JP2005251051A - User terminal, distribution terminal, program and distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a distribution system, which can indirectly control a state of content information distribution in real time based on a distribution rule specifying the distribution priority order of content information and control information capable of dynamically changing the rule. <P>SOLUTION: The distribution system 100 comprises a user terminal 20, which selects content information having a high priority from pieces of content information stored in a content information region 211 based on the distribution rule, distributes the content information having the high priority to other terminals, and resets the distribution rule based on the control information when the user terminal 20 receives the control information, and furthermore, distributes the content information having the high priority from the pieces of content information stored in the content information region 211 to the other user terminals existing in an area capable of communication according to the distribution rule reset by the control information, namely the newest distribution rule at all times. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for distributing information using wireless communication between terminals.

  With the modernization of network technology, a content information distribution system using P2P (Peer to Peer) and the like in which client terminals exchange data in an equal relationship without using a server is considered. Here, the content information includes advertising information generated by a distribution company for the purpose of sales promotion.

  Conventionally, in a distribution system using P2P or the like, each terminal randomly distributes received content information to other user terminals. In addition, the user operates the terminal to display only content information of particular interest from the acquired content information. In such a distribution system, there has been a demand for a content information distribution company to appropriately distribute to users who request each content information. However, in a distribution system using P2P or the like in which terminals that happen to exist on the spot exchange information on a one-to-one basis stochastically, it is difficult for a distribution company to control the distribution status. .

  In order to solve such a problem, a technique is provided in which a distribution company controls the distribution status by specifying a propagation range and a survival time in advance for content information. However, with this method, it has been impossible to accurately control the content information that is distributed according to the distribution status of the content information that changes over time. In other words, it has not been possible to dynamically control the distribution status of content information formed by exchanges between client terminals in real time without using a server.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and based on a distribution rule that defines the distribution priority order of content information and control information that can dynamically change the distribution rule, It is an object of the present invention to provide a distribution system that can indirectly control the distribution state of information in real time.

  One aspect of the present invention is a user terminal that includes a storage area for storing information and can communicate with other user terminals, and a content information acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of pieces of content information; Content information storage means for storing the acquired content information in a content information area constituting the storage area, and distribution to the other user terminals with priority from the content information stored in the content information area Distribution rule acquisition means for acquiring distribution rules defining conditions relating to content information to be performed; distribution rule storage means for storing the distribution rules in a distribution rule area constituting the storage area; and storage in the content information area The content information that matches the conditions stipulated in the distribution rules is prioritized for other use from the content information Content information distribution means for distributing to terminals, control information receiving means for receiving control information defining control for the distribution rules, and control information storage means for storing the control information in a control information area constituting the storage area And a distribution rule resetting unit that resets the rules of the distribution rule based on the control information, and a distribution rule stored in the distribution rule area as a distribution rule reset by the distribution rule resetting unit. Distribution rule update means for updating, and control information distribution means for distributing the control information stored in the control information area to other user terminals.

  The user terminal configured as described above has a storage area for storing information distributed between user terminals. The storage area includes a content information area, a distribution rule area, and a control information area. First, the user terminal stores the acquired content information in the content information area, the distribution rule in the distribution rule area, and the control information in the control information area. In addition, the user terminal selects one with high priority from the content information stored in the content information area according to the distribution rule, and distributes it to other user terminals.

  The user terminal resets the distribution rule based on the control information stored in the control information area, and stores the reset distribution rule over the distribution rule area. Therefore, the latest distribution rule reset by the control information is always stored in the distribution rule area. Then, the user terminal distributes the content information stored in the content information area to other user terminals existing in the communicable area according to the latest distribution rule reset by the control information.

  According to this, since the control information is reset so as to change the distribution rule stored in each user terminal, when the control information propagates to a predetermined area, the control information is described in the control information around the area. The content information is distributed probabilistically based on the set policy. Therefore, by setting distribution rules in each user terminal and distributing control information, the distribution status of content information can be controlled dynamically, though indirectly. Therefore, autonomous distribution of content information according to a specific area and time can be realized.

  In one aspect of the user terminal, the distribution rule is composed of a plurality of rules, and the control information defines a change rule condition to be changed in the distribution rule and the content of the change. The user terminal includes a rule determination unit that determines whether there is a rule that matches the change rule condition defined by the control information among the rules included in the distribution rule stored in the distribution rule area. The distribution rule resetting means further comprises the distribution rule by changing the change rule based on the change content when the rule determination means determines that there is a rule that matches the change rule condition. Reset the rules.

  In the user terminal configured as described above, the distribution rule stored in the distribution area includes a plurality of rules. Further, the control information defines a change rule condition and change contents. When there is a rule that matches the change rule condition in the distribution rule stored in the distribution rule area, the user terminal resets the distribution rule by changing the rule based on the change content. According to this, the distribution operator of content information can easily reset the distribution rules held by each user terminal by specifying arbitrary change rule conditions and change contents in the control information.

  In another aspect of the user terminal, the control information defines a condition regarding the position of the user terminal as an application condition when the distribution rule is reset, and the user terminal It further comprises position information acquisition means for acquiring information relating to the position where the user terminal exists, and the distribution rule resetting means is only when the position information matches a condition relating to the position defined as the application condition. Based on the control information, the rules of the distribution rule are reset.

  The user terminal configured as described above resets the rule that matches the change rule condition only when the user terminal exists at a position defined as the application condition of the control information. In this case, the user terminal acquires position information from a terminal installed at a predetermined location such as a predetermined server or terminal, GPS (Global Positioning System), or the like. The user terminal resets the rule only when the acquired position information matches the application condition of the control information. According to this, the content information distribution company can automatically provide a lot of information that meets the user's request based on the position of the user terminal.

  In another aspect of the user terminal, the control information defines a condition relating to date and time as an application condition when the distribution rule is reset, and the user terminal acquires time information relating to the date and time. And a distribution rule resetting unit that defines the distribution rule based on the control information only when the time information matches a condition related to a date and time defined as the application condition. Reset it. In this case, the user terminal resets the rule that matches the change rule condition only at the date and time defined as the application condition. Note that the user terminal always recognizes time information, which is information related to date and time, based on a clock function or the like. According to this, the content information distribution company can automatically provide a lot of information that meets the user's request based on the date and time.

  In another aspect of the user terminal, the control information defines a condition relating to a user who uses the user terminal as an application condition when the distribution rule is reset, and the user terminal Further includes attribute information acquisition means for acquiring attribute information related to the user, and the distribution rule resetting means is only when the attribute information matches a condition related to the user defined as the application condition. Based on the control information, the rules of the distribution rule are reset. In this case, the user terminal resets the rule that matches the change rule condition only when the user who uses the user terminal matches the condition defined as the application condition. The user registers attribute information such as gender and age in the user terminal in advance, and the user terminal recognizes the user attribute information. According to this, in a place where a lot of specific target layers gather based on the user's attribute information, the content information distribution company automatically provides content information that the target layer is interested in to promote Effects and sales promotion effects can be achieved.

  In another aspect of the user terminal, the user terminal includes a display unit for displaying information, and the control information is a user preference as an application condition when the distribution rule is reset. Display means for displaying specific content information extracted from the content information stored in the content information area on the display unit based on the operation signal, and content information displayed by the display means By further analyzing preference information acquisition means for acquiring preference information related to the user's preference, wherein the distribution rule resetting means includes a user preference in which the preference information is defined as the application condition. The distribution rule is reset only on the basis of the control information only when the condition is satisfied. In this case, the user terminal resets the rule that matches the change rule condition only when the content information corresponding to the preference-related condition defined as the application condition is displayed. The user terminal recognizes the content information log displayed on the display unit as a display log, and acquires the user preference information by analyzing the display log. The user terminal resets the rule only when the acquired preference information matches the application condition. According to this, the content information distribution company can automatically provide content information that matches the user's preference and interest.

