JP4791298B2 - Content list management apparatus and content list management method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a content list management apparatus that manages a content list of digital content held by a device connected to a network.

  Digital content (hereinafter simply referred to as “content”), which is digitally expressed data such as video, images, music, documents, or programs, is mainly a personal computer, a hard disk recorder, a digital still camera, a digital video camera, and a PDA. (Personal Digital Assistant), handled by digital devices such as mobile phones.

  In addition, content information representing information related to content includes a device identifier for identifying a digital device storing the content, a content identifier for identifying the content, and the like. In order to efficiently refer to the content, the content information is systematically organized as a content list that is a list of content information, and the content list is managed by a file system, a database, or the like.

  Furthermore, in a home appliance that can be connected to a network, various states that can be taken by the home appliance can be regarded as content. Home appliances and digital devices are connected to a wired or wireless network, and it has become possible to refer to content information between digital devices and home appliances and to use content mutually.

Conventionally, when searching for desired content from content scattered in home appliances and digital devices, the user has to inquire whether or not the desired content exists in each device. In view of this, a technique has been disclosed in which a server for holding a content list in a lump without distributing the content list is provided in order to improve the search for desired content (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, a technique is disclosed in which a plurality of servers are prepared, the content list is divided into several parts, and the divided content lists are held in the respective servers, thereby reducing the load on the server (for example, Patent Documents). 2).
JP-A-2005-44097 JP 2005-44104 A

  However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it is essential that the servers that collectively hold the content list are always connected to the network, that is, online. In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, each server only holds the content list in a distributed manner, and is used when there is a server that is not connected to the network, that is, offline. Since the person cannot search the content information held by the offline server, there is a problem that it is essential that all the servers are always online.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the conventional problems, and content list management capable of searching for desired content information even in a situation where a device holding the content list cannot provide the desired content information An apparatus and a content list management method are provided.

  The content list management device of the present invention is a content list management device connected via a network to a plurality of content list holding devices that hold a list of content information representing information related to digital content as a content list. Content list acquisition means for acquiring part or all of the content list in the list holding device, content information specification means for specifying target content information from the content list acquired by the content list acquisition means, and the target content The information processing apparatus has a configuration including redundancy means for performing redundancy processing for causing the content list holding device to hold information so as to have a predetermined number of overlaps on the network.

  With this configuration, the content list holding device performs redundancy processing so as to hold a predetermined number of overlaps, so that one device that holds the content list cannot provide desired content information. Also, it is possible to search for desired content information.

  The redundancy means of the content list management apparatus of the present invention includes a counting unit that counts the number of the target content information on the network, and the number of the target content information counted by the counting unit. The content list holding device that holds the content information of the target, a control command for deleting the content information of the target so that the number of the content information of the target matches the duplication number when larger than the duplication number And when the number of the target content information counted by the counting unit is smaller than the duplication number, the number of the target content information is adjusted to match the duplication number. The content that does not have the content information of interest as a control command for adding content information It has an additional instruction transmitting unit that transmits the strike holding device, the arrangement having a.

  With this configuration, since the control command is transmitted to the content list holding device so that the number of target content information matches the overlap number, one device that holds the content list cannot provide the desired content information. However, it is possible to search for desired content information.

  Also, the content list management device of the present invention has a plurality of content list management devices each having a different content list and is transmitted by the redundancy means of another content list management device different from its own content list management device In accordance with the control command issued, the content list management apparatus has a configuration including management means for editing the content list of its own content list management device.

  With this configuration, the content list management apparatus can manage the content list while holding it.

  In addition, the content list management apparatus of the present invention has a configuration in which the self-redundant means starts the redundancy process when the self-content list is updated.

  With this configuration, the redundancy process can be automatically started.

  In the content list management device of the present invention, when the control command instructed by the redundancy unit of the content list management device is a control command for deleting the target content information from the content list, The management means has a configuration that does not delete the target content information.

  With this configuration, when the content list is composed of original content information that is not added, deletion of the original content information can be prevented.

  The content list management apparatus of the present invention has a configuration having a database for storing digital content.

  With this configuration, the content list and the digital content can be easily matched.

