JP4479872B2 - Data distribution apparatus, data receiving terminal apparatus, and digital data distribution system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital data distribution system for distributing digital contents such as digitized music data, video data, game software, application software, or multimedia data in which these are combined, and in particular, a number of sales offices. The present invention relates to a digital data distribution system in which digital contents are distributed to terminal devices distributed in (stores) and the like, and a user (consumer) can obtain desired digital contents at each terminal device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Recently, a business form of selling digital contents by using a digital data distribution system using a satellite line has been seen. In such a digital data distribution system, digital data is distributed from a central management device to terminal devices arranged in various places via a satellite line. Here, the digital data includes a plurality of digital contents and list information of all titles of the digital contents to be transmitted this time. Each terminal device registers the digital content in the storage means based on the list information distributed from the central management device. And a user will purchase desired digital content using each terminal device.
[0003]
By distributing data using satellite communication, there is an advantage that digital contents can be transmitted by broadcast to a wide range of areas. On the other hand, in such a digital data distribution system, digital data is distributed using satellites. Therefore, for example, due to bad weather, the terminal device existing in a specific area may not be able to receive all or part of the digital data. Specifically, such a case occurs when a heavy rain due to a typhoon occurs, when snow accumulates on an antenna of a terminal device, or when a thundercloud occurs.
[0004]
Therefore, conventionally, each terminal device and the central management device perform the following error processing. That is, each terminal device determines whether or not digital data has been successfully received during data distribution by satellite. If the terminal device cannot be received successfully, each terminal device analyzes which portion has not been received, and identifies the digital content that could not be received based on the analysis result and the list information distributed this time. Then, retransmission request data indicating that the specified digital content is to be retransmitted is sent to the central management apparatus via the ground line. When the central management device aggregates retransmission request data from each terminal device and determines that a certain digital content is not received by a large number of terminal devices, the central management device transmits the digital content again via the satellite line. On the other hand, if it is determined that a certain digital content is not received by a small number of terminal devices, the digital content is transmitted again via the ground line.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional digital data distribution system, the central management device grasps the reception status of each terminal device based on the retransmission request data sent from each terminal device, thereby managing the digital content registered in each terminal device. It was. That is, when transmitting the digital data, the central management apparatus transmits the list information of all the titles for the digital content to be transmitted this time together with the digital content. Then, if information indicating that there is a lack of digital content to be transmitted this time is received from the terminal device that has received the data, the necessary data is retransmitted. In addition, whenever there is an unnecessary title in the digital content stored in each terminal device, the central management device designates the unnecessary title in the list information as digital content information to be deleted. List information is sent to the terminal device. The terminal device then deletes unnecessary digital content based on the digital content information to be deleted.
[0006]
However, in such a conventional error processing method, there is a terminal device in which the central management device cannot receive the digital content in order to ensure that all the distributed digital contents are taken into each terminal device. As long as the retransmission request data is sent from the terminal device, error processing must be performed many times. In particular, in recent years, businesses that sell digital contents by installing digital content terminal devices in convenience stores and the like have become widespread, and the number of terminal devices scattered throughout the country is rapidly increasing. For this reason, the conventional error processing method has a problem that as the number of terminal devices increases, the error processing load of the central management device increases. In addition, as the number of terminal devices increases, the error processing takes a longer time, and thus the merits of broadcast performance are actually lost despite the data distribution by satellite.
[0007]
It should be noted that only data having a property that can be received by some terminal devices even if not received by all terminal devices is unilaterally distributed from the satellite to avoid the above-mentioned problems related to error processing. There are also cases. For example, it is a case where inventory data of a used car is distributed to a terminal device arranged in each store. In this case, there is only one used car to be sold, and it is only necessary to be able to sell the used car at any one store, so that the inventory data of the used car is received by all terminal devices. do not have to. If it is such data, the operation of unilateral data distribution from the satellite is also possible. However, in general, in the case of content sales, it is necessary to register a plurality of digital contents in any terminal device and sell predetermined digital contents according to the user's selection. Unacceptable. This is especially true for popular digital content. After all, in the business of content sales, a data distribution form that only transmits unilaterally is inappropriate.
[0008]
Also, as a more serious problem, if each terminal device cannot receive all or part of the list information transmitted from the central management device due to bad weather, etc., what kind of digital content has been distributed this time? I can't know. For this reason, if the digital content cannot be received together with the list information, a retransmission request for the digital content cannot be issued to the central management apparatus, and naturally the digital content cannot be registered. In this case, when the unregistered digital content is expected to have a large demand, for example, the trust is lost or the sales profit is reduced. Similarly, when the situation that the digital content information to be deleted in the list information cannot be obtained occurs, there is a problem that extra data is held for the limited storage means capacity of the terminal device. there were.
[0009]
Thus, in the conventional digital data distribution system, for the central management device, (1) information management of all digital contents, (2) reception of retransmission requests from each terminal device, (3) which digital device to which terminal device There is a problem that the processing load is very heavy, such as management of whether content is missing, (4) determination of how to retransmit and actual retransmission, etc. On the other hand, for terminal devices due to the influence of weather etc. There was a problem that digital content could not be registered or deleted.
