JP2011232795A - Content distribution system, computer program, and recording medium for recording computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a content distribution system for reducing data quantity to be updated and communication quantity due to the transmission and reception of update information in case of updating content.SOLUTION: In a content update management server 106, a CPU acquires update information including the update section and update content of content in response to an inquiry from terminal equipment 102, and when determining that the update information has been acquired, the CPU transmits the update information as an inquiry result to the terminal equipment 102. In the terminal equipment 102, an HDD stores the content, and the CPU makes an inquiry for the presence/absence of the update of the content to the content update management server 106, and a communication I/F receives the update information, and the CPU specifies the update section of the content based on the received update information, and rewrites the content of the specified update section in the content stored in the HDD so that the update content included in the received update information can be reflected.

Description

  The present invention relates to a content distribution system, a computer program, and a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded, and more particularly to a technique for updating content.

  In recent years, content distribution services including content distribution servers and terminal devices have become widespread. In this content distribution service, a content distribution server distributes content such as moving images, music, electronic books, and news information to a terminal device via a communication network such as the Internet and a mobile phone network. The terminal device displays or reproduces the distributed content.

  The content managed by the content distribution server is created by a content provider or the like, and the content is frequently updated. In order to manage such update information, various techniques have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a content management system that manages content structure and its temporal change based on content structure information and history information of the content and its constituent elements. ing.

  Further, Patent Document 2 described later discloses an update information display system including a client, a Web server, and an update information management server, which are connected to each other via a network so as to communicate with each other. In this update information display system, the update information management server acquires update information of the information contents of each Web server, and creates update information list contents in which the acquired update information is displayed as a list. The client acquires update information list contents created by the update information management server at regular intervals, and detects whether the acquired update information list contents are updated. When it is detected that there is an update, the update information list content is displayed in a pop-up on the client screen.

  Further, in Patent Document 3 described later, download control meta information for controlling download of content is received, the received download control meta information is analyzed, periodically distributed content, and further, the update cycle is short. A content receiving apparatus that preferentially downloads content is disclosed. This content receiving apparatus checks the version of the download control meta information on the server at regular intervals, and if the confirmed version is different from the downloaded version, downloads the download control meta information by newly downloading it. Update control meta information.

Japanese Patent No. 3948851 JP 2004-246822 A JP 2009-169783 A

  In the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3, when content is updated, the entire content is updated to the latest version or updated to the version specified by the user. Therefore, even when content is partially updated in a guidebook or the like, the entire content is updated, so that there is a problem that the amount of data to be updated becomes enormous and the update fee becomes uselessly high. In addition, since information related to the entire content is transmitted as update information from the update information management server or the like to the terminal device, there is a problem that the communication amount becomes enormous and the communication fee becomes uselessly high.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a content distribution system, a computer program, and a recording medium on which the computer program is recorded that can reduce the amount of data to be updated and the amount of communication due to transmission / reception of update information when updating the content. It is to be.

  A content update system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a content distribution server that distributes content and is connected to each other via a network, and a terminal device that includes an output unit that outputs the distributed content. A content update management server, the content update management server, in response to an inquiry from the terminal device, an acquisition means for acquiring update information including an update part of the content and update content; A determination unit that determines whether or not the acquisition unit has acquired update information; and a transmission unit that transmits the update information as a query result to the terminal device when the determination unit determines that the update information has been acquired. , And the terminal device stores the content with respect to the storage means for storing the content and the content update management server. Included in the received update information, inquiry means for inquiring whether there is an update, receiving means for receiving update information transmitted as an inquiry result, specifying means for specifying an update part of content based on the received update information, and Updating means for rewriting the contents of the specified update portion in the content stored in the storage means so that the updated contents are reflected.

  As described above, when the content is partially updated, update information including the updated portion and the update content is transmitted from the content update management server to the terminal device, and thus information regarding the entire content is transmitted. Compared with, the amount of communication can be greatly reduced. Further, in the terminal device, only the content of the update part specified by the received update information in the content is rewritten, so that the amount of data to be updated can be reduced to a minimum as compared with the case where the entire content is updated. Can do. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the cost required for updating the update fee and the communication fee.

  Preferably, the output unit includes a display device, and the terminal device displays on the display device an image based on the content so that the specified update portion is clear before the content is rewritten by the update unit. Control means is further included. As a result, the user can easily know the updated part of the content.

  More preferably, the display control means causes the display device to display an image based on the content in a state where the specified update portion is surrounded by a frame. As a result, the user can more easily know the updated part of the content.

  More preferably, the display control means causes the display device to display the update contents in the update portion. As a result, the user can grasp the updated contents without updating the contents. Therefore, the user can easily determine whether or not the content should be updated. In addition, the user can be guided to update the content.

  More preferably, the display control means causes the display device to display an image based on the content so that the contents of the updated part cannot be seen. As a result, it is possible to avoid the disadvantage that the user suffers by using the content before update. For example, it is possible to prevent the user from calling the wrong contact by using the telephone number before the update. By using the timetable before update, it is possible to prevent the user from getting behind the desired transportation system.

  More preferably, the content may include a portion having flag information indicating non-display of the content of the update portion, and the terminal device determines whether or not the specified update portion is a portion having flag information. The display control means further includes a non-display determination means, and when the non-display determination means determines that the identified update part is a part having flag information, the display control means indicates that the content of the update part is An image based on the content is displayed so that it cannot be seen. This makes it possible for the content provider and the like to prevent the user from seeing information being updated and problematic parts such as typographical errors. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the disadvantages caused by the user using the information being updated and the influence of typographical errors.

  More preferably, the output means includes a display device, and before the content is rewritten by the update means, the terminal device is at least updated with respect to the entire content, the number of updated characters, and updated to the display device. Display control means for displaying information including any one of the number of images. As a result, the user can easily know information related to the update of the content. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily determine whether or not the content should be updated.

  More preferably, the terminal device further includes an update instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to reflect the update content after the display by the display control unit is performed, and the update unit receives the instruction when the update instruction receiving unit receives the instruction. Then, the content of the identified update part is rewritten. As a result, the user can determine whether to reflect the updated contents after confirming the updated portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unnecessary updating.

  More preferably, the terminal device further includes an update instruction accepting unit that accepts an instruction to designate a part to reflect the update content after the display by the display control unit, and the update unit is instructed by the update instruction accepting unit. Is received, the contents of the specified update part and the specified part are rewritten. Thus, after confirming the update part, the user can determine whether there is a part for which the update contents are desired to be reflected, and if there is a part for which the update contents are desired to be specified, the part can be designated. it can. Therefore, the minimum necessary update can be performed, and unnecessary updates can be prevented.

  More preferably, the terminal device further includes accepting means for accepting access to the content, and when the accepting means accepts access, the inquiry means inquires of the content update management server whether the content has been updated. Thereby, the user of the terminal device can browse the content in which the updated content is reflected without issuing an instruction to update the content.

  More preferably, the terminal device further includes a reception unit that receives an instruction to acquire update information, and the inquiry unit determines whether the content update management server has updated the content when the reception unit receives the instruction. Inquire. Thus, when the user desires to update the content, the user can view the content reflecting the updated content.

  More preferably, the terminal device further includes a clock unit that outputs the current time, and a time determination unit that determines whether or not the current time output by the clock unit has reached a predetermined time. When it is determined by the time determination means that the predetermined time has been reached, the content update management server is inquired of whether or not the content has been updated. As a result, the content is automatically updated, so that the user of the terminal device can always obtain the content reflecting the latest update contents without issuing an instruction to update the content.

  More preferably, the terminal device further includes a setting unit for presetting a part to be updated in the content, and the inquiry unit instructs the content update management server to store the content in the preset part. The inquiry / acquisition means obtains update information in a preset portion in response to an inquiry from the terminal device. As a result, only the portion that the user desires to update is updated, so that it is possible to more reliably prevent unnecessary updating. Moreover, since only the part with a high priority is updated, compared with the case where the update information containing all the update parts is transmitted, the amount of communication can be reduced. As a result, communication charges can be reduced.

  More preferably, the terminal device further includes notification means for notifying the user that the content stored in the storage means has been updated by the update means. Accordingly, for example, even when the content is automatically updated, the user can confirm that the content has been updated, and thus the convenience for the user is further improved.

  More preferably, the terminal device acquires position information output by the position measuring unit in synchronization with the inquiry by the inquiry unit, the position measuring unit that outputs the current position information of the terminal device, and the acquired position information A position information transmitting means for transmitting to the content update management server, the content update management server further including a position information receiving means for receiving the position information, and the obtaining means responds to an inquiry from the terminal device. Then, update information is acquired based on the received position information. As a result, the contents can be updated to contents more useful to the user, and the convenience for the user is further improved.

