114 by a control device including a central processing unit (CPU).

  The user content storage unit 412 stores content used by the user client 114.

  The user attribute storage unit 414 stores a user attribute list in which the attribute information of the content stored in the user content storage unit 412 is recorded.

  6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams showing the user attribute lists 450 and 460 in the user client A and the user client B shown in FIG. The content A and the content B are stored in the user content storage unit 412 of the user client A, and the content A and the content B are recorded in the user attribute list 450 of the user client A as shown in FIG. 6A.

  The user list update unit 416 compares the relay attribute list 310 of the content relay apparatus 116 related to the user client 114 with the user attribute list, and updates the user attribute list. For example, in FIG. 6B, only the content D is described in the user attribute list 460 of the user client B. At this time, when the content relay device 116 completes preparation for distribution and the content E is written in the acquired 326 field of the relay attribute list 310 (334), the relay attribute list 310 and the user attribute list 460 are compared. , Content E is added to the user attribute list 460 (462).

  The comparison of the user list update unit 416 may be performed periodically at a predetermined time, for example, every 5 minutes, or may be performed at a designated distribution time or before the distribution time. Further, when an event of the content relay device 116 occurs, for example, when the relay attribute list is updated, a comparison request signal may be received from the content relay device 116 and comparison processing may be performed. Further, it may be included in the initialization operation immediately after the user client 114 is activated. The user attribute lists in FIGS. 6A and 6B also indicate the delivery time, capacity, and remaining capacity, but if the contents can be specified, the list can be a list of only the content name and the content ID associated therewith. .

  The user content acquisition unit 418 acquires content from the content relay device 116 to the user content storage unit 412 or deletes content from the user content storage unit 412 according to the user attribute list updated by the user list update unit 416. .

  A computer program that causes a computer to function as the user client 114 is also provided.

(Fourth embodiment: content distribution method)
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the content distribution method according to the present embodiment. The content distribution method includes a content input step S510, a relay content acquisition step S512, a relay list update step S514, a user list update step S516, and a user content acquisition step S518. In this embodiment, a content request is made from the user client 114.

  First, the user client 114 establishes communication connection with the content relay device 116, and inputs information on the content to be distributed to the user client 114, for example, the content, the destination user client, and the distribution time (S610). This content may be selected using a method of displaying the content provided by the content providing server 112 as a list and selecting the desired content from the list. Subsequently, the content relay device 116 checks whether or not the content based on the content information already exists in the relay content storage unit 216 (S612), and if there is no content, writes this content in the unacquired column of the relay attribute list. , Proceed to the content acquisition processing stage.

  The content relay device 116 searches for a content providing server from the content information using a predetermined application (S614), and requests the content providing server 112 to distribute the content (S616). The content providing server 112 distributes the content to the content relay device 116 when the content distribution preparation is completed (S618). This distribution may be performed according to the content distribution schedule of the content providing server 112, or may be performed by another method according to the content providing server 112. Such distribution is collectively managed by the content relay device 116, so that the user does not need to understand the difference in distribution method.

  Next, the content relay device 116 stores the distributed content in the relay content storage unit 216 (S620). This content is positioned as a copy of the original content of the content providing server 112. Subsequently, the relay attribute list is updated according to the presence / absence of the content (S622). This update is performed by moving the content from the unacquired field of the relay attribute list to the acquired field. If the content already exists in the confirmation step (S612), the steps S614 to S620 are omitted, and the content is directly written in the acquired column of the content relay attribute list.

  The user client 114 periodically accesses the content relay device 116 (S630). At this time, the relay attribute list and the user attribute list are compared (S632), and the user attribute list is updated to have the same content as the relay attribute list (S634). That is, when new content is added to the relay attribute list, the content is also added to the user attribute list.

  When content is added according to the updated user attribute list, a content distribution request is transmitted to the content relay device 116 (S636), and the content is distributed from the relay content storage unit 216 to the user content storage unit 412. (S638).

  In the above, the user client 114 confirms the relay attribute list with respect to the content relay apparatus 116, but the content relay apparatus 116 issues a content update request to the user client 114 in response to the update of the relay attribute list. Also good. In any case, the relay attribute list is preferentially treated as compared with the user attribute list, and the user attribute list is updated according to the relay attribute list. With this configuration, the processing burden on the user client 114 can be further reduced.

