JP5848113B2 - Information processing system and content download method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to information processing technology.

  In recent years, various services based on broadband network resources have been provided. For example, for content that can be played linearly on the time axis, such as video and music, an on-demand content distribution service using streaming distribution technology has already been put into practical use.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,076,467 US Pat. No. 6,560,612

  On the other hand, it is not easy to stream interactive content represented by games, and at least data that can be played or executed in a non-linear manner on the time axis is downloaded in advance to the storage device of the information processing device. Need to be accumulated. However, with the conventional method of starting download upon receiving a usage request from the user, the content cannot be used until the download is completed, and this may hinder the willingness to use the content, especially when the download time is long. It might be. Therefore, it is desired to provide a service that can use content at a timing desired by the user.

  In general, an output device that outputs reproduced or executed content is connected to the information processing apparatus. For example, in a game system that downloads a game, the information processing device is a game device that executes the game, and a television is connected to the game device. Therefore, in order to check the downloaded content, the user has to start the game device and the television and display the downloaded content list on the television screen. If the game device and the TV are always turned on, the user does not need to start them again. However, since the power consumption of the large-screen TV is particularly large, it is not preferable to keep the TV turned on at all times. . Similarly, it is not preferable to turn on the game device when the television is turned off. Therefore, it is desired to develop a system that can easily check the download status without requiring the user to take time and effort.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a new information processing system and to provide a new technique related to content download in order to solve the above-described problems.

  In order to solve the above problems, an information processing system according to an aspect of the present invention is an information processing system connected to a server via a network, and includes a first reception unit that receives content information selected by the server, and a first reception A download processing unit for downloading content data specified by the content information received by the unit, and a storage device for storing the downloaded content data.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a method for downloading content. The method includes a step of receiving content information selected by the server, a step of downloading content data specified by the received content information, and a step of storing the downloaded content data.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a new information processing system and to provide a new technique related to content download.

It is a figure which shows the content delivery system concerning the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows an information processing system. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of a main apparatus. It is a figure which shows the functional block of a main apparatus. It is a figure which shows the functional block of a sub apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen structure of the content list displayed on the small display of an output device. It is a figure which shows an example of the download mode selection screen displayed on an output device when a user selects the non-accumulated content. It is a figure which shows the state transition diagram of Bluetooth. It is a figure which shows the download process by a user request. It is a figure which shows the extraction process of the recommended content in a server system. It is a figure which shows a pending | holding download process and a speculative download process. It is a figure which shows the modification of the game list display area in the content list display screen shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the function switching process of a master-slave. It is a figure which shows another example of the function switching process of a master-slave. It is a figure which shows the process after receiving a use request until it uses a content. It is a figure which shows the modification of an information processing system.

  The information processing system of the present embodiment includes a main system that processes content stored in a storage device, such as game execution and movie playback, a subsystem that holds icons of content stored in the main system, the main system, and the subsystem An input interface device through which a user transmits an operation input. For example, the main system has a large display that is used when a user plays a game or watches a movie, while the subsystem has a small display that displays content icons. The subsystem only needs to hold content icons and the like, and the small display may be provided in the input interface device. The size of the display may be relative.

  In an information processing system, a large display provided in a main system is activated (powered on) when necessary, such as during game execution or movie playback, while a small display provided in a subsystem or input interface device is large. Since the power consumption is lower than that of a display, the power may be always turned on so that information such as a content icon can be presented to the user. Of course, in a time zone where the user has no opportunity to view the content information such as late at night, the power supply of the subsystem may be automatically turned off by the timer setting.

  When content processing or download processing is not executed, the main system is in a power saving mode, avoiding unnecessary power consumption. In this embodiment, since the subsystem is always powered on, the user can use the content icon displayed on the small display to send a content download request, a content use request, or the like to the subsystem. At this time, the subsystem activates the information processing apparatus of the main system and transfers a request from the user to the information processing apparatus of the main system. During the download process, the large display of the main system does not necessarily have to be activated. Even when the main system is in the power saving mode, the user can always check the content download status on the small display of the subsystem, thereby providing an information processing system that is highly convenient for the user while reducing power consumption.