  More preferably, the content includes advertisement information, and the content update management server further includes an advertisement information storage unit that stores the position information and the advertisement information corresponding to the position information in association with each other, and the acquisition unit includes the terminal In response to the inquiry from the device, based on the received location information, the location information closest to the terminal device is selected from the location information stored in the advertisement information storage means, and the selected location information Corresponding advertisement information is acquired from the advertisement information storage means as update information. As a result, information with higher advertising effect can be provided to the user. In addition, even in places where communication is complicated such as busy streets where people are concentrated, useful information can be efficiently provided to many users, thus further improving user convenience.

  More preferably, each time the content stored in the storage unit is updated by the update unit, the content update management server stores the updated size information of the updated portion in association with the user ID for identifying the user. And a charging unit for summing up the sizes of the updated update portions based on the size information stored in the size storage unit and charging the corresponding user based on the total amount And further including. This makes it possible for the content provider and the like to easily charge the content update fee. Therefore, convenience for content providers and the like is further improved.

  More preferably, each time the content stored in the storage unit is updated by the update unit, the content update management server stores the updated number information of the updated portions in association with the user ID for specifying the user. And a billing unit for summing up the number of updated portions based on the number information stored in the size storage unit and charging the corresponding user based on the total amount And further including. This makes it possible for the content provider and the like to easily charge the content update fee. Therefore, convenience for content providers and the like is further improved.

  More preferably, the content distribution server and the content update management server are composed of the same server device. As a result, the number of devices constituting the content update system can be reduced, so that the cost of the content update system can be reduced.

  More preferably, the content update system further includes a device functioning as a terminal device and a content distribution server. As a result, the number of devices constituting the content update system can be reduced, so that the cost of the content update system can be reduced.

  More preferably, the content update system further includes a device that functions as a terminal device and a content management server. As a result, the number of devices constituting the content update system can be reduced, so that the cost of the content update system can be reduced.

  A computer program according to a second aspect of the present invention is an output that outputs a distributed content to a content distribution server and a content update management server that distribute content and a computer that is connected to each other via a network so that data communication is possible. Means, storage means for storing the content, inquiry means for inquiring whether the content is updated to the content update management server, and update information including the update part and the update content transmitted as a result of the inquiry is received. Based on the received update information, the specifying means for specifying the update portion of the content, and the content stored in the storage means is specified so that the update content included in the received update information is reflected. An updating means for rewriting the contents of the updated part. To function.

  By executing such a computer program, only the content of the update part specified by the received update information in the content is rewritten, so that the amount of data to be updated is minimized compared to the case where the entire content is updated. It can be reduced to the limit. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost for updating the update fee and the like.

  A computer program according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a terminal device including a content distribution server for distributing content and an output unit for outputting the distributed content, and a computer connected to each other via a network so as to be able to perform data communication. In response to an inquiry from the terminal device, an acquisition unit that acquires update information including an update part and update content of content, a determination unit that determines whether the acquisition unit has acquired update information, and a determination unit When the update information is determined to be acquired, the terminal device is caused to function as a content update management server including transmission means for transmitting the update information as an inquiry result.

  By executing such a computer program, when the content is partially updated, update information including the update portion and the update content is transmitted from the content update management server to the terminal device, so that the entire content Compared with the case where the information regarding is transmitted, the amount of communication can be significantly reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost required for updating the communication fee and the like.

  A recording medium according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium on which the computer program is recorded.

  Examples of the recording medium include a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read-Only Memory), and a hard disk drive (HDD) as an auxiliary storage device, which constitute a main memory or an auxiliary memory inside the computer. . A program reading device may be provided as an external storage device of a computer, and a recording medium that can be read by being inserted into this device may be used. Normally, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) reads a computer program from a recording medium other than the main memory, and loads the read computer program into the main memory and executes it. The CPU comprehensively controls each part of the computer so as to perform predetermined processing in accordance with the installed computer program.

  Recording media that can be read by the program reader include (1) tape systems such as magnetic tape and cassette tape, (2) magnetic disks such as flexible disk (FD) and hard disk (HDD), or CD-ROM (Compact Disc). -Read Only Memory (MO), Magnet (Optical Disk) such as MD (Mini Disk), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), etc. (3) IC (Integrated Circuit) card including memory card, optical card, etc. Card system, and (4) Mask ROM, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Er) Examples thereof include a medium for recording a program in a fixed manner, including a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory (programmable read only memory).

  The medium may be configured to connect the computer to a communication network including the Internet and carry the program fluidly so as to download the computer program from the communication network. When the computer program is downloaded from the communication network in this way, the download program may be stored in the computer in advance. Moreover, you may install from another recording medium.

  According to the present invention, when the content is partially updated, the update information including the updated portion and the update content is transmitted from the content update management server to the terminal device, so that information regarding the entire content is transmitted. The amount of communication can be greatly reduced compared to the case where Further, in the terminal device, only the content of the update part specified by the received update information in the content is rewritten, so that the amount of data to be updated can be reduced to a minimum as compared with the case where the entire content is updated. Can do. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the cost required for updating the update fee and the communication fee.

It is a block diagram which shows typically the structure of the content update system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the terminal device shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the content update management server shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the program structure for implement | achieving the content update process in a terminal device in a flowchart format. It is a figure which shows the program structure for implement | achieving the content update process in a content update management server in a flowchart format. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the determination method of the presence or absence of the update of the content by a content update management server. In the 1st Embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows the example of a display of the image based on the content by which the update part is highlighted. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the image based on a content in which the update part is highlighted in the 1st modification of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the image based on a content displayed so that the content of the update part may not be visible in the 2nd modification of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. In the 3rd modification of the 1st Embodiment of this invention, it is a figure which shows the example of a display of the image based on a content by which an update rate and various information are displayed on the front. It is a figure which shows the program structure for implement | achieving the content automatic update process in a terminal device in a flowchart format. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the terminal device contained in the content update system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the program structure for implement | achieving the content update process classified by position in a terminal device in a flowchart format. It is a figure which shows the program structure for implement | achieving the content update / billing process in a terminal device in a flowchart format. It is a figure which shows the program structure for implement | achieving the content update and accounting process in a content update management server in a flowchart format. It is a figure which shows an example of an alerting | reporting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of an alerting | reporting screen.

  In the following description and drawings, the same reference numerals and names are assigned to the same components. Their functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[Content update system 100]
Referring to FIG. 1, content update system 100 includes a plurality of terminal devices 102A to 102D, a content distribution server 104, and a content update management server 106.

  The terminal devices 102A, 102B, and 102D, the content distribution server 104, and the content update management server 106 are connected to each other via a wide area communication network 108 and can perform data communication with each other. The wide-area communication network 108 is not particularly limited as long as it enables communication over a wide geographical area, and examples thereof include the Internet network and a mobile phone network. The terminal devices 102A to 102C are connected to each other via the narrow area communication network 110 and can perform data communication with each other. The narrow-area communication network 110 is not particularly limited. For example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) 802.11, or the like. Some use distance wireless communication technology, others use wired communication technology such as EtherNet, and the like.

  The content distribution server 104 uses an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 112 as content including moving image data for providing a movie, audio data for providing music, character string data for providing an electronic book, and the like. These contents are distributed to external devices such as the terminal devices 102A to 102D.

  The terminal devices 102A to 102D output the content distributed from the content distribution server 104 or the like so that the user can view it. Hereinafter, the terminal devices 102 </ b> A to 102 </ b> D are collectively referred to only by reference numerals.

  The content update management server 106 stores and manages data necessary for acquiring update information including the update portion and update contents of the content stored in the content distribution server 104 in the HDD 114, and acquires it to the terminal device 102. Provide updated information.

  The number of terminal devices 102 is not limited to four as shown in FIG. For example, the number of terminal devices 102 may be two, or four or more.

<Hardware configuration>
[Terminal device 102]
Referring to FIG. 2, terminal device 102 includes a CPU 200. A system bus 216 is connected to the CPU 200, and a ROM 202, a RAM 204, and an HDD 206 are electrically connected to the system bus 216.

  The ROM 202 is a read-only program memory that stores a computer program (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “program”) for executing and controlling the operation of each component of the terminal device 102. In the present embodiment, ROM 202 stores a program for executing content update processing together with a program for executing a general operation of terminal apparatus 102. The program structure for realizing the content update process in this program will be described later.

  The RAM 204 is a temporary storage memory in which the program in the ROM 202 is expanded and used as a working memory for temporarily storing data such as operation information when the CPU 200 executes various programs.

  The HDD 206 is an auxiliary storage device that reads or writes data as necessary. The HDD 206 stores at least one content. This content is downloaded in advance from the content distribution server 104 in accordance with a user instruction based on an input operation on the remote control device 218.