  In another aspect of the user terminal, the control information defines a condition relating to an environment in which the user terminal exists as an application condition when the distribution rule is reset, and the user terminal The presence information acquisition means for acquiring presence information relating to the environment in which the user terminal exists and the distribution rule resetting means are provided only when the presence information matches a condition relating to the environment defined as the application condition. The distribution rule is reset based on the control information. In this case, the user terminal resets the rule that matches the change rule condition only when the environment surrounding the user terminal matches the environment defined as the application condition. The user terminal acquires presence information from a predetermined server or the like. According to this, the content information distribution company can automatically provide the content information that meets the user's request based on the storage of the day.

  In still another aspect of the user terminal, the user terminal can communicate with a distribution terminal that distributes the control information, and the content information distributed by the content information distribution unit and the content information storage unit are Distribution information generating means for generating distribution information related to distribution of the content information based on one or more of the stored content information and the content information acquired by the content information acquisition means; and the distribution information generating means Distribution information distribution means for distributing the generated distribution information to the distribution terminal.

  The user terminal configured as described above generates distribution information indicating the distribution status of the content information between the user terminals based on the information related to the content information exchanged with other user terminals. Then, by distributing the distribution information generated by the user terminal to the distribution terminal, the distribution terminal can generate control information according to the distribution status of the content information. That is, the distribution terminal generates control information that changes the distribution rule set in each user terminal so that the distribution of content information desired by the distribution company is performed based on the distribution status. . Therefore, the distribution company can dynamically control the distribution of content information by exchanging control information based on distribution information between user terminals.

  In another aspect of the present invention, a distribution terminal capable of communicating with a user terminal, wherein the user terminal has a distribution rule that defines conditions relating to content information to be distributed preferentially to other user terminals. The distribution terminal is associated with a plurality of distribution modes related to the content information, and stores control information for defining control for the distribution rule, and the distribution information is based on the specific distribution mode. Control information distribution means for distributing control information extracted from the control information storage means to the user terminal.

  In the distribution terminal configured as described above, the user terminal has a distribution rule, and exchanges content information with other user terminals. On the other hand, the distribution terminal stores control information in advance using various distribution forms relating to content information as keys. Then, the distribution terminal extracts the corresponding control information from the control information storage unit based on a specific distribution form determined by the content provider's request and distributes it to the user terminal. Then, the user terminal resets the distribution rule according to the received control information, and distributes the content information to other user terminals based on the reset distribution rule. In this way, by setting distribution rules in each user terminal and distributing control information, the distribution status of content information can be controlled dynamically, though indirectly. Therefore, autonomous distribution of content information according to a specific area and time can be realized.

  In another aspect of the present invention, a distribution terminal capable of communicating with a user terminal, wherein the user terminal has a distribution rule that defines conditions relating to content information to be distributed preferentially to other user terminals. The distribution terminal receives ideal distribution amount storage means for storing an ideal distribution amount of the content information as an ideal distribution amount, and distribution information related to distribution of the content information from the user terminal. Distribution information receiving means, analysis means for analyzing the current distribution amount of the content information based on the distribution information, current distribution amount analyzed by the analysis means, and the ideal distribution amount storage means Based on the ideal distribution amount, control information generation means for generating control information that regulates the control for the distribution rules, and the control information generated by the control information generation means for the user And a control information distribution means for distributing to the end.

  In the distribution terminal configured as described above, the user terminal has a distribution rule, and exchanges content information with other user terminals. On the other hand, the distribution terminal stores the ideal distribution amount of the content information in advance. The user terminal generates distribution information indicating the distribution status of the content information based on information on the content information exchanged with other user terminals, and distributes the distribution information to the distribution terminal. The distribution terminal that has received the distribution information calculates the current distribution amount of the content information by analyzing the distribution information. Then, the user terminal generates control information based on the calculated current circulation amount and the ideal circulation amount stored in advance. That is, control information for resetting the current distribution amount to a distribution rule that brings the ideal distribution amount closer to the ideal distribution amount is generated. The distribution terminal distributes the generated control information to the user terminal, so that the control information is distributed among the plurality of user terminals. Thus, although the distribution rule is set for each user terminal and the control information generated based on the current distribution amount and the ideal distribution amount is distributed, the distribution status of the content information is indirectly. It becomes possible to control dynamically. Therefore, autonomous distribution of content information according to a specific area and time can be realized.

  In another aspect of the distribution terminal, the distribution terminal includes a control information storage unit that stores control information generated by the control information generation unit, and a current distribution amount analyzed by the analysis unit is the ideal distribution amount. Determination means for determining whether or not it is included in the range of the ideal circulation volume stored in the storage means, and the control information distribution means includes a range of the ideal circulation volume by the determination means. When the control information stored in the control information storage means is distributed when it is determined that the current distribution amount is not included in the range of the ideal distribution amount, the control information stored in the control information storage unit is distributed. Distributes control information generated by the control information generator. According to this, the distribution terminal stores the generated control information, and if the current distribution amount is within the range of the ideal distribution amount, the distribution terminal already stores the control information without generating new control information. Distributed control information to user terminals. Therefore, when the distribution of the content information is smooth, it is not necessary to newly generate control information, and the load on the distribution terminal can be reduced.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a program executed by a computer having a storage area for storing information and capable of communicating with other computers, and acquiring a plurality of content information, Content information storage means for storing the acquired content information in a content information area that constitutes the storage area, and content information that is distributed preferentially to the other computer from the content information stored in the content information area Distribution rule acquisition means for acquiring distribution rules defining conditions relating to, distribution rule storage means for storing the distribution rules in a distribution rule area constituting the storage area, and content information stored in the content information area Content that meets the conditions stipulated in the distribution rules Content information distributing means for preferentially distributing information to other computers, control information receiving means for receiving control information defining control over the distribution rules, and storing the control information in a control information area constituting the storage area The distribution rule resetting unit resets the distribution rule stored in the distribution rule area, the distribution rule resetting unit that resets the distribution rule based on the control information, and the distribution rule resetting unit based on the control information. The computer is caused to function as distribution rule update means for updating to distribution rules, and control information distribution means for distributing control information stored in the control information area to other computers.

  By executing the above program by a computer, the above-described user terminal and distribution terminal can be realized. Moreover, each aspect of the above-described user terminal and distribution terminal can be similarly realized.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a distribution system using a user terminal and a distribution terminal that can communicate with each other, the user terminal having a storage area for storing information, Content information acquisition means for acquiring content information, content information storage means for storing the acquired content information in a content information area constituting the storage area, and content information stored in the content information area, Distribution rule acquisition means for acquiring distribution rules defining conditions relating to content information to be distributed preferentially to the other user terminals, and distribution for storing the distribution rules in a distribution rule area constituting the storage area A rule storage means and a condition defined in the distribution rule from the content information stored in the content information area Content information distribution means for preferentially distributing the matching content information to other user terminals, control information receiving means for receiving control information defining control over the distribution rule, the control information, and storing the storage area Control information storage means for storing in a control information area to be configured; distribution rule resetting means for resetting the rules of the distribution rule based on the control information; distribution rules stored in the distribution rule area; A distribution rule updating unit that updates the distribution rule to a distribution rule reset by the distribution rule resetting unit, and a control information distribution unit that distributes the control information stored in the control information area to other user terminals, The distribution terminal is based on control information storage means for storing the control information in association with a plurality of distribution forms related to the content information, and a specific distribution form The control information extracted from the control information storage unit, and a control information distributing means for distributing to the user terminal.