  FIG. 1 shows a content distribution system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The content distribution system 1 includes an information processing system 100 used by a user, a plurality of terminal devices 14 used by another user, and a server system 10 that manages content. The information processing system 100, the terminal device 14, and the server system 10 are communicably connected via a network 12. In the content distribution system 1 shown in FIG. 1, for convenience of explanation, another user uses the terminal device 14, but all users may use the same system as the information processing system 100.

  The server system 10 is operated by a content provider company or the like, and provides encrypted content to the information processing system 100 when a download request is received from the information processing system 100. The server system 10 provides various types of content such as game content and video content to the information processing system 100. The server system 10 may include a plurality of content servers such as a server that provides game content, a server that provides video content, and a server that provides music content, and may be operated by a plurality of content providing companies. Good. Note that the server system 10 preferably includes a server that comprehensively manages the download status of the information processing system 100 even when the server system 10 is configured by a plurality of content servers.

  The information processing system 100 according to the present embodiment enables downloading of three types of modes. In this embodiment, in order to distinguish download types, they are called “immediate download”, “hold download”, and “speculative download”, respectively. These nicknames are merely for distinguishing download methods, and the download method is not limitedly interpreted by the meaning of the nicknames. Here, “immediate download” and “hold download” are methods for downloading the content selected by the user, and it is determined by the user whether to adopt “immediate download” or “hold download”. “Speculative download” is a method of speculatively downloading content arbitrarily selected by the server, and content that is not related to selection by the user is transmitted. Note that the information processing system 100 can also execute downloads in other modes.

  In the “immediate download” mode, content that the user desires to use is immediately downloaded from the server system 10 in response to a download request. The immediate download mode is selected when the user wants to use the content immediately, and when the information processing system 100 receives an immediate download request for content from the user, the information processing system 100 immediately downloads the content from the server system 10 connected to the network. .

  In the “pending download” mode, the user wishes to use the server system 10 or the terminal device 14 of another user connected via the network 12 at a timing after a download request is generated by the user. Content is downloaded. The terminal device 14 of another user provides content to the information processing system 100 by so-called peer-to-peer (P2P) communication. The pending download is selected when the user does not plan to use the content at the time when the user generates the download request, and for example, wants to use the content after the next day. The hold download is preferably executed in a time zone where the load on the server system 10 or the terminal device 14 of another user is relatively light, such as at midnight. Since the load of network resources can be distributed as compared with immediate download, a user who selects the hold download mode may be given a privilege such as point grant that can be used when purchasing content.

  In the “speculative download” mode, the content selected by the server is downloaded from the server system 10 or the terminal device 14 of another user connected via the network 12. The server system 10 selects content to be subject to speculative download based on user preferences and the like, and transmits the content information (for example, information for identifying content) to the information processing system 100. Like speculative download, speculative download is preferably executed in a time zone in which the load on the server system 10 and the terminal device 14 of another user is relatively light. Since the content subject to speculative download is not requested by the user, it is preferable that the pending download is executed with priority over the speculative download.

  In the speculative download mode, a content fee is not incurred when content is downloaded, and a mechanism is constructed that charges when the encrypted content is activated, that is, decrypted and made available. With this mechanism, the user can use the content that has been speculatively downloaded simply by activating it, and is not charged for speculatively downloading the content, so there is no wasteful expense. By adopting such a speculative download mode, the content distribution system 1 that is highly convenient for the user is realized. An expiration date is set for the speculatively downloaded content, and the information processing system 100 can avoid a situation in which the capacity of the storage device is compressed by deleting the content that has not been activated within the expiration date.