  The HDD 206 further stores an update unnecessary list (not shown). In the update unnecessary list, a content name and information indicating whether or not the content needs to be updated are stored in association with each other. In the present embodiment, a character string “unnecessary” is stored as information indicating that content updating is not necessary, and a character string “necessary” is stored as information indicating that content updating is necessary. These character strings are registered in advance by a user input operation on the remote control device 218. It should be noted that no information corresponding to the content name is registered in the content for which it is not determined whether the content needs to be updated by the user.

  The CPU 200 executes various programs according to user instructions input from the remote control device 218, thereby executing desired processing such as content playback. The various programs are stored in the ROM 202 in advance, and are read from the ROM 202 and transferred to the RAM 204 when desired processing is executed. CPU 200 reads and interprets a program instruction from an address in RAM 204 specified by a value stored in a register (not shown) called a program counter in CPU 200. CPU 200 also reads data necessary for the operation from an address specified by the read instruction, and executes an operation corresponding to the instruction on the data. The execution result is also stored in an address specified by an instruction, such as a register in the RAM 204, HDD 206, and CPU 200.

  The system bus 216 is further electrically connected to an input I / F 208, a display device 210, and a communication I / F 212.

  The input I / F 208 receives a user instruction input from the remote control device 218 and outputs a control signal corresponding to the received instruction to the CPU 200. The remote control device 218 is a user interface used as an input device for inputting various instructions such as an instruction to display content. The remote control device 218 includes a play button 220, a stop button 221, a fast forward button 222, a rewind button 223, a pause button 224, and a slow button 225. By pressing these buttons, the user can instruct the terminal device 102 to execute processing such as content playback, stop, fast forward, rewind, pause, and slow playback.

  The display device 210 is an output device including a liquid crystal display for displaying an image, a speaker for outputting sound, and the like. The display device 210 outputs an image and sound based on the content stored in the HDD 206. In addition, the display apparatus 210 is not limited to the said structure, For example, the indicator which consists of an LED lamp etc. which show the operation state of the terminal device 102 may be included.

  The communication I / F 212 has an interface with at least one of the wide area communication network 108 and the narrow area communication network 110. The terminal device 102 is connected to various external communication devices such as another terminal device 102, the content distribution server 104, and the content update management server 106 via the communication I / F 212. Data communication with the device is possible.

  A power supply (not shown) is connected to each component of the terminal device 102, and a voltage is applied from this power supply, so that each component of the terminal device 102 can operate.

[Content update management server 106]
Referring to FIG. 3, the content update management server 106 is an apparatus including, for example, a PC server, and includes a control unit 300, an HDD 114, an operation unit 302, a display unit 304, and a network I / F 306.

  The control unit 300 is substantially a computer, and includes a CPU 308, a ROM 310, and a RAM 312. A bus line 314 is connected to the CPU 308, and a ROM 310 and a RAM 312 are electrically connected to the bus line 314. The CPU 308 executes various programs in accordance with instructions from an external device such as the terminal device 102 or the operation unit 302, thereby performing desired operations such as operation of each component of the content update management server 106 and communication with the external device. Execute the process.

  The various programs are stored in advance in the ROM 310 or the HDD 114, read out from the ROM 310 or the HDD 114, and transferred to the RAM 312 when executing desired processing. The CPU 308 reads and interprets a program instruction from an address in the RAM 312 specified by a value stored in a register called a program counter (not shown) in the CPU 308. CPU 308 also reads data necessary for the operation from the address specified by the read instruction, and executes an operation corresponding to the instruction on the data. The execution result is also stored in an address specified by the instruction, such as a register in the RAM 312, HDD 114, and CPU 308.

  In the present embodiment, ROM 310 stores a program for executing content update processing together with a program for executing a general operation of content update management server 106. The program structure for realizing the content update process in this program will be described later.

  Further, the HDD 114, the operation unit 302, the display unit 304, and the network I / F 306 are electrically connected to the bus line 314.

  The HDD 114 stores various data including the latest content, comparison content, and the like, together with a program for realizing the general operation of the content update management server 106. The latest content and the comparison content are data necessary for acquiring update information. The latest content and comparison content will be described later.

  The operation unit 302 includes a keyboard that performs various inputs and character inputs in accordance with user instructions and the like, and a mouse that is a pointing device. The display unit 304 is a display device composed of a liquid crystal display or the like for displaying processing results in the content update management server 106. The operation unit 302 and the display unit 304 are connected to the bus line 314 via an interface (not shown).

  The content update management server 106 is connected to the wide area communication network 108 via the network I / F 306 and can perform data communication with various external devices connected to the wide area communication network 108.

  A power supply (not shown) is connected to each component of the content update management server 106, and a voltage is applied from this power supply, so that each component of the content update management server 106 can operate.

[Content distribution server 104]
The content distribution server 104 has the same configuration as the content update management server 106 except that it includes an HDD 112 that stores at least one content instead of the HDD 114. Content stored in the HDD 112 is managed by a content provider or the like. The provider or the like rewrites and updates the content stored in the HDD 112 as necessary. Then, the updated content is stored as the latest content in the HDD 114 of the content update management server 106.

<Software configuration>
[Content update processing in terminal device 102]
Referring to FIG. 4, the program for realizing the content update process stored in ROM 202 of terminal device 102 is activated when terminal device 102 is turned on and ends when the power is turned off.

  This program is executed in steps S101 for waiting until an input operation is performed on the remote control device 218, and when it is determined in step S101 that there is an input operation (in the case of YES), an instruction based on the input operation And step S102 for determining whether or not the instruction is for display. If it is determined in step S102 that the instruction is not to display content (in the case of NO), control returns to step S101. The above-described instruction to display content is, for example, an instruction given when the content name is specified and the playback button 220 is pressed.

  Further, this program is executed when it is determined in step S102 that the instruction is to display the content (in the case of YES), and it is necessary to make an inquiry to the content update management server 106 based on the update unnecessary list. Step S103 for determining whether or not is included. In step S103, if the character string “unnecessary” is registered as information corresponding to the content name to be displayed in the update unnecessary list, it is determined that the inquiry is unnecessary. On the other hand, if the character string “necessary” is registered, or if nothing is registered, it is determined that the inquiry is necessary.

  This program is further executed when it is determined in step S103 that an inquiry is necessary (in the case of YES), and the content update management server 106 is informed of whether or not the content has been updated via the communication I / F 212. Step S104 for inquiring, and Step S105 for waiting until an inquiry result is received from the content update management server 106 are included. The above inquiry result includes information indicating whether or not the content has been updated (hereinafter referred to as “update presence / absence information”), and if there is a content update, includes update information including the content update portion and the update content. It is.

  This program is further executed when it is determined in step S105 that the inquiry result has been received (in the case of YES), and step S106 for determining the presence / absence of content update based on the update presence / absence information, and step S106. Is executed (if YES), the designated content is read from the HDD 206, the update portion is identified based on the read content and the update information, and the display device 210 is And S107 for displaying an image based on the content in a state in which the identified update portion is emphasized.

  The program further determines whether or not an instruction to reflect the updated content of the content is input by an input operation to the remote control device 218, and in step S108, the updated content of the content is reflected. It is executed when it is determined that an instruction has been input (in the case of YES), and the updated portion of the content stored in the HDD 206 is rewritten so that the updated content is reflected, and the rewritten content is also updated to the content update management server. Step S109 for transmitting to 106.

  The program further determines that no inquiry is required in step S103 (in the case of NO), if it is determined in step S106 that there is no update (in the case of NO), the content update contents in step S108 When it is determined that an instruction not to reflect is input (in the case of NO), or is executed after the process of step S109, the designated content is read from the HDD 206, and the display device 210 is based on the read content. Step S110 for displaying an image.

[Content update processing in content update management server 106]
Referring to FIG. 5, the program for realizing the content update processing stored in ROM 310 of content update management server 106 is activated and turned off when content update management server 106 is turned on. End with.

  This program is executed in steps S201 for waiting until an inquiry is received from the terminal device 102, and when it is determined in step S201 that an inquiry has been received (in the case of YES), it is determined whether or not content has been updated. Step S202.

  This program is further executed when it is determined in step S202 that there is no update (in the case of NO), and the inquiry result including the update presence / absence information indicating that there is no update is sent to the terminal via the network I / F 306. Step S203 for transmitting to the apparatus 102 is included.

  This program is further executed when it is determined in step S202 that there is an update (in the case of YES), and an inquiry result including update presence / absence information indicating that there is an update and update information via the network I / F 306. Is transmitted to the terminal device 102.

  This program is further executed after step S204, and waits until the rewritten content is received from the terminal device 102. If it is determined in step S205 that the rewritten content has been received (YES) Step S206, and the received content is stored in the HDD 114 as comparison content.