  The content list management apparatus according to the present invention further includes a communication unit that detects a change in a connection state of the content list holding device with the network, and the redundancy unit detects the change in the connection state by the communication unit. The redundancy process is started.

  With this configuration, the redundancy process can be automatically started.

  In addition, the content list management device of the present invention includes a time measuring unit that periodically notifies, and a communication unit that detects a content list holding device connected to the network, and the communication unit includes the time measuring unit. The content list holding device connected to the network is detected in response to the notification, and the redundancy unit holds a connection status list of the detected content list holding device, and the contents of the connection status list are stored in the time measuring unit. The configuration is such that the redundancy processing is started when different from before the notification.

  With this configuration, the redundancy process can be automatically started.

  In addition, the content list management apparatus of the present invention includes a timing unit that periodically notifies, and the redundancy unit starts the redundancy process in response to a notification from the timing unit.

  With this configuration, the redundancy process can be automatically started.

  The content list management apparatus of the present invention further includes an input unit that receives a request for the redundancy process from a user, and the redundancy unit starts the redundancy process when the input unit receives the request. It has the composition to do.

  With this configuration, the user can intentionally start the redundancy process.

  In addition, the content list management device of the present invention, when transmitting the control command, when there are both the content list holding device that transmits the control command and the content list holding device that does not transmit the control command, The redundancy means is configured to select the content list holding device that transmits the control command based on the amount of content list held by the content list holding device.

  With this configuration, it is possible to determine the content list holding device to which the control command is transmitted.

  In addition, the content list management device of the present invention, when transmitting the control command, when there are both the content list holding device that transmits the control command and the content list holding device that does not transmit the control command, The redundancy means is configured to select the content list holding device that transmits the control command based on a connection status of the network of the content list holding device.

  With this configuration, it is possible to determine the content list holding device to which the control command is transmitted.

  In addition, the content list management device of the present invention, when transmitting the control command, when there are both the content list holding device that transmits the control command and the content list holding device that does not transmit the control command, The redundancy means is configured to select the content list holding device that transmits the control command based on the performance of the content list holding device.

  With this configuration, it is possible to determine the content list holding device to which the control command is transmitted.

  The content list management apparatus of the present invention may include the redundant list if there are both a content list holding apparatus that transmits the control command and a content list holding apparatus that does not transmit the control command when transmitting the control command. The converting means is configured to select a content list holding device that transmits the control command based on the type of digital content indicated by the target content information.

  With this configuration, it is possible to determine the content list holding device to which the control command is transmitted.

  In the content list management apparatus of the present invention, the content information includes the date information when the content information is registered in the content list in advance, and the content list that transmits the control command when transmitting the control command When there is both a holding device and a content list holding device that does not transmit the control command, the redundancy means sends a control command for deleting based on the date and time information of the duplicated content information The content list holding device to be transmitted is selected.

  With this configuration, it is possible to determine the content list holding device to which the control command is transmitted.

  The content list management device of the present invention, when transmitting the control command for deletion, the content list holding device that transmits the control command for deletion and the content list that does not transmit the control command for deletion In the case where there is both the holding device and the holding device, the redundancy means selects a content list holding device that transmits the control command for deletion based on the order in which the target content information is added. is doing.

  With this configuration, it is possible to determine the content list holding device to which the control command is transmitted.

  The content list management apparatus of the present invention receives a notification of the content information when the digital content is deleted, and the redundancy unit deletes the content information corresponding to the deleted digital content. The control command is transmitted to all the content list holding devices.

  With this configuration, consistency between digital content and content information can be maintained.

  Further, the content information includes location information indicating the location of the device storing the digital content, and the redundancy means of the content list management apparatus of the present invention extracts the location information from the target content information. When the device in the extracted location information has deleted content, a control command for deleting content information corresponding to the deleted digital content is transmitted to all the content list holding devices. is doing.

  With this configuration, consistency between digital content and content information can be maintained.

  Further, the redundancy means of the content list management device of the present invention stores a correspondence relationship between the transmitted content list holding device and the digital content when the control command for adding is transmitted, When the digital content is deleted, a control command for the deletion is transmitted to the content list holding device specified from the correspondence relationship.

