JP4555042B2 - Content distribution management server, content distribution management method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a content distribution management server, a content distribution management method , and a program.

  Conventionally, a content server that distributes content corresponding to a content request to a user terminal device that has transmitted the content request is known. In this content server, when content requests are concentrated in a short time, the traffic of the content server increases.

  Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-54792) describes a content distribution and distribution system that can suppress an increase in traffic of a content server.

  The content distribution and delivery system described in Patent Document 1 includes a content server that stores content and a plurality of distribution servers that store content transmitted from the content server.

  Upon receiving a content request from a user terminal device, the content server described in Patent Literature 1 selects a distribution server closest to the user terminal device from among a plurality of distribution servers, and receives a content request from the selected distribution server. The content corresponding to is transmitted to the user terminal device.

In the content distribution distribution system described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of distribution servers distribute and distribute content that has been performed only by conventional content servers. For this reason, it is possible to suppress an increase in traffic of the content server.
JP 2004-54792 A

  However, in the content distribution distribution system described in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that one distribution server distributes the entire content in a concentrated manner. In this case, since one distribution server distributes the entire content, the traffic of the distribution server increases.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a content distribution management server, a user terminal device, a content distribution system, a content distribution management method, a content acquisition method, and a content distribution method capable of suppressing an increase in traffic of a distribution device that distributes content. And to provide a program.

  In order to achieve the above object, a content distribution management server according to the present invention includes a plurality of storage devices that store at least different fragment contents among fragment contents obtained by dividing content, and a user who can communicate with the plurality of storage devices. When receiving a content request connected to a terminal device via a network and including identification information for identifying the content from the user terminal device, access information for accessing each of the plurality of storage devices is obtained. A content distribution management server provided to a terminal device, an information storage unit storing the identification information in association with the access information, a communication unit communicating with the user terminal device, and the communication unit from the user terminal device When the content request is accepted, it is related to the identification information included in the content request. Only read access information stored in from the information storage unit, the access information thus read out, and a control unit for transmitting from the communication unit to the user terminal.

  Also, the content distribution management method of the present invention provides a network between a plurality of storage devices that store at least different pieces of fragment content among the pieces of fragmented content and a user terminal device that can communicate with the plurality of storage devices. Content that provides access information for accessing each of the plurality of storage devices to the user terminal device when receiving a content request including identification information that identifies the content from the user terminal device. A content distribution management method performed by a distribution management server, wherein the content distribution management server includes an information storage unit that stores the identification information in association with the access information, and accepts the content request from the user terminal device; The container received in the receiving step A reading step of reading the access information stored in association with identification information tree request includes from the information storage unit, the access information read in said reading step, and a transmission step of transmitting to the user terminal.

  According to the above invention, when the content distribution management server receives a content request from a user terminal device, the content distribution management server provides access information to the user terminal device. The access information is access information for accessing each of the plurality of storage devices that store the fragment content of the content specified by the identification information included in the content request.

  Therefore, even if the content distribution management server accepts the content request, it is not necessary to transmit the entire requested content. For this reason, it becomes possible to suppress the traffic of the content distribution management server.

  Further, the user terminal device can collect the fragment content from the plurality of storage devices based on the access information and acquire the requested content. At this time, the plurality of storage devices distribute the fragment content, not the entire content. For this reason, the plurality of storage devices can reduce the traffic at the time of content distribution compared to the case of distributing the entire content. In addition, it is possible to suppress an increase in the distribution server that distributes the entire content as the number of users increases as in the past.

  The user terminal device is preferably one of the plurality of storage devices.

  The content distribution management server includes a plurality of the user terminal devices, the communication unit is capable of communicating with the plurality of user terminal devices, and receives a user information of each of the plurality of user terminal devices; A user information storage unit that stores user information received by the reception unit, wherein the control unit is configured to select the user information from the plurality of user terminal devices based on the user information stored in the user information storage unit. Selecting a plurality of user terminal devices to store fragment content, distributing at least different fragment contents to each of the selected user terminal devices, and storing the plurality of selected user terminal devices in the plurality of user terminals It is desirable to make it a device.

  According to said invention, the user terminal device of the user who has similar user information can be set to a some storage device. For this reason, it is possible to distribute content that is highly likely to be used by each user of a plurality of storage devices as fragment content to the plurality of storage devices. Therefore, it is possible to solve the problem that each storage device stores a piece of content that is unlikely to be used. Therefore, content sharing efficiency is improved. In addition, it is possible to prevent the content distribution server having the entire content from being increased in accordance with the increase in the number of users, and the user terminal device also serves as the storage device, so that the infrastructure can be easily constructed.

  In addition, when a plurality of user terminal devices having user information indicating the same contents are selected from the plurality of user terminal devices, and a data transfer rate between the selected user terminal devices is equal to or higher than a predetermined transfer rate The plurality of selected user terminal devices are preferably selected as a plurality of user terminal devices in which the fragment content is to be stored.

  According to the above invention, it is possible to set a plurality of user terminal devices having a data transfer rate equal to or higher than a predetermined transfer rate in a plurality of storage devices. For this reason, it becomes possible to quickly communicate the fragment content among a plurality of storage devices. Therefore, the user terminal device can quickly obtain the requested content.

  The user information is preferably a user address, a user age, a user gender, a user hobby, a content genre preferred by the user, a network connection provider of the user terminal device, or the content request.

  Each of the plurality of storage devices is the user terminal device, and a user information storage unit that stores the content request received by the communication unit as user information in association with the user terminal device that has transmitted the content request. The control unit determines fragment content to be accumulated by each user terminal device based on the user information stored in the user information storage unit, and determines the determined fragment content to each user terminal device. It is desirable to deliver.

  According to the above invention, the content distribution management server can store the content that is highly likely to be requested from the user terminal device in the plurality of storage devices.

  Further, based on the user information stored in the user information storage unit, it is determined whether or not to delete the accumulated fragment content from each user terminal device. It is desirable to delete the fragment content from the device.

  According to the above invention, the content distribution management server can manage the fragment content stored in the plurality of storage devices based on the user information. Therefore, the content distribution management server stores content that is highly likely to be requested from the user terminal device in a plurality of storage devices, and deletes content that is unlikely to be requested from the user terminal device from the plurality of storage devices. It becomes possible.

  Each of the plurality of storage devices is the user terminal device, and a user information storage unit that stores the content request received by the communication unit as user information in association with the user terminal device that transmitted the content request. The control unit determines whether to delete the accumulated fragment content from each user terminal device based on the user information stored in the user information storage unit, and When the deletion is decided, it is desirable to delete the fragment content from each user terminal device.

  According to the above invention, the content distribution management server can delete content that is unlikely to be requested from the user terminal device from the plurality of storage devices. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a plurality of storage devices from continuing to store fragment content that is unlikely to be distributed to the user terminal device.

  The user terminal device of the present invention is a user terminal device capable of communicating with the content distribution management server, a communication unit communicating with the content distribution management server and the plurality of storage devices, and an input for accepting a user input. A content request control unit that transmits the content request from the communication unit to the content distribution management server when the input unit receives the content request, and the communication unit receives the content request from the content distribution management server. When the access information is received, the fragment content request control unit that transmits a fragment content request from the communication unit to each of the plurality of storage devices using the received access information, and the communication unit includes the plurality of communication units. Fragment content corresponding to the fragment content request from each storage device When signal, and a construction unit for constructing the contents by connecting the fragmented content that they received.