<Operation>
1 to 5, terminal device 102 and content update management server 106 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention operate as follows. Except for the following operations, general operations of the terminal device 102 and the content update management server 106 are the same as those of the conventional terminal device and content update management server. In the following operation, it is assumed that the terminal device 102 and the content update management server 106 are in a power-on state.

  The user of the terminal device 102A designates a desired content name by an input operation on the remote control device 218, and presses the playback button 220. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a guide book (electronic book) having a content name “World Heritage Series” is designated.

  When playback button 220 is pressed (YES in step S101), CPU 200 determines whether or not the instruction based on the input operation is an instruction to display content (step S102). CPU 200 determines that the instruction based on the input operation is an instruction to display content (YES in step S102), and determines whether or not an inquiry to content update management server 106 is necessary based on the update unnecessary list. Determination is made (step S103). At this time, it is assumed that a character string “Necessary” is registered in the update unnecessary list as information corresponding to the designated content name.

  CPU 200 determines that an inquiry is necessary (YES in step S103), and inquires of content update management server 106 whether or not content is updated via communication I / F 212 (step S104).

  In content update management server 106, when network I / F 306 receives an inquiry from terminal apparatus 102A (YES in step S201), CPU 308 determines whether or not content has been updated (step S202). At this time, whether or not there is an update is determined based on the latest content stored in the HDD 114 and the comparison content.

  Here, a method for determining whether or not content has been updated by the content update management server 106 will be described. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the content is a document described by XML (Extensible Markup Language) and is stored in advance in a state of being divided into a plurality of arbitrary blocks. Referring to FIG. 6, the latest content 600 and comparison content (not shown) stored in HDD 114 are composed of 100 blocks that are similarly divided. The CPU 308 performs authoring when determining whether the content is updated, compares the latest content 600 and the comparative content for each block, and determines whether the description contents are different. When a block having a different description content, that is, a block having a description content update is found, the tag information before and after the block is extracted, and the extracted tag information is stored as auxiliary data 602 in the HDD 114. .

The CPU 200 determines whether there is created auxiliary data after performing the above processing on all the blocks. If there is created auxiliary data, the CPU 200 determines that there is content update. On the other hand, if there is no auxiliary data created, it is determined that there is no content update. In this way, the CPU 200 acquires auxiliary data indicating an updated part of the content and a block indicating the update content.
-When there is no content update-
If CPU 308 determines that there is no content update (NO in step S202), CPU 308 sends an inquiry result including update presence / absence information indicating that there is no update to terminal device 102A via network I / F 306. (Step S203).

  When communication I / F 212 receives the inquiry result (YES in step S105), CPU 200 determines that there is no content update based on the update presence / absence information (NO in step S106). The designated content is read from the HDD 206, and an image based on the read content is displayed on the display device 210 (step S110). As a result, an image based on the content that has not been updated is displayed and played on the display device 210.

  The user browses the displayed content and presses the stop button 221 of the remote control device 218. When the stop button 221 is pressed, the CPU 200 causes the display device 210 to end displaying an image based on the content.

-When there is content update-
If CPU 308 determines that there is a content update (YES in step S202), CPU 308 sends an inquiry result including update presence / absence information indicating that there is an update and update information via network I / F 306 to the terminal device. It transmits to 102A (step S204). Here, the update information is a block sandwiched between auxiliary data and tag information included in the auxiliary data.

  When communication I / F 212 receives the inquiry result (YES in step S105), CPU 200 determines that there is content update based on the update presence / absence information (YES in step S106). Then, the designated content is read from the HDD 206, the update part is specified based on the read content and the update information (auxiliary data), and the display device 210 is based on the content with the specified update part being emphasized. An image is displayed (step S107). Referring to FIG. 6 again, at this time, in the content read from HDD 206, block 604 sandwiched between tag information 603A and 603B included in the auxiliary data is specified as an updated portion.

  Referring to FIG. 7, content 700 is displayed in an emphasized state by the updated portion being surrounded by frames (hereinafter simply referred to as “enclosed frames”) 702A and 702B. Thereby, the user can know that the information regarding the explanation of Machu Picchu and the information regarding the local transportation means are updated in the content 700 which is the guidebook.

  The user confirms an image based on the content in which the updated portion is emphasized, and gives an instruction to reflect the updated content of the content by an input operation on the remote control device 218. CPU 200 determines that an instruction to reflect the updated content of the content has been input (YES in step S108), rewrites the updated portion of the content stored in HDD 206 so that the updated content is reflected, and The rewritten content is transmitted to the content update management server 106 (step S109). Referring to FIG. 6 again, in this case, in the content stored in HDD 206, the description content of block 604 sandwiched between tag information 603A and 603B included in the auxiliary data is replaced with the description content of corresponding block 605.

  When network I / F 306 receives the rewritten content from terminal apparatus 102A (YES in step S205), CPU 308 of content update management server 106 stores the received content in HDD 114 as a comparison content (step S206). ).

  After transmitting the rewritten content, the CPU 200 of the terminal device 102A reads the designated content, that is, the rewritten content from the HDD 206, and causes the display device 210 to display an image based on the read content (step S110). As a result, in the content 700 shown in FIG. 7, information related to Machu Picchu explanation and information related to local transportation means are displayed in a rewritten state.

  The user browses the displayed content and presses the stop button 221 of the remote control device 218. When the stop button 221 is pressed, the CPU 200 causes the display device 210 to end displaying an image based on the content.

  When the character string “unnecessary” is registered as information corresponding to the designated content in the update unnecessary list, or when nothing is registered, the CPU 200 causes the content update management server 106 to Is determined to be unnecessary (NO in step S103), the designated content is read from the HDD 206, and an image that has not been updated based on the read content is displayed on the display device 210 (step S110). When the user gives an instruction not to reflect the updated content of the content through an input operation on remote control device 218 (NO in step S108), CPU 200 reads the designated content from HDD 206 and displays it. The device 210 displays an image that has not been updated based on the read content (step S110).

[First Modification]
In the first modification of the first embodiment described above, when it is determined that there is an update in step S106 shown in FIG. 4 (in the case of YES), the update content is displayed together with the highlighted display of the update portion. This is the same as the first embodiment described above.

  Referring to FIG. 8, content 800 is displayed in a state where the updated portion is emphasized by surrounding frame 802 and the updated content is displayed in balloon image 804.

  In addition, according to the said 1st modification, the balloon image 804 in which the update content was reflected was displayed with respect to all the update parts, but this invention is not limited to such embodiment. For example, the balloon image 804 may be displayed when the user gives an instruction such as clicking on the frame 802 in the state indicated by the cursor. In this way, by displaying only the update contents of a part of the update parts, the user can browse only the desired update contents, so that the convenience for the user is further improved.

[Second Modification]
In the second modification of the first embodiment described above, the content of the updated portion is not visible when it is determined that there is an update in step S106 shown in FIG. 4 (in the case of YES). This is the same as the above-described first embodiment except that an image based on is displayed.

  Referring to FIG. 9, content 900 is displayed in a state where the updated portion is covered with mask 902. In this way, by covering the updated portion with the mask 902 so that the content before the update is not visible to the user, the user may use incorrect information (for example, telephone number and timetable). Can be prevented.

  Note that, according to the second modification, all the updated portions are covered with the mask 902, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the CPU 200 determines whether the block 605 corresponding to the update portion includes a tag as flag information indicating non-display of the content of the update portion such as <x-content-mask>, and includes the tag. If it is determined that, the updated portion may be covered with a mask 902. The tag is described by the content provider or the like during content update.

[Third Modification]
In the third modification of the first embodiment described above, when it is determined that there is an update in step S106 shown in FIG. 4 (in the case of YES), instead of highlighting the updated portion, It is the same as the first embodiment described above except that it indicates information such as the ratio of the update part to the entire content (hereinafter referred to as “update ratio”).

  Referring to FIG. 10, content 1000 has an image 1006 including a bar graph 1002 indicating an update rate and various information 1004 relating to the update of the entire content such as the update rate, the number of updated characters, and the number of updated images displayed in front. Displayed with status. The various information 1004 related to the update of the entire content is not limited to the above-described information, and may include, for example, time information indicating an elapsed time since the latest update. A user who has confirmed the content 1000 can input an instruction to reflect the updated content of the content by clicking the update button 1008 with the remote control device 218. When the update button 1008 is clicked, the update content in the update portion of the entire content is rewritten.

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment of the present invention, the terminal device 102 includes a timer, the ROM 202 stores content automatic update processing, the HDD 206 stores setting information, and content updating by the content update management server 106. Except for the difference in the method for determining whether or not there is an update, it is the same as in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, in the second embodiment, a configuration different from that of the first embodiment will be described.