[0010]
The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a digital data distribution system capable of reducing the processing load of a central management apparatus even when the number of terminal devices is large. Is.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is a data distribution apparatus for accumulating a plurality of digital contents and distributing digital data including the plurality of digital contents to a data receiving terminal apparatus. The digital data including the list information about the digital contents that should exist in the data receiving terminal device at the time of distribution of the digital data is generated and distributed.
[0012]
In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 3 is a data receiving terminal device that receives digital data including digital contents and distributes the digital data to users, the digital data included in the received digital data. Refer to the list information about the digital content that should exist at the time of distribution, identify the digital content that has not yet been registered among the digital content described in the list information, and identify the identified digital content The digital content is registered when it is received this time, and the digital content is deleted when the digital content not listed in the list information is registered in itself.
[0013]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 5 is a central management device that stores a plurality of digital contents and distributes digital data including the plurality of digital contents, and the digital data distributed from the central management device. In the digital data distribution system comprising: a plurality of terminal devices for individually registering a plurality of digital contents in a storage means and distributing the registered digital contents to users individually; As digital data, a list including digital information that should exist in the terminal device at the time of distribution of the digital data is created and distributed, and each terminal device receives the distributed digital data, After registering the digital content in the storage means, the list contained in the digital data By referring to the information, the digital contents registered in the storage means among the digital contents described in the list information are specified, and the inventory list information for the specified digital contents is created and the created The inventory list information is transmitted to the central management apparatus.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a digital data distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a central management device in the digital data distribution system, and FIG. 3 is a diagram of each terminal device in the digital data distribution system. It is a schematic block diagram.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 1, the digital data distribution system according to the present embodiment includes a central management device (data distribution device) 10 and a plurality of terminal devices (data reception terminal devices) 30, 30,. Yes. In such a digital data distribution system, the digital data is distributed from the central management device 10 to each terminal device 30 to sell digital contents to users (consumers) in each terminal device 30. The central management device 10 serves as a digital data distribution source and a center device that controls the entire system. This central management apparatus 10 is typically provided in one place.
[0017]
Further, the plurality of terminal devices 30, 30,... Are arranged in a wide area (for example, the whole country). For example, it is arranged in a video software shop, a game software shop, a record store, a game center, a convenience store, a department store, a station, an airport terminal, and the like. In particular, in the present embodiment, the terminal devices 30 of several thousand to several tens of thousands are installed nationwide.
[0018]
The central management apparatus 10 and each terminal apparatus 30 are connected by a satellite line passing through a communication satellite (CS) 2 and also connected by a terrestrial digital network 4 including a digital line laid on the ground. The satellite line has a data bandwidth of, for example, 6 Mbit / s, and is used to distribute digital data from the central management apparatus 10 to each terminal apparatus 30 simultaneously, that is, in a form close to broadcasting. For this reason, the central management device 10 is provided with a transmission facility for the satellite, and each terminal device 30 is provided with a reception facility for receiving radio waves from the satellite.
[0019]
On the other hand, the terrestrial digital network 4 is mainly used to transmit inventory data, which will be described later, from each terminal device 30 to the central management device 10. As the terrestrial digital network 4, for example, an ISDN (Integrated Service Digital Network) that transfers data at a rate of 64 kbit / second per line is used. Of course, each terminal device 30 and the central management device 10 may be connected by a dedicated line or the like.
[0020]
Digital contents are sold to users in the terminal device 30 using optical recording media and magnetic recording media such as magneto-optical discs, phase change optical discs, MDs (Mini Discs), rewritable DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), and recorders. This is performed by recording digital content data on a removable recording medium such as a compact disk (CD-R), a removable hard disk, and a semiconductor memory. Then, the user takes home the recording medium on which the digital content is recorded, and uses the purchased digital content. Thus, each terminal device 30 serves not only as a digital data receiving terminal but also as a content sales terminal. However, the terminal device may be used exclusively for receiving digital data, and a content sales terminal may be provided separately from the terminal device. In this case, the terminal device and the content sales terminal are connected by, for example, a LAN.
[0021]
In general, digital contents to be recorded, distributed and distributed (including transmission) are collectively referred to as digital contents. Any digital content can be used as long as the data format is digital. Music, movies (moving images), still images, documents, game programs, database data, application software, and the like correspond to digital contents if the form of recording, distribution, and distribution is digital. Even if the original recording method is analog, it is digital content if it is finally digitized. In the following, the case where the digital content is a music will be considered. That is, in the digital data distribution system of the present embodiment, music is sold by burning the music data into the MD at each terminal device 30.