  The content acquisition method of the present invention is a content acquisition method performed by a user terminal device capable of communicating with the content distribution management server, wherein the content request received from the user and the content request received in the reception step Using the access information received in the access request received step, the access information receiving step for receiving access information corresponding to the content request from the content delivery management server, and the access information receiving step. Then, a fragment content request transmitting step for transmitting a fragment content request to each of the plurality of storage devices, and a fragment content receiving step for receiving a fragment content corresponding to the fragment content request from each of the plurality of storage devices , And a construction step of constructing a content by connecting the fragment content received by the fragment content receiving step.

  According to the above invention, the user terminal device collects fragment content from a plurality of storage devices based on the access information, and acquires the requested content. At this time, the plurality of storage devices distribute the fragment content, not the entire content. For this reason, the plurality of storage devices can reduce the traffic at the time of content distribution compared to the case of distributing the entire content.

  It is desirable to further include a fragment content storage unit for storing the fragment content, and to construct the content by connecting the fragment content stored in the fragment content storage unit and the fragment content received by the communication unit .

  According to the above invention, it is possible to reduce traffic when collecting fragment contents.

  When the fragment content request is received from another user terminal device, the fragment content stored in the fragment content storage unit is read, and the read fragment content is transmitted from the communication unit to the other user terminal device. It is desirable.

  According to the above invention, the user terminal device is one of a plurality of storage devices. For this reason, as the number of user terminal devices increases, the number of storage devices increases. Therefore, infrastructure maintenance accompanying an increase in user terminal devices is facilitated.

  The content distribution system of the present invention includes the content distribution management server and the user terminal device.

  The content distribution management method of the present invention includes a plurality of storage devices that store at least different fragment contents among fragment contents obtained by dividing content, a user terminal device that can communicate with the plurality of storage devices, and the user terminal device A content distribution system comprising: a content distribution management server that provides access information for accessing each of the plurality of storage devices to the user terminal device when a content request including identification information for identifying the content is received from The content distribution management server includes an information storage unit that stores the identification information in association with the access information, and the user terminal device receives a content request from a user. Step and the user terminal device A content request transmission step for transmitting the content request received in the 1 reception step to the content distribution management server; a second reception step in which the content distribution management server receives the content request transmitted in the content request transmission step; The content distribution management server reads out the access information stored in association with the identification information included in the content request received in the second reception step from the information storage unit, and the content distribution management server reads the reading step. A transmission step of transmitting the access information read out in step (b) to the user terminal device; and an access information reception step in which the user terminal device receives the access information transmitted by the content distribution management server in the transmission step; The user terminal device uses the access information received in the access information receiving step to transmit a fragment content request to each of the plurality of storage devices, and the plurality of storage devices, A fragment content request receiving step for receiving a fragment content request transmitted by the user terminal device in the fragment content request transmitting step, and a fragment corresponding to the fragment content request received by the plurality of storage devices in the fragment content request receiving step. Fragment content transmission step for transmitting content to the user terminal device, fragment content reception step for the user terminal device to receive fragment content transmitted by the plurality of storage devices in the fragment content transmission step, and the user terminal A device comprising said fragment content And constructing the content by connecting the fragment contents received in the receiving step.

  According to the above invention, when the content distribution management server receives a content request from a user terminal device, the content distribution management server provides access information to the user terminal device. The access information is access information for accessing each of the plurality of storage devices that store the fragment content of the content specified by the identification information included in the content request.

  Therefore, even if the content distribution management server accepts the content request, it is not necessary to transmit the entire requested content. For this reason, it becomes possible to suppress the traffic of the content distribution management server.

  Further, the user terminal device can collect the fragment content from the plurality of storage devices based on the access information and acquire the requested content. At this time, the plurality of storage devices distribute the fragment content, not the entire content. For this reason, the plurality of storage devices can reduce the traffic at the time of content distribution compared to the case of distributing the entire content.

  The program of the present invention receives a content request including identification information for identifying the content from a user terminal device capable of communicating with a plurality of storage devices that store at least different pieces of fragment content among fragment content obtained by dividing the content. A program for causing a computer to execute content distribution management processing for providing the user terminal device with access information for accessing each of the plurality of storage devices, and accepting the content request from the user terminal device; A read process for reading the access information stored in the information storage unit in association with the identification information included in the content request received in the reception process, and a transmission for transmitting the access information read in the read process to the user terminal device Processing, including container To execute the tool delivery management processing to the computer.

  According to said invention, it becomes possible to make a computer perform the said content delivery management method.

  The program of the present invention is a program for causing a computer capable of communicating with the content distribution management server to execute a content acquisition process, wherein the content request received from a user is received, and the content request received in the reception process is the content Content request transmission processing to be transmitted to the distribution management server, access information reception processing for receiving the access information from the content distribution management server, and fragments obtained by dividing the content using the access information received in the access information reception processing Fragment content request transmission processing for transmitting a fragment content request to each of a plurality of storage devices that store at least different fragment contents in the content, and a fragment content for receiving the fragment content from each of the plurality of storage devices A reception processing, a building process for building a content by connecting the fragment content received by the fragment content receiving process, the content acquisition processing including, causes the computer to execute.

  According to said invention, it becomes possible to make a computer perform the said content acquisition method.

  According to the present invention, even if the content distribution management server accepts a content request, it is not necessary to transmit the entire requested content. For this reason, it becomes possible to suppress the traffic of the content distribution management server.

  Further, the user terminal device can collect the fragment content from the plurality of storage devices based on the access information and acquire the requested content. At this time, the plurality of storage devices distribute the fragment content, not the entire content. For this reason, the plurality of storage devices can reduce the traffic at the time of content distribution compared to the case of distributing the entire content. In addition, as in the past, it is possible to suppress an increase in the distribution server that distributes the entire content in accordance with an increase in the number of users.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a content distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the content distribution system includes a rental dealer server 1 and a plurality of user terminal devices 2a to 2n. The plurality of user terminal devices 2a to 2n also serve as a plurality of storage devices.

  The rental agent server 1 is an example of a content distribution management server. The content distribution management server is not limited to the rental agent server 1 and can be changed as appropriate.

  The rental agent server 1 communicates with a plurality of user terminal devices 2a to 2n and a user terminal device 4 via a communication line (network) 3 such as the Internet. The communication line 3 is not limited to the Internet and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the communication line 3 may be a wireless communication line.

  The user terminal devices 2a to 2n are, for example, home AV (Audio Visual) servers. In the present embodiment, the user terminal devices 2a to 2n have the same configuration. For example, the user terminal devices 2a to 2n are lent from the rental company to users who have become members of the rental company. A user who has become a member of the rental company may purchase the user terminal device 2 from the rental company.

  The user terminal devices 2a to 2n belong to a common group set by the rental agent server 1. The rental agent server 1 determines a group based on the characteristics (user information) of each user of the user terminal devices 2a to 2n. Furthermore, the rental agent server 1 determines a group based on the data transfer rate between the user terminal devices 2a to 2n.

  Each of the user terminal devices 2a to 2n stores at least different fragment contents among the fragment contents obtained by dividing the content A. The content A is digitized information such as a movie or music.