(Fifth embodiment: content distribution method)
Next, a case where content is deleted from the user client 114 will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the content distribution method according to the present embodiment. First, the user client 114 requests the content relay apparatus 116 to display the relay attribute list (S710), and the content relay apparatus 116 reads the relay attribute list from the relay attribute storage unit 220 (S712). (S714).

  The user selects content that is no longer necessary from the relay attribute list (S716), and deletes the selected content from the relay attribute list accordingly (S718). If the content selected at this time is content in the unacquired field of the relay attribute list, the content is deleted and content acquisition is canceled.

  As described above, the user client 114 periodically accesses the content relay device 116 (S720). At this time, the relay attribute list and the user attribute list are compared (S722), and the user attribute list is updated to have the same content as the relay attribute list (S724). That is, when content is deleted from the relay attribute list, the content is also deleted from the user attribute list.

  When content is deleted from the user attribute list in this way, such content is deleted from the user content storage means (S730).

(Sixth embodiment: application of content distribution system)
FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an application example of the content distribution system. The content distribution system includes a content providing server 112 connected to the communication network 110, a first content relay device 810 connected to the communication network, and a second content relay device 812 connected to the first content relay device 810. And a user client 114. The first content relay device 810, the second content relay device 812, and the user client 112 may be connected to an in-house LAN such as an intranet.

  The content providing server 112 already described as a component in the first embodiment and the user client 114 have substantially the same functions, and the first content relay device 810 and the second content relay device 812 are also the first. Since the substantial function is the same as that of the content relay apparatus 116 in the embodiment, a duplicate description of each apparatus is omitted.

  In this embodiment, by providing the content relay device 116 in several stages in a wide area network, comprehensive and consistent content distribution is controlled. Here, the distribution of educational contents and the like of a company having a branch office over a wide area is mentioned.

  The first content relay apparatus 810 receives content distribution from the content providing server 112 at the request of the content manager. Such content is assumed to be content with a large capacity of 100 Mbytes or more. Conventionally, content is directly distributed from the content providing server 112 to the user client 114 such as a set top box provided at each branch office via the center server or the like, and therefore occupies the network bandwidth of the center server for a long time. There was a problem. This occupancy problem sometimes interfered with the operation of intranet applications between branch offices.

  In the present embodiment, the content once acquired by the first content relay device 810 is not distributed redundantly from the content providing server 112, and further, the second content relay owned by each branch office from the first content relay device 810. Content distribution is also performed only once on the device 812. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the distribution of duplicate contents and to release the occupation of the network bandwidth by the contents distribution in a short time.

  With this configuration, when the simultaneous distribution of the educational content is defined for each user client 114 in the company, the user client 114 is informed of the distribution time via the first content relay device 810 and the second content relay device 812. The content is distributed efficiently. Further, such distribution settings can be remotely controlled collectively by the first content relay device 810 and the second content relay device 812. Here, the relay attribute list between the first content relay device 810 and the second content relay device 812 may be collectively controlled by the first content relay device 810. With such a content distribution system, distribution of large-scale content over a wide area can be controlled at a single site, and smooth operation is achieved.

  Further, even when the capacity of each user client 112 is limited, the capacity can be confirmed in advance, and individual content management for each user client 112 is performed by comprehensively controlling deletion of unnecessary contents and the like. It will not be necessary to do. This eliminates the need to carelessly increase the storage capacity of the user client 112 or purchase an expensive user client 112.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to the example which concerns. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the content relay apparatus has been described as being configured in one or two stages. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be configured in three or more stages depending on the size of the content distribution system. .

  The present invention is applicable to a content distribution system, a content relay device, a user client, a content distribution method, and its computer program.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing a content distribution system. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a content distribution system. It is the block diagram which showed the content relay apparatus schematically. It is explanatory drawing which showed an example of the relay attribute list. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a user client 114. FIG. It is explanatory drawing showing the user attribute list. It is explanatory drawing showing the user attribute list. It is the flowchart figure which showed the flow of the content delivery method. It is the flowchart figure which showed the flow of the content delivery method. It is the block diagram which showed the application example of the content delivery system.