<Hardware configuration>
[Terminal device 102]
The terminal device 102 includes a timer (not shown) that outputs the current time. This timer is electrically connected to the system bus 216, measures the current time according to an instruction from the CPU 200, and outputs the measurement result to the CPU 200.

  The ROM 202 stores an automatic content update process instead of the content update process. The program structure for realizing the content automatic update process in this program will be described later.

  The HDD 206 stores in advance setting information for each content instead of the update unnecessary list. This setting information includes information regarding an execution time indicating a time at which automatic updating of content is performed and a designated portion indicating a portion to be automatically updated. The above information included in the setting information is input and registered in advance by a user input operation on the remote control device 218. The above-mentioned designated portion is not particularly limited, but for example, genres such as hotels and restaurants, means of transportation, items such as telephone numbers, addresses and business hours, page numbers, and “Chapter 1” and “Section 1 Etc. "section. Examples of the genre described above include “French restaurant” in the restaurant guide and “Aircraft route” and “Map” in the travel guide. The above items include “restaurant holidays” in restaurant guides, and “last train time of transportation” in travel guides. The fineness of the section, genre, and item classification is not particularly limited, and may be arbitrarily set.

<Software configuration>
[Automatic content update processing in terminal device 102]
Referring to FIG. 11, the program for realizing the automatic content updating process stored in ROM 202 of terminal device 102 is activated when terminal device 102 is turned on and ends when the power is turned off. .

  This program is executed in steps S301 for waiting until the current time output by the timer reaches a predetermined execution time, and when it is determined in step S301 that the execution time has been reached (in the case of YES), the communication I Step S302 for inquiring of the content update management server 106 whether or not content has been updated in a predetermined designated portion via / F212.

  This program is further executed in step S303 that waits until the inquiry result is received from the content update management server 106, and when it is determined in step S303 that the inquiry result has been received (in the case of YES), whether there is an update or not. And step S304 for determining whether or not the content is updated based on the information.

  This program is further executed when it is determined in step S304 that there is an update (in the case of YES), and the content of the update part of the content stored in the HDD 206 is rewritten so that the update information is reflected. Step S305 for transmitting the rewritten content to the content update management server 106, and Step S306 for displaying a notification screen for informing the user that the content has been updated on the display device 210. . On this notification screen, for example, information regarding the update rate of the content and the updated portion is displayed. The information related to the updated part is information such as a genre name, item name, or section number, for example.

<Operation>
Referring to FIG. 11, terminal apparatus 102 and content update management server 106 according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention operate as follows. Except for the following operations, general operations of the terminal device 102 and the content update management server 106 are the same as those of the conventional terminal device and content update management server. In the following operation, it is assumed that the terminal device 102 and the content update management server 106 are in a power-on state.

  The user of the terminal device 102 </ b> A downloads the content with the content name “travel / restaurant guide” from the content distribution server 104 by the input operation to the remote control device 218 and stores it in the HDD 206. After the download is completed, the user registers desired setting information corresponding to the downloaded content by an input operation on the remote control device 218. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the user inputs 6 am as the execution time, and inputs a genre of “local cuisine restaurant” and an item of “transportation” as the designated portion.

  When the current time output by the timer is 6:00 am in advance (YES in step S301), CPU 200 of terminal device 102A makes a predetermined designated portion to content update management server 106 via communication I / F 212. An inquiry is made as to whether content has been updated (step S302).

  In content update management server 106, when network I / F 306 receives an inquiry from terminal apparatus 102A (YES in step S201), CPU 308 determines whether or not content has been updated (step S202). At this time, whether or not there is an update is determined based on the latest content stored in the HDD 114 and the comparison content.

  Here, a method for determining whether or not content has been updated by the content update management server 106 will be described. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that content is stored in advance in a state of being divided into various genres, items, and sections. That is, the latest content and comparison content stored in the HDD 114 are composed of a plurality of blocks divided in the same way for each of various genres, items, and sections.

  When determining whether or not the content is updated, the CPU 308 compares the latest content and the comparative content for each block corresponding to a predetermined designated portion, and determines whether or not the description content is different. When a block having a different description content, that is, a block having a description content update is found, tag information before and after the block is extracted, and the extracted tag information is stored in the HDD 114 as auxiliary data. In this embodiment, it is assumed that tag information before and after the block corresponding to the genre “local restaurant” is stored.

The CPU 200 determines whether or not there is created auxiliary data after performing the above processing on the blocks corresponding to all the designated portions, and if there is created auxiliary data, the content is updated. Judge that there is. On the other hand, if there is no auxiliary data created, it is determined that there is no content update. In this way, the CPU 200 acquires auxiliary data indicating an updated part of the content and a block indicating the update content.
-When there is no content update-
If CPU 308 determines that there is no content update (NO in step S202), CPU 308 sends an inquiry result including update presence / absence information indicating that there is no update to terminal device 102A via network I / F 306. (Step S203).

  When communication I / F 212 receives the inquiry result (YES in step S303), CPU 200 determines that there is no content update based on the update presence / absence information (NO in step S304). In this case, the CPU 200 does not update the content, and nothing is displayed on the display device 210.

-When there is content update-
If CPU 308 determines that there is a content update (YES in step S202), CPU 308 sends an inquiry result including update presence / absence information indicating that there is an update and update information via network I / F 306 to the terminal device. It transmits to 102A (step S204). Here, the update information is a block sandwiched between auxiliary data and tag information included in the auxiliary data.

  When communication I / F 212 receives the inquiry result (YES in step S303), CPU 200 determines that there is content update based on the update presence / absence information (YES in step S304). Then, the updated part of the content stored in the HDD 206 is rewritten so that the updated content is reflected, and the rewritten content is transmitted to the content update management server 106 (step S305). At this time, in the content stored in the HDD 206, the description content of the block sandwiched between the tag information included in the auxiliary data is replaced with the description content of the corresponding block.

  When network I / F 306 receives the rewritten content from terminal apparatus 102A (YES in step S205), CPU 308 of content update management server 106 stores the received content in HDD 114 as a comparison content (step S206). ).

  After transmitting the rewritten content, CPU 200 causes display device 210 to display a notification screen (not shown) (step S306). On the notification screen, the content update rate and the genre name “local cuisine restaurant” are displayed.

[Third Embodiment]
Referring to FIG. 12, in the third embodiment of the present invention, the terminal device 1202 includes a GPS (Global Positioning System) device 1204, the ROM 202 stores location-specific content update processing, and the HDD 114 includes content elements. Are the same as those in the first embodiment except that the content update management server 106 determines whether or not content has been updated. Hereinafter, a configuration different from the first embodiment will be described in the third embodiment.

<Hardware configuration>
[Terminal Device 1202]
The terminal device 1202 includes a GPS device 1204. The GPS device 1204 is electrically connected to the system bus 216, acquires the current position information of the terminal device 1202 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 200, and outputs the acquired position information to the CPU 200. The position information includes information indicating latitude and longitude.

  The ROM 202 stores location-specific content update processing instead of content update processing. The program structure for realizing the location-specific content update processing in this program will be described later.

[Content update management server 106]
In the content update management server 106, the HDD 114 stores the content element, the position information (latitude information and longitude information) of the content element, and the content element information in association with each other instead of the latest content. To do. These pieces of information are input and registered in advance for each content by an input operation by a content provider or the like on the operation unit 302. In the present embodiment, names of sightseeing spots, restaurants, stores, hotels, travel agents, etc. are registered as the content elements. Note that the content elements are not limited to those described above. Examples of the content element information include restaurant opening hours, sales information currently being held in stores, and the like.

<Software configuration>
[Content-Based Content Update Processing in Terminal Device 1202]
Referring to FIG. 13, in the program for realizing the location-specific content update process stored in ROM 202 of terminal device 1202, each process except step S404 is the same as each process except step S104 shown in FIG. is there. Hereinafter, step S404 will be described.

  This program is executed when it is determined in step S403 that an inquiry is necessary (in the case of YES), the current position information of the terminal device 1202 is acquired from the GPS device 1204, and the communication I / F 212 is used. Step S404 is then included in which the acquired current position information is transmitted to the content update management server 106, and whether or not content has been updated is inquired.

<Operation>
Referring to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, terminal apparatus 1202 and content update management server 106 according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention operate as follows. Except for the following operations, the operations of the terminal device 1202 and the content update management server 106 are the same as the operations of the terminal device 102 and the content update management server 106 in the first embodiment.

  The user of the terminal device 1202A designates “500 m” as a distance (hereinafter simply referred to as “predetermined distance”) as a content update target by an input operation on the remote control device 218. Thereafter, a desired content name is designated and the playback button 220 is pressed. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a guide book (electronic book) having a content name “travel guide” is designated. This guide book includes sightseeing spot information, restaurant information, store information, hotel information, and travel agency information.