  The user terminal device 4 has the same configuration as the user terminal device 2. The user terminal device 4 does not belong to the group to which the user terminal devices 2a to 2n belong.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the rental agent server 1 and the user terminal device 2.

  In FIG. 2, the same components as those shown in FIG. Since the user terminal devices 2a to 2n have the same configuration, only the user terminal device 2a is shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the rental agent server 1 includes an information storage unit 11, a communication unit 12, an input unit 13, a user information storage unit 14, a content storage unit 15, a memory 16, and a control unit 17. The communication unit 12 and the input unit 13 are included in the reception unit 18.

  For example, the information storage unit 11 stores the identification information of the content A in association with the access information. Note that the access information associated with the identification information of the content A is access information for accessing each of the plurality of user terminal devices 2a to 2n storing the fragment content of the content A (for example, each of the user terminal devices 2a to 2n). Information including the IP address).

  In the present embodiment, the information storage unit 11 uses the IP addresses of the user terminal devices 2a to 2n as identification information (hereinafter referred to as “fragment identification information”) of the fragment content stored in the user terminal device having the IP address. To be stored in association with each other.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the information storage unit 11.

  In FIG. 3, the information storage unit 11 stores the content identification information 11a in association with the access information 11b.

  The access information 11b includes the IP address 11c of each user terminal device that stores the fragment content of the content specified by the content identification information 11a. Furthermore, the access information 11b includes fragment identification information 11d of the fragment content stored in the user terminal device having each IP address 11c.

  The information storage unit 11 stores each IP address 11c in association with the fragment identification information 11d of the fragment content stored in the user terminal device having the IP address.

  Further, the arrangement of the IP addresses 11c in the information storage unit 11 corresponds to the reproduction order of the fragment contents. For example, the IP address of the user terminal device storing the fragment content to be reproduced first is the head of the IP address 11c, and the IP address of the user terminal device storing the fragment content to be reproduced last is stored. Is at the end of the list of IP addresses 11c.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the communication unit 12 communicates with each of the user terminal devices 2 a to 2 n and the user terminal device 4 via the communication line 3. For example, the communication unit 12 receives a content request transmitted from any of the user terminal devices 2a to 2n via the communication line 3. The content request includes content identification information that specifies the requested content.

  The input unit 13 is a keyboard, for example. The input unit 13 receives user information of users of the user terminal devices 2a to 2n. The user information received by the input unit 13 is, for example, the IP address of the user terminal device, the user's address, the user's age, the user's gender, the user's hobbies, the user's preferred content genre, and the network connection provider of the user terminal device 2. is there.

  The user information is provided from the user to the rental company when the user becomes a member of the rental company. The rental agent inputs the user information to the input unit 13.

  The user information storage unit 14 stores the content request received by the communication unit 12 and the user information received by the input unit 13. Note that the user information storage unit 14 stores the content request as user information.

  In this embodiment, the user information storage unit 14 stores user information in association with the user terminal device of the user corresponding to the user information.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the user information storage unit 14.

  In FIG. 4, the user information storage unit 14 stores a user terminal device name 14a in association with user information 14b, group information 14c, and trend information 14d.

  The group information 14c indicates a group (specifically, a group number) to which the user terminal device specified by the user terminal device name 14a belongs. When the user terminal device specified by the user terminal device name 14a belongs to a plurality of groups, the group information 14c indicates the plurality of groups (specifically, a plurality of group numbers).

  The trend information 14d is generated based on the content request and indicates the trend of the content requested from the user terminal device specified by the user terminal device name 14a. For example, when many of the content requests from the user terminal device specified by the user terminal device name 14a request a movie in which a specific actor appears, the trend information 14d indicates the specific actor. Note that the trend information 14d may indicate a plurality of trends (for example, a specific actor and a new content content request trend).

  The group information 14c and the trend information 14d are generated by the control unit 17, and then stored in the user information storage unit 14.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the content storage unit 15 stores a plurality of contents including the content A.

  Furthermore, the content storage unit 15 stores the content itself in association with information related to the content (hereinafter referred to as “content information”) for each content.

  For example, when the content is a movie, the content information includes content identification information, a genre, a starring actor, a director, and a work time.

  The memory 16 is a computer-readable recording medium. The memory 16 stores an operation program that defines the operation of the control unit 17.

  The control unit 17 is a computer (for example, a CPU). The control unit 17 reads the operation program recorded in the memory 16 and executes the read operation program.

  For example, the control unit 17 executes various operations as described below by executing the operation program.

  When the communication unit 12 receives a content request from any of the user terminal devices 2a to 2n, the control unit 17 reads the access information 11b stored in the information storage unit 11 in association with the content identification information included in the content request. (See FIG. 3). The control unit 17 transmits the read access information 11b from the communication unit 12 to the user terminal device 2 that has transmitted the content request.

  The control unit 17 also stores a plurality of pieces of fragment content to be accumulated from a plurality of user terminal devices (for example, the user terminal devices 2a to 2n and 4) based on the user information stored in the user information storage unit 14. User terminal devices (for example, user terminal devices 2a to 2n) are selected. The control unit 17 distributes at least different pieces of content to each of the selected plurality of user terminal devices, so that the selected plurality of user terminal devices become a plurality of storage devices.

  Furthermore, the control unit 17 selects a plurality of user terminal devices of users having user information indicating the same content from a plurality of user terminal devices (for example, user terminal devices 2a to 2n and 4) (for example, user Terminal devices 2a to 2n are selected). When the data transfer rate between the selected user terminal devices is equal to or higher than a predetermined transfer rate, the control unit 17 sets the selected user terminal devices as a plurality of user terminal devices that are to store fragment content. select.

  Further, the control unit 17 determines the fragment content to be accumulated by each user terminal device based on the user information stored in the user information storage unit 14, and distributes each of the determined fragment content to each user terminal device. To do.

  Further, the control unit 17 determines whether or not to delete the fragment content from the user terminal device based on the user information stored in the user information storage unit 14, and when the deletion of the fragment content is determined, Delete from the user terminal.

  In addition, the control part 17 may perform another operation | movement (for example, time-measurement etc. of the present time).

  The user terminal device 2a includes a communication unit 2a1, an input unit 2a2, a fragment content storage unit 2a3, a content storage unit 2a4, a memory 2a5, and a control unit 2a6. The control unit 2a6 includes a content request control unit 2a61, a fragment content request control unit 2a62, a storage unit 2a63, and a fragment control unit 2a64.

  Since the other user terminal devices 2 have the same configuration as the user terminal device 2a, each of the other user terminal devices 2 includes a communication unit 2a1, an input unit 2a2, a fragment content storage unit 2a3, a content storage unit 2a4, a memory 2a5 and control unit 2a6. The control unit 2a6 includes a content request control unit 2a61, a fragment content request control unit 2a62, a storage unit 2a63, and a fragment control unit 2a64.

  The communication unit 2a1 communicates with the rental agent server 1 and other user terminal devices via the communication line 3.

  The input unit 2a2 is, for example, a keyboard. The input unit 2a2 receives a user input (for example, a content request including content identification information).

  The fragment content storage unit 2a3 stores the fragment content of the content A. The fragment content storage unit 2a3 may store the fragment content of the content A before the user terminal device 2a is delivered to the user. The fragment content storage unit 2a3 may store the fragment content of the content A distributed from the rental agent server 1 after the user terminal device 2a is delivered to the user.