  In still another aspect of the present invention, a distribution system using a user terminal and a distribution terminal that can communicate with each other, wherein the user terminal has a storage area for storing information, and Content information acquisition means for acquiring the content information, content information storage means for storing the acquired content information in a content information area constituting the storage area, and content information stored in the content information area , Distribution rule acquisition means for acquiring a distribution rule that prescribes conditions relating to content information to be distributed preferentially to the other user terminals, and store the distribution rule in a distribution rule area constituting the storage area Based on the distribution rule storage means and the distribution rule, the content information stored in the content information area is used for other purposes. Content information distributing means for distributing to the user terminal, control information receiving means for receiving control information defining control for the distribution rule, and control information storage for storing the control information in a control information area constituting the storage area Means, a distribution rule resetting means for resetting the rules of the distribution rule based on the control information, and a distribution rule in which the distribution rule resetting means resets the distribution rule stored in the distribution rule area. Distribution rule updating means for updating the control information, control information distribution means for distributing the control information stored in the control information area to other user terminals, content information distributed by the content information distribution means, and the content information storage Based on one or more of content information stored by the means and content information acquired by the content information acquisition means. And distribution information generating means for generating distribution information related to distribution of the content information, and distribution information distribution means for distributing the distribution information generated by the distribution information generating means to the distribution terminal, wherein the distribution terminal comprises: , An ideal distribution amount storage unit that stores an ideal distribution amount of the content information as an ideal distribution amount, a distribution information receiving unit that receives distribution information related to distribution of the content information from the user terminal, and the distribution information Based on the analysis means for analyzing the current circulation volume of the content information, the current circulation volume analyzed by the analysis means, and the ideal circulation volume stored in the ideal circulation volume storage means, Control information generating means for generating control information; and control information distribution means for distributing control information generated by the control information generating means to the user terminal. .

  According to the distribution system configured as described above, the distribution status of the content information is dynamically changed based on the distribution rule and the control information that can change the distribution rule according to the current distribution status. Can be controlled.

  According to the present invention, the distribution status of content information is dynamically controlled based on a distribution rule that defines a distribution priority order of content information and control information that can dynamically change the distribution rule. be able to.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is capable of controlling distribution of content information based on distribution rules and control information in a distribution system in which each terminal operates autonomously. Specifically, the present invention can be used in a distribution system in which a plurality of user terminals capable of wireless communication operate autonomously.

[Distribution system]
First, the distribution system according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the distribution system. A distribution system 100 shown in FIG. 1 distributes various content information widely and uniformly by autonomously operating a plurality of user terminals and repeatedly performing wireless communication.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the distribution system 100, the access point 3 and the content information server 4 are communicably connected via a network 2. One preferred example of network 2 is the Internet. The content information server 4 is connected to a content information database (hereinafter referred to as “DB”) 5. In the distribution system 100, the control information distribution terminal 7 and the distribution information collection terminal 8 are connected so as to communicate with each other. Here, examples of the communication method include various methods such as a method via the network 2 including the Internet and a method via a wired or wireless communication capable of transmitting and receiving data. In this embodiment, the control information distribution terminal 7 and the distribution information collection terminal 8 are separate terminals and are connected to be communicable. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the control A single terminal having both functions of the information distribution terminal 7 and the distribution information collection terminal 8 can be used.

  Furthermore, in the distribution system 100, the access point 3, the user terminal 20, and the user terminal 21 are connected to each other so as to be capable of wireless communication. Further, the control information distribution terminal 7 and the distribution information collection terminal 8, and the user terminal 20 and the user terminal 21 are also connected to each other so as to be capable of wireless communication. In FIG. 1, for convenience, one access point 3, one control information distribution terminal 7, one distribution information collection terminal 8, and two user terminals 20 and 21 are shown. The present invention is not limited to these, and a plurality of access points, control information distribution terminals, distribution information collection terminals, and user terminals are included as constituent elements. As wireless communication, various methods including infrared communication and Bluetooth (registered trademark) can be used, and Bluetooth is applied in this embodiment. In the present invention, when wireless communication is infrared communication, the access point is an infrared port, and when wireless communication is an IC tag, the access point is an IC tag reader / writer.

  First, the outline of the content information distribution method by this system will be described. The access point 3 constituting the distribution system 100 is installed in association with an advertisement or the like that attracts the user's interest, and a content information distribution terminal that distributes content information associated with the advertisement to a plurality of user terminals. It is. When the access point 3 confirms that the user terminal exists in the communicable area, the access point 3 distributes the content information to the user terminal. A plurality of access points 3 are installed, from which various pieces of content information are distributed to the user terminals. The access point 3 acquires various content information from the content information server 4 via the network 2. The content information server 4 stores and manages content information distributed to each access point 3 in the content information DB 5.

  The user terminal 20 stores the content information acquired from the access point 3 in the content information area. Then, a user using the user terminal 20 can freely browse specific content information extracted from the content information stored in the content information area on the user terminal 20 by performing a predetermined operation. can do.

  Note that the user terminal 20 obtains distribution rules from the content information server 4 or other user terminals in advance and stores them in the distribution rule area. Although the details will be described later, the distribution rule prescribes conditions regarding content information to be preferentially distributed to other user terminals from the content information stored in the content information area. Further, the user terminal 20 acquires control information from the control information distribution terminal 7 and stores it in the control information area. Although details will be described later, the control information regulates control over distribution rules.

  The user terminal 20 selects distribution content information to be distributed to other user terminals from all the content information stored in the content information area in accordance with the acquired distribution rule, and other users existing in the communicable area Deliver to the terminal. The user terminal 20 resets the distribution rules stored in the distribution rule area based on the control information acquired from the control information distribution terminal 7. In this case, the distribution rule stored in the distribution rule area is updated to the distribution rule after resetting. That is, a distribution rule that always reflects the latest control information is stored in the distribution rule area. The user terminal 20 distributes the distribution rules stored in the distribution rule area and the control information stored in the control information area to other user terminals existing in the communicable area.

  Further, the user terminal 20 distributes content information based on content information received from other user terminals, content information stored in the content information area, and content information distributed to other user terminals. Generate distribution information about. Then, the user terminal 20 distributes the generated distribution information to the distribution information collection terminal 8. The distribution information collection terminal 8 determines whether or not the content information is distributed as desired by the distribution company by analyzing the received distribution information. If it is distributed as desired, information to that effect is distributed to the control information distribution terminal 7, and the control information distribution terminal 7 continues to distribute the control information as before. On the other hand, when the distribution is not performed as desired, the distribution information analysis result information is distributed to the control information distribution terminal 7, and the control information distribution terminal 7 generates new control information based on the analysis result information and distributes the distribution information. To do.

  In this way, the user terminal 20 acquires various content information and distribution rules from the access point 3 and other user terminals. In addition, the user terminal 20 acquires control information from the control information distribution terminal 7. Then, the user terminal 20 further distributes the content information stored in the content information area, the distribution rules stored in the distribution rule area, and the control information stored in the control information area to other user terminals. By repeating this, in the distribution system 100, various types of information are exchanged between the user terminals.

  In this case, the user terminal 20 distributes the content information according to the distribution rule, and the distribution rule can be changed by the control information. That is, the distribution company can adjust the distribution priority of the content information by changing the distribution rule held by each user terminal according to the control information. In other words, the distribution company can control the distribution status of the content information that changes over time by the control information. The user terminal 20 generates distribution information related to distribution of content information and distributes it to the distribution information collection terminal 8. As a result, the distribution information collection terminal 8 can recognize the distribution status of the content information in real time, and the control information distribution terminal 7 can appropriately determine the distribution status and the ideal distribution amount of the content information desired by the distribution company. It is possible to generate / distribute control information defined to be distribution rules.

[Content Information Server]
Next, the content information server 4 will be described in detail. The content information server 4 is connected to the content information DB 5, and distributes various content information stored in the content information DB 5 to the user terminal via the access point 3. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the data structure of the content information DB 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the content information DB 5 stores and manages content data and additional information using the content information ID as a key. Here, the content data is content main body information necessary for browsing the content information on the user terminal. The additional information is information associated with the content data, and details will be described later.

