JP2005339022A - Content distribution system, content transmitting device, content receiving device and content distribution method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a content receiving device detachable easily to a content transmitting device. <P>SOLUTION: An end transmitter 3 has a light emitting part 5 for outputting a content via optical communication. The light emitting part 5 carries out optical communication with a light receiving part of a portable receiving terminal 2, and has a guide means which aligns light axes of optical elements to make the portable receiving terminal 2 mounted to the end transmitter 3. Thereby, if the portable receiving terminal 2 is roughly aligned and mounted to a mounting part 4 of the end transmitter 3, optical communication becomes possible for the end transmitter 3 and the portable receiving terminal 2, and the content is distributed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a content distribution system that distributes content by optical communication, a content transmission device and a content reception device that constitute the content distribution system, and a content distribution method. Specifically, the removable optical coupling means includes guide means for guiding the positions of the content transmitting apparatus and the content receiving apparatus to a position where the light emitting means and the light receiving means face each other so that optical communication can be performed. The receiver can be attached and detached easily and reliably.

  In order to achieve content distribution in highly public places such as streets, it is required to distribute content in a short time with a simple operation. Further, since it is used by an unspecified number of users, durability is also required.

In a method using an electric cable as a content transmission means, a large volume of content cannot be delivered in a short time. In view of this, a content distribution system using optical communication has been proposed. In a method using optical communication as a content transmission means, first, the use of an optical fiber cable can be considered. However, the connector of the optical fiber cable has low durability against repeated attachment and detachment, and is not suitable for a system used by an unspecified number of users.

  For this reason, a system that enables optical communication without contact has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-258737 A

  In order to enable optical communication without contact, it is important to align the transmitting side and the receiving side. When a laser is used as a light source, light cannot be received on the receiving side, particularly when the optical axes on the light emitting side and the light receiving side are inclined.

  For this reason, since a mechanism for aligning the transmitting side and the receiving side is required, there is a problem that it is difficult to attach and detach the transmitting side and the receiving side. Thus, since there is no optical coupling means suitable for attachment / detachment, there is a problem that it is difficult to realize a system that uses optical communication in a system that distributes content to a large number of users.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and enables content to be easily and reliably attached to and detached from the content transmission device, and content can be distributed with a simple operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a distribution system, a content transmission device and a content reception device that constitute the content distribution system, and a content distribution method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a content distribution system according to the present invention is a content distribution system in which a content transmission device and a content reception device are coupled by a detachable optical coupling unit, and content is distributed by optical communication. A communication means for transmitting content from the content transmitting apparatus to the content receiving apparatus by a pair of light emitting means and light receiving means included in the optical coupling means, wherein the optical coupling means indicates the positions of the content transmitting apparatus and the content receiving apparatus, Are provided with guide means for guiding them to positions where optical communication can be performed.

  In the content distribution system according to the present invention, the content transmitting device and the content receiving device are optically coupled by guiding the position by the guide unit of the optical coupling unit so that the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit face each other and perform optical communication. To do. Thus, when the content receiving device is roughly aligned and attached to the content transmitting device, the content can be distributed.

  The content distribution system according to the present invention is a content distribution system in which a content transmission device and a content reception device are coupled by a detachable optical coupling unit, and the content is distributed by optical communication. Means and a light receiving means, comprising: a first communication means for transmitting content from the content transmitting apparatus to the content receiving apparatus; and at least a second communication means for performing communication from the content receiving apparatus to the content transmitting apparatus. And a guide means for guiding the position of the content transmitting apparatus and the content receiving apparatus to a position where the light emitting means and the light receiving means face each other and perform optical communication.

  In the content distribution system according to the present invention, the content transmitting device and the content receiving device are optically coupled by guiding the position by the guide unit of the optical coupling unit so that the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit face each other and perform optical communication. Then, the content can be distributed by the first communication means.

  Then, for example, content specifying information for specifying the content to be acquired is notified from the content receiving device to the content transmitting device by the second communication means, and desired content is distributed from the content transmitting device to the content receiving device by the first communication means. The

  The content transmission device according to the present invention is coupled to the content reception device by a detachable optical coupling means, and the content transmission device distributes the content by optical communication. The optical coupling means is provided with guide means for guiding the position of the content receiving apparatus to a position where the light emitting means and the light receiving means of the content receiving apparatus face each other and perform optical communication. .

  In the content transmission device according to the present invention, the position of the content receiving device is guided and optically coupled by the guide unit of the optical coupling unit so that the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit face each other and optical communication can be performed. Thus, the content can be distributed.

  The content receiving apparatus according to the present invention is coupled to the content transmitting apparatus by a detachable optical coupling means, and in the content receiving apparatus for receiving content distributed by optical communication, the content transmission is performed by the light receiving means provided in the optical coupling means. Communication means for receiving content from the apparatus, and the optical coupling means includes guide means for guiding the position of the content transmitting apparatus to a position where the light receiving means and the light emitting means of the content transmitting apparatus face each other and perform optical communication. It is a thing.

  In the content receiving apparatus according to the present invention, the position of the light transmitting unit and the light receiving unit are opposed to each other by the guide unit of the optical coupling unit and optically coupled so that optical communication can be performed. Thus, the content can be received.

  A content distribution method according to the present invention is a content distribution method in which a content receiving device is attached to a content transmitting device, and content is distributed by near-field optical communication in which a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit are opposed to each other. When the content reception device detects the reception of the optical signal, the content reception device continues to receive the content until the content can be received normally, and stops receiving the content when the content can be received normally. It is a thing.

  In the content distribution method according to the present invention, content is repeatedly output by an optical signal in the content transmission device. In the content receiving apparatus, when receiving light is detected by being attached to the content transmitting apparatus, it is determined that near-field optical communication with the content transmitting apparatus is possible, and content reception processing is performed.

  In the content receiving device, while receiving the optical signal, the reception processing is performed until the content can be normally received. If it is determined that the content can be received normally, the reception process is stopped even if an optical signal is received thereafter.

  Since the content is repeatedly output from the content transmitting device, the content receiving device can normally receive the content while receiving the optical signal. Since the content is distributed by optical communication, the reception process is performed in a short time even if the reception process is repeated due to a reception error.

  According to the content distribution system, the content transmission device, and the content reception device according to the present invention, when the content transmission device and the content reception device are optically coupled to distribute content, the light emitting means and the light receiving means are opposed to each other. By performing optical communication through space, it is not necessary to use an optical cable.

  Since the positions of the content transmission device and the content reception device are guided, the content transmission device and the content reception device can be easily attached and detached. Further, since the optical coupling means is provided with the guide means, the alignment accuracy is high, and the possibility of occurrence of a communication error or the like is low.

  Furthermore, by performing one-way communication from the content transmission device to the content reception device, optical axis alignment between the content transmission device and the content reception device can be realized with a simple configuration.

  Thereby, in a content distribution system used by an unspecified number of users, a system using optical communication for content distribution can be realized at low cost.

  Also, by providing communication means independent of the communication system for content distribution, it is possible to notify information from the content receiving device to the content transmitting device, but communication from the content receiving device to the content transmitting device uses wireless or the like. Thus, the optical axis alignment between the content transmission device and the content reception device can be realized with a simple configuration.

  Further, for example, content specifying information for specifying content to be acquired is notified from the content receiving device to the content transmitting device, so that desired content can be acquired without operating the content transmitting device.

  According to the content distribution method of the present invention, content output from the content transmission device can be received by the content reception device without transmitting and receiving control information between the content transmission device and the content reception device. Content can be delivered in a short time with a simple operation.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a content distribution system, a content transmission device, a content reception device, and a content distribution method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Outline of content distribution system>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a content distribution system according to the present embodiment. The content distribution system 1 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the portable receiving terminal 2 is set in the terminal transmitter 3 and contents such as video and music are distributed from the terminal transmitter 3 to the portable receiving terminal 2.

  The portable receiving terminal 2 is owned by an unspecified number of users, and the terminal transmitter 3 is installed on a street or the like. In this example, distribution of content from the terminal transmitter 3 to the portable receiving terminal 2 is performed by optical communication. Between the terminal transmitter 3 and the portable receiving terminal 2, information related to control other than the contents is transmitted in both directions as necessary. However, transmission of a large amount of data such as contents is received from the terminal transmitter 3 by portable reception. One direction to the terminal 2 is assumed. This enables optical communication with an optical connector having a simple configuration.

  The outline of the configuration of the terminal transmitter 3 will be described. The terminal transmitter 3 is an example of a content transmission device, and includes the mounting unit 4 of the portable receiving terminal 2 on the top surface and the light emitting unit 5 on the mounting unit 4. Further, the display 6 may be provided side by side with the mounting portion 4. When the content distributed to the mobile receiving terminal 2 includes video, the display 6 displays the content distributed to the mobile receiving terminal 2, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the arrangement of each part is set so that the display 6 is not hidden in the state where the mobile receiving terminal 2 is set in the mounting part 4 of the terminal transmitter 3.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the mobile receiving terminal. Next, an outline of the configuration of the mobile receiving terminal 2 will be described. Here, FIG. 2A is an external perspective view of the mobile reception terminal 2 viewed from the front, and FIG. 2B is an external perspective view of the mobile reception terminal 2 viewed from the back.

  The portable receiving terminal 2 is an example of a content receiving apparatus, and includes a display 7 on the front as shown in FIG. In addition, an operation unit 8 is provided for specifying contents to be reproduced on the display.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the portable receiving terminal 2 includes a light receiving unit 9 on the back surface. Although details of the configuration of the light receiving unit 9 and the light emitting unit 5 of the terminal transmitter 3 shown in FIG. 1 will be described later, the light emitting unit 5 and the light receiving unit 9 are detachably coupled, and the laser light emitted from the terminal transmitter 3 is received. Light is received by the portable receiving terminal 2. When the user sets the portable receiving terminal 2 on the mounting portion 4 of the terminal transmitter 3, the optical axis on the light emitting side and the light receiving side coincide with each other if roughly aligned and set. .

  As a result, a system in which content can be distributed to the mobile receiving terminal 2 simply by placing the mobile receiving terminal 2 on the mounting portion 4 of the terminal transmitter 3 is configured.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing another configuration example of the portable receiving terminal. The portable receiving terminal 2B shown in FIG. 3 includes a storage device such as a hard disk drive device as will be described later, and can function as an external storage device such as a personal computer. Communication with the terminal transmitter 3 shown in FIG. In addition, an electrical connector 10 such as a USB or IEEE1394 is provided for connection with a personal computer or the like.

  Since the connector 10 is less frequently attached and detached, an optical connector may be used. Further, although not shown, the portable receiving terminal 2 of FIG. 2 may also include a connector for connecting to an external device.