[0022]
Moreover, in this embodiment, the catalog magazine which published the music for sale is issued every month. The catalog magazine is provided as a paper medium or an electronic medium, and each terminal device 30 sells music published in the catalog magazine. Naturally, when the month changes, the catalog magazine also changes, and the music published in the switched catalog magazine is sold. For this reason, as a general rule, new music that is not published in this month's catalog magazine but is published in the next month's catalog magazine must be distributed to each terminal device 30 during this month. Next month's catalog will include not only new music, but also music that has been published since this month's catalog. Of course, there is no need to newly distribute the music that was published in this month's catalog. In addition, music that has not been published in catalogs may suddenly start selling. In addition, this month's catalog magazine may contain songs that are sold daily or weekly. About these music, it is necessary to deliver to each terminal device 30 by the sales start date at the latest. In the present embodiment, digital data is distributed from the central management device 10 to each terminal device 30 once a day so that each piece of music data can be registered in each terminal device 30 by the sales start date. Yes.
[0023]
In the present embodiment, the plurality of terminal devices 30, 30,... Are divided into several groups in advance. This grouping is performed according to, for example, the region where the terminal device exists, the franchise chain to which the terminal device is subscribed, and the like. Each terminal device 30 is previously assigned a group number corresponding to the group to which the terminal device 30 belongs. In the terminal devices 30 belonging to the same group, the same music is sold. That is, as long as the group is the same, the music product assortment is the same in any terminal device 30. Each terminal device 30 is previously assigned an ID number for identifying the terminal device.
[0024]
Next, the configuration of the central management device 10 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the central management device 10 includes a content management device 11, a transmission device 12, a reception device 13, and a control device 14. The content management apparatus 11 is a huge server, and a large amount of digital content is stored in the content management apparatus 11. The transmission device 12 is a transmission facility for the communication satellite 2. The digital data is transmitted to the communication satellite 2 via the transmission device 12. Here, as in the case of general pay satellite television broadcasting, it is desirable that the transmission device 12 has a scramble function. The receiving device 13 serves as an interface with the terrestrial digital network 4.
[0025]
The control device 14 controls the central management device 10 as a whole. Specifically, the control device 14 distributes digital data once a day. For this purpose, the control device 14 specifies the digital content to be distributed this time based on the sales schedule. Then, digital data including the specified digital content is created and distributed to each terminal device 30 via a satellite line. Further, the control device 14 manages digital contents and manages the inventory status of digital contents in each terminal device 30 based on the inventory data sent from each terminal device 30 via the terrestrial digital network 4.
[0026]
Next, the data structure of digital data created by the central management apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a data structure of digital data created by the central management apparatus 10.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 4, the digital data created by the central management apparatus 10 mainly includes a delivery / delivery information file, a catalog data file group, an additional information file group, a music data file group, and a related information file group. Consists of. The music data file group is a collection of files including music data. This music data is encrypted by the control device 14 when digital data is created. The additional information file group is a collection of files including additional information about music data. The additional information includes information related to the music data such as the music title, singer name, composer name, songwriter name, and sales price. Here, digital content is a combination of additional information and music data corresponding to the additional information. Hereinafter, the additional information file and the music data file including the music data corresponding to the additional information are collectively referred to as a digital content file.
[0028]
The catalog data file group is a collection of files including catalog data. This catalog data file is created for each group, and there are as many groups as there are. The catalog data includes list information of digital contents that should be present at the present time in the terminal devices 30 belonging to the group, and management information about the digital contents. The list of digital contents included in the catalog data is not a distribution list for digital contents to be distributed this time, but a management list for notifying each terminal device 30 of digital contents that should be held at the present time. Each terminal device 30 can recognize which digital content should be kept in stock based on the list information of the digital content included in the catalog data addressed to the self group, and actually which digital content should be stored. You can determine which digital content you have. The digital content management information includes, for example, information on the sales start date and the sales end date of the digital content, version information, and the like.
[0029]
The related information file group is a collection of files including command data and terminal image data. As an example of the command data, there is an execution command or an execution stop command for a predetermined program incorporated in the terminal device 30 in advance. For example, it is assumed that the terminal device 30 incorporates a program for stopping the music sales business. The terminal device 30 receives the command file addressed to itself, and when the execution command for the program is included in the command file, the terminal device 30 executes the program so that the sales operation is not performed by itself. Thereby, for example, it is possible to cope with the case where the terminal device 30 is stolen or the manager of the terminal device 30 does not pay the music sales fee. Examples of the terminal image data include image data displayed on the display device of the terminal device 30, preview data for sales promotion, and the like.
[0030]
The delivery delivery information file is a file including delivery delivery information. The delivery delivery information includes the file name, file type, destination, etc. for each file delivered this time, and corresponds to a so-called cover page. Here, the destination is specified in units of groups for digital content and catalog data, and is specified in units of groups or terminal devices for related information.
[0031]
Since the delivery delivery information includes the destination of each file, each terminal device 30 cannot receive the delivery delivery information file, even if all other files can be received, which file is addressed to itself. I can't recognize it. For this reason, in this embodiment, several such delivery delivery information files are duplicated and included in, for example, the first, middle, and last parts of the digital data to be distributed this time. Thereby, the delivery / delivery information file can be reliably received by each terminal device 30.
[0032]
Thus, the digital data includes all files addressed to each group or each terminal device, and the digital data is distributed to all groups. Then, each terminal device 30 selects and imports a necessary file. Digital data is created for each group, and each digital data is not distributed individually to each group. In fact, more than half of all digital content is destined for multiple groups. For this reason, by creating digital data to be distributed to all groups, only one digital content file needs to be included in the digital data for overlapping digital content addressed to multiple groups. There is an advantage that can be reduced.
