JP5345768B2 - Content distribution method, server, terminal, and content distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To distribute content and reproduce the distributed content in response to a battery residual capacity of a terminal when content distribution is required in a content distribution system. <P>SOLUTION: A portable terminal 20A includes: a battery 100 for supplying power; a residual capacity detection device 110 for detecting the battery residual capacity of the battery 100; a communication device 130 for transmitting/receiving data to/from a specified server; and a control unit 142 connected to the detection device 110 and the communication device 130, and for downloading and reproducing content. The control unit 142 transmits information of the residual capacity of the battery 100 detected by the detection device 110 and a content transmission request to the specified server through the communication device 130. The server processes and distributes the content so that the portable terminal 20A can download and reproduce the content without interruption in consideration of the information of the received residual capacity of the battery 100. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology for improving a data distribution function in a terminal, and more particularly, to a content distribution technology that matches a battery state of a terminal.

  In recent years, with the spread of mobile terminals, various services for mobile terminals have been developed and spread. The most widely used is an e-mail transmission / reception service using a mobile phone. In addition, the use of content distribution services is rapidly expanding. With this service, a user can obtain various data such as music and video called content from a service site, that is, download them to his / her mobile terminal. Both of the above services are established by two-way communication between a portable terminal and an apparatus for storing various information such as an e-mail server or a service site via a public network.

  With the spread of these services, various problems have become apparent. One of them is that the above-mentioned service does not work well when the battery of the mobile terminal is small. For example, in the middle of data download and playback, the remaining battery level may be depleted, the power source of the mobile terminal body may be turned off, and the user may not be able to fully use the target content. This problem is usually caused by the fact that the portable terminal is operated by power supply from the battery and that the capacity of the battery is limited. Another factor of this problem is that the volume of data to be distributed tends to increase. This is due to the fact that the amount of information held by the content itself has increased due to technological advances, and that large-capacity data communication has become possible due to the enhancement of communication facilities and the increase in communication speed. is there. These contents are usually intended for a relatively rich resource such as a personal computer, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) player and the like. Therefore, there is a high demand for higher image quality, sound quality, etc. even if the data capacity is increased.

  On the other hand, resources that can be used by mobile terminals are limited. The communication speed remains relatively low. Nevertheless, since the capacity of the data itself is large, the amount of information that the mobile terminal receives is enormous. As a result, the time required for data download and the time required for reproduction have increased, and accordingly, the battery capacity that the portable terminal should have in order to use the content has also increased.

  In order to solve this problem, Patent Document 1 discloses that the remaining battery time is calculated from the remaining battery power and the consumed battery current during the data communication in the portable terminal, from the data amount and the data rate of the data to be communicated. A mobile terminal is disclosed that estimates data acquisition times and compares the estimation results to determine whether data communication can be continued. For this reason, in this portable terminal, it is possible to avoid turning off the power of the portable terminal body during the download.

  On the other hand, there are always-on systems that are currently being considered by companies and government agencies. An always-connected system is a system in which a server (management server) that manages a mobile terminal is installed between the public network and the mobile terminal, and information stored in the mobile terminal is backed up to the management server.

  In the always-on system, when using the communication function of the mobile terminal, the communication function is always executed via a specific management server. The history of communication executed by the mobile terminal is stored and managed in the management server. That is, when data is downloaded to the mobile terminal, the same data is downloaded to the management server. The data created / updated by the portable terminal is also transmitted to the management server at regular time intervals and stored and managed in the server. As a result, the mobile terminal and the data of the mobile terminal managed in the management server are always synchronized (synchronized), and a backup of the data of the mobile terminal is stored in the management server.

  However, the data stored in the management server is not always the same as the data of the mobile terminal. For example, according to the technology disclosed in Patent Document 2, when a mobile terminal under management attempts to receive an e-mail attached with image data or the like, the management server depends on the display capability of the mobile terminal. The image data is thinned out and distributed to the mobile terminal. As a result, the image data stored in the management server may have a larger amount of information than the image data downloaded and stored in the mobile terminal.

  By performing such processing in the management server, the data capacity that the mobile terminal will receive is reduced, and as a result, the remaining battery capacity necessary for the mobile terminal to receive and play this data is not processed. It will be less than the files. In addition, when sending the same image file to multiple terminals, the image file is processed according to each terminal, so each terminal can receive the data in a form that matches the capabilities of the terminal, and as a whole The amount of data on the communication line can also be reduced.