<Configuration of optical connector>
Next, the configuration of an optical connector that optically couples the portable receiving terminal 2 and the terminal transmitter 3 in the content distribution system 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a configuration example of the optical connector of the present embodiment.

  The optical connector 11 is an example of optical coupling means, and includes a convex holder 12 and a concave holder 13. The convex holder 12 is an example of a first connector and includes an inclined convex portion 14 whose diameter gradually decreases toward the tip. The concave holder 13 is an example of a second connector and includes an opening concave portion 15 into which the inclined convex portion 14 is fitted. Furthermore, in this example, the convex holder 12 is configured to be movable.

  Then, with the fitting using the inclined convex portion 14 and the opening concave portion 15 as the alignment guide means, positioning is performed using the inclined surface of the inclined convex portion 14 as a guide, and the first abutting surface 16 formed on the convex holder 12 and the concave portion are formed. The second abutting surface 17 formed on the holder 13 is used as an abutting guide means so that the connection can be made without tilting the optical axis.

  FIG. 5 is a partially broken perspective view showing a configuration example of the convex holder 12. First, the configuration of the convex holder 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

  The convex holder 2 constitutes the light emitting section 5 shown in FIG. 1 and includes an inclined convex section 14 and a holder guide section 18. The inclined convex portion 14 has a circular cross-sectional shape, for example, a convex spherical surface protruding in a hemispherical shape, and has a shape that gradually decreases in diameter toward the distal end in the insertion direction. In addition, you may comprise the inclination convex part 14 with a tapered conical surface.

  The tip end side of the inclined protrusion 14 protrudes in a cylindrical shape to form an opening 19, and the first abutting surface 16 is formed at the tip of the cylindrical protrusion. The first abutting surface 16 is configured by a ring-shaped plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the opening 19.

  The holder guide portion 18 is a slope that extends in a tapered shape from the bottom side of the inclined convex portion 14 and is formed over the circumferential direction. A flange portion 20 and a rotation restraining piece 21 are provided outside the holder guide portion 18. The flange portion 20 protrudes from the outer periphery of the holder guide portion 18 in a ring shape. The rotation restraining piece 21 is formed to protrude from a part of the flange portion 20. In this example, the rotation suppression pieces 21 are formed at two opposing locations on the outer periphery of the flange portion 20.

  The convex holder 12 includes a laser diode (LD) 22 as a light emitting means. Although not shown, the convex holder 2 has a mounting portion for the LD substrate 23, and the laser diode 22 is mounted on the LD substrate 23 attached to the convex holder 12.

  The convex holder 12 includes a lens 24. A lens holder 25 is attached to the opening 19 of the convex holder 12, and a lens 24 is attached to the lens holder 25. Here, the laser diode 22 is mounted on the optical axis of the lens 24, and the light emitted from the laser diode 22 enters the lens 24 and becomes parallel light.

  The accuracy of each part is determined so that the first abutting surface 16 is a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens 24. Note that the coordinates along the optical axis of the lens 24 are the Z axis, and the orthogonal coordinate system with respect to the Z axis is the X axis and the Y axis.

  The convex holder 12 is attached to a housing 26 constituting the terminal transmitter 3 shown in FIG. The housing 26 includes an opening 27. Further, a support plate 28 constituting a support mechanism is provided at a position facing the opening 27.

  The opening 27 is a circular opening that is larger than the diameter of the inclined convex portion 14 of the convex holder 12 and smaller than the diameter of the holder guide portion 18. In addition, the opening 27 is formed with a stepped portion 29 for retracting the slope of the guide holder portion 18 on the back side of the housing 26.

  The support plate 28 is supported on the back surface of the housing 26 via the leg 30. The convex holder 12 is supported on the support plate 28 by the spring 31. The spring 31 is an example of an elastic member, and is a coil spring having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the flange portion 20 of the convex holder 12. One end of the spring 31 is attached to a claw portion 20 a formed on the bottom surface of the flange portion 20. The end is attached to a cylindrical portion 28 a formed on the upper surface of the support plate 28.

  In the convex holder 12, the inclined convex portion 14 enters the opening portion 27, and is pressed by the spring 31, so that the holder guide portion 18 abuts against the edge portion on the back surface side of the opening portion 27. As described above, the holder guide portion 18 and the flange portion 20 regulate the amount of movement in the protruding direction along the Z axis of the convex holder 12 by the spring 31. Here, in a state where the holder guide portion 18 is in contact with the opening 27, the inclined convex portion 14 protrudes from the surface of the housing 26.

  Further, the housing 26 includes a regulation plate 32. The restriction plate 32 is attached to the back surface of the housing 26 and surrounds the rotation restraining piece 21 of the convex holder 12. The rotation restraining piece 21 is movable within the regulation plate 32 by a predetermined amount, and the regulation plate 32 and the rotation restraining piece 21 regulate the movement amount and rotation in the pushing direction along the Z axis of the convex holder 12. The convex holder 12 is supported movably in any direction along the Z-axis direction and the X-axis and Y-axis.

  Next, the configuration of the concave holder 13 will be described with reference to FIG. The concave holder 13 constitutes the light receiving portion 9 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the opening concave portion 15 of the concave holder 13 is recessed in a hemispherical shape from a circular opening having a diameter into which the bottom side of the inclined convex portion 14 of the convex holder 12 fits It is a concave spherical surface. Here, the opening recess 15 may be a cylindrical recess or a conical recess.

  The bottom of the opening recess 15 protrudes in a cylindrical shape to form an opening 33, and the second abutting surface 17 is formed at the tip of the cylindrical protruding portion. The second abutting surface 17 is configured by a ring-shaped plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the opening 33.

  Here, the second abutting surface 17 of the concave holder 13 and the first abutting surface 16 of the convex holder 12 are configured with the same diameter, and when the convex holder 12 is fitted into the concave holder 13, the second abutting surface 17 and the first abutting surface 16 are in contact with each other, and the opening concave portion 15 of the concave holder 13 is in contact with the inclined convex portion 14 of the convex holder 12.

  The concave holder 13 includes a photo detector (PD) 35 as a light receiving means. Although not shown, the concave holder 13 has a mounting portion for the PD substrate 36, and the photodetector 35 is mounted on the PD substrate 36 attached to the concave holder 13.

  The concave holder 13 includes a lens 37. A lens holder 38 is attached to the opening 33 of the concave holder 13, and a lens 37 is attached to the lens holder 38. Here, the photodetector 35 is mounted on the optical axis of the lens 37 so that light incident on the lens 37 from the convex holder 12 side forms an image on the photodetector 35 as will be described later. In addition, the accuracy of each part is determined so that the second abutting surface 17 is a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens 37.

  The concave holder 13 is attached to a housing 39 that constitutes the portable receiving terminal 2 shown in FIGS. The housing 39 includes an opening 40, and the concave holder 13 is fixed to the opening 40.

<Operation of optical connector>
6 and 7 are side sectional views showing an operation example of the optical connector 11. Next, the operation of the optical connector 11 will be described. A specific procedure of data transmission between the portable receiving terminal 2 and the terminal transmitter 3 will be described later, and here, an operation related to the mechanism of the optical connector 11 will be described.

  The user places the mobile reception terminal 2 on the mounting unit 4 of the transmitter 3. At this time, the light receiving unit 9 is opposed to the light emitting unit 5, and the position of the concave holder 13 is roughly aligned with the convex holder 12.

  FIG. 6 shows a state where the concave holder 13 is slightly displaced in the XY direction with respect to the convex holder 12. When the position of the concave holder 13 is shifted in the X-Y direction with respect to the convex holder 12, first, as shown in FIG. The opening concave portion 15 contacts with a part of the inclined convex portion 14 of the convex holder 12.

  The convex holder 12 is pushed by the concave holder 13 by the operation of placing the portable receiving terminal 2 on the mounting portion 4, and the inclined convex portion 14 is used as a guide to guide the X− in accordance with the positional deviation direction of the concave holder 13. It is pushed in the direction along the Z axis while moving within the movable range in the direction in which the optical axis coincides with any of the Y directions. Thereby, the spring 31 is elastically deformed in the compressing direction.

  Here, when the convex holder 12 moves in the X-Y direction, the spring 31 is attached to a claw portion 20 a formed at one end on the bottom surface of the flange portion 20, and the cylinder formed at the other end on the upper surface of the support plate 28. Since it is attached to the portion 28a, it is also elastically deformed in the direction of inclination as the convex holder 12 moves.

  In addition, when the position of the concave holder 13 is shifted in the XY direction beyond the movable range of the convex holder 12, if the convex holder 12 hits the opening 27 and cannot move in the XY direction, the inclined convex portion 14, the opening concave portion 15 of the concave holder 13 is guided, and the position of the mobile receiving terminal 2 itself is corrected in the direction in which the optical axes coincide.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, when the portable receiving terminal 2 is set in the mounting portion 4 of the terminal transmitter 3, for example, the casing 26 and the casing 39 come into contact as shown in FIG. 6B. It becomes a state.

  In this state, the spring 31 is elastically deformed in the compression direction, and the first abutting surface 16 of the convex holder 12 and the second abutting surface 17 of the concave holder 13 are in contact with each other in a pressed state. As described above, the first abutting surface 16 is a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens 24, and the second abutting surface 17 is a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens 37.

  Therefore, when the first butting surface 16 and the second butting surface 17 are in contact with each other, the optical axis of the lens 37 of the concave holder 13 is inclined with respect to the optical axis of the lens 24 of the convex holder 12. do not do. In addition, the optical axis of the lens 24 and the optical axis of the lens 37 substantially coincide with each other by fitting the inclined convex part 14 of the convex holder 12 and the opening concave part 15 of the concave holder 13.

  As a result, the laser light emitted from the laser diode 22 is converted into parallel light by the lens 24 and emitted from the opening 19 of the convex holder 12. The laser light emitted from the convex holder 12 enters the lens 37 from the opening 33 of the concave holder 13 and forms an image on the photodetector 35.

  Here, if the optical axis of the lens 37 is inclined with respect to the optical axis of the lens 24, the laser light emitted from the laser diode 22 is not imaged on the photodetector 35. On the other hand, in the optical connector 11, since the optical axis of the lens 37 does not tilt with respect to the optical axis of the lens 24, the laser light emitted from the laser diode 22 forms an image on the photodetector 35. If the optical axis of the lens 37 is parallel to the optical axis of the lens 24, an image is formed on the photodetector 35 even if the optical axes are slightly deviated from each other.

  As described above, the position of the concave holder 13 is roughly aligned with the convex holder 12, and the portable receiving terminal 2 is placed on the mounting portion 4 of the terminal transmitter 3, so that the inclined convex portion 14 serves as a guide. The holder 12 moves in accordance with the position of the concave holder 13, and the first abutting surface 16 and the second abutting surface 17 come into contact with each other, whereby the optical axis of the lens 24 of the convex holder 12 and the lens of the concave holder 13. The convex holder 12 and the concave holder 13 are connected so that the optical axes of 37 are parallel and substantially coincide with each other.