  The content accumulation unit 2a4 stores the content constructed by the construction unit 2a63.

  The memory 2a5 is a computer-readable recording medium. In the memory 2a5, an operation program that defines the operation of the control unit 2a6 is recorded.

  The control unit 2a6 is a computer (for example, a CPU). The control unit 2a6 reads the operation program recorded in the memory 2a5 and executes the read operation program.

  The control unit 2a6 implements, for example, the content request control unit 2a61, the fragment content request control unit 2a62, the construction unit 2a63, and the fragment control unit 2a64 by executing the operation program.

  The content request control unit 2a61, the fragment content request control unit 2a62, the construction unit 2a63, or the fragment control unit 2a64 may be realized by hardware.

  When the input unit 2a2 receives the content request, the content request control unit 2a61 transmits the received content request from the communication unit 2a1 to the rental agent server 1.

  When the communication unit 2a1 receives the access information corresponding to the content request from the rental agent server 1, the fragment content request control unit 2a62 uses the received access information to transmit each of the plurality of user terminal devices 2 from the communication unit 2a1. Send a fragment content request.

  When the communication unit 2a1 receives the fragment content corresponding to the fragment content request from each of the plurality of user terminal devices 2, the constructing unit 2a63 connects the received fragment content to construct the content.

  The construction unit 2a63 may construct the content by connecting the fragment content stored in the fragment content storage unit 2a3 and the fragment content received by the communication unit 2a1.

  When the communication unit 2a1 receives a fragment content request from another user terminal device 2, the fragment control unit 2a64 reads the fragment content corresponding to the fragment content request from the fragment content storage unit 2a3, and transmits the read fragment content to the communication unit 2a64. The unit 2a1 transmits the fragment content request to the other user terminal device 2 that has transmitted the fragment content request.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 2a6 further has other functions.

  Next, the operation will be described.

  First, the grouping of user terminal devices performed by the rental agent server 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram for explaining grouping of user terminal devices performed by the rental agent server 1. In FIG. 5, the same components as those shown in FIG.

  Below, the operation | movement which the rental agent server 1 determines the group to which the user terminal device 2a belongs is demonstrated. The operation of determining a group to which another user terminal device belongs is omitted because the user terminal device 2a may be replaced with another user terminal device.

  In step 501, when the input unit 13 receives a grouping command for instructing grouping of the user terminal devices 2a, the control unit 17 stores the user information 14b of the user terminal device 2a stored in the user information storage unit 14, For example, an address, age, genre, and connection company are read out. For each of the read user information, the control unit 17 selects a user terminal device of a user having user information indicating the same content from among a plurality of other user terminal devices, and selects the user terminal selected for each user information The device is set as a grouping candidate for the user terminal device 2a.

  Hereinafter, the operation in step 501 will be specifically described.

  First, an example in which the user information is an address will be described. In this case, the control unit 17 selects a user terminal device in which the place name portion in the address is the same as the place name portion of the address of the user terminal device 2a from among other user terminal devices.

  The control unit 17 refers to the user information storage unit 14, selects an existing group corresponding to a predetermined area (place name) including the address of the user terminal device 2a, and includes user terminals included in the selected existing group A device, that is, a user terminal device having an address included in the predetermined area is selected. The control unit 17 sets the selected user terminal device as a grouping candidate (address) of the user terminal device 2a.

  For example, the user terminal devices 2b to 2n may use an existing group (hereinafter referred to as “group 1”) corresponding to a predetermined area including the address of the user terminal device 2a. The control unit 17 selects the user terminal devices 2b to 2n and sets the user terminal devices 2b to 2n as grouping candidates for the user terminal device 2a.

  Next, using the user information (age) 14b of the user terminal device 2a, the control unit 17 uses a user of the same age as the user's age of the user terminal device 2a from among a plurality of other user terminal devices. The user terminal device that is being operated is selected. The control unit 17 sets the selected user terminal device as a grouping candidate (age) of the user terminal device 2a.

  Next, using the user information (genre) 14b of the user terminal device 2a, the control unit 17 uses the same user information as the user information (genre) 14b of the user terminal device 2a from among other user terminal devices. A user terminal device associated with (genre) is selected. The selected user terminal device is set as a grouping candidate (genre) of the user terminal device 2a.

  Next, the control unit 17 uses the user information (connector) 14b of the user terminal device 2a, and is the same as the user information (connector) 14b of the user terminal device 2a among other user terminal devices. The user terminal device associated with the user information (connector) is selected. The selected user terminal device is set as a grouping candidate (connector) of the user terminal device 2a.

  The control unit 17 selects one grouping candidate from among a plurality of grouping candidates.

  When the control unit 17 ends the above step 501, the control unit 17 executes step 502.

  In step 502, the control unit 17 transmits a transfer rate investigation request between the selected grouping candidates to the user terminal device 2a. This transfer rate survey request is a request for requesting the user terminal device 2a to perform a transfer rate survey between the user terminal device 2a and the user terminal device selected in step 501 (for example, the user terminal devices 2b to 2n). . Hereinafter, an example in which the user terminal devices 2b to 2n are selected as grouping candidates will be described.

  When the communication unit 2a1 receives the transfer rate investigation request, the control unit 2a6 of the user terminal device 2a executes Step 503.

  In step 503, the control unit 2a6 transmits predetermined data from the communication unit 2a1 to the user terminal device 2b based on the accepted transfer rate investigation request. At this time, the control unit 2a6 detects the transfer rate of the predetermined data.

  When the communication unit 2a1 of the user terminal device 2b receives the predetermined data, the control unit 2a6 of the user terminal device 2b executes Step 504.

  In step 504, the control unit 2a6 of the user terminal device 2b returns predetermined data to the user terminal device 2a.

  When the communication unit 2a1 of the user terminal device 2a accepts the predetermined data returned from the user terminal device 2b, the control unit 2a6 detects the transfer rate of the predetermined data, and then performs the step 505 is executed.

  In step 505, the control unit 2a6 transmits the transfer rate during communication in steps 503 and 504 from the communication unit 2a1 to the rental agent server 1.

  Hereinafter, the control unit 2a6 of the user terminal device 2a transmits / receives predetermined data to / from the user terminal devices 2c to 2n, detects their transfer rates, and sends the detected transfer rates from the communication unit 2a1 to the rental agent server. 1 (steps 506, 507, and 508).

  Note that the series of operations from step 503 to step 508 may be repeated a plurality of times at predetermined time intervals (for example, every minute).

  When the control unit 2a6 of the user terminal device 2a finishes step 508, the control unit 17 of the rental agent server 1 executes step 509.

  In step 509, the control unit 17 determines whether or not the transfer rate transmitted from the user terminal device 2a is equal to or higher than the distributable transfer rate (default value).

  For example, the control unit 17 determines whether or not the slowest transfer rate among the transfer rates transmitted from the user terminal device 2a is equal to or higher than the distributable transfer rate.

  When the transfer rate transmitted from the user terminal device 2a is equal to or higher than the distributable transfer rate, the control unit 17 executes Step 510, and the transfer rate transmitted from the user terminal device 2a is the distributable transfer rate. If it is less, step 510 is skipped and step 511 is executed.