[0033]
In the present embodiment, a file name is assigned to each file according to a certain rule. That is, the file name is composed of a type code indicating the type of the file, an identification number of data stored in the file, and an extension. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, as the file name of the delivery delivery information file, the first three characters are the type code “HDR”, followed by the identification number of the delivery delivery information, and the last Is used with the extension “.txt”. As the file name of the catalog data file, the first three characters are the type code “CTG”, followed by the catalog data identification number, and finally the extension “.txt”. To do.
[0034]
As the file name of the additional information file, the first three characters are the type code “INF”, followed by the content number, and finally the extension “.txt”. As the file name of the music data file, the first three characters are the type code “BDY”, followed by the content number, and finally the extension “.atr”. Here, the content number is an identification number for uniquely identifying the digital content, and the same content number is assigned to the additional information and the music data constituting one digital content.
[0035]
Among the related information files, as the file name of the command data file, the first three characters are the type code “CMD”, followed by the identification number of the command data, and finally the extension “.txt”. Use the attached ones. Among the related information files, as the file name of the terminal image data file, the first three characters are the type code “ETC”, followed by the identification number of the terminal image data, and finally the extension “ ".Jpg" is used.
[0036]
By assigning a file name according to such a rule, each terminal device 30 can recognize the type of the file from the first three characters of the file name. Further, since the file name of the additional information file or the file name of the music data file includes the content number, the additional information file and the music data file corresponding to the content number can be easily specified.
[0037]
Next, the configuration of each terminal device 30 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, each terminal device 30 includes a reception device 31, a reception processing unit 32, a first storage device 33, a second storage device 34, a third storage device 35, and a control unit. 36, a transmission unit 37, an input device 41, a display device 42, a speaker 43, and an MD burner 44. The receiving device 31 is a receiving facility for the communication satellite 2, and the transmitting unit 38 serves as an interface with the terrestrial digital network 4.
[0038]
The reception processing unit 32 performs registration processing for the digital data received by the receiving device 31, and includes a distribution unit 32a, a selection unit 32b, a decryption unit 32c, and a registration processing unit 32d. The distribution unit 32a distributes each file included in the distributed digital data for each type of distribution / delivery information file, catalog data file, digital content file, and related information file. Each type of file sorted by the sorting unit 32a is sent to the sorting unit 32b. The sorting unit 32b sorts a file addressed to the group to which the user belongs or a file addressed to itself for each type of file, based on the destination information included in the delivery delivery information. Files other than those addressed to the self group or the self addressed are deleted. The catalog data file addressed to the self group is sent to the registration processing unit 32d, and the digital content file addressed to the self group is sent to the decryption unit 32c. On the other hand, the related information file addressed to the self group or the self group is stored in the second storage device 34.
[0039]
The decryption unit 32c decrypts the encryption of the music file of the music data file among the digital content files sent from the selection unit 32b. The digital content file processed by the decryption unit 32c is sent to the registration processing unit 32d. The registration processing unit 32d identifies digital content that is not registered in the first storage device 33 among the digital content described in the catalog data by referring to the catalog data addressed to the self group. At this time, the specification is performed by making a comparison using inventory data stored in a third storage device 35 described later. If the specified digital content has been distributed this time, the digital content is registered in the first storage device 33. Here, of the digital contents distributed this time, those other than the specified digital contents are deleted. As described above, the reception processing unit 32 does not capture all the distributed data, but selects and imports only necessary data based on the catalog data. Further, the registration processing unit 32 d stores the catalog data addressed to the self group in the first storage device 33. If there is digital content that is registered in the first storage device 33 but is not described in the catalog data, the digital content is deleted from the first storage device 33.
[0040]
The control unit 36 controls the entire terminal device 30. Specifically, the control unit 36 manages the registration status (stock status) of the digital content. For this purpose, the control unit 36 creates inventory data of digital contents every day after the registration process in the reception processing unit 32 is completed. This stock data includes the content number of the digital content registered in the first storage device 33 among the digital content that should be held as stock by the catalog data. This inventory data is stored in the third storage device 35.
[0041]
In addition, the control unit 36 transmits the inventory data from the transmission unit 37 to the central management device 10 via the terrestrial digital network 4. In the present embodiment, the inventory data is transmitted to the central management device 10 once a day according to the period of the satellite communication. However, it is not always necessary to match the cycle of the satellite communication, and for example, it may be transmitted once a week or multiple times a day. As described above, by transmitting the inventory data to the central management device 10, the central management device 10 can grasp the digital content inventory status in each terminal device 30, and can manage the digital content in a unified manner.