  Here, since the tip side of the inclined convex portion 14 has a smaller diameter than the opening concave portion 15, the convex holder 12 and the concave holder 13 can be easily aligned. As a result, it becomes possible to distribute contents and the like by optical communication from the terminal transmitter 3 to the portable receiving terminal 2 by a simple operation of placing the portable receiving terminal 2 on the mounting portion 4 of the terminal transmitter 3.

  In the state where the convex holder 2 and the concave holder 3 are connected, the first abutting surface 16 is pressed against the second abutting surface 17 by the spring 31. Thereby, even if the portable receiving terminal 2 is slightly inclined, the convex holder 12 follows the inclination of the concave holder 13 and the first abutting surface 16 and the second abutting surface 17 are in contact with each other. Hold. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the optical axis is inclined between the holders during communication and communication cannot be performed.

  Here, in the optical connector 11 of this example, the dimensions and shapes of the respective portions of the convex holder 12 and the concave holder 13 are set so that the distance between the laser diode 22 and the photodetector 35 is about 1 to 10 mm.

  In such near-field optical communication, each holder is provided with one lens corresponding to the optical element, and optical communication is possible by transmitting laser light to the photodetector 35 with only these two lenses.

  Accordingly, an optical system such as a plurality of lenses and mirrors is not required for each holder, and the configuration is simple, so that a light-weight and low-cost optical connector can be realized. In particular, in the portable receiving terminal 2, portability is improved by reducing the weight of the connector. In addition, it is possible to use a weak laser of class 1 as the laser diode 22, and the safety on the terminal transmitter 3 side is improved.

  The laser diode 22 is connected to a substrate (not shown) with a cable. If the convex holder 12 is configured to freely rotate around the Z axis, the convex holder 12 may rotate while the concave holder 13 is repeatedly attached and detached, and the cable may be twisted and cut. The rotation of the convex holder 12 is restricted by the piece 21 and the restriction plate 32.

  When the mobile receiver terminal 2 is removed from the terminal transmitter 3, the mobile receiver terminal 2 may be lifted from the terminal transmitter 3. Since the convex holder 12 and the concave holder 13 are coupled by fitting the inclined convex portion 14 and the opening concave portion 15, the concave holder 13 can be easily detached from the convex holder 12 when the mobile reception terminal 2 is lifted.

  Now, when the concave holder 13 is removed, the convex holder 12 is pushed up by the restoring force of the spring 31 as shown in FIG. 7, and the holder guide portion 18 comes into contact with the opening 27 of the housing 26. As shown in FIG. 6, when the portable receiving terminal 2 is set in a state where the position of the concave holder 13 is shifted in the XY direction with respect to the convex holder 12, the convex holder 12 is eccentric in the opening 27. Yes.

  When the portable receiving terminal 2 is lifted from this state and the convex holder 12 is pushed up by the restoring force of the spring 31, the convex holder 12 is opened as shown in FIG. 4 due to the contact between the holder guide 18 and the opening 27. 27 returns to the initial position near the center.

  Thereby, the convex holder 12 is positioned substantially at the center of the opening 27 in a state where the portable receiving terminal 2 is not set in the mounting portion 4 of the terminal transmitter 3. Accordingly, since the gaps are formed substantially evenly between the convex holder 12 and the opening 27 in the mounting portion 4, the appearance is good.

  Here, in the content distribution system 1 of the present example, since the optical communication is one-way communication from the terminal transmitter 3 to the portable receiving terminal 2, a pair of light emission and reception is performed between the terminal transmitter 3 and the portable receiving terminal 2. It has an element. Further, since the convex holder 12 and the concave holder 13 are in contact with each other by the inclined convex portion 14 and the opening concave portion 15 having a circular cross-sectional shape, the contact portion is circular.

  Thereby, when the portable receiving terminal 2 is set in the terminal transmitter 3, the portable receiving terminal 2 is given a degree of freedom of rotation about the axis along the Z axis shown in FIG. The convex holder 12 and the concave holder 13 can be coupled.

  The positioning accuracy of the optical axis in the optical connector 11 depends on the accuracy of the first butting surface 16 and the second butting surface 17. In the convex holder 12, the accuracy of the first abutting surface 16 is obtained with respect to the optical axis of the lens 24, and in the concave holder 13, the accuracy of the second abutting surface 17 with respect to the optical axis of the lens 37 is obtained. By taking out, the positioning accuracy with respect to the inclination of the optical axis is ensured.

  Thus, since the positioning accuracy with respect to the inclination of the optical axis can be adjusted independently of the dimensional tolerance between the convex holder 12 and the concave holder 13, a highly accurate product can be provided at low cost.

  Further, when the convex holder 12 and the concave holder 13 are attached / detached, the first abutting surface 16 and the second abutting surface 17 hardly slide, so the first abutting is repeated even when the attachment / detachment is repeated. The wear of the surface 16 and the second abutting surface 17 is small. Thereby, high positioning accuracy can be maintained over a long period of time.

  In this example, the terminal transmitter 3 is provided with the convex holder 12, and the portable receiving terminal 2 is provided with the concave holder 13. However, the concave holder 13 is provided in the terminal transmitter 3, and the convex holder 12 is provided with the portable receiving terminal 2. You may prepare for. In this case, the concave holder 13 is provided with a laser diode 22, and the convex holder 12 is provided with a photodetector 35.

  However, when the mobile receiving terminal 2 is owned by an individual user, it is preferable that the mobile receiving terminal 2 includes the concave holder 13 because it is superior in portability if there is no convex portion.

  Either the convex holder 12 or the concave holder 13 may be movable. However, if the portable receiving terminal 2 is owned by an individual and the terminal transmitter 3 is installed in a store or the like, the portable receiving terminal 2 is A lower cost is desired. For this reason, it is good to provide the movable holder in the terminal transmitter 3 side.

  Further, the convex holder 12 is supported by the coil spring. However, the convex holder 12 may be supported by another elastic member, for example, a leaf spring or rubber, or the convex holder can be utilized by utilizing the attraction and repulsion of the magnet. 12 may be supported. However, by using the coil spring, when the convex holder 12 moves in the XY direction, the convex holder 12 can be moved with the same force in any direction, so that the attachment / detachment operation is not uncomfortable. And the structure is also simple.

<Specific Configuration Example of Content Distribution System of First Embodiment>
Next, a specific configuration example of the above-described content distribution system will be described. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the content distribution system according to the first embodiment.

  The content distribution system 1A according to the first embodiment always outputs a data file of content in the terminal transmitter 3, and the portable receiver 2 is output from the terminal transmitter 3 when set in the terminal transmitter 3. It is a form to receive a data file. Here, communication from the terminal transmitter 3 to the portable receiving terminal 2 is referred to as downlink.

  The terminal transmitter 3 includes a cache memory 42, a bridge IC (integrated circuit) 43, and a serializer 44 in addition to the laser diode 22 described in FIG. The laser diode 22 which is a light emitting means constitutes a downlink transmission device, which converts an electrical signal into an optical signal and outputs it.

  The cache memory 42 is an example of a so-called high-speed storage device that constitutes the first storage means. The cache memory 42 is constituted by a RAM (random access memory) or the like, and stores a data file of content output from the laser diode 22. The bridge IC 43 reads the data file from the cache memory 42. In addition, the data file is written in the cache memory 42.

  The serializer 44 converts the data file read from the cache memory 42 by the bridge IC 43 from parallel data to serial data and sends the data file to the laser diode 22.

  The terminal transmitter 3 further includes a main storage device 45, a system controller 46, and a memory 47. The main storage device 45 is an example of a so-called low-speed storage device that constitutes the second storage means. The main storage device 45 is composed of a hard disk drive (HDD) or the like, and stores data files to be stored in the cache memory 42.

  The system controller 46 is constituted by a CPU (central processing unit) or the like, and outputs the data file stored in the cache memory 42 from the laser diode 22, deletes the data file stored in the cache memory 42, and stores the data stored in the main storage device 45. Control such as copying of the file to the cache memory 42 is performed. The memory 47 is composed of RAM, ROM (read only memory), and the like, and stores programs executed by the system controller 46.

  In the terminal transmitter 3, the laser diode 22, the bridge IC 43, the system controller 46, and the like constitute a first communication unit.

  When the display 6 is provided as shown in FIG. 1, the terminal transmitter 3 is provided with a display as the external I / O 48.

  The mobile receiving terminal 2 includes a cache memory 52, a bridge IC 53, and a deserializer 54 in addition to the photo detector 35 described with reference to FIG. The photodetector 35 serving as a light receiving unit is an example of a downlink receiving device, and converts a received optical signal into an electrical signal.

  The cache memory 52 is an example of a high-speed storage device, is configured with a RAM or the like, and stores a data file received from the terminal transmitter 3. The bridge IC 53 writes the data file into the cache memory 52. Further, the data file is read from the cache memory 52.

  The deserializer 54 converts the data file converted into the electrical signal by the photo detector 35 from serial data to parallel data and sends it to the bridge IC 53.

  The portable receiving terminal 2 further includes a system controller 55 and a memory 56. The system controller 55 is composed of a CPU or the like, and controls the storage of the data file received by the photodetector 35 in the cache memory 52, the reading of the data file stored in the cache memory 52, and the like. The memory 56 includes a RAM and a ROM, and stores programs executed by the system controller 55.

  In the portable receiving terminal 2, the photo detector 35, the bridge IC 53, the system controller 55, and the like constitute a first communication unit.

  When the display 7 is provided as shown in FIG. 2, the mobile reception terminal 2 includes a display as the external I / O 57. Moreover, you may provide the connector 10 as shown in FIG.

  Further, the mobile receiving terminal 2 may include a main storage device 58. The main storage device 58 is an example of a low-speed storage device, is configured by a hard disk drive device or the like, and stores data files stored in the cache memory 52.

  The main storage device 58 has a capacity larger than that of the cache memory 52, and the content data file distributed from the terminal transmitter 3 and stored in the cache memory 52 is moved to the main storage device 58 and stored therein. 2 can save the content.

  The portable receiving terminal 2 includes a laser sensor 59 and an indicator 60. The laser sensor 59 is an example of a light detection unit, and detects whether or not the photodetector 35 has received laser light. The indicator 60 is an example of a notification means, and is composed of a lamp such as a light emitting diode, for example, and notifies the user that the reception of the data file has been completed.

  Here, if the indicator 60 can display two states, the user can be notified that the data file is being received and that the reception has been completed. For example, if the indicator 60 is a single color lamp, two states can be displayed by turning on and off and turning on and blinking. In addition, if the indicator 60 is a lamp that can emit light in two colors, two states can be displayed depending on the difference in emission color.