  With this configuration, it is possible to efficiently transmit the deletion control command without transmitting the deletion control command to all the content list holding devices.

  In addition, the content information includes addition date and time information indicating the addition date and time of the content information, and the redundancy unit of the content list management device of the present invention is configured such that the target content information is transferred to the content list holding device. More than a plurality of contents information are held redundantly, and when the addition date / time of each content information is different, the control command for deleting is transmitted based on the addition date / time information.

  With this configuration, when the target content information is retained more than the overlapping number and the addition date / time of each content information is different, a deletion control command is transmitted based on the addition date / time information. The content information to be held in the content list holding device can be matched to a plurality of overlaps according to the added date / time information.

  Further, the duplication number of the content list management apparatus of the present invention has a configuration that can be changed.

  With this configuration, the duplication number of content information held in the content list holding device can be controlled by changing the duplication number.

  In the content list management apparatus of the present invention, the redundancy means changes the overlap number according to the number of the content list holding apparatuses connected to the network.

  With this configuration, a plurality of changes can be made according to the number of content list holding devices connected to the network.

  Further, the content list management device of the present invention comprises power control means for controlling the power of the content list holding device, and when the power of the content list holding device is in a standby state during the redundancy process, The power control means has a configuration for transitioning the power state from a standby state to an operating state.

  With this configuration, it is possible to save power in the content list holding device.

  In addition, the content list management apparatus of the present invention has a configuration including notifying means for notifying the user that the power supply control means cannot make a transition when the power supply state cannot be changed to the operating state.

  With this configuration, it is possible to notify the user when the power source of the content holding device is not in an operating state.

  In the content list management apparatus of the present invention, a notification device that notifies a user of information is connected to the network, and the content list management device cannot transition when the power control means cannot transition the power state to the operating state. A notification means for notifying the notification device to that effect.

  With this configuration, it is possible to notify the user when the power source of the content holding device is not in an operating state.

  The content list management method of the present invention is a content list management method for managing a content list connected via a network to a plurality of content list holding devices that hold a list of content information representing information about digital content as a content list. A counting step for counting the number of target content information on the network, and the number of the target content information when the number of the target content information counted in the counting step is larger than the overlapping number. The control command for deleting the target content information is sent to the content list holding device that holds the target content information, and the counting step is counted so as to match the predetermined overlap number. The number of target content information The content list that does not hold the target content information, if the control content for adding the target content information is adjusted so that the number of the target content information matches the overlap number Transmitting to the holding device.

  In this situation, since the redundancy processing for holding the content list in the content list holding device so as to have a predetermined overlapping number is performed, one device holding the content list cannot provide the desired content information. Also, it is possible to search for desired content information.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the same content information is redundantly held in at least two of the devices connected to the network, one device holding the content list cannot provide desired content information. The present invention provides a content list management device and a content list management method capable of searching for desired content information even in a situation.

  Hereinafter, a content list management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the outline | summary of the operation | movement which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 7, content list management apparatuses A to D are connected to a network such as a home LAN (Local Area Network). The content list management device is a terminal such as an information home appliance. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the content list management device A is a liquid crystal television, the content list management device B is a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), and the content list management device C is The hard disk recorder and the content list management device D are digital cameras.

  The network shown in FIG. 7 can take various forms such as a wired LAN, a dedicated line, a wireless LAN, and short-range wireless communication. The content list management device has a content list. As shown in FIG. 7, the content list management device D has a content list d.

  The content list stores content information related to various contents. The content information includes a device identifier that identifies a device that stores the content, a content identifier that identifies the content, and the like, but also includes a storage location, name, outline, type, creation date, and the like of the content. Also good. The content information does not include the content itself.

  First, in the form shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that there is a condition that the content list d is managed redundantly by two content list management apparatuses. In accordance with this condition, the content list d held by the content list management device D is copied to the content list management device C by any of the content list management devices A to D.

  Here, it is assumed that the content list management device D, which is a digital camera, is disconnected from the network, that is, goes offline because the user wants to use the digital camera.