As described above, when the service provided by the management server is used, it is possible to back up the data of the mobile terminal and to obtain a preferable effect that the amount of data received by the mobile terminal can be prevented from becoming excessive. Therefore, it is desirable to use a technique for determining whether or not to continue data communication according to the state of the terminal as described in Patent Document 1 while using the service provided by the management server.
JP 2005-79889 A JP 2002-73467 A

  However, when combining the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the technique related to the management server described above, there are points to be improved as follows. The technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 determines whether or not to continue receiving data according to the remaining battery level. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the battery of the terminal from running out during data reception. For example, consider a case where a content distribution request is made to a specific content distribution site, and the battery level of the terminal runs out in the middle. Normally, content that has been downloaded in the middle cannot be used. If the management server is not used, it is necessary to resume receiving data when there is no problem with the remaining battery level. As a result, double charges for content and data reception occur. It may be necessary to perform extra processing for resuming reception from the position where is completed.

  However, when a management server is used, such a problem is unlikely to occur in the first place. This is because the data is always downloaded and stored in the management server before being downloaded to the mobile terminal. Therefore, even if the remaining battery level becomes zero during the download of data from the management server to the mobile terminal, the data remains in the management server, so that problems such as double charging do not occur. The portable terminal can download the data from the management server again when it can be connected to the management server and there is no problem with the power supply.

  Thus, in combining the technology described in Patent Document 1 and the technology of the management server, when downloading data from the management server to the terminal, it is not meaningful to consider that the download can be completed. Rather, it is necessary to consider up to the point where the data is reproduced after being downloaded to the terminal. That is, if the content download is completed in a state where there is little remaining battery power, there is no necessity to download the content at that time.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a content distribution method capable of appropriately downloading and reproducing content from a management server to a terminal in view of the remaining battery level of the terminal.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a content receiving method for appropriately downloading content in view of the remaining battery level of the terminal so that the downloaded content can be reproduced at that time.

  A content distribution method according to a first aspect of the present invention is a content distribution method for distributing content to a predetermined terminal, and receiving information indicating a power supply state of the terminal transmitted from the terminal In response to a content distribution request from the terminal, and based on the information indicating the power supply state, processing the content to create a distribution content so that the terminal can play back, Delivering the content to the terminal.

  In this distribution method, information about the power supply state of the terminal, for example, whether or not the AC adapter of the terminal is connected to an external power supply, the remaining battery level of the terminal, and the like transmitted from a predetermined terminal is received. Furthermore, when a content distribution request is received from the terminal, it is estimated whether or not the content reproduction can be completed at the terminal that requested the distribution, and the content is processed so that the content can be reproduced, and the distribution content is created. Is done. For example, when it is estimated that the reproduction of the content cannot be completed at the terminal, the content is processed and the distribution content is created so that the content can be reproduced at the terminal. On the other hand, if the power supply state of the terminal is sufficient, the content is copied unprocessed and a distribution content is created. Further, the distribution content is distributed to the terminal that has transmitted the distribution request command.

  In the present application, content processing does not mean only reduction of distribution data. In general, data called metadata is added to content distributed on a network in addition to the content data. The metadata refers to information related to content, data for instructing a reproduction method, and the like. For example, information indicating that the content is composed of 10 pieces of music data, the title name of each piece of music, and the like are given as metadata to music content containing 10 pieces of music. If the content requested to be distributed is music content containing 10 songs in this way, and it is estimated that the reproduction cannot be completed by the terminal, only the first 3 songs out of 10 songs are set as distribution content. It is possible to process so that it can be played back on. In such a case, in addition to extracting the content for the corresponding three songs, it is necessary to create metadata for the three songs and assign it to the content. That is, the content processing may include not only the reduction of distribution data but also processing such as addition of information (for example, the above-described metadata) necessary to function as content.

  Thereby, according to this content delivery method, the content which can be reproduced | regenerated by the terminal according to the battery remaining charge of the terminal at the time of a content delivery request | requirement is delivered.

  A server for delivering content to a predetermined terminal according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a receiving means for receiving information indicating a power supply state of the terminal transmitted from the terminal, and the content from the terminal Content processing means for processing content and creating distribution content so that playback on the terminal is possible based on information indicating the power supply state in response to the distribution request, and distribution content Distribution means for distributing to the terminal.