  The indicator 60 may be a buzzer. Furthermore, when the display 7 is provided as shown in FIG. 2, the notification function by the indicator 60 may be performed by displaying information on the display 7. In this case, the display 7 becomes a notification means.

<Operation Example of Mobile Content Distribution System of First Embodiment>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing example of the content distribution system according to the first embodiment. Next, the operation of the content distribution system 1A according to the first embodiment will be described.

  Here, the flowchart of FIG. 9 shows a procedure for receiving the data file by setting the portable receiving terminal 2 to the terminal transmitter 3 that repeatedly transmits the specific data file stored in the cache memory 42. .

  Step A1: The terminal transmitter 3 repeatedly transmits a specific data file in the cache memory 42. That is, in the terminal transmitter 3, the system controller 46 has previously copied the data file to be output from the data files stored in the main storage device 45 to the cache memory 42 via the bridge IC 43.

  Then, a specific data file stored in the cache memory 42 is read by the bridge IC 43, converted from parallel data to serial data by the serializer 44, and an electric signal is converted into an optical signal by the laser diode 22 and transmitted.

  The system controller 46 repeatedly transmits the data file during the operation time of the terminal transmitter 3.

  Step A2: The user sets the terminal receiving terminal 2 at a predetermined position of the mounting portion 4 of the terminal transmitter 3 shown in FIG. As a result, as described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7, the optical connector 11 allows the light emitted from the laser diode 22 to be received by the photodetector 35.

  Step A3: The portable receiving terminal 2 checks whether a downlink carrier from the terminal transmitter 3 has been detected. That is, since the data file is repeatedly transmitted from the terminal transmitter 3, the laser light is incident on the photodetector 35 when the portable receiving terminal 2 is correctly set in the terminal transmitter 3.

  In the mobile receiving terminal 2, the system controller 55 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 detects the presence or absence of a downlink carrier by detecting whether the laser beam is incident on the photodetector 35 with the laser sensor 59.

  Step A4: When the laser beam is not incident on the photodetector 35 and the downlink carrier cannot be detected, the system controller 55 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 determines that the mobile receiving terminal 2 is not set in the terminal transmitter 3. Then, the process returns to step A2 and enters a standby state.

  Step A5: When the system controller 55 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 detects the downlink carrier in Step A4, it determines that the mobile receiving terminal 2 is correctly set in the terminal transmitter 3 and starts the receiving process.

  That is, the received optical signal is converted into an electrical signal by the photodetector 35, converted from serial data to parallel data by the deserializer 54, and stored in the cache memory 52 by the bridge IC 53.

  Here, various methods are conceivable as processing for determining that the mobile reception terminal 2 has successfully received the data file.

  As an example, in this embodiment, the data file is composed of address / value pairs, and it is confirmed whether or not all address values have been received by a completion check code that is a value for confirming completion of the data file. Confirm whether the data file was received normally.

  For this reason, the address and value of the received data file are stored in a predetermined area corresponding to the address of the cache memory 52.

  Step A6: The system controller 55 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 checks whether the received data file contains a completion check code.

  Step A7: If the completion check code is not included in the received data file, the system controller 55 of the portable receiving terminal 2 returns to step A2 as a reception error and enters a standby state.

  Since the data file is repeatedly transmitted from the terminal transmitter 3 as described above, if the mobile receiving terminal 2 is set in the terminal transmitter 3, after the reception error, the received data file is discarded and again. Reception processing is performed.

  Step A8: When the received data file includes a completion check code, the system controller 55 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 reads the completion check code from the data file and stores it in the completion check code area of the cache memory 52.

  Step A9: The system controller 55 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 calculates the received address and value and compares it with the completion check code to check whether the received data file is complete.

  Step A10: If the received data file is not complete, the system controller 55 of the portable receiving terminal 2 returns to step A2 as a reception error and enters a standby state.

  Since the data file is repeatedly transmitted from the terminal transmitter 3 as described above, if the mobile receiving terminal 2 is set in the terminal transmitter 3, after the reception error, the received data file is discarded and again. Reception processing is performed.

  Step A11: If the received data file is complete, the system controller 55 of the portable receiving terminal 2 ends the receiving process. Since the data file is repeatedly transmitted from the terminal transmitter 3, the photodetector 35 receives the optical signal unless the portable receiving terminal 2 is detached from the terminal transmitter 3. However, the portable receiving terminal 2 does not perform the subsequent reception process when the reception process ends.

  With the above processing, the data file transmitted from the terminal transmitter 3 is received by the portable receiving terminal 2. Then, the data file stored in the cache memory 52 by the mobile reception terminal 2 is displayed on the display 7 constituting the external I / O 57, for example.

  Further, it can be stored in the main storage device 58 or output to an external device such as a personal computer.

  Here, in step A3, the mobile receiving terminal 2 checks whether or not a downlink carrier has been detected. However, if a downlink carrier is detected, a processing step of turning on the indicator 60 or the like may be added. .

  As described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7, the optical connector 11 used in the content distribution system of the present embodiment is emitted from the laser diode 22 when the portable receiving terminal 2 is correctly set in the terminal transmitter 3. The laser beam is focused on the photodetector 35. On the other hand, when the mobile receiving terminal 2 is not correctly set on the terminal transmitter 3, such as when the mobile receiving terminal 2 is tilted beyond the movable range of the convex holder 12, the light is emitted from the laser diode 22. The laser beam does not form an image on the photodetector 35.

  Thereby, when the downlink carrier is detected, the user is notified that the portable receiving terminal 2 is correctly set in the terminal transmitter 3 by turning on the indicator 60 or the like.

  In step A9, the portable receiving terminal 2 checks whether or not the received data file is complete. If the received data file is complete, a process step for turning on the indicator 60 is added. Also good. As a result, the user is notified that the data file has been correctly received by the portable receiving terminal 2.

  In order to show two states that the mobile receiver 2 is correctly set in the terminal transmitter 3 and that the mobile receiver 2 has successfully received the data file, for example, the indicator 60 is configured to switch the emission color. It is good to prepare.

<Specific Configuration Example of Content Distribution System of Second Embodiment>
FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the content distribution system according to the second embodiment. In the content distribution system 1B according to the second embodiment, the terminal transmitter 3 detects whether or not the portable receiving terminal 2 is attached, and outputs the data file of the content when the portable receiving terminal 2 is attached. Reference numeral 2 denotes a form for receiving a data file output from the terminal transmitter 3 by being attached to the terminal transmitter 3. Here, in FIG. 10, the same components as those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted here.

  The terminal transmitter 3 includes a detection switch 49 in addition to the configuration described in FIG. The detection switch 49 is an example of a mounting detection unit, and is configured by, for example, an optical sensor including a light receiving / emitting element. The detection switch 49 detects that the mobile receiving terminal 2 is mounted on the mounting unit 4 shown in FIG.

  The detection switch 49 only needs to have a function of detecting the presence of the mobile reception terminal 2 in the mounting unit 4 and does not need to determine the connection state of the optical connector 11.

  Here, the optical connector 11 described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 can be connected regardless of the orientation of the portable receiving terminal 2 around the optical axis. For this reason, the detection switch 49 is provided in the vicinity of the light emitting unit 5, for example, as shown in FIG. 1 so that the mobile reception terminal 2 can be detected regardless of the orientation of the mobile reception terminal 2.

  The system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 starts the output of the data file and stops the output of the data file depending on whether the detection switch 49 detects the mobile reception terminal 2. That is, when the detection switch 49 detects that the portable receiving terminal 2 is mounted, the system controller 46 drives the laser diode 22 and starts transmitting a data file. The system controller 46 repeatedly transmits the data file while the detection switch 49 detects the mobile reception terminal 2. When the detection switch 49 stops detecting the mobile reception terminal 2, the system controller 46 stops driving the laser diode 22, Stop sending data files.

<Operation Example of Content Distribution System of Second Embodiment>
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing example of the content distribution system according to the second embodiment. Next, the operation of the content distribution system 1B according to the second embodiment will be described.

  Here, in the flowchart of FIG. 11, the terminal transmitter 3 detects the attachment of the mobile reception terminal 2, transmits a specific data file stored in the cache memory 42, and receives the data file at the mobile reception terminal 2. Show the procedure.

  Step B1: Until the detection switch 49 detects the portable terminal 2, the system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 stops driving the laser diode 22 and enters a standby state in which no data file is transferred.

  Step B2: The user sets the terminal receiving terminal 2 at a predetermined position of the mounting portion 4 of the terminal transmitter 3 shown in FIG.

  Step B3: The system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 checks whether the detection switch 49 detects the mounting of the portable receiving terminal 2.

  Step B4: If the system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 cannot detect the mounting of the mobile receiving terminal 2, the system controller 46 determines that the mobile receiving terminal 2 is not mounted on the terminal transmitter 3, returns to Step B1, and waits. It becomes.

  Step B5: The system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 repeatedly transmits a specific data file in the cache memory 42 when it is detected that the portable receiving terminal 2 is attached.

  That is, a specific data file stored in the cache memory 42 is read by the bridge IC 43, converted from parallel data to serial data by the serializer 44, and an electric signal is converted into an optical signal by the laser diode 22 and transmitted.

  In this example, the data of the frame check unit added to the data file is used as a process for determining that the data file has been successfully received.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the structure of a data file transmitted from the terminal transmitter 3. The data file D includes a frame (Frame) part D1 for recognizing the head of a packet, a data part D2 which is a data body, and a frame check part (FCS: frame check sequence) D3 as one packet. The frame check unit D3 stores a CRC value, a SUM check value, and the like.

  The system controller 46 repeatedly transmits, for example, the data file D having the structure shown in FIG. 12 during the operation time of the terminal transmitter 3. Here, an idle signal having a predetermined length is inserted between the data files D, and the data file D is repeatedly transmitted.

  Step B6: The portable receiving terminal 2 checks whether a downlink carrier from the terminal transmitter 3 has been detected. That is, since the data file is repeatedly transmitted from the terminal transmitter 3, the laser light is incident on the photodetector 35 when the portable receiving terminal 2 is correctly attached to the terminal transmitter 3.

  In the portable receiving terminal 2, the system controller 55 of the portable receiving terminal 2 detects the presence or absence of a down carrier by detecting whether or not the laser beam is incident on the photodetector 35 with the laser sensor 59.

  Step B7: When the laser beam is not incident on the photodetector 35 and the downlink carrier cannot be detected, the system controller 55 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 determines that the mobile receiving terminal 2 is not correctly set in the terminal transmitter 3 Then, the process returns to step B1 and enters a standby state.

  Step B8: When the system controller 55 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 detects the downlink carrier in Step B7, it determines that the mobile receiving terminal 2 is correctly set in the terminal transmitter 3 and starts the receiving process.