[User terminal]
Next, the user terminal will be described in detail. First, the internal configuration of the user terminal will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows the internal configuration of the user terminal 20 in the distribution system 100 of the present invention. Since the user terminal 21 has the same internal configuration as the user terminal 20, a description thereof will be omitted for the sake of convenience.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the user terminal 20 includes a storage area 210, a content information reception function 221, a content information distribution function 222, a content information selection function 223, a control information distribution function 224, a control information reception function 225, a distribution rule re-transmission. It has a setting function 226, a distribution information distribution function 227, a content information display function 228, and a communication function 230. The storage area 210 includes a content information area 211, a distribution rule area 212, and a control information area 213.

  The communication function 230 is a function for transmitting and receiving data to and from the access point 3, the control information distribution terminal 7, the distribution information collection terminal 8, and other user terminals. Specifically, it is a function for distributing control information, distribution information and content information, receiving control information and content information, and the like. In addition, the communication function 230 is a function for performing a neighborhood search that is a search for whether or not another user terminal exists within the communicable area of the user terminal 20. The distribution rules are not exchanged between user terminals as described above, and may be set in advance for each user terminal. Further, the same distribution rule may be set for all user terminals, or a different distribution rule may be set for each user terminal.

  The content information receiving function 221 is a function for receiving content information via the communication function 230 from the access point 3 and other user terminals existing in the communicable area. The content information receiving function 221 stores the received content information in the content information area 211 that is a constituent element of the storage area 210.

  The content information distribution function 222 is a function that distributes content information selected by a content information selection function 223 described later as distribution content information to other user terminals existing in the communicable area via the communication function 230.

  The content information selection function 223 selects content information to be distributed to other user terminals from the content information stored in the content information area 211 according to the priority order defined in the distribution rules stored in the distribution rule area 212. It is a function to select.

  The control information distribution function 224 is a function for distributing the control information extracted from the control information area 213 to other user terminals existing in the communicable area via the communication function 230.

  The control information receiving function 225 is a function for receiving control information from the control information distribution terminal 7 existing in the communicable area via the communication function 230. The control information reception function 225 stores the received control information in the control information area 231 that is a constituent element of the storage area 210. At this time, when predetermined control information is already stored in the control information area 213, the control information receiving function 225 overwrites and stores the newly received control information.

  The distribution rule resetting function 226 resets the distribution information stored in the distribution rule area 212 in accordance with the control information stored in the control information area 213, and overwrites and stores the reset distribution rule. It is a function. Here, the resetting of distribution information includes addition and deletion of distribution rules, change of distribution priority, and the like, details of which will be described later.

  The distribution information distribution function 227 includes a list of content information received by the content information reception function 221, a list of content information stored in the content information area 211, a list of content information distributed by the content information distribution function 222, and / or This is a function for generating distribution information related to the distribution status of content information in the distribution system 100 based on a log of content information displayed by a content information display function 228 described later. The distribution information distribution function 227 is a function for distributing the generated distribution information to the distribution information collection terminal 8 via the communication function 230.

  The content information display function 228 is a function that extracts specific content information from the content information area 211 based on an operation signal generated by a user operation, and displays it on the display unit of the user terminal. Here, the content information display function 228 takes a log relating to the displayed content information. Therefore, the user terminal 20 can recognize information related to content information viewed by the user, for example, user preference information, by analyzing the log.

[Control information distribution terminal and distribution information collection terminal]
Next, the control information distribution terminal 7 and the distribution information collection terminal 8 will be described in detail. First, the internal configurations of the control information distribution terminal 7 and the distribution information collection terminal 8 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the distribution information collection terminal 8 has a distribution information reception function 81, a distribution information storage area 82, a distribution amount analysis function 83, an ideal distribution amount storage area 84, and a distribution amount determination function 85.

  The distribution information receiving function 81 is a function for receiving distribution information related to distribution of content information in the distribution system 100 from a user terminal existing in the communicable area and storing it in the distribution information storage area 82.

  The distribution amount analysis function 83 is a function for calculating the distribution amount of the content information in the distribution system 100 and analyzing the distribution status by analyzing the distribution information stored in the distribution information storage function 82.

  The circulation amount determination function 84 compares the current circulation amount calculated by the circulation amount analysis function 83 with the ideal circulation amount stored in the ideal circulation amount storage area 84, so that the current circulation amount becomes the ideal circulation amount. This is a function for determining whether or not it is included in the range. The ideal circulation amount storage area 84 stores in advance the distribution amount of content information desired by the distribution company. When the current distribution amount is included in the range of the ideal distribution amount, the distribution amount determination function 84 distributes the fact to the control information distribution terminal 7 as information. On the other hand, when the current distribution amount is not included in the range of the ideal distribution amount, the distribution state of the content information analyzed by the distribution amount analysis function 83 is distributed to the control information distribution terminal 7 as analysis result information.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control information distribution terminal 7 has a control information distribution function 71 and a control information generation function 72.

  When the control information generation function 72 receives analysis result information from the distribution information collection terminal 8 because the current distribution amount is not included in the range of the ideal distribution amount, the control information generation function 72 generates content information based on the analysis result information. This is a function for generating new control information, which is a rule for changing distribution rules in order to approach the ideal distribution amount. Note that the control information generated by the control information generation function 72 is stored in a predetermined storage area.

  When the control information distribution function 71 receives information from the distribution information collection terminal 8 that the current distribution amount is included in the range of the ideal distribution amount, the control information distribution function 71 can continue to communicate the control information distributed until then. This is a function for distributing to user terminals existing in the area. On the other hand, when the current distribution amount is not included in the range of the ideal distribution amount, it is a function for distributing the control information generated by the control information generation function 72 to the user terminals existing in the communicable area. That is, the control information distribution terminal 7 distributes the control information stored in the predetermined storage area to the user terminal.

[Distribution rules]
Next, the distribution rules will be described with reference to FIG. In the user terminal, a plurality of distribution rules are stored in the distribution rule area 212 as shown in FIG. The distribution rule defines a distribution priority such as which content information is distributed in what order when content information extracted from the content information area 211 of the user terminal is distributed to other user terminals. Therefore, the user terminal distributes the content information stored in the content information area 211 to other user terminals based on the plurality of distribution rules stored in the distribution rule area 212. It is assumed that a plurality of distribution rules can be consistent even when used simultaneously. Moreover, although the case where there are a plurality of distribution rules has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can also be applied to cases where there is one distribution rule.

  FIG. 4B schematically shows the data structure of the distribution rule. Specifically, in the distribution rule, a content extraction condition, a distribution reordering condition, and a distribution priority are defined as indicating distribution priority. Here, the content extraction condition defines a condition for extracting content information to be distributed preferentially from the content information area 211, and specifically includes “area information: Shinjuku” as shown in the figure. . The distribution rearrangement condition defines content information to be distributed with higher priority among the content information matching the content extraction condition. Specifically, as shown in the figure, “1: Gourmet, 2: Movies, ... ". Here, as shown in FIG. 4B, the content extraction condition and the distribution rearrangement condition are collectively set as the content attribute.

  The distribution priority is set in association with the content attribute, and the distribution priority is higher as the content attribute is distributed preferentially. Specifically, as shown in the figure, the distribution priority “high” is set in the content attribute [α].

  According to this, the distribution priority of the content attribute [α] is set higher than that of the content attribute [β]. Therefore, the user terminal distributes the content information stored in the content information area 211 to other user terminals according to the content attribute [α]. Specifically, the user terminal preferentially delivers content information whose area information included in the additional information of the content information is “Shinjuku”, and among the content information of the area information “Shinjuku”, the genre information is “gourmet” Distribute content information with priority. That is, the distribution rule prescribes the distribution priority of the content information step by step according to the content extraction condition, the distribution rearrangement condition, and the distribution priority. Therefore, if the same distribution rule is set for all user terminals in the distribution system 100, the content information is probabilistically distributed based on the policy described in the distribution rule.

  Details of additional information, area information, and genre information of content information will be described later.