  The receiving means receives the power supply state of the terminal. In response to the content distribution request transmitted from the terminal, the content processing means can, for example, complete the reception and reproduction of the content requested for distribution without interruption based on the information indicating the power supply state of the terminal. Please estimate. When it is estimated that the power supply state of the terminal is insufficient for the reception and reproduction of the content, the content processing means processes the content and distributes the content for distribution so that the content can be played back on the terminal. create. On the other hand, when the power supply state of the terminal is sufficient, the content processing means creates the distribution content by copying the content as it is unprocessed. The distribution means distributes the distribution content to the terminal that has transmitted the distribution request command.

  Thereby, in this server, the content which can be reproduced | regenerated by the terminal according to the battery remaining charge of the terminal at the time of a content delivery request | requirement is delivered.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, a terminal for receiving and reproducing content distribution transmits information indicating a power supply state of the terminal to a specific server, and a server, Created based on distribution request means for transmitting a distribution request for specific content and information indicating the power supply status of the terminal distributed from the server in response to the distribution request transmitted by the distribution request means Receiving means for receiving the content for distribution, and reproducing means for reproducing the content for distribution received by the receiving means.

  The transmission means transmits the power supply state of the terminal to a specific server. The distribution request means transmits a distribution request for specific content to a specific server. The receiving unit receives the distribution content transmitted from the specific server in response to the distribution request transmitted from the distribution request unit. This distribution content is processed by the server so that it can be played back on the terminal based on the power supply state of the terminal transmitted to the server by the transmission means. That is, for example, when the terminal power supply state is insufficient for content reception and playback, a specific server processes the content so that the time required for content reception and playback at the terminal is reduced. Create distribution content. On the other hand, when the power supply state of the terminal is sufficient, the specific server creates the distribution content by copying the content without processing. The reproducing means reproduces the distribution content received by the receiving means.

  As a result, the terminal can receive and play back the content according to the remaining battery level of the terminal at the time of the content distribution request.

  A content distribution system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a content distribution system for distributing content from a specific server to a predetermined terminal, and the terminal sends information indicating a power supply state of the terminal to the server. A transmission means for transmitting, and a distribution request means for transmitting a distribution request for content to the server, wherein the server receives the information indicating the power supply state of the terminal transmitted from the transmission means of the terminal In response to a content distribution request from the terminal and the terminal, the content is processed so that the content can be reproduced based on the information indicating the power supply state of the terminal. Content processing means for creating and distribution means for delivering the content for distribution created by the content processing means to the terminal. In response to the distribution request transmitted by the distribution request unit, the terminal further includes a receiving unit for receiving the distribution content created by the content processing unit in the server and distributed from the server to the terminal by the distribution unit; Reproducing means for reproducing the distribution content received by the receiving means.

  In the terminal, the transmission means transmits the power supply state of the terminal to a specific server. The distribution request means transmits a distribution request for specific content to a specific server. In the server, the receiving means receives the power supply state of the terminal. In response to the transmission of the content distribution request from the terminal, the content processing means processes the content so that the content can be played back on the terminal based on the information indicating the power supply state of the terminal. For example, the content processing means estimates whether or not the terminal can complete the reception and reproduction of the content requested for distribution without interruption. When it is estimated that the power supply state of the terminal is insufficient for the reception and playback of the content, the content processing means processes the content so that the time required for the reception and playback of the content in the terminal is reduced. Create distribution content. On the other hand, when the power supply state of the terminal is sufficient, the content processing means creates the distribution content by copying the content as it is unprocessed. The distribution means distributes the distribution content to the terminal that has transmitted the distribution request. The receiving unit of the terminal receives the distribution content distributed from the distribution unit of the server. The reproducing means reproduces the distribution content received by the receiving means.

  Thereby, in said terminal, reception and reproduction | regeneration of a content according to the battery remaining charge of the terminal at the time of a content delivery request | requirement are attained.

  As a result, in this distribution system, content that can be played back on the terminal according to the remaining battery level of the terminal at the time of content distribution request is distributed, and the content of the content corresponding to the remaining battery level of the terminal at the time of content distribution request is distributed. Reception and playback are possible.

  As described above, according to the present invention, even when the battery level of the terminal is relatively small, the content requested by the user can be downloaded without interruption and can be reproduced. For this reason, the content downloaded halfway is not wasted due to the interruption of the download due to the shortage of the remaining battery power, and the downloaded content can be reproduced immediately. Thereby, a user's satisfaction can be improved.