[0042]
By the way, in the conventional system, data related to digital content that should be held as inventory, such as catalog data, has not been sent to each terminal device, so what digital content each terminal device should have, I couldn't find out what digital content I didn't have. Therefore, based on the distribution data list information sent together with the digital content, the digital content that could not be received is specified, and the retransmission request data of the specified digital content is sent to the central management apparatus. As described above, in the conventional system, each terminal device sends data related to “not possessed” digital content to the central management device as retransmission request data. On the other hand, in the digital data distribution system of the present embodiment, each terminal device 30 sends inventory data, that is, data relating to “having” digital content to the central management device 10. In this respect, the two systems are very different.
[0043]
Further, the control unit 36 manages the status of each digital content based on the management information of the digital content included in the catalog data. This status represents the current sales state of the digital content, and includes “waiting for sales”, “sale”, “end of sale”, and the like. Furthermore, the control unit 36 reads predetermined digital content from the first storage device 33 when the music is sold, and sends the digital content to the MD burner 44 or performs charge management related to music sales.
[0044]
The MD burner 44 burns the digital content selected by the user into the MD. The display device 42 displays information on selling items, new product information, etc., or displays a selection screen for digital content to be purchased. Also, preview data for sales promotion is reproduced and presented. The preview data is, for example, data on a touch part of digital content, a promotion video, or the like. The input device 41 is used to select digital content to be purchased or preview data to be reproduced on a selection screen on the display device 42. Further, the input device 41 can be used as an input means when performing, for example, a storefront questionnaire for a user.
[0045]
Next, distribution delivery information and catalog data will be described in detail. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of distribution delivery information captured by the terminal device 30, and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of catalog data captured by the terminal device 30. Here, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show distribution delivery information and catalog data when displayed on the screen of the terminal device 30, respectively.
[0046]
The delivery / delivery information shown in FIG. 5 includes “destination”, “file type”, and “file name” for each file delivered this time. In the “file name” column, a file name assigned in accordance with the above-described rule is described for each file. In the “file type” column, for each file, the type of whether the file is catalog data, a digital content file, or a related information file is described. In the “destination” column, when the file is catalog data or a digital content file, the group number of the group into which the file is to be imported is described. On the other hand, when the file is a related information file, The group number of the group into which the file is to be imported or the ID number of the terminal device is described. In the example of FIG. 5, only one group name or ID number is described in the “destination” column, but a plurality of group names or ID numbers may be described in the “destination” column. Good.
[0047]
For example, when the terminal device 30 belonging to the group “01” receives the digital data, the terminal device 30 opens the delivery / delivery information file, refers to the delivery / delivery information, and has a destination addressed to the self group “01” or to the self Specify a name. In the example of FIG. 5, “CTG0001.txt”, “INF20001.txt”, “BDY200001.atr”, “INF20002.txt”, “BDY20002.atr”, and so on. Then, the terminal device 30 takes in only the file having the specified file name.
[0048]
The catalog data file “CTG0001.txt” of the group “01” captured by the terminal device 30 of the group “01” includes catalog data as shown in FIG. In this catalog data, “content number”, “sales start date”, “sales end date”, and “content version” are described. The information described in the “content number” column is list information, and the information described in the “sales start date”, “sale end date”, and “content version” columns is digital content management information. is there.
[0049]
In the “content number” column of the catalog data, the content number of the digital content that the terminal device 30 belonging to the group must have at present is described. Therefore, in this “content number” column, not only the content number of the digital content addressed to the self group distributed this time but also the content number of the digital content addressed to the self group already distributed is described.
[0050]
However, the content number of the digital content scheduled to be distributed in the future is not described in the “content number” column. That is, the central management device 10 does not notify each terminal device 30 of the future distribution schedule of the digital content. If each terminal device 30 is informed of the future distribution schedule of the digital content, each terminal device 30 manages the sales time etc. of the digital content scheduled to be distributed. This is because not only the central management device 10 but also each terminal device 30 has to deal with the change and the like, and the processing load on each terminal device 30 increases. . On the other hand, if each terminal device 30 is not informed of the future distribution schedule of the digital content, even if there is a change in the content of the digital content or the sales time, the central management device 10 can cope with it.
[0051]
In the catalog data of FIG. 6, the “sales start date” column describes the date on which the digital content sales start, and the “sales end date” column lists the date on which the digital content sales end. be written. Each terminal device 30 manages the status of the digital content based on these dates. For example, it is assumed that the catalog data shown in FIG. 6 is distributed on August 10, 2000. In this case, for the digital content with the content number “10001”, since the sales start date is “2000/8/1” and the sales end date is “2000/8/31”, August 1, 2000 Sales will start from August 31 and will end on August 31. Also, for the digital content with the content number “10004”, the sales start date is “2000/8/11” and the sales end date is “2000/8/11”. Will be sold. Therefore, as of August 10, 2000, the status of the digital content with the content number “10001” is “on sale”, and the status of the digital content with the content number “10004” is “waiting for sales”. Each terminal device 30 targets only digital contents whose status is “on sale”.
[0052]
In the “content version” column of the catalog data shown in FIG. 6, the version number of the digital content is described. As a result, when a new version of digital content is sent after replacement, each terminal device 30 can manage the version number.