[Content Information]
Next, the content information will be described in detail. FIG. 5 conceptually shows the structure of the content information. As shown in FIG. 5, the content information is composed of additional information and content data. The content data is information of the content information main body that is necessary when browsing the content information on the user terminal. On the other hand, the additional information is information tagged in association with the content data, and may be automatically generated from a keyword in the content data, or manually set by the content information server 4 or the content information creator. Good. Specific examples of information set as additional information include a content information ID for identifying content data, keyword information representing content data, genre information of content data, area information indicating an area to which the content data relates, and a deadline for content data Information. Further, data for guaranteeing the originality of content data, such as a digital signature of the content information creator and a hash value for preventing falsification, may be set as additional information.

  The additional information is information that is automatically or manually set by the content information server 4 or the content information creator, and whether or not to be included in the content information is arbitrary. In other words, as shown in FIG. 4, there are two types of content information, content information composed of additional information and content data, and content information composed only of content data. Content information can be applied.

  As described above, the user terminal distributes the content information to other user terminals existing in the communicable area according to the distribution rule. At this time, FIG. 6 shows information for determining whether or not the content information and the file conform to the rules of the distribution rule.

  As shown in the figure, the information for determining the data included in the content information is composed of conditions and specific examples. The conditions may be “when no additional information is included”, “when text data”, “when created in a standard format”, and “when additional information is included”.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when additional information is not included, specific examples of information for determining content information include a file name, an extension, a size, and the like.

  In addition, when the content information is text data regardless of whether or not additional information is included, a specific example of the information for determining the content information includes a word included in the text data. For example, as a distribution rule, content information including “fireworks” as a keyword is preferentially distributed from all content information stored in the content information area 211 based on the criterion “keyword search (keyword: fireworks)”. Is defined. In this case, the content information selection function 223 determines whether or not the keyword “fireworks” defined as the distribution rule is included in the words included in the text data of the content information. When the content information selection 223 determines that “fireworks” are included in the words included in the text data, the content information selection 223 selects the content information as distribution content information to be distributed with priority.

  In addition, when content information or the like is created in a standard format regardless of whether or not additional information is included, specific examples of information for discriminating content information and the like include the creator and editing time. Can be mentioned.

  In addition, when additional information is included, specific examples of information for determining content information and the like include genre information and area information included as additional information and the like.

  The content information selection function 223 performs processing based on the information for discriminating the content information as described above and the distribution rule. In principle, the content information selection function 223 has the content information specified in the distribution rule. The distribution content information to be distributed with priority is selected by determining whether or not it matches. Here, the term “match” is a broad concept that includes a complete match, a partial match, and a match in the magnitude relationship of numerical values. Note that the content information to be determined may be the whole content information or a part (one element) of the content information. Further, there may be a case where content information is divided and handled in advance.

[Content information distribution restriction]
Here, content information distribution restrictions will be described. First, a method for limiting the range in which content information is distributed by setting TTL (Time To Live), that is, the number of hops representing the number of transfers will be described. This is because TTL, which is a value representing the maximum number of transfers, is added to the content information, and the user terminal performs processing to reduce the TTL each time the content information is transferred, and the TTL becomes “0”. More than that, the content information is not transferred. For example, when the TTL is set to “2”, the content information reaches 100% from the first user terminal to the second user terminal. On the other hand, content information does not reach a user terminal that is three or more points away from the first user terminal.

  Next, a method for limiting the range in which content information is distributed by setting an expiration date will be described. This adds an expiration date to the content information, and the user terminal performs processing for checking the expiration date when transferring the content information. If the expiration date has expired, the content information is transferred further It is a method of not performing. For example, when the expiration date is set to “2003/03/01”, the content is “2003/03/02” or later regardless of how many user terminals are ahead of the first user terminal. No information is transferred.

  Next, a method for limiting the range in which content information is distributed by setting the number of distributions will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating content information distribution restriction when the number of distributions is set. This is because the number of times of distribution is set in the content information, and the user terminal performs a process of reducing the number of times of distribution according to a predetermined rule every time the content information is transferred, and the number of times of distribution is “0” or a decimal point less than “1”. In this case, the content information is not transferred any further.

  One rule for the process of reducing the number of distributions is to perform a process of halving the number of distributions every time content information is transferred, as shown in FIG. Specifically, when the user terminal 20 distributes the content information of the content information ID [C001] to which the distribution count [64] is added to the other user terminal 21, the distribution count of the user terminal 20 is half. It becomes. That is, the number of distributions [32] is set in the content information of the user terminal 20. The other user terminal 21 takes over half of the number of distributions of the user terminal 20. That is, the number of distributions [32] is also set in the content information of the user terminal 21. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7D, when the number of distributions is less than 1, the transfer of the content information is completed, and the content information is deleted from the content information area.

  When the same content information is received, as shown in FIG. 7B, a method in which a large number of distributions is adopted can be performed. Specifically, when the user terminal 20 distributes the content information in which the distribution count [256] is set to other user terminals 21, the distribution count of the user terminal 20 is halved. That is, the number of distributions [128] is set in the content information of the user terminal 20. The other user terminal 21 takes over half of the number of distributions of the user terminal 20. At this time, if the other user terminal 21 already has the same content information for which the number of times of distribution [2] is set, the number of times of distribution [2] added to the content information held by itself, The larger number of distributions is adopted in comparison with the number of distributions [128] taken over from the user terminal 20. In other words, as shown in the figure, the content information of the user terminals 20 and 21 is set to the distribution count [128].

  Further, when the same content information is received, a method of adding the number of distributions may be performed as shown in FIG. Specifically, when the user terminal 20 distributes the content information in which the distribution count [256] is set to other user terminals 21, the distribution count of the user terminal 20 is halved. That is, the number of distributions [128] is set in the content information of the user terminal 20. The other user terminal 21 takes over half of the number of distributions of the user terminal 20. At this time, if the other user terminal 21 already has the same content information for which the number of times of distribution [2] is set, the number of times of distribution [2] added to the content information held by itself, The delivery count [128] taken over from the subscriber terminal 20 is added. That is, as shown in the figure, the number of distributions [128] is set for the content information of the user terminal 20, and the number of distributions [130] is set for the content information of the user terminal 21.

  It should be noted that not only the content information but also the control information may be limited in the range to be distributed as described above.

[Control information]
Next, the control information will be described in detail. The control information is information generated by the control information distribution terminal 7 and information for controlling distribution rules stored in each user terminal. The user terminal resets the distribution rule based on the received control information, and as a result, controls the distribution status in the distribution system 100 so that specific content information is distributed with priority. In principle, the user is not aware of the control information, and the control information is not manipulated by the user.

  Here, the resetting of the distribution rules based on the control information will be described with reference to FIG. First, with reference to FIG. 8A, a description will be given of a case where resetting is performed such that one of a plurality of distribution rules stored in the distribution rule area 211 is replaced with another distribution rule. Specifically, based on the control information, resetting is performed so that [distribution rule A] stored in the distribution rule area 211 is replaced with [distribution rule D]. In this case, the control information defines a change rule condition and change contents. As the change rule condition, as shown in FIG. 8A, [distribution rule A] is defined. Also, the content of the change is [Replace with [Distribution Rule D]], and the data of [Distribution Rule D] is also defined.

  When receiving the control information as shown in FIG. 8A, the user terminal first determines whether or not a rule that matches the change rule condition exists in the distribution rule area 211. If there is no matching rule, the distribution rule is not reset. On the other hand, when there is a matching rule, that is, [distribution rule A], as shown in the figure, the [distribution rule A] is replaced with [distribution rule D] in accordance with the change contents defined in the control information. In this way, the user terminal resets the distribution rules based on the control information.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8B, a description will be given of a case where re-setting is performed to change the internal configuration of the distribution rule instead of the distribution rule unit stored in the distribution rule area 211. Specifically, based on the control information, resetting is performed such that a rule relating to the content attribute [θ] is added to the distribution rule A stored in the distribution rule area 211. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8B, [Distribution rule A] is defined in the control information. In addition, [add content attribute [θ].