  That is, the received optical signal is converted into an electrical signal by the photodetector 35, converted from serial data to parallel data by the deserializer 54, and stored in the cache memory 52 by the bridge IC 53.

  Step B9: The system controller 55 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 checks whether the received data file is normal, for example, in the received data file frame check unit D3.

  Step B10: If the received data file is not normal, the system controller 55 of the portable receiving terminal 2 returns to step B1 as a reception error and enters a standby state.

  Since the data file is repeatedly transmitted from the terminal transmitter 3 while the detection switch 49 is detecting the portable receiving terminal 2, if the portable receiving terminal 2 is set in the terminal transmitter 3, a reception error will occur. Thereafter, the reception data file is discarded and the reception process is performed again.

  Step B11: If the received data file is normal, the system controller 55 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 turns on the indicator 60 for a predetermined time, and ends the receiving process.

  Step B12: The system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 checks whether the detection switch 49 stops detecting the mobile receiving terminal 2.

  Step B13: When the detection switch 49 detects the portable receiving terminal 2, the system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 continues to transmit the data file. Thereby, unless the portable receiving terminal 2 is detached from the terminal transmitter 3, the photodetector 35 receives an optical signal. However, the portable receiving terminal 2 does not perform the receiving process when the receiving process is completed.

  Step B14: When the detection switch 49 no longer detects the portable receiving terminal 2, the system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 determines that the portable receiving terminal 2 has been removed, stops the driving of the laser diode 22, and the data file Stop sending

  With the above processing, the data file transmitted from the terminal transmitter 3 when the portable receiving terminal 2 is attached is received by the portable receiving terminal 2. Then, the data file stored in the cache memory 52 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 is displayed on the display 7 constituting the external I / O 47, for example.

  FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing processing in the content distribution system according to the second embodiment.

  In the terminal transmitter 3, as shown in FIG. 13A, when the detection switch 49 detects the mounting of the portable receiving terminal 2, the laser diode 22 is caused to emit light and the data file is repeatedly transmitted. Then, when the detection switch 49 stops detecting the mobile reception terminal 2, the laser diode 22 stops emitting light and the transmission of the data file is stopped.

  In the portable receiving terminal 2, as shown in FIG. 13B, when the photo detector 35 detects the reception of the laser beam, the receiving process is started. When the data file can be normally received, the indicator 60 is turned on for a predetermined time, and thereafter no receiving process is performed.

  Since the terminal transmitter 3 repeatedly transmits the data file until the mobile receiver terminal 2 is removed, even if a reception error occurs, if the mobile receiver terminal 2 is attached to the terminal transmitter 3, Reception processing is performed, and the data file can be received normally.

  As described above, the data file can be transferred from the terminal transmitter 3 to the portable receiving terminal 2 without performing transmission control between the portable receiving terminal 2 and the terminal transmitter 3. Therefore, the content can be distributed in a short time.

  Also in the optical communication system 1B of the second embodiment, near-field optical communication is realized by connecting the portable receiving terminal 2 and the terminal transmitter 3 with the optical connector 11 described in FIGS. As the laser diode 22, a weak laser of class 1 can be used.

  And while the detection switch 49 is not detecting mounting | wearing of the portable receiving terminal 2, safety | security improves further by stopping light emission of the laser diode 22. FIG.

<Specific Configuration Example of Content Distribution System of Third Embodiment>
FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a content distribution system according to the third embodiment. The content distribution system 1C according to the third embodiment has a configuration in which a communication function from the mobile receiving terminal 2 to the terminal transmitter 3 is further added so that a data file to be received can be specified. Here, communication from the terminal transmitter 3 to the portable receiver terminal 2 is called downlink, and communication from the portable receiver 2 to the terminal transmitter 3 is called uplink. Further, in FIG. 14, the same components as those in FIGS. 8 and 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted here.

  The terminal transmitter 3 includes a wireless communication unit 50 in addition to the configurations described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 10. The wireless communication unit 50 is an example of an uplink receiving device that constitutes the second communication means. Further, the mobile reception terminal 2 includes a wireless communication unit 61 in addition to the configuration described in FIG. The wireless communication unit 61 is an example of an uplink transmission device that constitutes the second communication means.

  The wireless communication unit 50 and the wireless communication unit 61 are only required to be able to perform near field communication. For example, the use of Bluetooth or IEEE802.11 can be considered. Note that since Bluetooth and IEEE 802.11 do not interfere, two communication functions may be provided.

  In particular, the wireless communication unit 50 of the terminal transmitter 3 has a communication function compatible with both Bluetooth and IEEE 802.11, so that the mobile reception terminal 2 including the wireless communication unit 61 compatible with Bluetooth and the IEEE 802.11. It is possible to cope with both of the portable receiving terminals 2 including the wireless communication unit 61 corresponding to the above.

  In this case, the terminal transmitter 3 is set to a state in which the two communication functions are always turned on and can be received by any method. In order to reduce power consumption, the wireless communication unit 50 of the terminal transmitter 3 repeatedly scans (polls) each method in a short time unit. Then, when the signal is received, the communication according to the method is continued until the communication is completed or invalidated.

  Note that the wireless communication unit 61 of the mobile reception terminal 2 may be provided with a communication function compatible with both Bluetooth and IEEE 802.11. Furthermore, it is possible to use infrared rays as the wireless communication unit 50 and the wireless communication unit 61.

  The system controller 55 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 transmits the data file name or the terminal number of the mobile receiving terminal 2 to the terminal transmitter 3 via the wireless communication unit 61 as information specifying the data file.

  When the system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 receives the data file name or the terminal number from the portable receiving terminal 2 via the wireless communication unit 50, the system controller 46 drives the laser diode 22 to transmit the corresponding data file.

<First Example of Operation of Content Distribution System of Third Embodiment>
FIGS. 15 and 16 are flowcharts showing processing examples of the content distribution system according to the third embodiment. Next, a first operation example of the content distribution system 1C according to the third embodiment will be described.

  Here, in the flowcharts of FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the mobile receiving terminal 2 notifies the terminal transmitter 3 of the data file name of the content to be acquired, and the terminal transmitter 3 transmits the designated data file, and the mobile receiving terminal 2 shows a procedure for receiving a desired data file.

  Step C1: The system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 stops driving the laser diode 22 until the detection switch 49 detects the portable terminal 2, and enters a standby state in which no data file is transferred.

  Step C2: The user brings the mobile receiving terminal 2 close to the terminal transmitter 3 in order to set the terminal receiving terminal 2 at a predetermined position of the mounting portion 4 of the terminal transmitter 3 shown in FIG.

  Step C3: The system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 receives the uplink from the mobile receiving terminal 2 by the wireless communication unit 50 and checks whether the connection is established.

  Step C4: The system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 determines that the portable receiving terminal 2 does not exist nearby if the uplink connection from the portable receiving terminal 2 cannot be established, returns to Step C1, and sets the standby state. Become.

  Step C5: The system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 checks whether the detection switch 49 has detected the mounting of the portable receiving terminal 2.

  Step C6: If the system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 cannot detect the mounting of the mobile receiving terminal 2, the system controller 46 determines that the mobile receiving terminal 2 is not mounted on the terminal transmitter 3, returns to Step C1, and waits. It becomes.

  Step C7: When the system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 can detect the mounting of the portable receiving terminal 2, it causes the laser diode 22 to emit light with a predetermined intensity as a downlink carrier. The output here does not need to have a meaning as data.

  Step C8: The portable receiving terminal 2 checks whether a downlink carrier from the terminal transmitter 3 has been detected. That is, since the laser diode 22 of the terminal transmitter 3 emits light, the laser light is incident on the photodetector 35 when the portable receiving terminal 2 is correctly attached to the terminal transmitter 3.

  In the portable receiving terminal 2, the system controller 55 of the portable receiving terminal 2 detects the presence or absence of a down carrier by detecting whether or not the laser beam is incident on the photodetector 35 with the laser sensor 59.

  Step C9: The system controller 55 of the portable receiving terminal 2 determines that the portable receiving terminal 2 is not set correctly in the terminal transmitter 3 when the laser beam is not incident on the photodetector 35 and the downlink carrier cannot be detected. Then, the process returns to step C1 and enters a standby state.

  Step C10: When the system controller 55 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 detects the downlink carrier in Step C9, it determines that the mobile receiving terminal 2 is correctly set in the terminal transmitter 3, and turns on the indicator 60 for a predetermined time, for example. To notify the user.

  Step C11: The system controller 55 of the portable receiving terminal 2 checks whether the wireless communication unit 61 has received a connection confirmation signal from the wireless communication unit 50 of the terminal transmitter 3.

  Step C12: If the wireless communication unit 61 has not received the connection confirmation signal from the terminal transmitter 3, the system controller 55 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 determines that the uplink has not been established and returns to Step C1. It will be in a standby state.

  Step C13: When the connection by the wireless communication unit 61 is established, the system controller 55 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 uses the wireless communication unit 61 to enter the data file name registered in advance in the memory 56 or the like as the content specifying information. Transmit to the terminal transmitter 3.

  Step C14: The system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 checks whether or not the data file having the data file name notified by the uplink from the mobile receiving terminal 2 is ready for transmission.

  Step C15: If the data file requested from the portable receiving terminal 2 is not ready for transmission, the process returns to Step C14. Here, the transmission preparation indicates a state in which a desired data file is stored in the cache memory 42.

  If the desired data file is not stored in the cache memory 42, the data file stored in the main storage device 45 is copied to the cache memory 42. The details of the data file update process between the cache memory 42 and the main storage device 45 will be described later.

  Step C16: When the data file requested from the portable receiving terminal 2 is ready for transmission, the system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 transmits the corresponding data file in the cache memory 42.

  That is, a desired data file stored in the cache memory 42 is read by the bridge IC 43, converted from parallel data to serial data by the serializer 44, and an electric signal is converted into an optical signal by the laser diode 22 and transmitted.

  In this example, as a process for determining that the data file has been successfully received, the mobile data receiving terminal 2 is notified of the total size of the data file by transmitting the first data file in the downlink, and then the actual data file is specified. Send only the number of block sizes.

  For this reason, first, the system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 transmits the “total block size” of the corresponding data file to the portable receiving terminal 2 by downlink.

  Step C17: The system controller 55 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 stores the total block size transmitted from the terminal transmitter 3 in the downlink in the total block size recording area of the cache memory 52.

  Step C18: The system controller 46 of the end transmitter 3 transmits one block of the data file via the downlink.

  Step C19: The system controller 55 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 stores the block of the corresponding data file transmitted in the downlink from the terminal transmitter 3 in a predetermined memory area of the cache memory 52. Then, the value of the total block size recording area is decreased by “1”.

  Step C20: The system controller 55 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 checks whether the value of the total block size recording area has become zero.

  Step C21: If the value of the total block size recording area is not zero, the process returns to Step C18.