  In step 510, the control unit 17 adds group information of “group 1” (specifically, “1” indicating a group number) to the user terminal device 2a, and adds the added group information “1” to the user terminal. The information is stored in the user information storage unit 14 in association with the device 2a (see FIG. 4). “Group 1” is an existing group corresponding to a predetermined area including the address of the user terminal device 2a.

  When the control unit 17 finishes step 510, it executes step 511.

  In step 511, the control unit 17 checks whether there is a grouping candidate that has not been subjected to a transfer rate check among the grouping candidates created in step 501.

  In step 511, if there is a grouping candidate for which the transfer rate is not checked, the control unit 17 executes step 512. If there is no grouping candidate for which the transfer rate is not checked, the control unit 17 is step 513. Execute.

  In step 512, the control unit 17 selects one grouping candidate from the grouping candidates that have not been subjected to the transfer rate investigation.

  When the control unit 17 finishes step 512, it executes step 502. For this reason, even if a plurality of grouping candidates are created in step 501, a transfer rate check is performed for each grouping candidate.

  In step 513, the control unit 17 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed after executing step 501.

  When the predetermined time has not elapsed since the execution of step 501, the control unit 17 waits until the predetermined time elapses. On the other hand, when a predetermined time has elapsed after executing step 501, the control unit 17 executes step 514.

  In step 514, the control unit 17 starts regrouping of the user terminal devices 2a. When the control unit 17 finishes step 514, it executes step 501.

  When executing the step 501 through the step 514, the control unit 17 first receives the content request from the user terminal device 2 a stored in the user information storage unit 14 and the content information stored in the content storage unit 15. With reference to, the tendency of the content requested by the user terminal device 2a is investigated.

  For example, the control unit 17 reads a content request from the user terminal device 2a from the user information storage unit 14, and reads content information corresponding to the content identification information included in the read content request from the content storage unit 15.

  The control unit 17 investigates the tendency of the content requested by the user terminal device 2a based on the information included in the read content information.

  For example, when there are a plurality of read content information, and the work time indicating a lending date within two weeks from the content shipment date is included in more than half of the plurality of content information, the control unit 17 determines the user terminal device. 2a recognizes that there is a high tendency to request new content.

  The control unit 17 stores the trend information indicating the recognized trend in the user information storage unit 14 in association with the user terminal device 2a.

  The control unit 17 refers to the user information storage unit 14, selects an existing group that has already been grouped based on the recognized tendency, and selects user terminal devices included in the selected existing group To do. The control unit 17 sets the selected user terminal device as a grouping candidate for the user terminal device 2a. Hereinafter, the control unit 17 performs the operations after Step 502.

  When step 501 is executed via step 512, the control unit 17 may exclude the user terminal device 2a from the group to which the user terminal device 2a belongs based on the content request from the user terminal device 2a. Good.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of grouping of the user terminal devices 2a.

  In FIG. 6, the target user (for example, the user of the user terminal device 2a, the user terminal device 2a) belongs to the group 101 grouped in the 1970s works, and belongs to the group 102 grouped in actors, It belongs to the group 103 grouped by age, and belongs to the group 104 grouped by favorite genre. The user terminal device 2a belongs to the group 10n formed based on the content request transmitted to the rental agent server 1. Furthermore, the group 10n is a group grouped according to the user's request tendency (for example, lending time) recognized from the history information (content request).

  Next, the fragment content distribution operation performed by the rental agent server 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the fragment content distribution operation performed by the rental agent server 1.

  The fragment content distribution operation shown in FIG. 7 is a possibility of requesting the specific content to a group that is highly likely to request the specific content in order to distribute the fragment content of the specific content. This is an operation of searching all high groups and distributing fragment content of the specific content to the searched group.

  In step 701, when new content (including the content itself and content information) is stored in the content storage unit 15, the control unit 17 searches the user information to find a group that is likely to request the content. The storage unit 14 is referred to. The control unit 17 uses the group information 14c in the user information storage unit 14 to acquire the trend information 14d for each group. Subsequently, the control unit 17 designates the group having the smallest group number.

  When finishing the step 701, the control unit 17 executes the step 702.

  In step 702, the control unit 17 determines whether or not the newly accumulated content information is included in the specified group tendency information 14d in a predetermined ratio or more. In other words, the control unit 17 determines whether or not there is a high possibility that the designated group will request the newly accumulated content.

  When the newly accumulated content information is included in the specified group trend information 14d in a predetermined ratio or more, the control unit 17 may request the newly stored content of the specified group. If it is determined that the value is high, step 703 is executed.

  On the other hand, when the content information newly accumulated is not included in the specified group trend information 14d in a predetermined ratio or more, the control unit 17 can request the content newly accumulated by the designated group. Step 704 is executed when it is determined that the performance is low.

  In step 703, the control unit 17 divides the newly accumulated content by a predetermined time unit (for example, 1 minute unit) to generate a plurality of fragment contents.

  When finishing the step 703, the control unit 17 executes the step 705.

  In step 705, the control unit 17 distributes the fragment content generated in step 703 together with the fragment identification information to a plurality of user terminal devices belonging to the specified group.

  When finishing the step 705, the control unit 17 executes the step 706.

  In step 706, the control unit 17 stores the content identification information 11a of the newly accumulated content in the information storage unit 11 in association with the access information 11b of a plurality of user terminal devices belonging to the specified group. Further, the control unit 17 stores the fragment content generated in Step 703 in the content storage unit 15 in association with the fragment identification information.

  In the user terminal device, when the communication unit 2a1 receives the fragment content and the fragment identification information, the fragment control unit 2a64 stores the received fragment content in the fragment content storage unit 2a3 in association with the fragment identification information. .

  When the control unit 17 finishes step 706, the control unit 17 executes step 704.

  In step 704, the control unit 17 determines whether or not there is an unspecified group. Specifically, the control unit 17 determines whether there is a group number larger than the group number of the currently designated group.

  If there is an undesignated group, in other words, if there is a group number greater than the group number of the currently designated group, the control unit 17 executes Step 707.

  On the other hand, if there is no group not designated, in other words, if there is no group number larger than the group number of the currently designated group, the control unit 17 ends the fragmented distribution.

  In step 707, the control unit 17 designates a group having a group number one larger than the currently designated group. When finishing the step 707, the control unit 17 executes the step 702.

  According to the fragmented content distribution operation shown in FIG. 7, for example, content of a work period having a date within the past two weeks from the time of content request (hereinafter referred to as “new content”) in the specified group trend information 14 d. If the information indicating that the content information is requested is included in more than half and the work time of the newly accumulated content information indicates a date within the past two weeks, the control unit 17 Operate.

  The control unit 17 distributes the fragment content of the newly accumulated content to a plurality of user terminal devices belonging to the designated group, updates the information stored in the information storage unit 11, and further updates the user information storage unit The information stored in 14 is updated.

  Next, the fragment content deleting operation performed by the rental agent server 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the fragment content deleting operation performed by the rental agent server 1. In addition, the control part 17 performs the operation | movement shown in FIG. 8 regularly, for example once a day.

  In step 801, the control unit 17 refers to the user information storage unit 14 in order to search for a group storing fragment contents that are unlikely to be used at a predetermined time. The control unit 17 uses the group information 14c in the user information storage unit 14 to acquire the trend information 14d for each group. Subsequently, the control unit 17 designates the group having the smallest group number.