[0053]
Next, the operation of the digital data distribution system of this embodiment will be described. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the central management apparatus 10 when distributing digital data, FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of each terminal apparatus 30 when digital data is received, and FIG. These are the flowcharts for demonstrating the process sequence of the central management apparatus 10 after receiving the inventory data from each terminal device 30. FIG.
[0054]
First, processing when distributing digital data will be described. The central management apparatus 10 first creates a catalog data file for each group according to the flowchart of FIG. 7 (S11). That is, first, the central management device 10 lists, for each group, digital contents that the terminal devices 30 belonging to the group should currently have in stock. Specifically, this listing is performed as follows. In the present embodiment, a catalog magazine is issued every month, and the music published in the catalog magazine of the month is usually already distributed to each terminal device 30 and is sold by each terminal device 30. . For this reason, the music published in the catalog magazine of this month issue is digital content that each terminal device 30 should have as inventory at the present time. However, even if the music is published in this month's issue of the catalog magazine, the sales period is still ahead, and those that will be distributed from the next time are excluded. Further, when the month changes, the catalog magazine is naturally switched, and each terminal device 30 must sell the music published in the switched new catalog magazine. In the present embodiment, music that is not published in the catalog magazine of this month but is published in the catalog magazine of the next month is distributed to each terminal device 30 in several times during this month, for example. . For this reason, of the songs published in the catalog magazine of the next month issue, those delivered so far and those delivered this time are digital contents that each terminal device 30 should have as stock at the present time. is there. After listing the digital content for each group in this way, the central management apparatus 10 creates a catalog data file for each group by attaching management information such as a sales start date to each digital content. .
[0055]
Next, the central management apparatus 10 specifies all digital contents to be distributed this time. Here, the digital content distributed this time is not only part of the digital content published in the next month's catalog magazine, but also the digital content that is published in this month's catalog magazine, Digital content that has already been distributed and may be included for redistribution when it cannot be received in a certain area due to weather conditions, for example. The central management device 10 extracts the identified digital content from the content management device 11 and creates a digital content file (S12).
[0056]
Moreover, the central management apparatus 10 specifies relevant information to be distributed this time as necessary, and creates a relevant information file including the identified relevant information (S13). Thereafter, the central management apparatus 10 creates a delivery delivery information file including the file name, file type, destination, etc. for each file to be delivered this time (S14). By collecting the files created in this way, digital data as shown in FIG. 4 is created. Thereafter, the central management apparatus 10 distributes the digital data simultaneously to each terminal apparatus 30 using a satellite line (S15).
[0057]
Next, processing when the terminal device 30 receives digital data will be described. When the terminal device 30 receives the digital data distributed from the central management device 10 via the satellite line according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 (S21), the terminal device 30 refers to the distribution delivery information included in the digital data and Select the file name of the file addressed to the group or self. Then, the terminal device 30 takes in only the file having the selected file name, and deletes the file addressed to the self group or other than the self address (S22). Here, the captured file may include a catalog data file, a digital content file, and a related information file. However, the catalog data file is always included unless it is not received.
[0058]
Next, the terminal device 30 refers to the catalog data included in the catalog data file addressed to the self group, and recognizes what kind of digital content is currently in stock. That is, the catalog data and the inventory data are collated, and among the content numbers described in the “content number” column of the catalog data, digital contents that are not yet registered in the first storage device 33 at the present time. A content number is specified (S23). The terminal device 30 registers the digital content file in the first storage device 33 if the digital content file captured in step S22 includes the digital content having the content number specified in step S23. (S24). Here, among the digital content files captured in step S22, those having a number other than the content number specified in step S23 are deleted because the digital content has already been registered. Each terminal device 30 stores the catalog data file addressed to the self group in the first storage device 33 and the related information file addressed to the self group or the self group in the second storage device 34 (S25).
[0059]
In the present embodiment, when only one of the additional information file and the music data file can be received from a digital content file, the terminal device 30 receives the received additional information file or music data file. Is not stored in the first storage device 33 because it cannot be received. This is for registering the digital content when additional information and music data are available, so that the digital content can be managed only by the content number. In this case, the digital content is registered in the first storage device 33 when it is sent again from the central management device 10.
[0060]
When the process of step S25 is completed, the terminal device 30 is the content of the digital content currently registered in the first storage device 33 among the content numbers described in the “content number” column of the catalog data. Identify the number. Then, inventory data including the identified content number and the corresponding digital content version number is created (S26). Thereafter, the terminal device 30 stores the created inventory data in the third storage device 35 and transmits the inventory data to the central management device 10 via the terrestrial digital network 4 (S27).
[0061]
Next, the operation of the central management apparatus 10 after receiving inventory data will be described. The central management device 10 first totals the inventory data transmitted from each terminal device 30 according to the flowchart of FIG. 9 (S31). Next, the central management device 10 grasps the stock status of the digital content in each terminal device 30 based on the counting result. Then, the digital contents that each terminal device 30 should have in stock at the present time but not actually registered for some reason are specified as redistribution candidate digital contents (S32). Note that when there is no corresponding digital content, the processing flow of FIG. 9 ends.