  When the content list management device D goes offline, the content list d exists only in one of the content list management devices C. Therefore, the content list d held by the content list management device C is the content list management device C. It is copied to the content list management device B by any of the devices A to C.

  As described above, the outline of the operation according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, the content list d is managed in a redundant manner by the two content list management apparatuses. Even if the content list management apparatus in use is not connected to the network, the content information of the content list d in any of the content list management apparatuses can be searched. In addition, it is possible to refer to the content list of devices that are not connected to the network, while a server that collectively manages the content list is unnecessary.

  The above-described embodiment of the present invention may perform redundancy processing of any content list management apparatus, and mainly corresponds to the second embodiment of the present invention described later, but to facilitate understanding. First, the first embodiment of the present invention in the case where only one content list management apparatus performs the redundancy processing will be described.

(First embodiment of the present invention)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a content list management device and a content list holding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the content list management device 11 and the content list holding device 14 are connected via a network 18. The network 18 can take various forms such as a wired LAN (Local Area Network), a dedicated line, a wireless LAN, and short-range wireless communication.

  The content list management apparatus 11 includes a redundancy unit 12, a communication unit 13a, a content list acquisition unit 19, and a content information designation unit 20. The content list holding device 14 includes a communication unit 13b, a management unit 15, an extraction unit 16, and a content list 17.

  For convenience, three content list holding devices 14 a, 14 b, and 14 c are illustrated as the content list holding device 14, but at least two content list holding devices 14 may be connected to the network 18.

  The content list management device 11 is configured by, for example, a computer, and the content list holding device 14 is configured by an electronic device such as an information home appliance terminal or a computer. The content list management device 11 and the content list holding device 14 have a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, a network interface, and the like (not shown). Note that the content list holding device 14 may store content in its own content list 17.

  For example, the communication unit 13 transmits and receives information and monitors devices connected to the network 18 using a network interface for communicating with the network 18.

  Further, the redundancy unit 12, the communication unit 13, the management unit 15, the extraction unit 16, the content list acquisition unit 19, and the content information designation unit 20 may be configured by modules of programs executed by the CPU.

  The redundancy means 12 of the content list management device 11 is configured to hold the same content information in a plurality of content list holding devices 14. For example, when the preset duplication number is 2, the redundancy unit 12 holds the same content information in the content list 17 of the duplication number, that is, each of the two content list holding devices 14.

  The content list acquisition unit 19 acquires part or all of the content list, and the content information specification unit 20 specifies target content information from the content list acquired by the content list acquisition unit 19. Yes.

  For example, the content list holding device 14 is configured to receive a condition as to whether or not the content information specified by the content list management device 11 is present via the communication unit 13b as an extraction condition. The extraction means 16 of the content list holding device 14 extracts content information that matches the received content information from the content list 17 held by itself, and returns the extracted content information to the content list management device 11. It is like that. The information to be returned may be information indicating whether or not there is content information in the content list 17 instead of the extracted content information.

  The management means 15 of the content list holding device 14 executes a control command for controlling the content list 17, and the control command includes at least an “add” or “delete” command. When the control command is “add”, the target content information is added to the content list 17. When the control command is “delete”, the target content information is deleted from the content list 17.

  Further, the redundancy means 12 outputs a control command for deleting the target content information so as to match the counting unit 21 for counting the number of target content information and the number of the target content information to overlap. A delete command transmission unit 22 that transmits the content information to the content list holding device 14 and a control command for adding the target content information so that the number of the target content information is overlapped. And an additional command transmission unit 23 that transmits to the content list holding device 14 that does not have content information.

  Processing of the content list management apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of redundancy processing of the content list management apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the redundancy process is started at a predetermined opportunity, and the redundancy unit 12 acquires a preset overlap number (S1). In the first embodiment of the present invention, the overlapping number is assumed to be 2. That is, the number of content list holding devices 14 holding the same content information is set to two.

  Next, the content list acquisition means 19 checks the content list holding device 14 connected to the network 18 and selects the content list holding device 14 in order from the connected content list holding device 14 (S2). .