  When playback button 220 is pressed (YES in step S401), CPU 200 determines whether or not the instruction based on the input operation is an instruction to display content (step S402). CPU 200 determines that the instruction based on the input operation is an instruction to display content (YES in step S402), and determines whether or not an inquiry to content update management server 106 is necessary based on the update unnecessary list. Determination is made (step S403). At this time, it is assumed that a character string “Necessary” is registered in the update unnecessary list as information corresponding to the designated content.

  CPU 200 determines that an inquiry is necessary (YES in step S403), obtains the current position information of terminal device 1202A from GPS device 1204, and communicates with content update management server 106 via communication I / F 212. On the other hand, the acquired current position information is transmitted, and an inquiry is made as to whether or not content has been updated (step S404).

  In content update management server 106, when network I / F 306 receives an inquiry from terminal device 1202A (YES in step S201), CPU 308 determines whether content has been updated (step S202). At this time, whether or not there is an update is determined based on the content element stored in the HDD 114, the position information of the content element, and the comparison content.

  Here, a method for determining whether or not content has been updated by the content update management server 106 will be described. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the content is stored in advance in a state where it is divided for each sightseeing spot information, restaurant information, store information, hotel information, and travel agency information. That is, the comparison content stored in the HDD 114 is composed of a plurality of blocks divided for each sightseeing spot information, restaurant information, store information, hotel information, and travel agency information.

  When determining whether or not content has been updated, the CPU 308 first determines each content element and terminal based on the acquired current position information of the terminal device 1202A and position information of each content element registered in advance in the HDD 114. The current distance from the device 1202A is calculated. Then, content elements within a predetermined distance (500 m in the present embodiment) determined in advance are extracted. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that content elements such as a sightseeing spot A, a restaurant A, a store A, a hotel A, and a travel agency A are extracted.

  Further, the CPU 308 determines for each block whether or not the description content of the block corresponding to each extracted content element in the comparison content is the same as the information of the extracted content element. If a block having a different description content, that is, a block having a description content update is found, it is determined that the content is updated. On the other hand, if a block having a different description content is not found, it is determined that the content is not updated.

-When there is content update-
If CPU 308 determines that there is a content update (YES in step S202), CPU 308 sends an inquiry result including update presence / absence information indicating that there is an update and update information via network I / F 306 to the terminal device. It transmits with respect to 102 (step S204). Here, the update information is information on the blocks whose description contents are determined to be different from the extracted content element information and the corresponding extracted content element information. In the present embodiment, the update information includes a block corresponding to restaurant information and information about restaurant A, and a block corresponding to hotel information and information about hotel A.

  When communication I / F 212 receives the inquiry result (YES in step S405), the processing in steps S406 to S410 is executed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. At this time, in step S407, in the content stored in the HDD 206, the block corresponding to the block included in the update information is specified as the update portion. In step S409, the description content of the block corresponding to the block included in the update information in the content stored in the HDD 206 is replaced with the content element information included in the update information. In step S410, the portions corresponding to the restaurant information and hotel information in the content are displayed on the display device 210 in a state where they are rewritten to the restaurant A information and the hotel A information, respectively.

  In the above embodiment, 500 m is specified as the predetermined distance, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and can be arbitrarily set according to the purpose of use of the content. For example, when the user is traveling abroad, it is preferable to specify a relatively large distance such as 200 km. This makes it possible to acquire useful information even more reliably.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the HDD 206 stores a terminal ID (Identification), the ROM 202 stores a content update / billing process, the HDD 114 stores a terminal ID and a user ID, and an update part for each user. The second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that information is stored. Hereinafter, in the fourth embodiment, a configuration different from that of the first embodiment will be described.

[Terminal device 102]
In the terminal device 102, the HDD 206 stores a terminal ID unique to the terminal device 102. The ROM 202 stores content update / billing processing instead of content update processing. The program structure for realizing the content update / billing process in this program will be described later.

[Content update management server 106]
In the content update management server 106, the HDD 114 stores the terminal ID of the authorized terminal device 102 permitted to use the content update service and the user ID of the authorized user permitted to use the content update service.

  Further, each time content is updated in the terminal device 102, the HDD 114 stores update part information including size information and number information of the update part in association with the user ID and the terminal ID. The CPU 308 sums up the size or number of update parts updated in the terminal device 102 based on the update part information stored in the HDD 114, and charges the corresponding user for the update fee based on the total amount. To do. The payment method for this billing is not particularly limited as long as it is common in the field, but credit card payment and debit card payment based on a number registered in advance in relation to the user ID, and electronic money payment Etc. can be used. In this way, the information regarding the updated portion updated in the terminal device 102 is managed for each user ID and terminal ID.

<Software configuration>
[Content Update / Billing Process in Terminal Device 102]
Referring to FIG. 14, in the program for realizing the content update / billing process stored in ROM 202 of terminal apparatus 102, the processes in steps S501 to S503 and steps S507 to S512 are performed in step S101 shown in FIG. To Step S103 and Step S105 to Step S110. Hereinafter, different processes will be described.

  This program is executed when it is determined in step S503 that an inquiry is necessary (in the case of YES), and a remote control is displayed in step S504 for displaying a message prompting the user to input a user ID. Step S505 that waits until a user ID is input by an input operation on the device 218.

  This program is further executed when it is determined in step S505 that a user ID has been input (in the case of YES), and whether or not content has been updated to the content update management server 106 via the communication I / F 212. And step S506 of transmitting the input user ID and the terminal ID stored in the HDD 206.

  The program is further executed in step S507 when it is determined not to receive the inquiry result (in the case of NO), and step S513 for determining whether or not an error notification is received from the content update management server 106; When it is determined in step S513 that an error notification has been received (in the case of YES), a message (hereinafter referred to as “error message”) indicating that content cannot be updated is displayed on the display device 210. Step S514 to display. If it is determined in step S513 that no error notification has been received (NO), control returns to step S507.

[Content Update / Billing Process in Content Update Management Server 106]
Referring to FIG. 15, in the program for realizing the content update / billing process stored in ROM 310 of content update management server 106, the processes in steps S601, S604 to S608 are performed in steps S201 to S201 shown in FIG. This is the same as the processing in step S206. Hereinafter, different processes will be described.

  This program is executed when it is determined in step S601 that an inquiry has been received (in the case of YES), and based on the terminal ID and user ID transmitted from the terminal device 102, the terminal device 102 and the user Step S602 which determines whether it is a regular terminal device 102 and a regular user is included. If it is determined in step S602 that the user is a legitimate terminal device 102 and a legitimate user (YES), the control proceeds to step S604.

  This program is further executed in step S602 when it is determined that the terminal device 102 is not a legitimate terminal device 102 or a legitimate user (in the case of NO), and the content cannot be updated to the terminal device 102. Step S603 for performing the error notification is included. After the process of step S603, control returns to step S601.

  This program further includes step S609 executed after step S608 and storing the updated partial information in the HDD 114 in association with the received user ID and terminal ID.

<Operation>
Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, terminal device 102 and content update management server 106 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention operate as follows. Except for the following operations, the operations of the terminal device 102 and the content update management server 106 are the same as the operations of the terminal device 102 and the content update management server 106 in the first embodiment.

  CPU 200 determines whether or not an inquiry to content update management server 106 is necessary based on the update unnecessary list. If CPU 200 determines that an inquiry is necessary (YES in step S503), CPU 200 receives a user ID from display device 210. Is displayed (step S504).

  After confirming the message, the user inputs a user ID by an input operation on the remote control device 218. When the user ID is input (YES in step S505), CPU 200 inquires of content update management server 106 about the presence / absence of content update via communication I / F 212, and also includes the input user ID and HDD 206. The terminal ID stored in is transmitted (step S506).

  In content update management server 106, when network I / F 306 receives an inquiry from terminal device 102A (YES in step S601), CPU 308 determines the terminal device based on the terminal ID and user ID transmitted from terminal device 102A. It is determined whether 102A and a user are the regular terminal device 102 and a regular user (step S602).

  If CPU 308 determines that terminal device 102A and the user are legitimate terminal device 102 and a legitimate user (YES in step S602), CPU 308 determines whether or not content has been updated (step S604).

-When there is content update-
If there is a content update (YES in step S604), the CPU 308 executes the processes in steps S606 to S608 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and updates the partial information (the tag included in the auxiliary data). Information indicating a block between information) is stored in the HDD 114 in association with the received user ID and terminal ID (step S609).