  Hereinafter, a data distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description and drawings, the same reference numerals and names are assigned to the same components. Their functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

−Configuration−
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a data distribution system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, data distribution system 10 includes terminals such as portable terminals 20A and 20B, and base stations 50A and 50B for relaying between portable terminals 20A and 20B and the public network 60. A management server 22 connected to the public network 60 for backing up and managing data stored in the mobile terminals 20A, 20B, etc., a mail service server 70, a music distribution site 80, and And other communication service sites (not shown).

  Hereinafter, the mail service server 70, the music distribution site 80, and other communication service sites (not shown) are collectively referred to as “service sites”. Hereinafter, data downloaded from a service site to a user's terminal is collectively referred to as “content”. The content includes e-mail downloaded from the mail service server 70, music downloaded from the music distribution site 80, and the like. The management server 22 can also be connected to the service site via the public network 60.

  The configuration of the management server 22 will be described below. Referring to FIG. 1, management server 22 performs a radio interface air link via public network 60, base stations 50A and 50B, and the like for terminal connection and communication with mobile terminal 20A. It is stored in the network connection / communication device 42 for carrying out the air link of the wireless interface via the communication device 40 and the public network 60 and performing bidirectional communication with the service site, and the mobile terminals 20A, 20B, etc. A terminal information storage device 44 composed of a hard disk drive (HDD), a terminal connection / communication device 40, a net connection / communication device 42, and a terminal information storage device 44 for storing, storing and managing information in different areas. In response to instructions from the mobile terminal of the user, the content is downloaded from the service site, and the mobile terminal Depending on the battery level, and executes the program to deliver processed downloaded content, and a server control unit 46 including a CPU (central processing unit).

  The terminal information storage device 44 has a storage area allocated for each mobile terminal to be managed. For example, information related to the mobile terminal 20A is stored and managed in a storage area allocated to the mobile terminal 20A. Information regarding the mobile terminal 20B is stored in a storage area allocated to the mobile terminal 20B. Each storage area can be accessed by an identifier of the portable terminal.

  Note that the terminal information storage device 44 has a predetermined program for enabling download and reproduction of the data without interruption and a program for performing other controls in view of the remaining battery level of the mobile terminal. I remember it.

  The configuration of mobile terminals such as the mobile terminals 20A and 20B is basically the same. Therefore, only the configuration of the mobile terminal 20A will be described below.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the mobile terminal 20A in a block diagram form. Referring to FIG. 2, portable terminal 20 </ b> A is connected to battery 100 for supplying power to portable terminal 20 </ b> A and an external outlet (not shown) to supply power to portable terminal 20 </ b> A from the outside. And an AC (Alternating Current) connector 104 that supplies power for charging the battery 100, and is connected to the battery 100 and the AC connector 104. The AC connector 104 is connected to an outlet and responds to the supply of power. The battery 100 and the AC connector 104 are connected to the battery 100 and the AC connector 104 for performing the process of charging the battery. When the mobile terminal 20A operates, the battery 100 and the AC are connected in accordance with the state of power supply from the AC connector 104. Select one of the connectors 104 as the power supply source A changeover switch 106 (hereinafter referred to as “changeover SW 106”) for switching the connection, a remaining amount detection device 110 connected to the battery 100 for detecting the remaining amount of the battery 100, a changeover SW 106 and Each connected to the remaining amount detection device 110, receiving power from the battery 100 or the AC connector 104 via the switching SW 106, information indicating the presence or absence of connection to the AC power source provided from the switching SW 106, a user instruction, According to the remaining amount of the battery 100 detected by the remaining amount detection device 110, a service processing unit 112 for performing processing necessary for the user to receive various services is included. The switch SW 106 switches the switch so that the AC connector 104 and the service processing unit 112 are connected when the AC connector 104 is plugged into and connected to the outlet during the operation of the mobile terminal 20A.