[0062]
Next, the central management apparatus 10 checks the importance of each redistribution candidate digital content. This importance represents, for example, the necessity of registering the digital content in each terminal device 30, and is set for each digital content in advance. For example, if the digital content is a popular product, the importance is set high. The central management apparatus 10 determines the redistribution candidate digital content having high importance as the redistribution digital content (S33). The digital data distribution system of the present embodiment is different from the conventional system that retransmits digital content according to retransmission request data from each terminal device in that the central management device 10 determines whether or not to redistribute it independently. . Accordingly, at least the redistributed digital content determined to have high importance is redistributed as many times as long as there is a terminal device 30 that is not registered. As a result, each terminal device 30 can reliably register such highly important digital content.
[0063]
Further, redistribution candidate digital contents with low importance may not be redistributed without being determined in step S33. In fact, the contents of the catalog change every month. Naturally, digital contents with low importance are immediately excluded from sale and are not published in catalog magazines. For this reason, even if the digital content is not immediately retransmitted to each terminal device 30, it is automatically deleted by each terminal device 30 if it is not published in the catalog magazine.
[0064]
After that, the central management apparatus 10 checks how many terminal devices 30 do not have the redistributed digital contents determined in step S33, and distributes them by broadcast or individually. A distribution method is determined (S34). For example, when a certain number or more of terminal devices 30 do not have, the redistributed digital content is to be redistributed all at once, and is included in the digital data to be distributed at the next and subsequent distributions. Will be. However, the distribution timing of the redistributed digital content is determined by the central management apparatus 10 in consideration of the sales schedule and the like.
[0065]
On the other hand, when the number of terminal devices 30 is less than a certain number, the redistributed digital content is to be distributed to the terminal devices 30 individually. A specific method of individual distribution is usually transmission through the terrestrial digital network 4, but the redistributed digital content may be sent to the terminal device 30 in a CD-ROM or the like, for example. In this case, the terminal device 30 registers the redistributed digital content in the first storage device 33 by reading the data recorded on the CD-ROM.
[0066]
In the digital data distribution system of the present embodiment, the central management device creates catalog data including catalog data, and each terminal device receives the digital data and performs digital content registration processing, The inventory data created by referring to the catalog data is transmitted to the central management device. As a result, the central management apparatus can grasp the digital content inventory status in each terminal apparatus based on the inventory data, and can uniformly manage the digital content. For this reason, even when the central management device determines that the terminal device does not have the digital content that should be kept in stock, for example, according to the importance of the digital content, the digital content is redistributed. You can decide whether or not to do so. Therefore, the central management device does not need to individually respond to the digital data retransmission request from each terminal device as in the prior art, so even if the number of terminal devices is large, the processing load of the central management device Mitigation can be achieved.
[0067]
Also, in data distribution by satellite, all or part of digital data may not be received by each terminal device due to weather conditions or the like. In particular, when catalog data of digital data cannot be received, each terminal device cannot perform digital content registration processing and inventory data transmission processing, so there seems to be a problem. However, in this embodiment, even if catalog data cannot be received on a certain day, if catalog data distributed on or after the next day is received, digital content distributed on the date on which the catalog data could not be received will be included in the catalog data. A list of is also included. For this reason, if the terminal device creates inventory data with reference to the catalog data and transmits the inventory data to the central management device, the central management device should be registered on the date when it could not be received based on the inventory data. It is possible to decide to redistribute high-priority digital content that has been. Therefore, even if each terminal device cannot receive the catalog data and cannot register the highly important digital content, the terminal device can surely register the highly important digital content.
[0068]
In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible within the range of the summary.
[0069]
In the above embodiment, the case where digital data is distributed from a central management device to each terminal device using a satellite line has been described. It can also be applied to the distribution of digital data.
[0070]
Another object of the present invention is to supply software program codes (including the execution format) for realizing the functions of the apparatus according to the above-described embodiment to a system or apparatus using a storage medium that records all or part of the program code. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the computer (or CPU, MPU) of the system or apparatus reading out the program code stored in the storage medium and executing all or part of the operation.
[0071]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the present embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0072]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, ROM, flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, and the like can be used. Furthermore, the program code may be supplied by downloading via a communication line, or the program may be supplied and executed using a technology such as JAVA (registered trademark).
[0073]
Further, by executing the program code read out by the computer, not only the functions of the present embodiment are realized, but also the OS running on the computer performs the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of this embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the processing and the processing is included.
[0074]
Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into the memory of the extension function board inserted in the computer or the function extension unit to which the computer is connected, the function extension is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the present embodiment are realized by the processing.
[0075]
In addition, the present invention may be a program product including a program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the apparatus of the above-described embodiment. Here, the program product includes not only a computer program but also a recording medium or a computer on which the program is recorded.
[0076]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the digital data distribution system of the present invention, the central management device creates digital data including list information about digital contents that should exist in the terminal device at the time of distribution of the digital data. Each terminal device receives the digital data, registers the digital content, and then transmits the inventory data created by referring to the list information to the central management device. As a result, the central management apparatus can grasp the digital content inventory status in each terminal apparatus based on the inventory data, and can uniformly manage the digital content. For this reason, even when it is determined that the terminal device does not have the digital content that the terminal device should have as inventory, the central management device determines whether to redistribute the digital content as necessary. Therefore, it is not necessary to individually respond to a digital content retransmission request from each terminal device as in the prior art. Therefore, even when the number of terminal devices is large, the processing load on the central management device is reduced. Can be achieved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a digital data distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a central management device in the digital data distribution system.