  FIG. 2 shows the information processing system 100. The information processing system 100 includes a main system 200, a subsystem 400, and an operation input device 120. The operation input device 120 is an input interface device that allows a user to perform an operation input to the main system 200 or the subsystem 400. The operation input device 120 shown in FIG. 2 has a communication unit and transmits operation inputs wirelessly. However, an input interface device connected to the main system 200 and the subsystem 400 by a cable may be used. Good. The operation input device 120 according to the present embodiment has a function of wirelessly connecting to the main system 200 or the subsystem 400 using a Bluetooth (registered trademark) protocol. Since the operation input device 120 always functions as a slave, it cannot communicate with both the main system 200 and the subsystem 400 at the same time.

  The main system 200 includes a main device 220 that processes content, and an output device 210 that outputs a processing result of the main device 220. The output device 210 may be a television having a display for outputting an image and a speaker for outputting sound. The output device 210 may be connected to the main device 220 by a wired cable, or may be wirelessly connected by a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the like. The main device 220 is communicably connected to the server system 10 and the terminal device 14 connected to the network 12 via a router.

  The sub-system 400 includes a sub-device 420 that holds information (for example, an image or text) related to content held in the main device 220, and an output device 410 that outputs a processing result by the sub-device 420. The output device 410 is a display that outputs an image or text, and may have an audio output function. The output device 410 may be connected to the sub device 420 by a wired cable, or may be wirelessly connected by a wireless local area network (LAN) or the like. In this embodiment, the output device 410 is a display with low power consumption even when the power is always turned on, and is preferably a small display of about 7 to 12 inches, for example. The sub device 420 may cause the output device 410 to display an icon of content stored in the main device 220, and may further display an advertisement recommending the use of the content that has been speculatively downloaded.

  The main device 220 and the sub device 420 have a function of wirelessly connecting to the operation input device 120 using the Bluetooth protocol. The main device 220 and the sub device 420 can communicate with each other, and may be wirelessly connected using a Bluetooth protocol, or may be wired by a cable.

  The main device 220 is a game device that executes a game application, and may have a function of playing back video and music. In this case, the operation input device 120 is a game controller that inputs game operation information. When playing back video or music, the user operates the playback process using the game controller. The main device 220 is not limited to a game, and may be an information processing device that can process other contents.

  In the information processing system 100 illustrated in FIG. 2, the output device 410 that is a small display is provided in the subsystem 400, but the small display may be provided in the operation input device 120. For example, the operation input device 120 may be configured as a touch panel type input interface device, and the content icon may be transmitted from the sub device 420 to display the content icon on the display. When the operation input device 120 is a game controller, the small display may be provided on a part of the controller housing surface.

  FIG. 3 shows a hardware configuration of the main device 220. The main device 220 includes a power button 222, an LED 224, a system controller 226, a device controller 228, a media drive 230, a hard disk drive 232, a switch 234, a wireless interface 236, a main controller 240, a main memory 242, and an output processing unit 244. Composed.

  The power button 222 is operated by the user to turn on or off the power supply to the main device 220. The LED 224 illuminates and displays the power on / off state. When the system controller 226 detects whether the power button 222 is pressed or not, and detects a state transition from the power-off state to the pressed state, the system controller 226 activates the main controller 240 and starts up the operating system boot sequence. At the same time, the LED 224 is controlled to be turned on. In this embodiment, the power supply of the main device 220 is turned on by an activation (power-on) instruction from the sub device 420 in addition to the pressing operation of the power button 222 by the user. When the system controller 226 receives an activation instruction from the sub apparatus 420, the system controller 226 activates the main controller 240 in the same manner as when the power button 222 is pressed. When the power cable is plugged into the main device 220, the system controller 226 maintains the standby mode even when the power is off, and presses the power button 222 and receives an activation instruction from the sub device 420. To monitor.

  The device controller 228 is configured as an LSI (Large-Scale Integrated Circuit) that exchanges information between devices like a south bridge. As illustrated, devices such as a system controller 226, a media drive 230, a hard disk drive 232, a switch 234, and a main controller 240 are connected to the device controller 228. The device controller 228 absorbs differences in electrical characteristics and data transfer speeds of the respective devices, and controls data transfer timing. The hard disk drive 232 drives an internal hard disk to write / read data. The hard disk drive 232 functions as a storage device that stores data, but a mass storage device other than the hard disk may be used. When the recording medium 50 is loaded, the media drive 230 drives and recognizes the recording medium 50 and reads out necessary data from the recording medium 50. The recording medium 50 may be a medium such as an optical disk or a magneto-optical disk.