  Referring to FIG. 2, service processing section 112 performs communication for stably performing data communication by performing an air link of a wireless interface via a base station such as base station 50 </ b> A shown in FIG. 1 and public network 60. Device 130, audio output device 132 including a speaker, input device 134 for a user to input instructions, information on power supply of mobile terminal 20A, data created in mobile terminal 20A, mobile terminal 20A and others Stores non-volatile storage device 136, display device 138, and terminal ID (identifier) of portable terminal 20A for storing data transmitted / received to / from the station and data transmission / reception history of portable terminal 20A. Terminal ID storage unit 140, switching SW 106, remaining amount detection device 110, communication device 130, audio output device 132, input device 13 Connected to the storage device 136, the display device 138, and the terminal ID storage unit 140, the switch SW 106, the remaining amount detection device 110, the communication device 130, the audio output device 132, the input device 134, the storage device 136, the display device 138, and A function for controlling the terminal ID storage unit 140 according to a predetermined program, a general function as a mobile phone, a function for downloading data from a management server, and a function for playing back downloaded data using the audio output device 132 and the display device 138 And a control unit 142 for realizing the above.

  The storage device 136 further stores a predetermined program for downloading and playing back the data without interruption and a program for performing other controls in view of the remaining battery level of the mobile terminal. When the control unit 142 executes these programs, a function for downloading and reproducing content from the management server 22 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control structure of the battery state management program executed by control unit 142 in portable terminal 20A shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 3, a program for battery state management of portable terminal 20 </ b> A executed by control unit 142 includes a remaining battery level (hereinafter referred to as “battery state”) of battery 100 shown in FIG. 2, and an AC connector. Step 200 for transmitting information indicating whether or not 104 is connected to an external outlet (hereinafter referred to as “AC connection state”), that is, information regarding the power supply state to the management server 22 shown in FIG. After step 200, it is determined whether or not the user has performed an operation for requesting content distribution, and step 202 for branching the flow of control according to the determination result; It is executed in response to the determination that the content has not been received, and it is determined whether or not the content requested by the user has been delivered from the server. And step 208 for branching the control flow according to the determination result, and step 210 for storing the distributed content in the storage device 136 that is executed in response to the determination that the content has been distributed in step 208. , After step 210, after playing back the stored content, step 212 returns control to step 200. If it is determined in step 208 that the content is not distributed, the process returns to step 200.

  The program is further executed in response to the determination that the user has performed an operation for requesting content distribution in step 202, and the content is transmitted to the service site designated by the user via the management server 22. Step 204 requesting delivery. After step 204, the process returns to step 200.

  FIG. 4 shows that the server control device 46 is activated in response to the reception of the signal from the mobile terminal by the management server 22, and downloads and plays back the content according to the remaining battery level of the mobile terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the content processing delivery program processed and delivered in the format which becomes possible.

  Referring to FIG. 4, this program determines whether the signal received by terminal connection / communication device 40 is from any of the mobile terminals managed by management server 22, and the determination result Step 230 for branching the flow of control according to the process, and in step 230, in response to determining that it is not a call from a managed mobile terminal, the received call command is passed (through) as it is, That is, in step 250 where the outgoing command is sent to the destination and the control is returned to step 230, and in step 230, it is executed in response to the determination that the outgoing call is from the managed mobile terminal. Is a step for branching the control flow according to the determination result. 232 and the memory allocated in the terminal information storage device 44 and assigned to the mobile terminal of the transmission source, which is executed in response to the determination that the transmission is a transmission indicating the state of the mobile terminal in step 232 The area includes step 234 for storing the state of the mobile terminal distributed from the mobile terminal. After step 234, control returns to step 230.

  The determination performed in step 230 is performed based on whether or not the terminal ID extracted from the received signal matches the terminal ID of the mobile terminal managed by the management server 22. Further, as the outgoing command processed in step 250, a command for normal network access can be considered. The information stored in the terminal information storage device 44 in step 234 includes the remaining battery level of the mobile terminal, whether or not the AC connector 104 is connected to an AC power source, information stored in the mobile terminal, and the like.

  The program is further executed in response to the determination in step 232 that the received signal does not indicate the state of the mobile terminal, and determines whether the signal is a content distribution request. Step 236 for branching the control flow according to the determination result is included. If it is determined in step 236 that the outgoing command is not a content distribution request from the mobile terminal, the control returns to step 230.

  This program is further executed in response to the determination that the transmission from the portable terminal is a content distribution request in step 236, and the content specified by the request is obtained from the content distribution site specified by the request. Obtain and store in the storage area of the terminal information storage device 44 in the storage area corresponding to the mobile terminal, and determine whether or not the mobile terminal that has made the distribution request is AC connected, executed after step 238 And step 240 of branching the control flow according to the determination result.