  Step C22: The system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 transmits the checksum data of the corresponding data file through the downlink.

  Step C23: When the value of the total block size recording area is zero, the system controller 55 of the portable receiving terminal 2 calculates the checksum value from the received data file stored in the cache memory 52, and the terminal transmitter 3 Compare with the transmitted checksum data and check if they are the same.

  Step C24: If the checksum value is not the same, the system controller 55 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 returns to step C1 as a reception error and enters a standby state.

  In addition, as a process at the time of a reception error, the process which transmits the said data file repeatedly, and the process which attaches and detaches the portable receiving terminal 2 once with respect to the terminal transmitter 3, and can retry can be considered.

  On the mobile reception terminal 2 side, after the reception error, the reception data file is discarded and the reception process is performed again. When the laser sensor 59 stops detecting the laser beam, the reception process is stopped.

  On the terminal transmitter 3 side, when the detection switch 49 does not detect the mounting of the portable receiving terminal 2, the laser diode 22 stops emitting light and the transmission of the data file is stopped.

  Step C25: If the checksum value is the same, the system controller 55 of the portable receiving terminal 2 ends the receiving process.

  Through the above processing, the data file specified by the data file name specified by the portable receiving terminal 2 is transmitted from the terminal transmitter 3 to the portable receiving terminal 2 and received by the portable receiving terminal 2. Then, the data file stored in the cache memory 52 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 is displayed on the display 7 constituting the external I / O 47, for example.

  Here, if the data file name specifying the content to be acquired is registered in advance in the mobile receiving terminal 2, the user does not need to specify the content to be acquired by operating the terminal transmitter 3. Accordingly, it is possible to distribute contents in a short time together with the use of optical communication.

  The pre-registration of the data file name is performed, for example, by operating the operation unit 8 shown in FIG. Although not shown, a personal computer or the like may be connected to the portable receiving terminal 2 and registered from the personal computer.

  In step C13, after the data file name is notified from the portable receiving terminal 2 to the terminal transmitter 3 in the uplink, the data file name is returned from the terminal transmitter 3 to the portable receiving terminal 2 by the downlink by the laser diode 22. You may add the step and the step which collates with the portable receiving terminal 2 the data file name transmitted by the downlink. Thereby, the portable receiving terminal 2 can determine whether or not the terminal transmitter 3 is correctly attached and the terminal transmitter 3 is normally responding to the uplink.

  If it is determined in step C25 that the signal has been received normally, the system controller 55 may notify the user with the indicator 60. Further, when the display 7 is provided as shown in FIG. 2, the reception state may be notified on the display 7. Alternatively, the reception state may be notified from the portable receiving terminal 2 to the terminal transmitter 3 through the uplink by the wireless communication unit 61 and the wireless communication unit 50, and the reception state may be notified by the display 6 shown in FIG.

<Second Example of Operation of Content Distribution System of Third Embodiment>
FIGS. 17 and 18 are flowcharts showing other processing examples of the content distribution system according to the third embodiment. Next, a second operation example of the content distribution system 1C according to the third embodiment will be described.

  Here, in the flowcharts of FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, the mobile receiving terminal 2 notifies the terminal transmitter 3 of its own terminal number, and the terminal transmitter 3 transmits the data file specified by the terminal number to receive the mobile signal. A procedure for receiving a desired data file at the terminal 2 will be described.

  Step D1: The system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 stops driving the laser diode 22 until the detection switch 49 detects the portable terminal 2, and enters a standby state in which no data file is transferred.

  Step D2: The user brings the mobile reception terminal 2 close to the terminal transmitter 3 in order to set the terminal reception terminal 2 at a predetermined position of the mounting portion 4 of the terminal transmitter 3 shown in FIG.

  Step D3: The system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 receives the uplink from the mobile receiving terminal 2 by the wireless communication unit 50 and checks whether the connection has been established.

  Step D4: The system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 determines that the portable receiving terminal 2 does not exist nearby if the uplink connection from the portable receiving terminal 2 cannot be established, returns to Step D1, and sets the standby state. Become.

  Step D5: The system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 checks whether the detection switch 49 has detected the mounting of the portable receiving terminal 2.

  Step D6: If the system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 cannot detect the mounting of the portable receiving terminal 2, the system controller 46 determines that the portable receiving terminal 2 is not mounted on the terminal transmitter 3, returns to Step D1, and waits. It becomes.

  Step D7: When the system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 can detect the mounting of the portable receiving terminal 2, it causes the laser diode 22 to emit light with a predetermined intensity as a downlink carrier. The output here does not need to have a meaning as data.

  Step D8: The portable receiving terminal 2 checks whether a downlink carrier from the terminal transmitter 3 has been detected. That is, since the laser diode 22 of the terminal transmitter 3 emits light, the laser light is incident on the photodetector 35 when the portable receiving terminal 2 is correctly attached to the terminal transmitter 3.

  In the portable receiving terminal 2, the system controller 55 of the portable receiving terminal 2 detects the presence or absence of a down carrier by detecting whether or not the laser beam is incident on the photodetector 35 with the laser sensor 59.

  Step D9: The system controller 55 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 determines that the mobile receiving terminal 2 is not set correctly in the terminal transmitter 3 when the laser beam is not incident on the photo detector 35 and the downlink carrier cannot be detected. Then, the process returns to step D1 and enters a standby state.

  Step D10: When the system controller 55 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 detects the downlink carrier in Step C9, it determines that the mobile receiving terminal 2 is correctly set in the terminal transmitter 3, and turns on the indicator 60 for a predetermined time, for example. Let the user know.

  Step D11: The system controller 55 of the portable receiving terminal 2 checks whether the wireless communication unit 61 has received a connection confirmation signal from the wireless communication unit 50 of the terminal transmitter 3.

  Step D12: If the wireless communication unit 61 has not received the connection confirmation signal from the terminal transmitter 3, the system controller 55 of the portable receiving terminal 2 determines that the uplink has not been established and returns to Step D1. It will be in a standby state.

  Step D13: When the connection by the wireless communication unit 61 is established, the system controller 55 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 transmits the terminal number of the own device registered in advance in the memory 56 or the like via the wireless communication unit 61. Transmit to machine 3. The terminal number is an example of identification information and is a number unique to each mobile reception terminal 2, and the terminal transmitter 3 can identify the mobile reception terminal 2.

  Step D14: The system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 collates the terminal number table in which the terminal number registered in advance in the memory 47 or the like and the data file name are associated with each other.

  FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a terminal number table. The terminal number table 71 is a table in which the terminal number of the mobile receiving terminal 2 is associated with the data file name.

  In order to create this terminal number table 71, the user of each portable receiving terminal 2 is notified of the data file name to be acquired together with the terminal number. Here, in the following description, it is assumed that the data file specified by the data file name registered in the terminal number table 71 is stored in the cache memory 42 of the terminal transmitter 3.

  In step D14, the system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 checks whether the terminal number registered in the terminal number table 71 matches the terminal number notified from the mobile receiving terminal 2 through the uplink.

  Step D15: If the terminal controller registered in the terminal number table 71 and the terminal number notified from the mobile receiving terminal 2 via the uplink do not match, the system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 should transmit the data file Cannot be identified, the process returns to step D1 and enters a standby state.

  Step D16: When the terminal number registered in the terminal number table 71 matches the terminal number notified from the mobile receiving terminal 2 through the uplink, the system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 matches the terminal number of the terminal transmitter 3. The system controller 46 transmits the corresponding data file in the cache memory 42.

  That is, a desired data file stored in the cache memory 42 is read by the bridge IC 43, converted from parallel data to serial data by the serializer 44, and an electric signal is converted into an optical signal by the laser diode 22 and transmitted.

  Also in this example, as a process for determining that the data file has been successfully received, the mobile data receiving terminal 2 is notified of the total size of the data file by transmitting the first data file in the downlink, and then the actual data file is specified. Send only the number of block sizes.

  For this reason, first, the system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 transmits the “total block size” of the corresponding data file to the portable receiving terminal 2 by downlink.

  Step D17: The system controller 55 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 stores the total block size transmitted from the terminal transmitter 3 in the downlink in the total block size recording area of the cache memory 52.

  Step D18: The system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 transmits one block of the data file through the downlink.

  Step D19: The system controller 55 of the portable receiving terminal 2 stores the block of the corresponding data file transmitted in the downlink from the terminal transmitter 3 in a predetermined memory area of the cache memory 52. Then, the value of the total block size recording area is decreased by “1”.

  Step D20: The system controller 55 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 checks whether the value of the total block size recording area has become zero.

  Step D21: If the value of the total block size recording area is not zero, the process returns to Step D18.

  Step D22: The system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 transmits the checksum data of the corresponding data file through the downlink.

  Step D23: When the value of the total block size recording area is zero, the system controller 55 of the portable receiving terminal 2 calculates the checksum value from the received data file stored in the cache memory 52, and the terminal transmitter 3 Compare with the transmitted checksum data and check if they are the same.

  Step D24: If the checksum value is not the same, the system controller 55 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 returns to step D1 as a reception error and enters a standby state.

  Step D25: If the checksum value is the same, the system controller 55 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 ends the receiving process.

  Through the above processing, the data file designated by the terminal number of the mobile receiving terminal 2 is transmitted from the terminal transmitter 3 to the mobile receiving terminal 2 and received by the mobile receiving terminal 2. Then, the data file stored in the cache memory 52 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 is displayed on the display 7 constituting the external I / O 47, for example.

  Here, in the terminal transmitter 3, for example, the terminal number table shown in FIG. 19 is registered in advance, so that the content is not distributed to the mobile receiving terminal 2 in which the terminal number is not registered.

  As a result, it is possible to permit content distribution to the mobile receiving terminal 2 and to distribute content to a user having a specific mobile receiving terminal 2.

  Moreover, since the terminal transmitter 3 can identify the mobile receiving terminal 2 by receiving the terminal number, it is possible to distribute the content that needs to be transferred. For example, if the terminal number of the mobile receiving terminal 2 of the user who has paid the price in advance and the data file name of the content to be priced are registered in the terminal number table 19, the payment of the price can be made in advance. The content can be distributed to the mobile receiving terminal 2 of the user.

  In addition, after the terminal number is notified from the portable receiving terminal 2 to the terminal transmitter 3 in the uplink in step D13, the terminal number is returned from the terminal transmitter 3 to the portable receiving terminal 2 in the downlink by the laser diode 22; A step of collating the terminal number transmitted in the downlink with the portable receiving terminal 2 may be added. Thereby, the portable receiving terminal 2 can determine whether or not the terminal transmitter 3 is correctly attached and the terminal transmitter 3 is normally responding to the uplink.

<Updating process of cache memory of terminal transmitter>
As described above, the content data file distributed from the terminal transmitter 3 is stored in the cache memory 42, but in order to distribute new content or content desired by the user of the mobile receiving terminal 2, the cache memory A process of updating the data file stored in 42 is required.

  FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the file management function of the terminal transmitter 3. In FIG. 20, functions related to data file input / output management between the cache memory 42 and the main storage device 45 are mainly described, and update processing of the cache memory 42 will be described below.

  The system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 serves as an update means for performing input / output management of data files between the cache memory 42 and the main storage device 45, an existing data file confirmation function 46 a, a data file management function 46 b, a data file A load function 46c is provided. These functions are realized by executing a program stored in the memory 47, for example.

  The existence data file confirmation function 46 a is a function that always recognizes which data file is stored in the cache memory 42.

  The data file management function 46 b counts the number of times each data file is downloaded to the mobile receiving terminal 2. This function is a function for instructing deletion of the data file from the cache memory 42, copying of the data file from the main storage device 45 to the cache memory 42, and the like according to the number of times each data file is downloaded.

  The data file load function 46c is a function for copying a data file stored in the main storage device 45 to the cache memory 42 in accordance with an instruction from the data file management function 46b.

  Since the input / output management of the data file is performed by the updating means shown in FIG. 20, the main storage device 45 and the cache memory 42 store management information together with the data file.

  FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of data files and management information stored in the main storage device 45.

  In the main storage device 45, a data management number 72 for identifying data, an initial load flag 73 indicating an example of management information and a data file to be copied to the cache memory 42 by default, a data body 74, An access counter value 75 that is an example of management information and indicates the number of downloads, and a final access time value 76 that is an example of management information and indicates the date and time of the last download are stored in association with each other.

  FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a data file and management information stored in the cache memory 42.

  In the cache memory 42, a data management number 77 for identifying data, a deletion enable / disable flag 78 that is an example of management information indicating whether or not deletion is possible, a data body 79, and an example of management information that is the number of downloads And the last access time value 81 indicating the date and time of the last download, which is an example of management information, are stored in association with each other.

  Next, an example of data file input / output management processing in the cache memory 42 and the main storage device 45 will be described.

  It is assumed that n data files are stored in the main storage device 45 and m data files can be stored in the cache memory 42. Here, m ≦ n.

  First, as an initial setting, m data files designated in advance from the data files in the main storage device 45 are copied to the cache memory 42. In the data file designated in advance, the initial load flag 73 shown in FIG. 21 is ON, for example.

  This initial setting is performed, for example, at a timing at which a data file stored in the main storage device 45 is updated.

  Next, details of the initial setting operation for copying the data file of the main storage device 45 to the cache memory 42 will be described.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of update processing at the time of initial setting of the cache memory 42. The flowchart of FIG. 23 shows a procedure in which the data file in the cache memory 42 is deleted and replaced with a new data file when the main storage device 45 is updated.

  Step E1: Checking whether to update the data file stored in the cache memory 42 in response to the data update of the main storage device 45.

  Step E2: If it is not an opportunity to update the data in the main memory 45, it is determined that it is not the time to update the cache memory 42, and the process returns to Step E1.

  Step E3: When the data file in the cache memory 42 is updated, the data file management function 46b reserves the data body, each flag, and the reserved data other than the data file for which the deletion permission flag 78 described with reference to FIG. All of the area is deleted from the cache memory 42.

  Here, in the deletion permission / inhibition flag 78, it is also specified whether the value of the access counter value 80 of the data is deleted or whether the counter value is not deleted.

  Step E4: The data file load function 46c copies all the data files for which the initial load flag 73 described with reference to FIG.

  Step E5: The data file management function 46b secures an area for storing the access counter value 80 described with reference to FIG. 22 in each data file in the cache memory 42, and sets the value “1”. Further, an area for the last access time value 81 is secured, and the value is set to “maximum past”. If it is permanent data (resident content), the counter value is set to “maximum value”.

  Through the above processing, a data file of content that is likely to be requested for acquisition can be stored in the cache memory 42 in advance.

  Here, in the above update process, for example, if the update cycle of the main storage device 45 is one week, the data file specified to remain in the deletion permission flag 78 is updated in the data file of the main storage device 45. It will remain in the cache memory 42 in the next week. As a result, even if the data file is not stored in the main storage device 45, the data can continue to be downloaded in the next week.

  However, as will be described later, when the download request is smaller than other updated data, it is automatically deleted from the cache memory 42, and thereafter, it becomes impossible to answer a new request. This can be positioned as “data that will be lost if not requested”, and is effective as one of service variations.

  Next, update processing of the cache memory 42 in response to a download request from the mobile receiving terminal 2 will be described.

  For example, in step C13 of FIG. 16, the system controller 55 of the mobile receiving terminal 2 notifies the terminal transmitter 3 of the data file name of the acquisition request target registered in advance via the uplink.

  In step C14 of FIG. 16, the system controller 46 of the terminal transmitter 3 changes the uplink transmission device (radio communication unit) 61 of the mobile receiver 2 from the uplink to the uplink reception device (radio communication unit) 50. The existence data file confirmation function 46a checks whether the data file specified by the notified data file name is stored in the cache memory 42.

  When the corresponding data file is not stored in the cache memory 42, the presence data file confirmation function 46a notifies the data file management function 46b of the data file name requested from the portable receiving terminal 2.

  Further, the data file load function 46c is instructed to copy the corresponding data file from the main storage device 45 to the cache memory 42.

  Note that the corresponding data file copied to the cache memory 42 is downloaded to the downlink reception device (photodetector) 35 of the mobile reception terminal 2 via the downlink transmission device (laser diode) 22.

  Here, when the data file is downloaded to the portable receiving terminal 2, the number of downloads is managed for each data file, and the data file to be deleted is determined when a new data file is copied to the cache memory 42.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an example of an update process based on a download request for the cache memory 42, and details of a process for updating a data file in the cache memory 42 in response to a download request from the mobile receiving terminal 2 will be described.

  The flowchart of FIG. 24 shows a procedure in which the data file in the cache memory 42 copied in the initial setting is deleted from the cache memory 42 due to the number of downloads and replaced with a new data file.

  Step F1: In the terminal transmitter 3, it is checked whether the acquisition request data file name is notified by the uplink receiving device 50 via the uplink from the portable receiving terminal 2.

  Step F2: If there is no uplink from the mobile receiving terminal 2, the process returns to Step F1.

  Step F3: When the data file name is notified by uplink from the mobile receiving terminal 2, it is checked whether or not the corresponding data file is stored in the cache memory 42 by the existence data file confirmation function 46a.

  Step F4: If the data file requested for acquisition does not exist in the cache memory 42, the process proceeds to Step F5, and if it exists, the process proceeds to Step F7.

  Step F5: If the requested data file does not exist in the cache memory 42, the data file management function 46b sets the access counter value 80 shown in FIG. 22 among the data files stored in the cache memory 42. Delete the smallest value that is not a permanent.

  If there are a plurality of data files with the same counter value, the file with the oldest last access time value 81 is deleted. Further, when there are a plurality of items with the same condition, one is selected by random numbers and deleted.

  Step F6: The data file requested for acquisition is copied from the main memory 45 to the cache memory 42 by the data file load function 46c. Then, an area of the access counter value 80 of the copied data file is secured, and the value “1” is set. Further, an area for the last access time value 81 is secured, and the value is set to “current time”. If it is a permanent data file, the counter value “maximum value” is set.

  Step F7: If the data file requested for acquisition exists in the cache memory 42, the data file management function 46b increases the access counter value 80 of the requested data file by "1". If the maximum value is entered, keep it. Also, the value of the last access time value 81 is updated to “current time”.

  Step F8: The content data file with the acquisition request is read from the cache memory 42 by the bridge IC 43 described with reference to FIG. 8 and the like, and the mobile reception terminal 2 is downed via the downlink transmission device (laser diode) 22. The data is transmitted to a link receiving device (photodetector) 35.

  With the above processing, the data file of the content requested to be acquired from the mobile receiving terminal 2 is transmitted from the terminal transmitter 3 to the mobile receiving terminal 2. In the data file of the content requested to be acquired, the value of the access counter value 80 shown in FIG. 22 is added, and the last access time value 81 is updated.

  As a result, when updating the data file stored in the cache memory 42, the content with the high download count remains in the cache memory 42, and the content with the low download count is deleted from the cache memory 42.

  Therefore, the cache memory 42 can be used effectively, and a popular content can be waited in a state where it can be distributed at all times.

<Network configuration of content distribution system>
Now, the terminal transmitter 3 is installed in a store etc., for example. Then, in order to update the content data file stored in the main storage device 45 of each terminal transmitter 3, the terminal transmitter 3 is connected to the network and managed.

  FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating a network configuration example of the content distribution system. In the content distribution system 1, a plurality of terminal transmitters 3 are connected to a network 91 such as the Internet.

  A data file distribution server 92 is connected to the network 91. The data file distribution server 92 is an example of a server device, and stores a data file of content distributed from each terminal transmitter 3 to the mobile receiving terminal 2.

  When various conditions are satisfied, one or more content data files are distributed from the data file distribution server 92 to each terminal transmitter 3 via the network 91.

  Each terminal transmitter 3 updates the data file stored in the main storage device 45, for example, triggered by the distribution of the data file from the data file distribution server 92.

  As described above, the terminal transmitter 3 updates the data file stored in the cache memory 42 when the data file stored in the main storage device 45 is updated, for example.

  For this reason, when the content data file is distributed from the data file distribution server 92 to the terminal transmitter 3, for example, the value of the initial load flag 73 described with reference to FIG. It is possible to manage when updating.

  The condition for distributing the content data file from the data file distribution server 92 to the terminal transmitter 3 is, for example, a regular period such as hourly, daily, weekly or monthly.

  Further, the terminal number table or the like described with reference to FIG. 19 may be distributed by the data file distribution server 92.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is suitable for realizing a system in which an unspecified number of users own content reception devices, install content transmission devices on the streets, etc., and can deliver a large amount of content in a short time.