  The switch 234 is an Ethernet switch (Ethernet is a registered trademark), and is a device that transmits and receives data by connecting to an external device in a wired or wireless manner. The switch 234 receives content data from the server system 10 and / or the terminal device 14 via the network 12. The switch 234 is connected to the wireless interface 236, and the wireless interface 236 is connected to devices such as the sub device 420 and the operation input device 120 by the Bluetooth protocol. Basically, information from these devices is supplied to the main controller 240 through the wireless interface 236, the switch 234, and the device controller 228.

  When supplied with power, the main controller 240 executes an operating system (hereinafter simply referred to as “OS (Operating System)”) that controls the entire apparatus. Under the OS environment, the main controller 240 executes content processing according to the user's operation input supplied from the operation input device 120. The main controller 240 includes a memory controller connected to the main memory 242. The main memory 242 is configured as a RAM (random access memory).

  The output processing unit 244 is connected to the output device 210 and outputs a video signal and an audio signal, which are content processing results. The output processing unit 244 includes a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) that realizes an image processing function. The GPU may employ HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface).

  In the main device 220 of this embodiment, the hard disk drive 232 stores various contents such as game contents, video contents, and music contents. These contents may be downloaded from the server system 10 or acquired from the recording medium 50.

  Hereinafter, functional blocks of the main device 220 and the sub device 420 are shown, and operations of the main device 220 and the sub device 420 will be described.

  FIG. 4 shows functional blocks of the main device 220. The main device 220 includes a reception unit 300, a transmission unit 302, a reception unit 310, an acquisition unit 330, a communication control unit 340, a content processing unit 342, a content management unit 350, a usage request processing unit 360, an authentication information notification unit 370, a download ( DL) processing unit 372, transfer processing unit 374, display information notification unit 376, use permission notification unit 378, and storage device 380. The receiving unit 300 and the transmitting unit 302 constitute a communication unit. The reception unit 310 includes an operation information reception unit 312, a usage request reception unit 314, an activation information reception unit 316, a transfer request reception unit 318, a DL request reception unit 320, a deletion request reception unit 322, and a speculative DL content information reception unit 324. . The content management unit 350 includes a list generation unit 352, a content deletion unit 354, and a point calculation unit 356. The usage request processing unit 360 includes a confirmation unit 362 and a decoding unit 364. When content processing or download processing is not performed, the main device 220 is in the power saving mode, but monitors the arrival of an activation instruction transmitted from the sub device 420.

  The functions of the main device 220 are realized by the system controller 226, the switch 234, the wireless interface 236, the main controller 240, the output processing unit 244, the main memory 242, the program loaded in the main memory 242, and the like shown in FIG. The functional block realized by those cooperation is drawn. Those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.

  FIG. 5 shows functional blocks of the sub device 420. The sub device 420 includes a reception unit 422, a transmission unit 424, a reception unit 430, a display information acquisition unit 440, a communication control unit 450, a transfer unit 460, a display processing unit 470, and a storage device 480. The reception unit 422 and the transmission unit 424 constitute a communication unit. The reception unit 430 includes a usage request reception unit 432, a DL request reception unit 434, a usage permission reception unit 436, and a deletion request reception unit 438.

  The functions of the sub-device 420 shown in FIG. 5 are realized by a CPU, a memory, a program loaded in the memory, and the like, and here, functional blocks realized by their cooperation are depicted. Those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.

  In the information processing system 100 of the present embodiment, the output device 410 and the sub device 420 in the sub system 400 are always powered on. The output device 410 displays content specifying information such as images or text related to the content stored in the main device 220.