  The determination in step 240 is performed by referring to information stored in the storage area corresponding to the mobile terminal in the terminal information storage device 44 shown in FIG.

  The program is further executed in response to the mobile terminal being determined to be in an AC connection state in step 240, and the content received in step 238 and stored in the corresponding storage area is directly distributed to the mobile terminal. After that, it is executed in response to determining that the portable terminal is not in the AC connection state in step 244 and returning to step 230, and the portable terminal reproduces the content after distributing the content. In step 242 where it is determined whether or not the battery state is sufficient to perform the operation, and the control flow branches in accordance with the determination result, in step 242, the portable terminal reproduces the content after distributing the content. When it is executed in response to a determination that the battery is not sufficient, and playback is required As is reduced, and processes the content so also reduced data capacity, including the step 246 of storing the processing contents, etc., after step 246, and step 248 of distributing processing content to the mobile terminal. After step 248, control returns to step 230. If it is determined in step 242 that the remaining battery level of the mobile terminal is sufficient to reproduce the content after the content is distributed, the process proceeds to step 244.

-Operation-
The data distribution system 10 whose configuration has been described above operates as follows.

  The management server 22 shown in FIG. 1 is always operating in a state where connection with a portable terminal and the public network 60 is possible. In the following description, the operation of the data distribution system 10 when the mobile terminal 20A transmits a content distribution request via the management server 22 will be described, but this does not lose generality. In the following description, it is assumed that the program shown in FIG. 4 is always running in the server control device 46 of the management server 22.

  Referring to FIG. 2, when power of portable terminal 20 </ b> A is turned on, control unit 142 starts executing a predetermined program stored in storage device 136. Among these programs, a program having the control structure shown in FIG. 3 is also included. After the power is turned on, the communication device 130, the audio output device 132, and the display device 138 perform a predetermined operation according to the control of the control unit 142 by the initial setting.

  The switch SW 106 first determines whether the AC connector 104 is connected to an AC power source. When the AC connector 104 is connected to an AC power source, the switch SW 106 connects the AC connector 104 and the service processing unit 112, and supplies power from the AC power source supplied from the AC connector 104 to the service processing unit 112. Supply. When the AC connector 104 is not connected to the AC power source, the switching SW 106 supplies the power from the battery 100 to the service processing unit 112. The remaining amount detection device 110 detects the remaining amount of the battery 100 and gives a signal indicating the battery state to the control unit 142. The switch SW 106 provides the control unit 142 with a signal indicating whether or not the AC connector 104 is connected to an AC power source, that is, in an AC connection state. The control unit 142 reads the signal indicating the battery state from the remaining amount detection device 110 and the signal indicating the AC connection state from the switch SW 106 as needed, and stores them in the storage device 136.

  The control unit 142 transmits the battery state and the AC connection state to the management server 22 together with the terminal identifier of the mobile terminal 20A by the process of step 200 shown in FIG. This signal is hereinafter referred to as a “terminal state signal”. Thereafter, the control unit 142 repeats the processing of Step 200 to Step 212 shown in FIG.

  The terminal status signal transmitted to the management server in step 200 is received by the terminal connection / communication device 40 included in the management server 22 via the base station 50A and the public network 60 shown in FIG. Given to. In response to this, since the portable terminal 20A that has transmitted this signal is the management target of the management server 22, the determination result in step 230 of the program (see FIG. 4) executed by the server control device 46 is YES. . Moreover, the determination result of step 232 is YES. As a result, in step 234, the terminal state specified by the received signal is stored in the storage area allocated to the mobile terminal 20A in the terminal information storage device 44 shown in FIG. The server control device 46 waits for the next signal from the portable terminal.

  Here, it is assumed that the user gives an instruction using the input device 134 shown in FIG. 2 to download (distribute) a certain content. This instruction is given from the input device 134 to the control unit 142 as a control code.

  Since the given instruction is a content distribution request, the determination result in step 202 of the program shown in FIG. 3 is YES. Therefore, in step 204, the control unit 142 requests content distribution via the management server 22. The process returns to step 200.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the content distribution request is received by terminal connection / communication device 40 via first base station 50 </ b> A and public network 60 and is provided to server control device 46.

  Referring to FIG. 4, the determination result in step 230 is YES, and the determination result in step 232 is NO. Accordingly, control proceeds to step 236. The determination result in step 236 is YES, and control proceeds to step 238.