  When receiving the control information as shown in FIG. 8B, the user terminal first determines whether or not a rule that matches the change rule condition exists in the distribution rule area 211. If there is no matching rule, the distribution rule is not reset. On the other hand, if there is a matching rule, that is, [Distribution rule A], [Addition of content attribute [θ]. In this way, the user terminal resets the distribution rules based on the control information.

  Note that the control information distribution terminal 7 can be defined to reset the distribution rule according to arbitrary control contents other than those described in FIG. For example, content attributes can be added or priorities can be changed in the distribution rules using the control information.

[Applicable conditions for control information]
When there is a rule that matches the change rule condition defined in the control information, the user terminal is forced to reset the rule as described above, but the present invention is limited to this. Instead, the distribution rule may be reset only when the application conditions are met. In this case, not only the change rule condition and the change content as shown in FIG. 8 but also the application condition is defined in the control information.

  Here, the application conditions will be described in detail. One example of the application condition is the position of the user terminal. That is, the user terminal resets the rule that matches the change rule condition only when the user terminal is present at the position defined as the application condition of the control information. In this case, the user terminal acquires position information from a terminal installed at a predetermined location such as the access point 3 or the control information distribution terminal 7, GPS, or the like. And a user terminal resets a rule only when the position information acquired from a predetermined terminal or GPS matches the application condition of control information. Specifically, by specifying the application condition of the control information as “near station A” and the change content as “change to a rule that preferentially distributes store information near station A”, it exists near station A. Store information in the vicinity is exchanged preferentially between user terminals. Therefore, the distribution company can automatically provide a lot of store information that meets the demands of users in the vicinity of station A.

  Other examples of application conditions include schedules and times. That is, the user terminal resets a rule that matches the change rule condition only at the date and time defined as the application condition. Specifically, by defining the application condition of control information as “Friday after 19:00” and the change content as “change to a rule that preferentially distributes gourmet information”, it is possible to gourmet between user terminals on Friday night. Information is exchanged preferentially. Thus, the distribution company can automatically provide information on restaurants and the like that meet the demands of users in town on Friday night.

  Other examples of application conditions include personal attributes. That is, the user terminal resets the rule that matches the change rule condition only when the user who uses the user terminal matches the personal attribute defined as the application condition. In this case, the user needs to register attribute information such as sex and age in advance in the user terminal. The user terminal resets the rule only when the registered attribute information matches the application condition of the control information. Specifically, by specifying the application condition of control information as “20s / female” and the change as “change to rules that preferentially distribute cosmetic information”, users in places where many women in their 20s gather Cosmetic information is preferentially exchanged between terminals. Therefore, the distribution company can automatically provide content information regarding the product in a place where a large number of target customers who purchase a specific product such as cosmetics gather, and can achieve an advertising effect and a sales promotion effect. .

  Yet another example of application conditions is user preference based on a display log. That is, the user terminal resets the rule that matches the change rule condition only when the content information corresponding to the condition regarding the preference defined as the application condition is displayed. In this case, the user terminal needs to recognize the content information log displayed by the content information display function 228 as a display log, and acquire user preference information based on the display log. The user terminal resets the rule only when the acquired preference information matches the application condition. Specifically, by defining the application conditions of the control information as “display content information related to movies” and the change as “changed to rules that preferentially distribute movie information”, content information related to movies is frequently viewed. Movie information is preferentially exchanged between user terminals in a place where many users gather. Therefore, the distribution company can automatically provide content information that matches the user's preference and interest.

[Content information distribution processing]
Next, content information distribution processing between user terminals executed by the distribution system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the content information distribution process.

  First, the user terminal 20 performs a neighborhood search, which is a search for whether or not another user terminal exists in the communicable area (step S1). When there is no other user terminal in the vicinity (step S2; NO), the user terminal 20 periodically performs a neighbor search until it exists. On the other hand, when another user terminal 21 exists in the user communicable area (step S2: YES), the user terminal 20 is stored in the content information area based on the distribution rules stored in advance. The content information having the highest distribution priority is selected from the content information (step S3). Then, the user terminal 20 distributes the selected content information as distribution content information to other user terminals 21 existing in the communicable area (step S4). The user terminal 21 receives content information as distribution content information from the user terminal 20 (step S5). Then, the user terminal 21 stores the content information in the content information area, thereby completing the content information distribution process (step S6).

  In this way, by repeating the transmission and reception of content information with other user terminals that have passed in a communicable area among a plurality of user terminals, it becomes possible to distribute content information in a P2P manner. Moreover, by setting a distribution rule that defines a distribution priority order indicating what kind of content information is distributed preferentially to other user terminals in each user terminal, the distribution system It is also possible to control distribution.

[Control information application processing]
Next, the control information application process executed by the distribution system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the control information application process.

  First, the user terminal 20 receives control information from the control information distribution terminal 7 existing in the communicable area (step S11). Then, the user terminal 20 stores the control information in the control information area (Step S12). Furthermore, the user terminal 20 determines whether there is a distribution rule stored in the distribution rule area that matches the change rule condition defined in the control information (step S13). If there is nothing that matches the change rule condition, the user terminal 20 proceeds to the process of step S16. On the other hand, when there is something that matches the change rule condition, the user terminal 20 resets the distribution rule by applying the change content defined in the control information to the matching rule (step S14). . Then, the user terminal 20 stores the reset distribution rule by overwriting the distribution rule area (step S15).

  Next, the user terminal 20 performs a neighborhood search, which is a search for whether there is another user terminal within the communicable area (step S16). When there is no other user terminal in the neighborhood (step S16; NO), the user terminal 20 periodically performs a neighborhood search until it exists. On the other hand, when the other user terminal 21 exists in the user communicable area (step S16; YES), the user terminal 20 extracts the distribution rule stored in the distribution rule area, and uses the other user terminal. To the user terminal 21 (step S17). That is, the distribution rule reset based on the control information is distributed to other user terminals 21. On the other hand, the user terminal 21 that has received the distribution rule stores the distribution rule in the distribution rule area owned by the user terminal 21 (step S18).

  The user terminal 20 selects content information to be distributed from the content information area to another user terminal based on the distribution rules stored in the distribution rule area (step S19). That is, the content information is selected based on the distribution rule reset based on the control information (step S20). Furthermore, the user terminal 20 distributes the selected content information to other user terminals 21 existing in the communicable area (step S20). Then, the user terminal 21 receives the content information from the user terminal 20 and stores it in the content information area owned by itself, thereby completing the control information application process (step S21).

  In this way, the control information resets the distribution rules set in each user terminal. Therefore, when the control information propagates to a predetermined area, the area around that area is reset by the policy described in the control information. Content information is distributed based on the distributed rules. That is, the content information is distributed probabilistically based on the policy described in the control information. Therefore, in the distribution system 100, distribution rules can be dynamically controlled although the distribution information is indirectly distributed by setting distribution rules for each user terminal and distributing control information. That is, it is possible to realize autonomous distribution of content information according to a specific area and time.

[Control information distribution process]
Next, control information distribution processing executed by the distribution system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the control information distribution process.

  The distribution information collection terminal 8 first receives distribution information from the user terminal 20 existing in the communicable area (step S21). Then, the distribution information collection terminal 8 extracts the ideal distribution amount desired by the distribution company from the ideal distribution amount storage area (step S22). Furthermore, the distribution information collection terminal 8 generates analysis information representing the current distribution amount and distribution status of the content information in the distribution system 100 by analyzing the distribution information received in step S21 (step S23). Then, the distribution information collection terminal 8 determines whether or not the current distribution amount is included in the range of the ideal distribution amount extracted in step S22 based on the generated analysis information (step S24). When the current distribution amount is included in the range of the ideal distribution amount (step S24; YES), the distribution information collection terminal 8 distributes the information to that effect to the control information distribution terminal 7, and proceeds to the process of step S27. . On the other hand, when the current distribution amount is not included in the range of the ideal distribution amount (step S24; NO), the distribution information collection terminal 8 distributes the generated analysis information to the control information distribution terminal 7.