  FIG. 6 shows a screen configuration example of the content list displayed on the small display of the output device 410. The content list display screen includes a game list display area 500 for displaying an accumulated game list, a movie list display area 520 for displaying an accumulated movie list, and a music list display area 530 for displaying an accumulated music list. Is done. For example, in the game list display area 500, accumulated game icons 502, 503, and 504 are displayed, and arrow keys 501 and 505 for scrolling the accumulated game icons are provided. A cursor that can be operated by the operation input device 120 is prepared on the content list display screen, and the user operates the operation input device 120 to place the cursor on a desired icon and perform a predetermined operation (for example, the operation input device 120). By pressing a predetermined button), the content associated with the icon can be used. As will be described later, when receiving a usage request from the user, the sub device 420 transmits a startup instruction to the main device 220 to start the main device 220 and then transmits the usage request to the main device 220.

  In the display area 510, an image related to the content currently processed in the main device 220 is displayed. For example, the display image may be a content icon or a content package image. In the point area 511, points acquired by the user are displayed. In this embodiment, when the pending download is selected, points are given from the server system 10. In the content distribution system 1, points may be given to the user even in different scenes, and points may be given when recycling content described later. In the point area 511, the cumulative number of points is displayed.

  When a cursor is placed on the icon 506 indicated by “+” and a predetermined operation input is performed with the operation input device 120, a list of unstored game contents is displayed. The output device 410 is a small display, and on the other hand, since there are a large number of unstored game contents, it is preferable to display, for example, a list classified by game genre. The user selects a content desired to be downloaded from the list, thereby generating a download request. If the “+” icon in the movie list display area 520 is designated, a list of unstored movie contents is displayed. If the “+” icon in the music list display area 530 is designated, a list of unstored music contents is displayed. Is done.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a download mode selection screen displayed on the output device 410 when the user selects unstored content. In this example, the user requests download of the game XYZ, which is unstored content, and the sub device 420 causes the output device 410 to display a screen for selecting either immediate download or pending download as the download mode. In FIG. 7, “download immediately” corresponds to immediate download, and “download later” corresponds to pending download. The user determines the download mode by selecting one of the two check boxes.

  As a premise described above, the operation input device 120 and the sub device 420 are wirelessly connected by the Bluetooth protocol. The sub device 420 functions as a parent device, that is, a master, and the operation input device 120 functions as a child device, that is, a slave. As will be described later, at this time, the sub device 420 is wirelessly connected to the main device 220 using the Bluetooth protocol. The sub device 420 functions as a master for the main device 220, and the main device 220 functions as a slave. Hereinafter, a communication method using the Bluetooth protocol will be described.

  FIG. 8 shows a Bluetooth state transition diagram. As shown in the figure, the state of the Bluetooth terminal can be divided into a standby phase, a synchronization establishment phase, a communication connection phase, and a low power consumption mode.

  Immediately after the operation input device 120 is turned on or when the communication link is disconnected, the operation input device 120 enters a “standby” state. When the communication link of the main device 220 is disconnected, the main device 220 enters a “standby” state. In the “standby” state, data transmission / reception is not performed. Hereinafter, the state transition between the sub device 420 and the operation input device 120 will be described, but the state transition between the sub device 420 and the main device 220 is also the same, and the description will be omitted.

  In the synchronization establishment phase, the sub device 420 makes a connection inquiry, that is, “inquiry” to the terminal device including the peripheral operation input device 120, and the sub device 420 recognizes the operation input device 120 and “calls”. There is a state to do. In the “inquiry” state, the sub-device 420 broadcasts an IQ (inquiry) packet to nearby terminal devices. The operation input device 120 that has received the IQ packet returns an FHS (Frequency Hop Synchronization) packet including the Bluetooth address and clock information to the sub device 420. In the FHS packet, LAP (Lower Address Part), UAP (Upper Address Part), and NAP (Non-significant Address Part) constitute Bluetooth_ADDR which is an address unique to the Bluetooth terminal. In the transmission / reception at this time, since the consent regarding the frequency hopping pattern has not been established between the sub apparatus 420 and the operation input apparatus 120, the fixed hopping pattern defined exclusively for the inquiry is used.