  When the control unit 17 finishes step 801, the control unit 17 executes step 802.

  In step 802, the control unit 17 determines whether or not the content information of the content divided and stored in the specified group is included in the specified group tendency information 14d in a predetermined ratio or more. . In other words, the control unit 17 determines whether or not the designated group is highly likely to request content that has already been accumulated in the designated group.

  If the trend information 14d of the specified group does not include content information of content that is divided and stored in the specified group, the control unit 17 determines that the specified group is If it is determined that there is a low possibility of requesting content already stored in the designated group, step 803 is executed.

  On the other hand, when the content information of the content divided into the specified group and stored is included in the specified group trend information 14d, the control unit 17 determines that the specified group is If it is determined that there is a high possibility of requesting content already stored in the designated group, step 804 is executed.

  In step 803, the control unit 17 transmits a content deletion command and fragment identification information of the fragment content to be deleted to the user terminal devices belonging to the specified group.

  In the user terminal device, when the communication unit 2a1 receives the content deletion command and the fragment identification information, the fragment control unit 2a64 deletes the fragment content specified by the received fragment identification information from the fragment content storage unit 2a3.

  When the control unit 17 finishes step 803, the control unit 17 executes step 805.

  In step 805, the control unit 17 deletes the content identification information instructed to be deleted in step 803 and the access information from the information storage unit 11.

  When the control unit 17 finishes step 805, it executes step 804.

  In step 804, the control unit 17 determines whether there is an unspecified group. Specifically, the control unit 17 determines whether there is a group number larger than the group number of the currently designated group.

  If there is an undesignated group, in other words, if there is a group number greater than the group number of the currently designated group, the control unit 17 executes Step 806.

  On the other hand, if there is no group not designated, in other words, if there is no group number larger than the group number of the currently designated group, the control unit 17 ends the fragmentation deletion.

  In step 806, the control unit 17 designates a group whose group number is one larger than the currently designated group. When the control unit 17 finishes step 806, the control unit 17 executes step 802.

  According to the fragmented content deletion operation shown in FIG. 8, for example, the trend information 14d of the designated group includes more than half of information indicating that a new content is requested, and is divided into designated groups. When the work time (content information) of the stored content indicates a date two weeks or more ago, the control unit 17 operates as follows.

  The control unit 17 deletes the fragment content stored in the plurality of user terminal devices belonging to the designated group, and updates the information stored in the information storage unit 11.

  Next, the content distribution operation of the content distribution system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram for explaining the content distribution operation of the content distribution system. 9, the same components as those shown in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In the following description, an example in which the user terminal device 2a transmits a content request to the rental agent server 1 will be described. However, the content request is not only transmitted from the user terminal device 2a, but also other user terminal devices. Is also sent from. Since the operation in this case basically has only to replace the user terminal device 2a with another user terminal device, description thereof will be omitted.

  In step 901, when the input unit 2a2 of the user terminal device 2a accepts a content menu display operation, the content request control unit 2a61 transmits a content list request from the communication unit 2a1 to the rental agent server 1.

  When the rental agent server 1 accepts the content list request, the rental agent server 1 executes Step 902.

  In step 902, when the communication unit 12 of the rental business server 1 accepts the content list request, the control unit 17 sends content list data indicating content that can be acquired by the user terminal device 2a from the communication unit 12 to the user terminal device 2a. Forward to.

  When the communication unit 2a1 of the user terminal device 2a receives the content list data, the content request control unit 2a61 displays the content list indicated by the content list data on a display unit (not shown).

  When the input unit 2a2 receives an input for selecting content in the content list, the content request control unit 2a61 executes Step 903.

  In step 903, the content request control unit 2a61 transmits a content request including content identification information for identifying the selected content from the communication unit 2a1 to the rental agent server 1.

  When the rental agent server 1 receives the content request, it executes Step 904.

  In step 904, when the communication unit 12 receives a content request, the control unit 17 refers to the information storage unit 11.

  When the control unit 17 finishes Step 904, it executes Step 905.

  In step 905, the control unit 17 reads the access information 11b stored in the information storage unit 11 in association with the content identification information included in the content request. The control unit 17 uses the read access information 11b as a content download destination list.

  When the control unit 17 finishes step 905, it executes step 906.

  In step 906, the control unit 17 transfers the content download destination list from the communication unit 12 to the user terminal device 2a.

  When finishing Step 906, the control unit 17 executes Step 906a.

  In step 906a, the control unit 17 stores the content request provided from the user terminal device 2a in step 903 in the user information 14b of the user information storage unit 14, and stores the user information (content request) 14b of the user terminal device 2a. Update.

  On the other hand, when the content download destination list is transferred, the user terminal device 2a executes Step 907.

  In step 907, the communication unit 2a1 of the user terminal device 2a receives the content download destination list.

  When the communication unit 2a1 receives the content download destination list, the control unit 2a6 executes Step 908.

  In step 908, the control unit 2a6 starts downloading the fragment content according to the content download destination list.

  Specifically, the fragment content request control unit 2a62 designates the IP address first written in the content download destination list and the fragment identification information associated with the IP address, and the designated IP address and fragment. The identification information is read from the content download destination list.

  When the fragment content request control unit 2a62 reads the IP address and the fragment identification information, the fragment content request control unit 2a62 executes Step 909.

  In step 909, the fragment content request control unit 2a62 controls the communication unit 2a1 to check whether there is a user terminal device with the read IP address.

  The fragment content request control unit 2a62 executes Step 910 when there is a user terminal device with the read IP address, and when there is no user terminal device with the read IP address, Step 911. Execute.

  In step 910, the fragment content request control unit 2a62 transmits a fragment content request including the read fragment identification information to the user terminal device (for example, user terminal device 2n) of the read IP address. (Download request).

  The fragment control unit 2a64 of the user terminal device 2n monitors whether or not the communication unit 2a1 of the user terminal device 2n has received a fragment content request (download request) (step 912), and the communication unit 2a1 of the user terminal device 2n. When accepting the fragment content request, step 913 is executed.

  In step 913, the fragment control unit 2a64 of the user terminal device 2n reads the fragment content stored in association with the fragment identification information included in the fragment content request from the fragment content storage unit 2a3 of the user terminal device 2n and reads the fragment content. The fragment content is transmitted from the communication unit 2a1 of the user terminal device 2n to the user terminal device 2a.

  After completing step 913, the user terminal device 2n executes step 914.

  In step 914, the control unit 2a6 of the user terminal device 2n performs normal processing of the user terminal device 2n, and then the user terminal device 2n executes step 912.

  On the other hand, in step 911, the fragment content request control unit 2a62 of the user terminal device 2a transmits a fragment content request including the read fragment identification information to the rental agent server 1 (download request).

  The control unit 17 of the rental agent server 1 monitors whether or not the communication unit 12 has received a fragment content request (download request) (step 915). When the communication unit 12 receives a fragment content request, step 916 is performed. Execute.

  In step 916, the control unit 17 reads out the fragment content stored in association with the fragment identification information included in the fragment content request from the content storage unit 15, and reads the read fragment content from the communication unit 12 to the user terminal device. To 2a.