  For example, the content list acquisition unit 19 broadcasts determination request information for determining whether or not the content list holding device 14 is to a device connected to the network 18, and based on a response to the determination request information, the network The content list holding device 14 connected to 18 may be checked. In the first embodiment of the present invention, it can be seen that there are three content list acquisition means 19, content list holding devices 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, for example, the first time the content list holding devices 14 a, 2 c The content list holding device 14b is selected in order, such as the content list holding device 14b for the third time and the content list holding device 14c for the third time.

  Next, the content list acquisition unit 19 acquires the content list 17 of the selected content list holding device 14 via the network 18 (S3), and the content information designation unit 20 acquires the content information in the acquired content list 17 (S4), the redundancy unit 12 causes the other content list holding device 14 to check whether the target content information exists in the content list 17 of the other content list holding device 14 (S5). ).

  For example, when the content list holding device 14a is selected, the content list 17 of the selected content list holding device 14a is acquired in step S3. In step S5, the redundancy unit 12 transmits the target content information in the order of the content information in the acquired content list 17 to the content list holding devices 14b and 14c. Here, the extraction means 16 of the content list holding devices 14b and 14c returns information indicating whether or not the transmitted content information is in the content list 17 of its own.

  Subsequently, the counting unit 21 counts how many content list holding devices 14 have the target content information (S6), and determines whether or not the counted number is the same as the overlapping number (S7). If the counted number is the same as the overlap number, the redundancy process proceeds to step S4.

  If the counted number is different from the overlapping number, the counting unit 21 determines whether the counted number is smaller than the overlapping number (S8). If the counted number is smaller than the overlapping number, the additional command transmitting unit 23 Transmits a control command indicating “add” so as to match the number of content information items to be overlapped with each other (S9). Note that information indicating that target content information is to be added is registered in the control command representing “add”. The management means 15 of the content list holding apparatus 14 that has received the “add” control command adds the target content information to the content list 17, so that the content information is added.

  In addition, when the content information of interest is only in one content list holding device 14a, since the duplication number is 2, when the additional command transmission unit 23 transmits a control command indicating “addition”, It is necessary to select either the content list holding device 14b or 14c.

  As a method of selecting the content list holding device 14 when transmitting the control command, the content list holding device 14 may be selected at random, or the content list holding device 14 with a small amount of the content list 17 is selected. Also good. Also, selection based on the network connection status of the content list holding device 14, that is, a data transfer speed or response speed that is the fastest, or a connection frequency that is most frequently connected to the network 18 may be selected. Further, selection based on the device performance of the content list holding device 14, that is, a device having the most free storage capacity for storing the content list 17 or a device having the best processing performance of the CPU may be selected.

  Here, in the case where the content list holding device 14 stores content in its own content list 17, a content list holding device 14 stores content representing an image, and another content list holding device. 14 includes an operation for storing content in association with a specific content list holding device 14 such that content representing a program is stored. In this operation, as a method of selecting the content list holding device 14 when transmitting the control command, the content list holding device 14 corresponding to the content type of the target content information may be selected.

  In addition, the content list holding device 14 may be selected by combining these selection criteria such as the amount of the content list 17, the network connection status, the device performance, and the content type, or the selection criteria may be appropriately arranged, The content list holding device 14 may be selected according to the order of arrangement.

  On the other hand, if the counted number is larger than the duplication number, the deletion command transmission unit 22 sends a control command indicating “deletion” so that the number of target content information matches the duplication number (S10). Note that information indicating that the target content information is to be deleted is registered in the control command representing “delete”. The management unit 15 of the content list holding apparatus 14 that has received the “delete” control command deletes the target content information from the content list 17. The method for selecting the content list holding device 14 when transmitting the “delete” control command is the same as when the “add” control command is transmitted.

  In addition, when transmitting a control command indicating “add”, date / time information indicating a date or the like is registered in the control command together with the target content information, and when the management unit 15 receives this control command, The date information when the content information is registered in the list 17 is added to the content information. Thereafter, when deleting the duplicate content information in step S10, the delete command transmission unit 22 transmits the latest content of the date information among the duplicate content information before transmitting the control command indicating “delete”. You may select the content list holding | maintenance apparatus 14 which has information, or the content list holding | maintenance apparatus 14 which has content information with the oldest date information.