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of each terminal device in the digital data distribution system.
FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a data structure of digital data created by the central management apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of distribution delivery information captured by a terminal device.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of catalog data captured by a terminal device.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure of the central management apparatus when distributing digital data;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure of each terminal device when digital data is received.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure of the central management apparatus after receiving inventory data from each terminal apparatus;
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Communication satellite
4 Terrestrial digital network
10 Central management device
11 Content management device
12 Transmitter
13 Receiver
14 Control device
30 Terminal device
31 Receiver
32 Reception processing unit
32a Distribution part
32b Sorting part
32c decryption part
32d registration processing part
33 First storage device
34 Second storage device
35 Third storage device
36 Control unit
37 Transmitter
41 Input device
42 Display device
43 Speaker
44 MD burner

Claims (13)

A data distribution device that accumulates a plurality of digital contents and distributes digital data including the plurality of digital contents to a data receiving terminal device,
A data distribution apparatus characterized by creating and distributing digital data including list information about digital contents that should exist in the data receiving terminal device at the time of distribution of the digital data.   2. The data distribution apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising data transmission means for transmitting data toward a satellite in order to distribute the digital data to the data reception terminal apparatus via a satellite line. A data receiving terminal device that receives digital data including digital content and distributes it to users,
Referring to the list information about the digital content contained in the received digital data that should exist at the time of distribution of the digital data, the digital content described in the list information has not been registered yet Specify the digital content, register the digital content when the specified digital content is received this time, and delete the digital content when the digital content not listed in the list information is registered to itself A data receiving terminal device.   4. The data receiving terminal device according to claim 3, further comprising satellite data receiving means for receiving digital data distributed from the satellite. A central management device that accumulates a plurality of digital contents and distributes digital data including the plurality of digital contents, receives the digital data distributed from the central management device, and registers the plurality of digital contents in storage means In a digital data distribution system comprising a plurality of terminal devices that individually distribute the registered digital content to users,
The central management device creates and distributes digital data including list information about digital content that should exist in the terminal device at the time of distribution of the digital data,
Each terminal device receives the distributed digital data, registers the digital content in the storage means, and then refers to the list information included in the digital data, so that the digital content described in the list information is stored. The digital data characterized by identifying digital contents registered in the storage means, creating inventory list information for the identified digital contents, and transmitting the created inventory list information to the central management device Distribution system.   The central management device manages the inventory status of digital content in each terminal device based on the inventory list information transmitted from each terminal device, and is necessary when there is digital content that has not been received by the terminal device. 6. The digital data distribution system according to claim 5, wherein the digital content is redistributed accordingly.   The central management device determines whether or not the digital content not received by the terminal device is highly important, and determines that the digital content should be redistributed when it is determined that the importance is high. The digital data distribution system according to claim 6.   8. The digital data distribution system according to claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the central management apparatus broadcasts digital data to the plurality of terminal apparatuses using a satellite line.   When each terminal device receives the distributed digital data, the terminal device refers to the list information included in the digital data, and when the digital content not described in the list information is registered in the storage means, 6. The digital data distribution system according to claim 5, wherein the content is deleted from the storage means.   Each of the terminal devices creates a list of all digital contents registered in the storage means as inventory list information, and transmits the created inventory list information to the central management device using a communication line. The digital data distribution system according to claim 5 or 6. A program for causing a computer to realize a function of storing a plurality of digital contents and distributing digital data including the plurality of digital contents to a data receiving terminal device,
A program for causing a computer to realize a function of creating and distributing digital data including list information about digital contents that should exist in the data receiving terminal device at the time of distribution of the digital data. A program for causing a computer to perform a function of receiving digital data including digital content and distributing it to users,
Referring to the list information about the digital content contained in the received digital data that should exist at the time of distribution of the digital data, the digital content described in the list information has not been registered yet A function for specifying digital content, registering the digital content when the specified digital content is received this time, and deleting the digital content when the digital content not listed in the list information is registered in itself A program to make a computer realize. A central management device that accumulates a plurality of digital contents and distributes digital data including the plurality of digital contents, receives the digital data distributed from the central management device, and registers the plurality of digital contents in storage means , A program for causing a computer to realize a function of transmitting / receiving data to / from a plurality of terminal devices that individually distribute the registered digital content to users,
A function for the central management device to create and distribute digital data including list information about digital content that should exist in the terminal device at the time of distribution of the digital data;
Each terminal device receives the distributed digital data, registers the digital content in the storage means, and then refers to the list information included in the digital data, so that the digital content described in the list information is stored. A function of identifying digital content registered in the storage means, creating inventory list information for the identified digital content, and transmitting the created inventory list information to the central management device;
A program to make a computer realize.

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