  When the control unit 17 finishes step 916, the control unit 17 executes step 917.

  In step 917, the control unit 17 performs normal processing of the rental agent server 1, and then the control unit 17 executes step 915.

  When the fragment content is transmitted from another user terminal device or the rental agent server 1, the communication unit 2a1 of the user terminal device 2a executes Step 918.

  In step 918, the communication unit 2a1 receives the transmitted fragment content.

  The construction unit 2a63 executes Step 919 when the communication unit 2a1 receives the fragment content.

  In step 919, the construction unit 2a63 constructs the content while connecting the fragment content received by the communication unit 2a1 with the other fragment content and playing it. The construction unit 2a63 accumulates the joined content in the content accumulation unit 2a4.

When step 919 ends, the construction unit 2a63 outputs an acquisition request to the fragment content request control unit 2a62. When the fragment content request control unit 2a62 receives the acquisition request, the fragment content request control unit 2a62 executes Step 920. In Step 920, the fragment content request control unit 2a62 follows the previously specified IP address and fragment identification information in the content download destination list. Whether the IP address and fragment identification information are written, in other words, whether or not the download according to the content download destination list is completed.

  The fragment content request control unit 2a62 executes Step 921 when the IP address and the fragment identification information are described after the previously specified IP address and the fragment identification information in the content download destination list. If the IP address and fragment identification information are not described after the previously specified IP address and fragment identification information in the destination list, the download of the fragment content is terminated.

  In step 921, the fragment content request control unit 2a62 designates the IP address and fragment identification information from the previously specified IP address and fragment identification information, and the IP address and fragment identification described next in the content download destination list. Switch to information. Subsequently, the fragment content request control unit 2a62 reads the designated IP address and fragment identification information from the content download destination list.

  When the fragment content request control unit 2a62 reads the IP address and the fragment identification information, the fragment content request control unit 2a62 executes Step 909.

  In step 909, when the read IP address is the IP address of the user terminal device 2a, the fragment content request control unit 2a62 sends a fragment content request including the read fragment identification information to the fragment control unit 2a64. Output.

  The fragment control unit 2a64 reads the fragment content associated with the fragment identification information included in the fragment content request from the fragment content storage unit 2a3, and outputs the read fragment content to the construction unit 2a63.

  The construction unit 2a63 constructs the content while connecting the fragment content provided from the fragment control unit 2a64 with other fragment content and playing it back. Thereafter, the fragment content request control unit 2a62 executes Step 920.

  Of course, the fragment control unit 2a64 of the user terminal device 2a, when the communication unit 2a1 of the user terminal device 2a receives a fragment content request from another user terminal device, the fragment content storage unit 2a3 of the user terminal device 2a. The fragment content stored in association with the fragment identification information included in the fragment content request is read out, and the read fragment content is transmitted to the other user terminal device 2a that requested the fragment content request.

  According to the content distribution system of the present embodiment, when receiving a content request from the user terminal device 2, the control unit 17 provides access information to the user terminal device 2. The access information is access information for accessing each of the plurality of user terminal devices that store the fragment content of the content specified by the identification information included in the content request.

  Therefore, even if the rental agent server 1 accepts the content request, it is not necessary to transmit the entire requested content. For this reason, it becomes possible to suppress the traffic of the rental agent server 1.

  Further, the user terminal device 2 can collect the fragment content from the plurality of user terminal devices based on the access information and acquire the requested content. At this time, the plurality of user terminal devices distribute the fragment content, not the entire content. For this reason, the plurality of user terminal devices can reduce traffic during content distribution compared to the case where the entire content is distributed.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 17 selects a plurality of user devices 2 that should accumulate fragment content from a plurality of user terminal devices based on the user information stored in the user information storage unit 14. Then, at least the different pieces of content are distributed to each of the selected plurality of user terminal devices 2, and the selected plurality of user terminal devices are made a plurality of storage devices.

  In this case, a user terminal device of a user having similar user information can be set as a user terminal device that accumulates fragment content of one content. For this reason, it is possible to store content that is highly likely to be used by users of the plurality of user terminal devices as fragment content in the plurality of user terminal devices. Therefore, it is possible to solve the problem that each user terminal device accumulates pieces of content that are unlikely to be used.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 17 selects a plurality of user terminal devices of a user having user information indicating the same content from a plurality of user terminal devices, and data between the selected user terminal devices. When the transfer rate is equal to or higher than a predetermined transfer rate, the selected plurality of user terminal devices are selected as a plurality of user terminal devices that should store a piece of content fragment.

  In this case, a plurality of user terminal devices having a data transfer rate equal to or higher than a predetermined transfer rate can be set as a plurality of user terminal devices that should store a piece of content fragment. For this reason, it becomes possible to quickly communicate the fragment content among a plurality of user terminal devices. Therefore, the user terminal device can quickly obtain the requested content.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 17 determines the fragment content to be accumulated by each user terminal device based on the user information stored in the user information storage unit 14, and sets each of the determined fragment content to each Delivered to the user terminal device.

  For this reason, the control part 17 can accumulate | store the content with high possibility of being requested | required from a user terminal device in a some user terminal device.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 17 determines the fragment content to be accumulated by each user terminal device based on the user information stored in the user information storage unit 14, and sets each of the determined fragment content to each Determining whether or not to delete the fragment content from the plurality of user terminal devices based on the user information distributed to the user terminal device and stored in the user information storage unit 14; The fragment content is deleted from a plurality of user terminal devices.

  In this case, the control unit 17 can manage fragment content stored in a plurality of user terminal devices based on user information. For this reason, the rental agent server 1 accumulates content that is highly likely to be requested from the user terminal device in a plurality of user terminal devices, and content that is less likely to be requested from the user terminal device from the plurality of user terminal devices. It can be deleted.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 17 determines whether or not to delete fragment content from a plurality of user terminal devices based on the user information stored in the user information storage unit 14, and deletes the fragment content. When determined, the fragment content is deleted from the plurality of user terminal devices.

  In this case, the control unit 17 can delete content that is unlikely to be requested from the user terminal device from the plurality of user terminal devices. For this reason, it can prevent that a some user terminal device continues storing the fragment content with a low possibility of delivery.

  Also, the user terminal device 2 of the present embodiment collects fragment content from a plurality of user terminal devices based on the access information, and acquires the requested content. At this time, the plurality of user terminal devices distribute the fragment content, not the entire content. For this reason, the plurality of user terminal devices can reduce traffic during content distribution compared to the case where the entire content is distributed.

  In this embodiment, the construction unit 2a63 constructs a content by connecting the fragment content stored in the fragment content storage unit 2a3 and the fragment content received by the communication unit 2a1. In this case, traffic when collecting fragment contents can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, when the communication unit 2a1 receives a fragment content request from another user terminal device, the fragment control unit 2a64 reads the fragment content stored in the fragment content storage unit 2a3, and the read fragment content Is transmitted from the communication unit 2a1 to another user terminal device.

  In this case, the user terminal device can distribute the fragment content to other user terminal devices. For this reason, the infrastructure maintenance accompanying the increase in a user terminal device becomes easy.

  In this embodiment, the control unit (computer) 17 executes the above operation by executing an operation program recorded in the memory 16. Therefore, the operation program recorded in the memory 16 can cause the computer to execute the above operation.