  The CPU 308 sums up the size or number of update parts updated in the terminal device 102A based on the update part information stored in the HDD 114 for each predetermined period, and the corresponding user is determined based on the total amount. Will be charged for the renewal fee.

  If CPU 308 determines that terminal device 102A and the user are not legitimate terminal device 102 and a legitimate user (NO in step S602), CPU 308 issues an error notification to terminal device 102A (step S603).

  CPU 200 of terminal device 102A determines that the inquiry result is not received (NO in step S507), and if it is determined that the error notification is received from content update management server 106 (YES in step S513), An error message is displayed on the display device 210 (step S514).

<Action and effect>
According to the embodiment and the modification thereof, the content update system 100 includes a content distribution server 104 that distributes content and is connected to each other via the wide area communication network 108 and the narrow area communication network 110. A content update system including a terminal device 102 (1202) including a display device 210 that outputs distributed content, and a content update management server 106. In the content update management server 106, a CPU 308 includes a terminal device 102 ( 1202) in response to the inquiry from 1202), the update information including the update part and the update content of the content is acquired, it is determined whether the update information has been acquired, and the terminal device is determined to have acquired the update information. 102 (1202), update information is transmitted as an inquiry result. In the terminal device 102 (1202), the HDD 206 stores the content, the CPU 200 inquires the content update management server 106 about whether or not the content is updated, and the communication I / F 212 receives the update information transmitted as the inquiry result. The CPU 200 specifies the update part of the content based on the received update information, and the specified update in the content stored in the HDD 206 so that the update content included in the received update information is reflected. Rewrite the contents of the part.

  As described above, when the content is partially updated, the update information including the updated portion and the update content is transmitted from the content update management server 106 to the terminal device 102 (1202). Compared with the case where is transmitted, the traffic can be significantly reduced. Further, since the terminal device 102 (1202) rewrites only the content of the update portion specified by the received update information in the content, the amount of data to be updated is minimized as compared with the case where the entire content is updated. Can be reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the cost required for updating the update fee and the communication fee.

  In addition, according to the first embodiment, the terminal device 102 includes the display device 210, and the CPU 200 makes the specified update portion clear to the display device 210 before rewriting the content. Display images based on content. As a result, the user can easily know the updated part of the content.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, the CPU 200 causes the display device 210 to display an image based on the content in a state where the specified update portion is surrounded by the frames 702A and 702B. As a result, the user can more easily know the updated part of the content.

  Further, according to the first modification of the first embodiment, the CPU 200 causes the display device 210 to display the update content in the update portion. As a result, the user can grasp the updated contents without updating the contents. Therefore, the user can easily determine whether or not the content should be updated. In addition, the user can be guided to update the content.

  Further, according to the second modification of the first embodiment, the CPU 200 causes the display device 210 to display an image based on the content so that the contents of the updated part cannot be seen. As a result, it is possible to avoid the disadvantage that the user suffers by using the content before update. For example, it is possible to prevent the user from calling the wrong contact by using the telephone number before the update. Moreover, it is possible to prevent the user from getting behind the desired transportation system by using the timetable before the update.

  According to the second modification, the content may include a block having a tag that is flag information indicating non-display of the contents of the updated portion. In this case, the CPU 200 determines whether or not the specified update part is a block having flag information, and when it is determined that the specified update part has flag information, the display device 210 cannot see the contents of the update part. Thus, an image based on the content is displayed. This makes it possible for the content provider and the like to prevent the user from seeing information being updated and problematic parts such as typographical errors. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the disadvantages caused by the user using the information being updated and the influence of typographical errors.

  In addition, according to the third modification of the first embodiment, the terminal device 102 includes the display device 210, and the CPU 200 updates the entire content with respect to the display device 210 before rewriting the content. Information including the ratio, the updated number of characters, and the updated number of images is displayed. As a result, the user can easily know information related to the update of the content. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily determine whether or not the content should be updated.

  Further, according to the first, third, and fourth embodiments, the remote control device 218 receives an instruction to reflect the update content by the user after the display for clarifying the update portion is made, and the CPU 200 When the remote control device 218 receives the above instruction, it rewrites the contents of the specified update part. As a result, the user can determine whether to reflect the updated contents after confirming the updated portion. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unnecessary updating.

  Note that according to the first, third, and fourth embodiments, the contents of all the specified update portions are rewritten by giving an instruction to reflect the update contents. Is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the remote control device 218 receives an instruction to designate a part to reflect the update content, and the CPU 200 is the specified update part and designated when the remote control device 218 accepts the instruction. The contents of the part may be rewritten. Thus, after confirming the update part, the user can determine whether there is a part for which the update contents are desired to be reflected, and if there is a part for which the update contents are desired to be specified, the part can be designated. it can. Therefore, the minimum necessary update can be performed, and unnecessary updates can be prevented.

  Further, according to the first, third, and fourth embodiments, the remote control device 218 receives an instruction to display content, and the CPU 200 updates the content when the remote control device 218 receives the instruction. Queries the management server whether content has been updated. As a result, the user of the terminal device 102 can browse the content reflecting the updated content without issuing an instruction to update the content.

  Note that, according to the above embodiment, when the content name is specified and the play button 220 is pressed by the user input device to the remote control device 218, that is, when the content is accessed, the content is updated. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, when an instruction to acquire update information is directly given by the user's input device to the remote control device 218, an inquiry about whether content has been updated may be made. Thus, when the user desires to update the content, the user can browse the content in which the updated content is reflected.

  According to the second embodiment, the terminal apparatus 102 further includes a timer that outputs the current time, and the CPU 200 determines whether or not the current time output by the timer has reached a predetermined execution time. When it is determined that the predetermined time has been reached, the content update management server 106 is inquired about whether the content has been updated. As a result, the content is automatically updated. Therefore, the user of the terminal device 102 can always obtain the content reflecting the latest update content without issuing the content update instruction.

  Further, according to the second embodiment, the designated portion to be updated in the content is set in advance by an input operation from the remote control device 218, and the CPU 200 is preset in the content update management server 106. Queries whether the content in the specified part has been updated. In response to the inquiry from the terminal device 102, the CPU 308 of the content update management server 106 acquires update information in the designated portion set in advance. As a result, only the portion that the user desires to update is updated, so that it is possible to more reliably prevent unnecessary updating. Moreover, since only the part with a high priority is updated, compared with the case where the update information containing all the update parts is transmitted, the amount of communication can be reduced. As a result, communication charges can be reduced.

  Further, according to the second embodiment, the display device 210 displays a notification screen for notifying the user that the content stored in the HDD 206 has been updated. Accordingly, for example, even when the content is automatically updated, the user can confirm that the content has been updated, and thus the convenience for the user is further improved.

  Further, according to the third embodiment, the terminal device 1202 further includes the GPS device 1204 that outputs the current position information of the terminal device 1202, and the CPU 200 outputs the GPS device 1204 in synchronization with the inquiry. The acquired location information is transmitted to the content update management server 106. In the content update management server, the network I / F 306 receives the location information, and the CPU 308 receives an inquiry from the terminal device 1202. In response to, update information is acquired based on the received position information. As a result, the contents can be updated to contents more useful to the user, and the convenience for the user is further improved.

  Note that, according to the third embodiment, the CPU 308 matches content elements that are within a predetermined distance that is within a predetermined distance from the terminal device 102 and that are included in the comparison content based on the position information. Although information regarding what is not obtained is acquired as update information, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment.

  For example, the following configuration may be used. For example, the content includes advertisement information such as travel agencies and various stores. In the content update management server 106, the HDD 114 stores in advance the location information and the advertisement information corresponding to the location information in association with each other. Although it does not specifically limit as advertisement information corresponding to the said positional information, It is preferable that it is information, such as a travel agency and various stores in the comparatively near distance from the position shown by positional information. In response to the inquiry from the terminal apparatus 102, the CPU 308 selects the position information that is closest to the terminal apparatus 102 from the position information stored in the HDD 206, based on the received position information, and selects the selected position information. Advertisement information corresponding to the position information is acquired from the HDD 114 as update information. In the terminal device 102, the CPU 200 updates the advertisement information included in the content based on the received update information. As a result, information with higher advertising effect can be provided to the user. In addition, even in places where communication is complicated such as busy streets where people are concentrated, useful information can be efficiently provided to many users, thus further improving user convenience.

  Further, according to the fourth embodiment, in the content update management server 106, the HDD 114 updates the updated portion including size information and number information of the updated updated portion every time the content stored in the HDD 206 is updated. The information is stored in association with the user ID, and the CPU 308 sums up the size or number of the updated update parts based on the update part information stored in the HDD 114, and determines the corresponding user based on the total amount. A renewal fee is charged. This makes it possible for the content provider and the like to easily charge the content update fee. Therefore, convenience for content providers and the like is further improved.