  Further, when transmitting a control command representing “add”, the order of the content list holding device 14 to which the content information is added is stored, and the management unit 15 deletes the duplicate content information in step S10 In this case, the deletion command transmission unit 22 selects the content list holding device from, for example, the oldest content list holding device 14 in the order in which the content information is added before transmitting the control command indicating “deletion”. Also good.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the redundancy unit 12 determines whether or not all content information in the acquired content list 17 is targeted (S11), and if not all content information is yet targeted, The process proceeds to step S4. When all content information is targeted, the redundancy unit 12 determines whether or not all the connected content list holding devices 14 have been selected (S12). If all are selected, the process ends. However, if not all have been selected, the process proceeds to step S2.

  As described above, by applying the redundancy processing described as the duplication number 2 to the content list 17 of the content list holding devices 14a, 14b, and 14c, any two content list holding devices 14 duplicate the same content information. It becomes the situation to have. In this situation, any one of the content list holding devices 14 is disconnected from the network 18, and the user is connected to the network 18 even when the user wants to see the content information of the disconnected content list holding device 14. Since the content information to be viewed is stored in one of the content lists 17 of the remaining two content list holding devices 14, the desired content information is searched from either of the remaining two content lists 17. You can refer to it.

  By the way, a device that stores content may delete the content. In this case, the device that has stored the content transmits the content identifier of the deleted content to the content list management apparatus 11. The redundancy means 12 of the content list management apparatus 11 that has received the transmitted content identifier sends “delete” to all the content list holding apparatuses 14 in order to delete the content information corresponding to the content identifier of the deleted content. By transmitting the control command to represent, it is possible to achieve consistency between the presence / absence of content and content information.

  In the method for achieving consistency described above, a device that stores content notifies the content list management device 11 that content is to be deleted. In another method, there is a method in which the content list management device 11 checks content deletion. . In this method, location information indicating the location of a device that stores content is included in the content information in advance, and the content list acquisition unit 19 acquires the content list 17 from the content list holding device 14 in step S3. The location information is extracted from the content information in 17, and it is checked whether or not the device in the extracted location information has deleted the content. In this method, when no content is stored, the deletion command transmission unit 22 controls all content list holding devices 14 to indicate “delete” in order to delete the content information corresponding to the deleted content. Send.

  In addition, when the content is deleted, it is not efficient to transmit the deletion control command to all the content list holding devices 14, so the additional command transmission unit 23 transmits the additional control command. The correspondence relationship between the transmitted content list holding device 14 and the content is stored, and when the content deletion notification is received, a deletion control command is issued to the content list holding device 14 specified from the correspondence relationship. By transmitting, the content list holding device 14 can be narrowed down.

  The content deletion has been described above. However, the content list holding device 14 to which content information is added is a mobile device, and the content is added to multiple duplicates in the network 18 when the mobile device is disconnected from the network 18. Since a shortage of information occurs, content information addition processing is performed. However, when the mobile device is reconnected to the network 18, the content information may exceed a plurality.

  In this case, the content information includes the additional date / time information indicating the additional date / time of the content information in advance, and the target content information is stored in the content list holding device 14 more than a plurality of times. When the content information addition date / time is different, the redundancy means 12 sends a control command indicating “deletion” to the old addition date / time to cause the content list holding device 14 holding the content information of the old addition date / time to delete the content information. Is transmitted to the content list holding device 14 having the content information.

  Moreover, the number of content information added can be controlled by making it possible to change the preset overlap number. As a method of changing the predetermined number of management devices, not only is the number determined by the user set, but also, for example, when the content list acquisition means 19 examines the number of content list holding devices 14 in step S2, etc. May be set to half of this number.

  In the description of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 2, it has been described that the redundancy process is started from step S <b> 1 at a predetermined timing. Specifically, when the content list 17 of the content list holding device 14 is periodically confirmed, Alternatively, the time when a change in the content list 17 is notified from the content list holding device 14 may be a predetermined opportunity.