It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of the content delivery system of this Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example of a portable receiving terminal. It is a perspective view which shows the other structural example of a portable receiving terminal. It is a sectional side view which shows the structural example of the optical connector of this Embodiment. It is a partially broken perspective view which shows the structural example of a convex holder. It is a sectional side view which shows the operation example of the optical connector of this Embodiment. It is a sectional side view which shows the operation example of the optical connector of this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the content delivery system of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example of the content delivery system of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the content delivery system of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example of the content delivery system of 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the data file transmitted from a terminal transmitter. It is a timing chart which shows the process in the content delivery system of 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the content delivery system of 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example of the content delivery system of 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example of the content delivery system of 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the other processing example of the content delivery system of 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the other processing example of the content delivery system of 3rd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of a terminal number table. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the file management function of a terminal transmitter. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the data file stored in a main memory, and management information. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the data file stored in a cache memory, and management information. It is a flowchart which shows the example of an update process at the time of the initialization of cache memory. It is a flowchart which shows the example of an update process by the download request of a cache memory. It is a block diagram which shows the network structural example of a content delivery system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Content delivery system, 2 ... Portable receiving terminal, 3 ... Terminal transmitter, 4 ... Mounting part, 5 ... Light emission part, 6 ... Display, 7 ... Display, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 8 ... Operation part, 9 ... Light-receiving part, 10 ... Connector, 11 ... Optical connector, 12 ... Convex holder, 13 ... Concave holder, 14 ... Inclined convex part, 15 ... Opening recess, 16 ... first abutting surface, 17 ... second abutting surface, 22 ... laser diode, 35 ... photodetector, 42 ... cache memory, 43. .. Bridge IC, 44... Serializer, 45... Main memory, 46... System controller, 47 .. Memory, 48 .. External I / O, 49. ..Wireless communication part, 52 ... Cache memory, 53 Bridge IC 54 ... deserializer 55 ... system controller 56 ... memory 57 ... external I / O 58 ... main storage device 59 ... laser sensor 60 ... Indicator, 61 ... wireless communication unit, 71 ... terminal number table

Claims (48)

In a content distribution system in which a content transmission device and a content reception device are coupled by a detachable optical coupling means, and content is distributed by optical communication.
Communication means for transmitting content from the content transmitting device to the content receiving device by a pair of light emitting means and light receiving means provided in the optical coupling means,
The optical coupling means includes guide means for guiding the positions of the content transmitting apparatus and the content receiving apparatus to a position where the light emitting means and the light receiving means face each other and perform optical communication. system. The content receiving apparatus includes a light detecting unit that detects presence or absence of light reception by the light receiving unit,
The content distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the content receiving device starts reception processing when light is detected by the light detection unit. The content transmission device includes a wearing detection unit that detects whether or not the content receiving device is worn.
The content distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the content transmission device starts content output processing when the mounting detection unit detects mounting of the content receiving device. The content distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the content reception device includes notification means for notifying a user of a reception state. The optical coupling means is
A first connector having the light emitting means;
A second connector having the light receiving means and detachable from the first connector;
The guide means includes
Alignment guide means for guiding the positions of the first connector and the second connector in a direction in which the optical axis of the light emitting means and the optical axis of the light receiving means coincide with each other;
The content distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising an abutting guide unit that holds the optical axis of the light emitting unit and the optical axis of the light receiving unit in parallel. The content distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit includes a laser diode. In a content distribution system in which a content transmission device and a content reception device are coupled by a detachable optical coupling means, and content is distributed by optical communication.
First communication means for transmitting content from the content transmitting device to the content receiving device by a pair of light emitting means and light receiving means provided in the optical coupling means;
At least a second communication means for communicating from the content receiving device to the content transmitting device,
The optical coupling means includes guide means for guiding the positions of the content transmitting apparatus and the content receiving apparatus to a position where the light emitting means and the light receiving means face each other and perform optical communication. system. The content receiving apparatus includes a light detecting unit that detects presence or absence of light reception by the light receiving unit,
The content distribution system according to claim 7, wherein the content receiving apparatus starts reception processing when light is detected by the light detection unit. The content transmission device includes a wearing detection unit that detects whether or not the content receiving device is worn.
8. The content distribution system according to claim 7, wherein the content transmission device starts content output processing when the mounting detection unit detects mounting of the content receiving device. The content distribution system according to claim 7, wherein at least the content receiving device includes notification means for notifying a user of a communication state. The optical coupling means is
A first connector having the light emitting means;
A second connector having the light receiving means and detachable from the first connector;
The guide means includes
Alignment guide means for guiding the positions of the first connector and the second connector in a direction in which the optical axis of the light emitting means and the optical axis of the light receiving means coincide with each other;
The content distribution system according to claim 7, further comprising an abutting guide unit that holds the optical axis of the light emitting unit and the optical axis of the light receiving unit in parallel. The content distribution system according to claim 7, wherein the light emitting unit includes a laser diode. The content distribution system according to claim 7, wherein the second communication unit includes a wireless communication unit. The content receiving device notifies the content transmitting device of content specifying information for specifying content to be acquired,
The content distribution system according to claim 7, wherein the content transmission device outputs content specified by content specification information notified from the content reception device. The content receiving device notifies the content transmitting device of identification information for identifying the device;
8. The content distribution system according to claim 7, wherein the content transmission device outputs the content when the content reception device specified by the notified identification information is registered for permission of content distribution. The content transmitting device registers the identification information for specifying the content receiving device and the content specifying information for specifying the content in association with each other,
The content distribution system according to claim 15, wherein the content specified by the content specifying information corresponding to the notified identification information is output. The content transmission device includes first storage means for storing content,
The content distribution system according to claim 14, wherein one set or a plurality of sets of content specified by the content specifying information notified from the content receiving device are output from the first storage unit. The content transmission device includes:
Second storage means for storing a plurality of contents to be stored in the first storage means;
The content distribution system according to claim 17, further comprising an update unit configured to update content between the first storage unit and the second storage unit. Management information is added to the content stored in the first storage means and the content stored in the second storage means,
The content distribution system according to claim 18, wherein the update unit updates content between the first storage unit and the second storage unit based on the management information. The update means stores in the first storage means at least one content designated in advance by the management information among the contents stored in the second storage means. The content distribution system described. The updating unit deletes content other than the content specified as deletion-prohibited by the management information from the content stored in the first storage unit, and stores the content stored in the second storage unit. The content distribution system according to claim 19, wherein the content pre-specified by the management information is stored in the first storage means. The updating means stores in the second storage means when one or more sets of contents specified by the content specifying information notified from the content receiving device are not stored in the first storage means. The content distribution system according to claim 19, wherein the corresponding content is stored in the first storage means. 23. The content distribution system according to claim 22, wherein the updating unit deletes the content with a low output frequency specified by the management information from the content stored in the first storage unit. The content distribution system according to claim 7, further comprising a server device to which at least one content transmission device is connected and distributes content to the content transmission device. At least one content transmission device is connected, and includes a server device that distributes content to the content transmission device,
When the content is distributed from the server device, the update unit deletes the content stored in the first storage unit, other than the content designated as not to be deleted by the management information, The content distribution system according to claim 19, wherein content specified in advance by the management information is stored in the first storage unit among the content stored in the second storage unit. The content distribution system according to claim 24, wherein the server device periodically distributes content to the content transmission device. In a content transmission device that is coupled to a content receiving device by a detachable optical coupling means and distributes content by optical communication,
Communication means for transmitting content to the content receiving device by light emitting means provided in the optical coupling means;
The optical transmission unit includes a guide unit that guides the position of the content receiving device to a position where the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit of the content receiving device face each other and perform optical communication. apparatus. The optical coupling means is
Comprising a connector having the light emitting means,
The guide means includes
Alignment guide means for guiding the position of the connector in a direction in which the optical axis of the light emitting means and the optical axis of the light receiving means coincide with each other;
28. The content transmitting apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising an abutting guide unit that holds the optical axis of the light emitting unit and the optical axis of the light receiving unit in parallel. The content transmitting apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the light emitting means includes a laser diode. A wearing detection means for detecting whether or not the content receiving device is worn;
28. The content transmission apparatus according to claim 27, wherein when the attachment detection unit detects attachment of the content receiving apparatus, content output processing is started. 28. The content transmitting apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the content specified by the content specifying information notified from the content receiving apparatus is output. Identification information identifying the own device is notified from the content receiving device,
28. The content transmitting apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the content receiving apparatus specified by the notified identification information outputs content when permission for content distribution is registered. The identification information for specifying the content receiving device and the content specifying information for specifying the content are registered in association with each other,
The content transmitting apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the content specified by the content specifying information corresponding to the notified identification information is output. First storage means for storing content;
32. The content transmission device according to claim 31, wherein one or more sets of content specified by the content specification information notified from the content reception device are output from the first storage unit. Second storage means for storing a plurality of contents to be stored in the first storage means;
35. The content transmission apparatus according to claim 34, further comprising an update unit that updates content between the first storage unit and the second storage unit. Management information is added to the content stored in the first storage means and the content stored in the second storage means,
36. The content transmitting apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the updating unit updates content between the first storage unit and the second storage unit based on the management information. The update means stores in the first storage means at least one content specified in advance by the management information among the contents stored in the second storage means. The content transmission device described. The updating unit deletes content other than the content specified as deletion-prohibited by the management information from the content stored in the first storage unit, and stores the content stored in the second storage unit. 37. The content transmission apparatus according to claim 36, wherein content specified in advance by the management information is stored in the first storage means. The updating means stores in the second storage means when one or more sets of contents specified by the content specifying information notified from the content receiving device are not stored in the first storage means. 37. The content transmitting apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the corresponding content thus stored is stored in the first storage means. 40. The content transmitting apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the updating unit deletes content with a low output frequency specified by the management information from the content stored in the first storage unit. In a content receiving device that is coupled to a content transmission device by a detachable optical coupling means and receives content distributed by optical communication,
A communication means for receiving content from the content transmission device by a light receiving means provided in the optical coupling means;
The optical coupling means comprises a guide means for guiding the position of the content transmitting apparatus to a position where the light receiving means and the light emitting means of the content transmitting apparatus face each other and perform optical communication. apparatus. The optical coupling means is
A connector having the light receiving means;
The guide means includes
Alignment guide means for guiding the position of the connector in a direction in which the optical axis of the light emitting means and the optical axis of the light receiving means coincide with each other;
42. The content receiving apparatus according to claim 41, further comprising an abutting guide unit that holds the optical axis of the light emitting unit and the optical axis of the light receiving unit in parallel. A light detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of light reception by the light receiving means;
42. The content receiving apparatus according to claim 41, wherein reception processing is started when light is detected by the light detection means. 42. The content receiving apparatus according to claim 41, further comprising notification means for notifying a user of a reception state. In a content distribution method in which a content receiving device is attached to a content transmitting device and content is distributed by near-field optical communication in which a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit are opposed to each other
The content transmission device outputs an optical signal to repeatedly output the content,
When the content receiving apparatus detects reception of an optical signal, the content receiving method continues to receive the content until the content can be normally received, and stops receiving the content when the content can be normally received. 46. The content distribution method according to claim 45, wherein when the content transmission device detects attachment of the content reception device, the content transmission device outputs an optical signal and repeats output of the content. 46. The content transmission apparatus outputs an optical signal and repeats content output until it detects that the content receiving apparatus is not mounted after detecting the mounting of the content receiving apparatus. Content delivery method. Content specifying information for specifying content to be acquired is notified from the content receiving device to the content transmitting device;
The content delivery method according to claim 45, wherein the content transmission device outputs content specified by the content specification information.

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