  In the “calling” state, the sub-device 420 receives the FHS packet from the operation input device 120, grasps the presence, and transmits an ID packet to the operation input device 120. When the response to the ID packet is returned from the operation input device 120, the sub device 420 transmits an FHS packet to the operation input device 120, and notifies the operation input device 120 of its own address and clock. Accordingly, the sub device 420 and the operation input device 120 can share the same hopping pattern.

  When “calling” is performed, a piconet is formed between the sub device 420 and the operation input device 120, and a “connected” state is entered. A piconet means a network that is temporarily formed between terminals when Bluetooth terminals are brought close to each other. In one piconet, the sub device 420 functions as a parent device. In the “connected” state, a control packet for setting a communication link is transmitted and received, thereby enabling “data transfer”. When the data transfer is completed and the communication link is disconnected, the operation input device 120 returns to the standby state.

  The operation input device 120 as a slave can shift from the connected state to three types of low power consumption modes of “park mode”, “hold mode”, and “sniff mode”. Further, the sub device 420 as a master can shift from the connected state to the “hold mode”.

  The “park mode” operation input device 120 holds synchronization with the piconet, that is, synchronization with the hopping pattern and the master clock. However, packets cannot be exchanged with the sub device 420. The operation input device 120 in this state receives data from the sub device 420 at regular time intervals (beacon period), and can immediately join the piconet if necessary. In the park mode, the slave identifier assigned from the sub device 420, that is, the 3-bit address (1-7) given to the connected Bluetooth terminal is once returned to the sub device 420. Therefore, even if the operation input device 120 desires to rejoin the piconet, it cannot be joined immediately if the slave identifier is not empty. Conversely, the sub-device 420 gives an 8-bit park slave identifier to the Bluetooth terminal that enters the park mode. The sub-device 420 can join only the necessary Bluetooth terminal to the piconet at any time.

  The operation input device 120 and the sub device 420 in the “hold mode” do not transmit / receive during the set fixed time (hold time) while being synchronized with the piconet, and resume communication after the hold time.

  The operation input device 120 in the “sniff mode” performs transmission and reception at regular time intervals (sniff intervals), and can reduce power consumption during other times.

  In the present embodiment, when the operation input device 120 that has entered the standby state communicates again after the communication is completed once, the inquiry can be skipped and the state can be changed to the calling state. Since the sub device 420 already knows the presence of the operation input device 120, the sub device 420 speaks to the operation input device 120 on a one-to-one basis by calling and establishes intra-piconet synchronization. Once the intra-piconet synchronization is established, it is not necessary to execute a broadcast when communication is resumed even if the operation is completed and the operation input device 120 is in a standby state. When broadcast is executed, for example, it may take 10 seconds or more, so in this embodiment, the inquiry is omitted and the time required for establishing a connection is shortened. “Establishing intra-piconet synchronization” means exchanging the Bluetooth address and clock information between the sub-device 420 and the Bluetooth terminal to synchronize the hopping pattern.

  The sub device 420 records the identification information of the operation input device 120 acquired when the connection is established. The identification information of the operation input device 120 is used at the next and subsequent connection establishments in order to shorten the time required for connection establishment.

  In this embodiment, the sub device 420 serving as a master records the identification information of the operation input device 120 and the main device 220 existing in the vicinity, and can be called up when necessary. Further, the operation input device 120 and the main device 220 serving as slaves may transition to, for example, “park mode” after the connection state is completed, and connect to the sub device 420 when necessary.