  Further, when the content list holding device 14 is connected to the network 18 may be set as a predetermined trigger, or when the content list holding devices 14a, 14b, and 14c are disconnected from the network 18 and broadcast a disconnection notification. The time when the content list management apparatus 11 receives a non-connection notification via the network 18 and the communication means 13a may be used as a predetermined trigger.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the duplication number has been described as 2. However, when the duplication number is 1, it is sufficient to manage the content list with one content list holding device 14, so that the addition is added. This is not done, and does not make sense for redundancy. On the other hand, when the overlap number is equal to or greater than the number of content list holding devices 14 connected to the network 18, content information is added to all the content list holding devices 14 connected to the network 18.

(Second embodiment of the present invention)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a content list management apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Note that, among the components of the second embodiment of the present invention, the same components as those of the first embodiment of the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. Further, the content list management device 31 is a combination of means constituting the content list management device 11 and the content list holding device 14 described in FIG.

  With this configuration, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the content list management apparatus 11 acquires the content list 17 from all the content list holding apparatuses 14 via the network 18, but the content list management apparatus 31 Since it is not necessary to acquire the content list 17 through the network 18, the redundancy process becomes faster.

  Further, the content list management device 31 has a form for managing its own content list 17 composed of original content information that is not added. In this embodiment, the redundancy unit 12 determines that when the control command for performing the redundancy process is a control command for deleting the target content information from its content list 17, the management unit 15 Since the content list 17 is original content information, the target content information is not deleted from its own content list 17.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the content list management device 31 may include a database 39 for storing content. In this case, the relationship between the content and the content list 17 can be simplified. Further, the content list management device 31 may start the redundancy processing when the content list 17 is updated.

(Third embodiment of the present invention)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a content list management apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Note that, among the components of the third embodiment of the present invention, the same components as those of the first embodiment of the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. Further, the content list management device 41 is obtained by adding a time measuring means 44 to the content list management device 11 described in FIG.

  The time measuring means 44 is constituted by a timer or the like, and can activate a specific function or the like periodically. For example, the time counting means 44 periodically checks the communication means 13a for changes in the connection status with the network 18 in the content list holding apparatuses 14a, 14b, 14c, so that the content list holding apparatuses 14a, 14b, 14c are not connected to the network. Even when the connection is not notified, the non-connection can be detected. When this non-connection is detected, the redundancy processing shown in FIG. 2 may be started. In addition, the timing unit 44 periodically starts the redundancy process, and the redundancy unit 12 holds the connection status list of the detected content list holding device 14, and the content of the connection status list is notified by the timing unit 44. When different from the previous case, the redundancy processing described in FIG. 2 can be started.

(Fourth embodiment of the present invention)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a content list management apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Note that, among the components of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the same components as those of the first embodiment of the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  Further, the content list management device 51 is obtained by adding an input unit 54 to the content list management device 11 described in FIG. The input unit 54 includes input devices such as buttons, a keyboard, and a mouse, and can activate the redundancy process and execute the redundancy process in response to a user operation.

(Fifth embodiment of the present invention)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a content list management apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Note that, among the components of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the same components as those of the first embodiment of the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The content list management device 60 is obtained by adding a power control means 61 and a notification means 63 to the content list management device 11 described in FIG.

  Further, a content list holding device 62 and a notification device 64 in which a Wake on LAN function (hereinafter referred to as WOL) is introduced into the content list holding device 14 described with reference to FIG.

  The power supply control means 61 can transition the power supply of the content list holding device 62 from the standby state to the operating state using the WOL via the network 18. For example, when performing a redundancy process, if there is a content list holding device 62 in a standby state, the power supply control means 61 changes the power supply of the content list holding device 62 from a standby state to an operating state, and ends the redundancy process. When doing so, the operation state is changed to the standby state.

  Even when the power supply of the content list holding device 62 is in a standby state, the content list management device 60 can perform redundancy processing, but the user refers to the content list 17 of the content list holding device 62. Can not. Therefore, when the power supply control unit 61 controls the power supply of the content list holding device 62 in response to a user request, the content list holding device 62 does not need to be always in an operating state. Can be reduced.