Explanation of symbols

110 communication network 112 content providing server 114 user client 116 content relay device 212 content input unit 214 relay content acquisition unit 216 relay content storage unit 218 relay list update unit 220 relay attribute storage unit 222 attribute list display unit 224 storage capacity acquisition unit 310 relay Attribute list 412 User content storage means 414 User attribute storage means 416 User list update means 418 User content acquisition means 450, 460 User attribute list S510 Content input step S512 Relay content acquisition step S514 Relay list update step S516 User list update step S518 User content Acquisition process

Claims (14)

At least one content providing server connected to a communication network and providing content, at least one user client of a user who uses the content, and connected to the communication network and relaying between the content providing server and the user client A content distribution system that distributes content including a content relay device:
The content relay device
Content input means for inputting information of content to be distributed to the user client;
Relay content acquisition means for acquiring the content from the content providing server;
Relay content storage means for storing the acquired content;
With
The user client is
User content acquisition means for acquiring content from the relay content storage means;
User content storage means for storing the acquired content;
A content distribution system comprising: The content relay device
Relay list updating means for updating a relay attribute list describing attribute information of contents distributed to each user client in accordance with the presence or absence of the contents in the relay content storage means;
Relay attribute storage means for storing the relay attribute list;
Further comprising
The user client is
User attribute storage means for storing a user attribute list describing attribute information of the contents stored in the user content storage means;
User list update means for updating the user attribute list by comparing the relay attribute list for the user client with the user attribute list;
Further comprising
The user content acquisition unit acquires content from the relay content storage unit to the user content storage unit or deletes content from the user content storage unit according to the updated user attribute list. The content distribution system according to claim 1. A content relay device that relays at least one content providing server that provides content and at least one user client of a user who uses the content:
Content input means for inputting information of content to be distributed to the user client;
Relay content acquisition means for acquiring the content from the content providing server;
Relay content storage means for storing the acquired content;
A content relay device comprising: Relay list updating means for updating a relay attribute list describing attribute information of contents distributed to each user client in accordance with the presence or absence of the contents in the relay content storage means;
Relay attribute storage means for storing the relay attribute list;
The content relay device according to claim 3, further comprising:   The content information includes content, a delivery destination user client, and a delivery time, and the relay list update unit updates the relay attribute list a predetermined time before the requested delivery time. The content relay device according to claim 4.   5. The content relay device according to claim 4, further comprising content deletion means for deleting content from the relay attribute list.   5. The content relay apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising attribute list display means for displaying the relay attribute list. A storage capacity acquisition means for acquiring a capacity capable of storing content of the user client;
8. The content relay device according to claim 7, wherein the attribute list display means also displays a capacity by the storage capacity acquisition means.   4. The content relay apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the relay content storage means has the content input by the content input means, the relay content acquisition means does not acquire the content.   A computer program for causing a computer to function as the content relay device according to any one of claims 3 to 9. A user client connected to a content relay device that acquires content from a content providing server that provides content:
User content storage means for storing content;
User attribute storage means for storing a user attribute list describing attribute information of the contents stored in the user content storage means;
User list update means for updating the user attribute list by comparing the relay attribute list of the content relay device related to the user client with the user attribute list;
User content acquisition means for acquiring content from the content relay device to the user content storage means or deleting content from the user content storage means in accordance with the updated user attribute list;
A user client characterized by comprising:   A computer program for causing a computer to function as the user client according to claim 11. At least one content providing server connected to a communication network and providing content, at least one user client of a user who uses the content, and connected to the communication network and relaying between the content providing server and the user client A content distribution method for distributing content using a content relay device, wherein:
The content relay device is
A content input step of inputting information of content to be distributed to the user client;
A relay content acquisition step of acquiring the content from the content providing server;
The user client is
A user content acquisition step of acquiring the content input in the content input step from the content group stored in the content relay device;
A content delivery method characterized by including: The content relay device is
A relay list update step of updating a relay attribute list in which attribute information of content distributed to each user client is updated according to the presence or absence of the content in the content relay device;
The user client is
A user list update step of updating the user attribute list by comparing the relay attribute list related to the user client with the user attribute list describing the attribute information of the content acquired by the user content acquisition step;
Further including
The user content acquisition step acquires content from the content group stored in the content relay device or deletes content from the content group stored in the user client according to the updated user attribute list. The content delivery method according to claim 13, wherein the content delivery method is characterized.

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