  In this embodiment, the control unit (computer) 2a6 executes the above operation by executing an operation program recorded in the memory 2a5. Therefore, the operation program recorded in the memory 2a5 can cause the computer to execute the above operation.

  In the embodiment described above, the illustrated configuration is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the configuration.

  For example, one piece of content may be stored in a plurality of user terminal devices.

It is the block diagram which showed the content delivery system of one Example of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed an example of the content delivery system shown in FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an information storage unit 11. FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user information storage unit 14. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating grouping of a content delivery system. It is explanatory drawing which showed an example of grouping. It is a flowchart for demonstrating fragment | piece content delivery operation | movement. It is a flowchart for demonstrating fragment content deletion operation | movement. It is a flowchart for demonstrating content delivery operation | movement.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rental agent server 11 Information storage part 11a Content identification information 11b Access information 11c IP address 11d Fragment identification information 12 Communication part 13 Input part 14 User information storage part 14a User terminal device name 14b User information 14c Group information 14d Trend information 15 Content accumulation Unit 16 Memory 17 Control unit 18 Reception unit 2a to 2n User terminal device 2a1 Communication unit 2a2 Input unit 2a3 Fragment content storage unit 2a4 Content storage unit 2a5 Memory 2a6 Control unit 2a61 Content request control unit 2a62 Fragment content request control unit 2a63 Construction unit 2a64 Fragment control unit 3 Communication line 4 User terminal device

Claims (7)

Connected via a network to a plurality of storage devices that store at least different pieces of fragment content among fragmented content and a user terminal device that can communicate with the plurality of storage devices, from the user terminal device When receiving a content request including identification information for specifying the content, information including the IP addresses of the plurality of storage devices, which is access information for accessing each of the plurality of storage devices, A content distribution management server provided to a device,
An information storage unit for storing the identification information in association with information including IP addresses of the plurality of storage devices ;
A communication unit that communicates with the user terminal device;
When the communication unit accepts the content request from the user terminal device, information including the IP addresses of the plurality of storage devices stored in association with the identification information included in the content request is read from the information storage unit. the information including the respective IP addresses of the plurality of storage devices read the, seen including a control unit that transmits to the user terminal apparatus from the communication unit,
The user terminal device is one of the plurality of storage devices, and there are a plurality,
The communication unit can communicate with the plurality of user terminal devices,
A receiving unit that receives user information of each of the plurality of user terminal devices;
A user information storage unit that stores the user information received by the reception unit;
The control unit selects a plurality of user terminal devices having user information indicating the same content from the plurality of user terminal devices, and a data transfer rate between the selected user terminal devices is equal to or higher than a predetermined transfer rate. In this case, the plurality of selected user terminal devices are selected as a plurality of user terminal devices to store the fragment content, and at least different fragment contents are distributed to each of the selected user terminal devices. A content distribution management server that uses the plurality of selected user terminal devices as the plurality of storage devices . In the content delivery management server according to claim 1 ,
The reception unit receives, as the user information, a user address, a user's age, a user's gender, a user's hobbies, a user's favorite content genre, a network connection provider of the user terminal device, or the content request. Content distribution management server.   In the content delivery management server according to claim 2,
  The reception unit receives a genre of content preferred by the user as the user information,
  The control unit selects a plurality of user terminal devices having user information indicating the same genre from the plurality of user terminal devices, and a data transfer rate between the selected user terminal devices is equal to or higher than a predetermined transfer rate. In this case, the plurality of selected user terminal devices are selected as a plurality of user terminal devices to store the fragment content, and the content of the genre indicated by the user information is displayed on each of the selected plurality of user terminal devices. A content distribution management server that distributes different pieces of content in each of the plurality of user terminal devices to the plurality of storage devices. Connected via a network to a plurality of storage devices that store at least different pieces of fragment content among fragmented content and a user terminal device that can communicate with the plurality of storage devices, from the user terminal device When receiving a content request including identification information for specifying the content, information including the IP addresses of the plurality of storage devices, which is access information for accessing each of the plurality of storage devices, There is a content distribution management method performed by a content distribution management server provided to an apparatus,
The content distribution management server includes an information storage unit that stores the identification information in association with information including IP addresses of the plurality of storage devices ,
Accepting the content request from the user terminal device;
A reading step of reading out information including the IP addresses of each of the plurality of storage devices stored in association with the identification information included in the content request received in the receiving step from the information storage unit;
The information including the respective IP addresses of the plurality of storage devices read out in said reading step, seen including a transmission step of transmitting to the user terminal,
The user terminal device is one of the plurality of storage devices, and there are a plurality,
A user information receiving step for receiving user information of each of the plurality of user terminal devices;
A storage step of storing the user information received in the user information reception step in a user information storage unit;
When a plurality of user terminal devices having user information indicating the same content are selected from the plurality of user terminal devices, and the data transfer rate between the selected user terminal devices is equal to or higher than a predetermined transfer rate, The plurality of selected user terminal devices are selected as a plurality of user terminal devices to store the fragment content, and at least the different fragment contents are distributed to each of the selected plurality of user terminal devices, and the selected A distribution step of making a plurality of user terminal devices into the plurality of storage devices ; The content distribution management method according to claim 4 ,
In the user information receiving step, as the user information, a user address, a user age, a user gender, a user hobby, a content genre preferred by the user, a network provider of the user terminal device, or the content request Accepted content distribution management method. The content distribution management method according to claim 5 , wherein
The user information accepting step accepts a genre of content preferred by the user as the user information,
The distribution step selects a plurality of user terminal devices having user information indicating the same genre from the plurality of user terminal devices, and a data transfer rate between the selected user terminal devices is equal to or higher than a predetermined transfer rate. In this case, the plurality of selected user terminal devices are selected as the plurality of user terminal devices to store the fragment content, and the content of the genre indicated by the user information is displayed on each of the selected plurality of user terminal devices. The content distribution management method of distributing different pieces of content in each of the plurality of user terminals to the plurality of storage devices. When a content request including identification information for specifying the content is received from a user terminal device capable of communicating with a plurality of storage devices that store at least different fragment contents among fragment contents obtained by dividing the content, the plurality of storage devices A program for causing a computer to execute content distribution management processing for providing information including IP addresses of each of the plurality of storage devices to the user terminal device, which is access information for accessing each of the plurality of storage devices ;
A reception process for receiving the content request from the user terminal device;
A read process for reading out information including each IP address of the plurality of storage devices stored in the information storage unit in association with the identification information included in the content request received in the reception process;
Causing the computer to execute a content distribution management process including a transmission process for transmitting information including the IP addresses of the plurality of storage devices read in the read process to the user terminal device;
The user terminal device is one of the plurality of storage devices, and there are a plurality,
User information reception processing for receiving user information of each of the plurality of user terminal devices;
A storage process for storing the user information received in the user information reception process in a user information storage unit;
When a plurality of user terminal devices having user information indicating the same content are selected from the plurality of user terminal devices, and the data transfer rate between the selected user terminal devices is equal to or higher than a predetermined transfer rate, The plurality of selected user terminal devices are selected as a plurality of user terminal devices to store the fragment content, and at least the different fragment contents are distributed to each of the selected plurality of user terminal devices, and the selected A program for causing the computer to further execute a distribution process of making a plurality of user terminal devices into the plurality of storage devices .

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