  Further, when the power supply control unit 61 cannot control the power supply of the content list holding device 62, such as when the content list holding device 62 is not connected to the network 18, the notification unit 63 displays characters, symbols, sounds, lights, and the like. It is also possible to notify the user via the notification device 64 that the power source of the content list holding device 62 cannot be controlled. When notifying, it is more preferable to add information indicating the content list holding device 62 whose power source could not be controlled. The notification device 64 may be realized by the content list management device 60, and has a display, a speaker, or a lamp so as to notify the user.

  As described above, the content list management apparatus and the content list management method according to the present invention can search for desired content information even in a situation where a device that holds the content list cannot provide the desired content information. This is effective not only for networks connected to devices that handle content lists, such as personal computers and hard disk recorders, but also for sharing content lists in small-scale networks composed of mobile devices that are difficult to configure servers. it can.

Block diagram of a content list management device and a content list holding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention The flowchart showing an example of the redundancy process of the content list management apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention Block diagram of a content list management apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention Block diagram of a content list management apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention The block diagram of the content list management apparatus which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention Block diagram of a content list management apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention The figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of the operation | movement which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

11, 31, 41, 51, 60 Content list management device 12 Redundancy means 13 Communication means 14, 62 Content list holding device 15 Management means 16 Extraction means 17 Content list 18 Network 19 Content list acquisition means 20 Content information designation means 21 Count Unit 22 Deletion Command Transmitting Unit 23 Additional Command Transmitting Unit 39 Database 44 Timing Unit 54 Input Unit 61 Power Supply Control Unit 63 Notification Unit 64 Notification Device

Claims (7)

A content list management device connected via a network to a plurality of content list holding devices that hold a list of content information representing information about digital content as a content list,
Content list acquisition means for acquiring a part or all of the content list in the content list holding device;
Content information specifying means for specifying target content information from the content list acquired by the content list acquiring means;
A redundancy means for performing redundancy processing for causing the content list holding device to hold the target content information in a content list holding device so as to have a predetermined overlapping number on the network ,
The redundancy means includes a counting unit that counts the number of target content information on the network;
A control command for deleting the target content information so that the number of the target content information matches the duplication number when the number of the target content information counted by the counting unit is larger than the duplication number A delete command transmission unit for transmitting the content information to the content list holding device that holds the target content information;
When the number of the target content information counted by the counting unit is smaller than the overlap number, the control command for adding the target content information so that the number of the target content information matches the overlap number The content list management device further comprising: an additional command transmission unit that transmits the content information to the content list holding device that does not hold the target content information . A communication unit configured to detect a change in a connection state of the content list holding device with the network, and the redundancy unit starts the redundancy process when the communication unit detects the change in the connection state; The content list management apparatus according to claim 1 . A timekeeping means to notify periodically,
Communication means for detecting a content list holding device connected to the network, wherein the communication means detects the content list holding device connected to the network in response to a notification from the time measuring means, and The merging means holds a connection status list of the detected content list holding device, and starts the redundancy processing when the contents of the connection status list are different from those before the notification of the timing means. The content list management apparatus according to claim 1 . The content list management apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a timing unit that periodically notifies, wherein the redundancy unit starts the redundancy process in response to a notification from the timing unit. The content information includes location information indicating the location of the device storing the digital content, and the redundancy unit extracts the location information from the target content information, and the device in the extracted location information is the content. 2. The content list according to claim 1 , wherein a control command for deleting content information corresponding to the deleted digital content is transmitted to all the content list holding devices when the content list is deleted. Management device. Power control means for controlling the power of the content list holding device, and when the power of the content list holding device is in a standby state during the redundancy processing, the power control means The content list management apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the content list management apparatus transitions from a standby state to an operating state. A content list management method for managing a content list connected via a network with a plurality of content list holding devices that hold a list of content information representing information about digital content as a content list,
A counting step of counting the number of target content information on the network;
When the number of the target content information counted in the counting step is larger than the duplication number, the target content information is deleted so that the number of the target content information matches the predetermined duplication number Transmitting a control command to the content list holding device holding the target content information;
When the number of the target content information counted in the counting step is smaller than the overlap number, a control command for adding the target content information so that the number of the target content information matches the overlap number Transmitting to a content list holding device that does not hold the target content information. A content list management method comprising:

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