  The control information distribution terminal 7 receives the analysis information from the distribution information collection terminal 8 (step S25). Then, based on the analysis information, the control information distribution terminal 7 generates control information defined so as to reset the distribution rule so far to a distribution rule that brings the content information closer to the ideal distribution amount (step S26). ). Further, the control information distribution terminal 7 distributes the generated control information to the user terminal 20 existing in the communicable area (step S27). When it is determined in step S24 that the current distribution amount is within the range of the ideal distribution amount, the control information distribution terminal 7 does not use the new control information but the previous control information as the user terminal 20. Delivered to. Then, when the user terminal 20 receives the control information, the control information distribution process is completed (step S28).

  As described above, the distribution information collection terminal 8 determines whether or not the content information that the distribution company wants to distribute is appropriately distributed in the distribution system 100. If the distribution information collection terminal 8 has not reached the specified distribution amount, the control information The distribution terminal 7 generates and distributes control information for distributing the content information with priority. According to this, when the distribution amount desired by the distribution company has not been reached, the control information is distributed and the distribution rule set in each user terminal is re-set so that the content is distributed preferentially. Information can be indirectly specified in real time. Therefore, the distribution status of the content information can be controlled by the distribution rules set in the user terminal and the control information distributed in the distribution system 100.

  In the above embodiment, the control information distribution terminal 7 and the distribution information collection terminal 8 are dedicated terminals. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a terminal having other functions, such as an access point, for example. 3 can be used together with the terminal.

  In the above embodiment, the control information distribution terminal 7 generates the control information based on the analysis result information generated by the distribution information collection terminal 8, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control information distribution terminal 7 is connected to the control information DB, and the control information corresponding to the various distribution forms of the content information can be stored in the control information DB. In this case, the control information distribution terminal 7 does not generate control information based on the analysis result information, but extracts control information corresponding to the most appropriate distribution form from the control information DB based on the analysis result information. Will be delivered to the user terminal.

  In a content information distribution system using P2P, the probability that content information distributed by a user terminal is widely propagated depends on the number of times the user terminals pass each other and the amount of information that can be distributed when the user passes, The amount of information that can be distributed is represented by the product of the time during which two user terminals exist within the communication range and communication is established, and the communication speed. Therefore, when a communication method with a narrow communication range radius and a low communication speed is used, the propagation probability is low, and the possibility that the spread content information is biased increases. In other words, when all the content information stored in the content information area cannot be exchanged by the user terminal at the time of one communication, the content information to be distributed depends on the distribution order when it is different, so the propagation probability is low, Content information distributed preferentially by each user terminal is advantageous. Therefore, as in the present invention, the distribution priority order is defined by the distribution rules, and the distribution priority order can be freely changed by the control information, so that the distribution status of the content information in the distribution system can be changed indirectly and in real time. It becomes possible to control dynamically.

[Modification]
In the above-described embodiment, individual information such as position, date / time, personal attribute, and display log is cited as the application condition of the control information, but the present invention is not limited to this, and there is a user terminal. Presence information, which is comprehensive information about the environment, can also be adopted.

  Here, the presence information will be described in detail. Specific examples of presence information include location, altitude, location attribute information (close to shopping streets, restaurants, etc.), weather information, traffic information, number of peripheral user terminals, and surrounding wireless communication environment (noise) Etc.). The presence information is information that is not merged or modified by the user terminal in principle.

  Presence information is distributed to the user terminal via each access point 3 based on the location where the predetermined server that manages the presence information is located. In addition, presence information is distributed between user terminals within the validity period.

  Here, the expiration date that the presence information has will be described. Specifically, the expiration date is an issue time of presence information by a predetermined server, an effective time from the issue time, the number of hops, and the like. Presence information is information provided from the access point 3 or another user terminal, and the user terminal imitates information related to the environment in which the user terminal exists. The distribution range is limited. In order to improve the reliability of presence information by providing a distribution range, that is, a regional restriction, it is conceivable to shorten the effective time from the issue time or reduce the number of hops.

  When such presence information is used as an application condition, the user terminal resets a rule that matches the change rule condition only when the presence information held by the user terminal matches the environment defined as the application condition. Become. Specifically, by defining the application condition of the control information as “temperature is 30 degrees or higher” and the change content as “changed to a rule for preferential distribution of beer garden information”, the user terminal on a summer day of 30 degrees or higher Information about beer gardens will be exchanged preferentially. Therefore, the distribution company can automatically provide information on the beer garden that meets the needs of users who are outside on a midsummer day.

  According to the distribution system of the present invention, the distribution status of the content information is determined in real time based on the distribution rule that defines the distribution priority order of the content information and the control information that can dynamically change the distribution rule. It can be controlled indirectly.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the distribution system in this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the data structure of content information DB. It is a functional block diagram of a user terminal etc. which are included in the distribution system shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the data structure of a distribution rule. It is a figure which shows the data structure of content information typically. It is a table | surface which shows the information for discriminating content information. It is a figure which shows typically about the delivery restriction | limiting of the content information when the frequency | count of delivery is set. It is a figure which shows typically the data structure at the time of resetting a distribution rule based on control information. It is a flowchart of the content information delivery process in this invention. It is a flowchart of the control information application process in this invention. It is a flowchart of the control information delivery process in this invention.

Explanation of symbols

2 ... Network 3 ... Access point 4 ... Content information server 5 ... Content information DB
7 ... Control information distribution terminal 8 ... Distribution information collection terminal 20 ... User terminal 21 ... User terminal 100 ... Distribution system

Claims (16)