  In step 238, the server control device 46 connects to a specific content distribution site via the network connection / communication device 42 and the public network 60, and obtains the content requested by the user from this site. Further, the server control device 46 stores the acquired content in a storage area assigned to the mobile terminal 20 </ b> A in the terminal information storage device 44. At this point, the server control device 46 can know the format and capacity of the content.

  In step 240, the server control device 46 reads the latest AC connection state of the mobile terminal 20A stored in the terminal information storage device 44, and determines whether the mobile terminal 20A is in the AC connection state. When the mobile terminal 20A is in the AC connection state, in step 244, the server control device 46 delivers the content stored in the terminal information storage device 44 to the mobile terminal 20A as it is. Control returns to step 230 to wait for the next request.

  If it is determined that the connection state of the distribution request terminal is not the AC connection state, the control proceeds from step 240 to step 242. In step 242, the server control device 46 reads the latest battery state of the mobile terminal 20A stored in the terminal information storage device 44 and compares it with the capacity of the content received in step 238. Based on this comparison, the server control device 46 determines whether or not the remaining battery level of the mobile terminal 20A is sufficient for downloading and playing the acquired content to the mobile terminal 20A. If the remaining battery level is sufficient, control proceeds to step 244, and the content is delivered to mobile terminal 20A as it is. On the other hand, if this is not the case, the control proceeds to step 246, where the server control device 46 reads the content stored in the terminal information storage device 44, and there is no battery even if it is downloaded and played back with the remaining battery level of the mobile terminal 20A. The content is processed and the data amount is reduced so that it does not become. Then, the server control device 46 stores the processing history in the storage area of the mobile terminal 20 </ b> A in the terminal information storage device 44. In subsequent step 248, the server control device 46 distributes the processed content to the mobile terminal 20 </ b> A via the terminal connection / communication device 40. Thereafter, the control of the program in the server control device 46 returns to step 230 shown in FIG. 4 and waits for the next transmission from the portable terminal.

  Consider distribution of music content as an example in which content is processed in order to allow the mobile terminal to have a relatively low remaining battery level and, as a result, to download and play back content on the mobile terminal. It is assumed that the user requests distribution of three music pieces. At this time, it is assumed that the total playback time of the three songs was 10 minutes. On the other hand, suppose that only 3 minutes of download and playback were possible in the battery state of the mobile terminal 20A. In this case, the music is processed for 3 minutes and distributed to the mobile terminal 20A. For example, it is possible to perform a process of distributing only one of the three songs that requires less than three minutes to download and play. In this case, a process of extracting only a part of the content is performed on the content, and only the content (one music piece) obtained as a result is distributed to the mobile terminal 20A. The portable terminal 20A downloads and plays back only this song. In this case, it is possible to avoid a shortage of remaining battery power.

  As already described, content processing includes not only the reduction of distribution data but also the addition of information (for example, metadata) necessary to function as content. In the above example, metadata corresponding to one extracted song is extracted from the content requested to be distributed and added to the distribution data.

  When there is a content that has not been transmitted, the mobile terminal 20A sends a distribution request to the management server 22 when the remaining battery level of the mobile terminal 20A is sufficiently large or when the AC power is connected. You can send it again. Similarly, it is possible to receive redistribution of unprocessed content instead of processed content.

  From the above, according to the data distribution system according to the present embodiment, even when the remaining battery level of the mobile terminal is relatively small, the content requested by the user can be downloaded without interruption and can be reproduced. Can do. For this reason, the content downloaded halfway is not wasted due to the interruption of the download due to the shortage of the remaining battery power, and the downloaded content can be reproduced immediately. Thereby, a user's satisfaction can be improved.

  In addition, according to the present system, if the AC connection of the mobile terminal and a sufficient battery state are ensured, the user can distribute the content downloaded to the management server to the mobile terminal at any time. For this reason, the user does not lose the content to be downloaded due to the shortage of the remaining battery power.