  According to the fourth embodiment, an update fee is charged for all updates. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and may be within a predetermined period, for example. For example, a service that allows unlimited updates at a predetermined fee may be provided.

  Further, according to the above embodiment, the terminal device 102 (1202), the content distribution server 104, and the content update management server 106 are configured as separate devices, but the present invention is limited to such an embodiment. Not. For example, the content distribution server 104 and the content update management server 106 may be configured by the same server device. The content update system 100 may include a terminal device 102 that further has a function as the content distribution server 104 instead of the content distribution server 104. Furthermore, the content update system 100 may include a terminal device 102 device that further has a function as the content update management server 106 instead of the content update management server 106. As a result, the number of devices constituting the content update system 100 can be reduced, so that the cost of the content update system 100 can be reduced.

  Further, the method for determining whether or not content has been updated by the content update management server 106 is not limited to the method described in the above embodiment. For example, in the content update management server 106, the HDD 114 stores a content update log, and when the update log is stored, the CPU 308 determines that there is a content update log, and the update log is not stored. May be a method of determining that there is no content update. The update log includes, for example, content update time information, and update information including content update portions and update details.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the information regarding the update rate of a content and the update part was displayed on the alerting | reporting screen, this invention is not limited to such embodiment. For example, referring to FIG. 16, a notification screen 1600 displays an area 1602 that indicates whether or not content has been updated by using different display colors. This area 1602 is displayed in red when there is updated content, and is displayed in blue when there is no updated content. Referring to FIG. 17, a content list in which information of each content stored in HDD 206 is indicated by icon 1702 is displayed on notification screen 1700. In this content list, the icon 1704 corresponding to the updated content is displayed such that the background color is different from the background color of the icon 1702 corresponding to other content that has not been updated.

  In the above embodiment, when there is no content update, the CPU 200 does nothing, or causes the display device 210 to display an image based on the content that has not been updated. The invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, if there is no content update, the CPU 200 first determines whether or not the content has expired. When it is determined that the expiration date has not expired, the display device 210 displays an image based on the content that has not been updated, and when it is determined that the expiration date has expired, A warning message indicating that the expiration date has expired may be displayed.

  The embodiment disclosed herein is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The scope of the present invention is indicated by each claim of the claims after taking into account the description of the detailed description of the invention, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the wording described therein are included. Including.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Content reproduction system 102,1202 Terminal device 104 Content delivery server 106 Content update management server 108 Wide area communication network 110 Narrow area communication network 112,114,206 HDD
200,308 CPU
202,310 ROM
204,312 RAM
208 Input I / F
210 Display device 212 Communication I / F
218 Remote control device 300 Control unit 302 Operation unit 304 Display unit 306 Network I / F
314 Bus line 1204 GPS device

Claims (24)

In a content update system including a content distribution server for distributing content, a terminal device including an output unit for outputting the distributed content, and a content update management server, which are connected to each other via a network so that data communication is possible.
The content update management server includes:
In response to an inquiry from the terminal device, acquisition means for acquiring update information including the update part and update content of the content;
Determination means for determining whether or not the acquisition means has acquired update information;
A transmission unit that transmits the update information as an inquiry result to the terminal device when it is determined by the determination unit that the update information has been acquired;
The terminal device
Storage means for storing the content;
Inquiry means for inquiring of the content update management server whether or not content is updated;
Receiving means for receiving update information transmitted as the inquiry result;
A specifying means for specifying an update part of the content based on the received update information;
An update unit that rewrites the content of the specified update portion in the content stored in the storage unit so that the update content included in the received update information is reflected. The output means includes a display device,
The terminal device
2. The display control unit according to claim 1, further comprising a display control unit configured to display an image based on the content so that the specified update portion is clarified on the display device before the content is rewritten by the update unit. Content update system.   The content update system according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit causes the display device to display an image based on the content in a state where the specified update portion is surrounded by a frame.   The content update system according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit causes the display device to display update contents in the update portion.   The content update system according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit causes the display device to display an image based on the content so that the content of the update portion cannot be seen. The content may include a portion having flag information indicating non-display of the content of the updated portion,
The terminal device
A non-display determination means for determining whether or not the identified update part is the part having the flag information,
When the non-display determining unit determines that the specified update part is the part having the flag information, the display control unit does not allow the display device to see the content of the update part. The content update system according to claim 5, wherein an image based on the content is displayed. The output means includes a display device,
The terminal device
Before the content is rewritten by the updating means, the display device includes at least one of the ratio of the updated portion to the entire content, the number of updated characters, and the number of updated images. The content update system according to claim 1, further comprising display control means for displaying information. The terminal device
An update instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction to reflect the updated content after the display by the display control means is performed;
The content update system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the update unit rewrites the content of the specified update portion when the update instruction receiving unit receives the instruction. The terminal device
After the display by the display control means, further includes an update instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction to specify a portion to reflect the update content,
8. The update unit according to claim 1, wherein when the update instruction receiving unit receives the instruction, the update unit rewrites the content of the specified update part and the specified part. The content update system as described in any one. The terminal device
And further comprising an accepting means for accepting access to the content,
The content update system according to claim 1, wherein when the reception unit receives the access, the inquiry unit inquires of the content update management server whether or not content has been updated. The terminal device
A receiving unit that receives an instruction to acquire the update information;
The content update system according to claim 1, wherein when the reception unit receives the instruction, the inquiry unit inquires of the content update management server whether or not content has been updated. The terminal device
Clock means for outputting the current time;
Further includes time determination means for determining whether or not the current time output by the clock means has reached a predetermined time.
The content update system according to claim 1, wherein the inquiry means inquires of the content update management server whether or not content has been updated when it is determined by the time determination means that a predetermined time has been reached. The terminal device further includes a setting unit for setting in advance a portion to be updated in the content,
The inquiry means inquires of the content update management server whether or not the content in the preset part is updated,
The content update system according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the update information in the preset portion in response to an inquiry from the terminal device. The terminal device
The content update system according to claim 1, further comprising notification means for notifying a user that the content stored in the storage means has been updated by the update means. The terminal device
Position measuring means for outputting current position information of the terminal device;
Further including position information transmission means for acquiring position information output by the position measurement means in synchronization with the inquiry by the inquiry means, and transmitting the acquired position information to the content update management server;
The content update management server includes:
Further comprising position information receiving means for receiving the position information;
The content update system according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the update information based on the received position information in response to an inquiry from the terminal device. Content includes advertising information,
The content update management server includes:
Further includes advertisement information storage means for storing the position information and the advertisement information corresponding to the position information in advance in association with each other;
In response to the inquiry from the terminal device, the acquisition means is a position at the closest distance from the terminal device among the position information stored in the advertisement information storage means based on the received position information. The content update system according to claim 15, wherein information is selected, and advertisement information corresponding to the selected position information is acquired as update information from the advertisement information storage unit. The content update management server includes:
A size storage means for storing size information of the updated update part in association with a user ID for identifying a user each time the content stored in the storage means is updated by the update means;
Charging means for summing up the sizes of the updated update parts based on the size information stored in the size storage means, and charging an update fee for the corresponding user based on the total amount; The content update system according to claim 1. The content update management server includes:
A number storage unit that stores the updated number information of the updated portion in association with a user ID for identifying a user each time the content stored in the storage unit is updated by the update unit;
Charging means for summing up the number of updated portions based on the number information stored in the size storage means, and charging an update fee for the corresponding user based on the total amount; The content update system according to claim 1.   The content update system according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the content distribution server and the content update management server comprise the same server device.   The content update system according to claim 1, further comprising a device that functions as the terminal device and the content distribution server.   The content update system according to claim 1, further comprising a device that functions as the terminal device and the content management server. A content distribution server and a content update management server for distributing content, and a computer connected to each other via a network so that data communication is possible,
An output means for outputting the distributed content;
Storage means for storing the content;
Inquiry means for inquiring of the content update management server whether or not content is updated;
Receiving means for receiving update information including the update part and update content of the content transmitted as the inquiry result;
A specifying means for specifying an update part of the content based on the received update information;
An update unit that rewrites the content of the specified update portion in the content stored in the storage unit so that the update content included in the received update information is reflected. , Computer program. A terminal device including a content distribution server that distributes content and an output unit that outputs the distributed content, and a computer connected to each other via a network so as to be able to perform data communication;
In response to an inquiry from the terminal device, acquisition means for acquiring update information including the update part and update content of the content;
Determination means for determining whether or not the acquisition means has acquired update information;
A computer program for causing a function of a content update management server including: a transmission unit configured to transmit the update information as an inquiry result to the terminal device when the determination unit determines that update information has been acquired.   24. A computer-readable recording medium on which the computer program according to claim 22 or 23 is recorded.

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