A user terminal having a storage area for storing information and capable of communicating with other user terminals,
Content information acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of content information;
Content information storage means for storing the acquired content information in a content information area constituting the storage area;
Distribution rule acquisition means for acquiring distribution rules defining conditions relating to content information to be distributed preferentially to the other user terminals from the content information stored in the content information area;
Distribution rule storage means for storing the distribution rule in a distribution rule area constituting the storage area;
Content information distribution means for preferentially distributing content information that matches the conditions stipulated in the distribution rules from the content information stored in the content information area to other user terminals;
Control information receiving means for receiving control information defining control over the distribution rules;
Control information storage means for storing the control information in a control information area constituting the storage area;
Distribution rule resetting means for resetting the rules of the distribution rule based on the control information;
Distribution rule update means for updating the distribution rule stored in the distribution rule area to the distribution rule reset by the distribution rule resetting means;
A user terminal comprising: control information distribution means for distributing control information stored in the control information area to another user terminal. The distribution rule is composed of a plurality of rules,
The control information defines a change rule condition to be changed in the distribution rule and its change contents,
The user terminal is
Rule determining means for determining whether there is a rule that matches the change rule condition defined by the control information among the rules included in the distribution rule stored in the distribution rule area;
The distribution rule resetting means determines the distribution rule by changing the change rule based on the change contents when the rule determination means determines that there is a rule that matches the change rule condition. The user terminal according to claim 1, wherein the user terminal is reset. The control information defines a condition regarding the position of the user terminal as an application condition when the distribution rule is reset,
The user terminal is
It further comprises position information acquisition means for acquiring information regarding the position where the user terminal exists,
The distribution rule resetting unit resets the distribution rule based on the control information only when the position information matches a condition relating to a position defined as the application condition. Item 3. The user terminal according to item 1 or 2. The control information prescribes a condition regarding date and time as an application condition when resetting the distribution rule,
The user terminal is
It further comprises time information acquisition means for acquiring time information related to date and time
The distribution rule resetting means resets the rules of the distribution rule based on the control information only when the time information matches a condition relating to a date and time specified as the application condition. Item 4. The user terminal according to any one of Items 1 to 3. The control information prescribes a condition relating to a user who uses the user terminal as an application condition when resetting the distribution rule,
The user terminal is
Attribute information acquisition means for acquiring attribute information about the user,
The distribution rule resetting means resets the rules of the distribution rule based on the control information only when the attribute information matches a condition related to a user specified as the application condition. The user terminal as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4. The user terminal includes a display unit for displaying information,
The control information defines a condition relating to user preference as an application condition when resetting the distribution rule,
Display means for displaying specific content information extracted from the content information stored in the content information area on the display unit based on an operation signal;
Analyzing the log relating to the content information displayed by the display means, further comprising preference information acquisition means for acquiring preference information related to the user's preference;
The distribution rule resetting unit resets the distribution rule based on the control information only when the preference information matches a condition related to a user's preference specified as the application condition. The user terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The control information defines conditions regarding the environment in which the user terminal exists as an application condition when resetting the distribution rule,
The user terminal includes presence information acquisition means for acquiring presence information relating to an environment in which the user terminal exists;
The distribution rule resetting means resets the distribution rule definition based on the control information only when the presence information matches an environment condition specified as the application condition. Item 7. The user terminal according to any one of Items 1 to 6. The user terminal can communicate with a distribution terminal that distributes the control information,
The distribution of the content information based on any one or more of content information distributed by the content information distribution unit, content information stored by the content information storage unit, and content information acquired by the content information acquisition unit Distribution information generating means for generating distribution information;
The user terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising distribution information distribution means for distributing distribution information generated by the distribution information generation means to the distribution terminal. A distribution terminal that can communicate with a user terminal,
The user terminal has a distribution rule that prescribes conditions relating to content information to be distributed preferentially to other user terminals,
The distribution terminal is
Control information storage means for storing control information that prescribes control over the distribution rules in association with a plurality of distribution forms related to the content information;
A distribution terminal comprising: control information distribution means for distributing control information extracted from the control information storage means based on a specific distribution form to the user terminal. A distribution terminal that can communicate with a user terminal,
The user terminal has a distribution rule that prescribes conditions relating to content information to be distributed preferentially to other user terminals,
The distribution terminal is
Ideal circulation volume storage means for storing the ideal circulation volume of the content information as an ideal circulation volume;
Distribution information receiving means for receiving distribution information related to distribution of the content information from the user terminal;
Based on the distribution information, analysis means for analyzing the current distribution amount of the content information;
Control information generating means for generating control information defining control for the distribution rules based on the current distribution volume analyzed by the analysis means and the ideal distribution volume stored in the ideal circulation volume storage means;
A distribution terminal comprising: control information distribution means for distributing control information generated by the control information generation means to the user terminal. The distribution terminal is
Control information storage means for storing control information generated by the control information generation means;
Determination means for determining whether or not the current circulation volume analyzed by the analysis means is included in a range of the ideal circulation volume stored in the ideal circulation volume storage means,
The control information distribution unit distributes the control information stored in the control information storage unit when the determination unit determines that the current distribution amount is included in the range of the ideal distribution amount, and the determination unit The distribution terminal according to claim 10, wherein the control information generated by the control information generation unit is distributed when it is determined that the current distribution amount is not included in the range of the ideal distribution amount. A storage area for storing information, a program executed by a computer capable of communicating with another computer,
Content information acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of content information;
Content information storage means for storing the acquired content information in a content information area constituting the storage area;
Distribution rule acquisition means for acquiring a distribution rule that prescribes conditions relating to content information to be distributed preferentially to the other computer from the content information stored in the content information area;
Distribution rule storage means for storing the distribution rule in a distribution rule area constituting the storage area;
Content information distribution means for preferentially distributing content information that meets the conditions stipulated in the distribution rules from the content information stored in the content information area to other computers;
Control information receiving means for receiving control information defining control over the distribution rule;
Control information storage means for storing the control information in a control information area constituting the storage area;
Distribution rule resetting means for resetting the rules of the distribution rule based on the control information;
Distribution rule updating means for updating the distribution rule stored in the distribution rule area to the distribution rule reset by the distribution rule resetting means;
A program for causing a computer to function as control information distribution means for distributing control information stored in the control information area to another computer. A program executed by a computer capable of communicating with a user terminal,
The user terminal has a distribution rule that prescribes conditions relating to content information to be distributed preferentially to other user terminals,
The program is
Control information storage means for storing control information that regulates control over the distribution rules in association with a plurality of distribution forms related to the content information;
A program for causing the computer to function as control information distribution means for distributing control information extracted from the control information storage means based on a specific distribution form to the user terminal. A program executed by a computer capable of communicating with a user terminal,
The user terminal has a distribution rule that prescribes conditions relating to content information to be distributed preferentially to other user terminals,
The program is
Ideal circulation volume storage means for storing an ideal circulation volume of the content information as an ideal circulation volume;
Distribution information receiving means for receiving distribution information related to distribution of the content information from the user terminal,
Analyzing means for analyzing a current distribution amount of the content information based on the distribution information;
Control information generating means for generating control information defining control for the distribution rule based on the current distribution volume analyzed by the analyzing means and the ideal distribution volume stored in the ideal circulation volume storage means;
A program for causing the computer to function as control information distribution means for distributing control information generated by the control information generation means to the user terminal. A distribution system that uses user terminals and distribution terminals that can communicate with each other,
The user terminal is
It has a storage area for storing information,
Content information acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of content information;
Content information storage means for storing the acquired content information in a content information area constituting the storage area;
Distribution rule acquisition means for acquiring distribution rules defining conditions relating to content information to be distributed preferentially to the other user terminals from the content information stored in the content information area;
Distribution rule storage means for storing the distribution rule in a distribution rule area constituting the storage area;
Content information distribution means for preferentially distributing content information that matches the conditions stipulated in the distribution rules from the content information stored in the content information area to other user terminals;
Control information receiving means for receiving control information defining control over the distribution rules;
Control information storage means for storing the control information in a control information area constituting the storage area;
Distribution rule resetting means for resetting the rules of the distribution rule based on the control information;
Distribution rule update means for updating the distribution rule stored in the distribution rule area to the distribution rule reset by the distribution rule resetting means;
Control information distribution means for distributing the control information stored in the control information area to other user terminals,
The distribution terminal is
Control information storage means for storing the control information in association with a plurality of distribution forms related to the content information;
A distribution system comprising: control information distribution means for distributing control information extracted from the control information storage means based on a specific distribution form to the user terminal. A distribution system that uses user terminals and distribution terminals that can communicate with each other,
The user terminal is
It has a storage area for storing information,
Content information acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of content information;
Content information storage means for storing the acquired content information in a content information area constituting the storage area;
Distribution rule acquisition means for acquiring distribution rules defining conditions relating to content information to be distributed preferentially to the other user terminals from the content information stored in the content information area;
Distribution rule storage means for storing the distribution rule in a distribution rule area constituting the storage area;
Content information distribution means for distributing the content information stored in the content information area to other user terminals based on the distribution rules;
Control information receiving means for receiving control information defining control over the distribution rules;
Control information storage means for storing the control information in a control information area constituting the storage area;
Distribution rule resetting means for resetting the rules of the distribution rule based on the control information;
Distribution rule update means for updating the distribution rule stored in the distribution rule area to the distribution rule reset by the distribution rule resetting means;
Control information distribution means for distributing the control information stored in the control information area to other user terminals;
The distribution of the content information based on any one or more of content information distributed by the content information distribution unit, content information stored by the content information storage unit, and content information acquired by the content information acquisition unit Distribution information generating means for generating distribution information;
Distribution information distribution means for distributing distribution information generated by the distribution information generation means to the distribution terminal,
The distribution terminal is
Ideal circulation volume storage means for storing the ideal circulation volume of the content information as an ideal circulation volume;
Distribution information receiving means for receiving distribution information related to distribution of the content information from the user terminal;
Based on the distribution information, analysis means for analyzing the current distribution amount of the content information;
Control information generating means for generating the control information based on the current circulation volume analyzed by the analyzing means and the ideal circulation volume stored in the ideal circulation volume storage means;
A distribution system comprising: control information distribution means for distributing control information generated by the control information generation means to the user terminal.

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