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

1 is a schematic block diagram of a system 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram of 20 A of portable terminals shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the battery state management program of 20 A of portable terminals performed by the control part 142 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the content processing delivery program of the management server 22 performed by the server control apparatus 46 shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

10 System 20A, 20B Mobile terminal 22 Management server 40 Terminal connection / communication device 42 Net connection / communication device 44 Terminal information storage device 46 Server control device 100 Battery 102 Charging circuit 104 AC connector 106 Switching SW
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 Residual amount detection apparatus 112 Service processing part 130 Communication apparatus 132 Audio | voice output apparatus 134 Input apparatus 136 Storage apparatus 138 Display apparatus 140 Terminal ID storage part 142 Control part

Claims (5)

A content distribution method for distributing content to a predetermined terminal,
Receiving information transmitted from the terminal indicating the power supply state of the terminal;
In response to a content distribution request from the terminal, based on the information indicating the power supply state, processing the content to create a distribution content so that playback on the terminal is possible;
Delivering the delivery content to the terminal,
The information indicating the power supply state includes information indicating presence / absence of connection between the terminal and an external power source,
If the information indicating whether or not the terminal is connected to the external power source indicates that the terminal is connected to the external power source, the content is not processed in response to the content distribution request from the terminal. And providing the content for distribution in
If the content for distribution received by the terminal does not include a part of the content requested to be distributed from the terminal, the distribution of the part of content is performed when the terminal is connected to an external power source. Requesting from the terminal . A server for delivering content to a predetermined terminal,
Receiving means for receiving information indicating a power supply state of the terminal transmitted from the terminal;
Content for processing the content to create a content for distribution in response to a content distribution request from the terminal and based on the information indicating the power supply state so that the content can be played back on the terminal Processing means;
Distribution means for distributing the content for distribution to the terminal,
The information indicating the power supply state includes information indicating presence / absence of connection between the terminal and an external power source,
The content processing means responds to a content distribution request from the terminal if the information indicating whether the terminal is connected to an external power supply indicates that the terminal is connected to an external power supply, Use the content as the content for distribution without processing it ,
If the distribution content transmitted to the terminal does not include a part of the content requested to be distributed from the terminal, the distribution means is configured when the terminal is connected to an external power source. A server that transmits the partial content to the terminal in response to a distribution request transmitted from the server. A device for receiving and playing content,
Transmitting means for transmitting information indicating the power supply state of the terminal to a specific server;
A distribution request means for transmitting a distribution request for specific content to the server;
In response to the distribution request, receiving means for receiving distribution content generated from the specific content based on information indicating the power supply state of the terminal distributed from the server;
Reproducing means for reproducing the content for distribution,
The information indicating the power supply state includes information indicating presence / absence of connection between the terminal and an external power source,
The distribution content received while connected to the external power source, Ri Oh by the particular content of the raw
If the distribution request received by the terminal does not include a part of the content requested for distribution by the terminal, the distribution request means is configured to connect the server when the terminal is connected to an external power source. A terminal that transmits a distribution request regarding the partial content . A content distribution system for distributing content from a specific server to a predetermined terminal,
The terminal
Transmitting means for transmitting information indicating a power supply state of the terminal to the server;
Distribution request means for transmitting a distribution request for content to the server,
The server
Receiving means for receiving information indicating the power supply state transmitted from the terminal;
Responding to a content distribution request from the terminal, based on information indicating the power supply state of the terminal, the content is processed to create a content for distribution so that playback on the terminal is possible Content processing means for
Distribution means for distributing the content for distribution to the terminal,
The terminal further includes
Receiving means for receiving the content for distribution distributed in response to the distribution request;
Reproducing means for reproducing the content for distribution,
The information indicating the power supply state includes information indicating presence / absence of connection between the terminal and an external power source,
The content processing means responds to a content distribution request from the terminal if the information indicating whether or not the terminal is connected to an external power supply indicates that the terminal is connected to an external power supply, Use the content as the content for distribution without processing it ,
If the distribution request received by the terminal does not include a part of the content requested for distribution by the terminal, the distribution request means is configured to connect the server when the terminal is connected to an external power source. A content distribution system that transmits a distribution request regarding the partial content . The information indicating the power supply state further includes information indicating a remaining battery level of the terminal,
If the information indicating the presence / absence of connection between the terminal and the external power source indicates that the terminal is not connected to the external power source, the terminal indicates the remaining battery level in response to a content distribution request from the terminal. Further comprising determining whether the information indicates a remaining battery charge less than an amount necessary for the terminal to download and play the content;
As a result of the determination, when it is determined that the remaining battery level of the terminal is less than the required amount, the content is generated based on the information indicating the remaining battery level in the step of creating the distribution content. The content distribution method according to claim 1, wherein content for distribution is created by reducing the capacity of the content.

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