  The communication connection when the sub apparatus 420 functions as a master has been described above. However, as will be described later, in the information processing system 100 according to the present embodiment, the main apparatus 220 may function as a master. Therefore, the main device 220 also performs the same wireless connection establishment processing as that of the above-described sub device 420 in advance, and records identification information of the Bluetooth terminals existing in the vicinity, that is, the operation input device 120 and the sub device 420. As a result, when the main device 220 functions as a master, it is possible to establish a connection with the operation input device 120 and the sub device 420 existing in the vicinity at an early stage.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, processing for downloading content in response to a user request will be described.
<Content download by user request>
In the sub device 420, the communication control unit 450 controls communication between the operation input device 120 and the main device 220 as a master. When the user operates the operation input device 120, the receiving unit 422 receives the operation information, and the display processing unit 470 moves the cursor on the content list display screen according to the operation information. When the receiving unit 422 receives predetermined operation information (selection input) while the cursor is placed on the icon 506, the display processing unit 470 causes the output device 410 to display an unstored content list. The unaccumulated content list is included in the display information 482 stored in the storage device 480. The displayed content list may display an icon of the content, or may display a title of the content. When the reception unit 422 receives a selection input for specific content, the DL request reception unit 434 receives a download (DL) request for the content.

  At this time, the display processing unit 470 causes the output device 410 to display a download mode selection screen shown in FIG. When a selection input for selecting one of the modes is transmitted from the operation input device 120, the DL request reception unit 434 receives the selected mode. Thereby, the content to be downloaded and the download mode are specified. The transfer unit 460 generates a download request that combines the content identification information for specifying the content and the download mode, and supplies the download request to the transmission unit 424.

  The communication control unit 450 generates an activation instruction signal for activating the main device 220 in the power saving mode, and transmits the activation instruction signal before transmitting a download request from the transmission unit 424. When the main device 220 receives the activation instruction signal, the main device 220 supplies power to the main controller 240 or the like to shift from the power saving mode to the normal power mode. Note that the output device 210 that is a large display may not be activated. After the main device 220 is activated, the communication control unit 450 causes the transmission unit 424 to transmit a download request. For example, the communication control unit 450 may cause a download request to be transmitted several seconds after the activation instruction signal is transmitted.

  In the main apparatus 220, the communication control unit 340 controls communication with the sub apparatus 420 as a slave. The receiving unit 300 receives the download request, and the DL request receiving unit 320 receives the download request. The download request is supplied to the content management unit 350, and the list generation unit 352 generates a download list according to the download request.

  The storage device 380 holds the speculative DL list 388, the immediate DL list 390, and the pending DL list 392 generated by the list generation unit 352 as download lists. The speculative DL list 388 is a content list subject to speculative download, the immediate DL list 390 is a content list subject to immediate download, and the pending DL list 392 is a content list subject to pending download. . In the main apparatus 220, the DL processing unit 372 executes download processing based on these download lists.

  Specifically, the list generation unit 352 refers to the download mode included in the download request and adds content identification information to the corresponding download list. In this case, the download mode is either immediate download or hold download mode, and the list generation unit 352 reads the download list corresponding to the download mode from the storage device 380 and downloads the content identification information included in the download request. Register to the list.

  When the list generation unit 352 updates the download list, the list generation unit 352 notifies the DL processing unit 372 to that effect. When the download list is updated, the DL processing unit 372 schedules download processing. Note that the DL processing unit 372 may periodically check the download list to confirm whether or not it has been updated.

  Specifically, when the content identification information is registered in the immediate DL list 390, the DL processing unit 372 immediately executes the content download process. The DL processing unit 372 generates a download request, and the transmission unit 302 transmits the download request to the server system 10.

  When the content identification information is registered in the reserved DL list 392, the DL processing unit 372 sets the time to start the content download process. For example, the start time may be set in a time zone from 0:00 am to 5:00 am when the content processing unit 342 is not executing content processing. The DL processing unit 372 generates a download request including information indicating a pending download, and the transmission unit 302 transmits the download request to the server system 10 at the scheduled time. When the server system 10 receives the information indicating that the download is pending, the server system 10 transmits the content to the main device 220 and gives a predetermined point to the user. The server system 10 accumulates and gives the granted points.

  In the hold download mode, the transmission unit 302 may transmit a download request to another terminal device 14. When transmitting to another terminal device 14, the content is downloaded by P2P communication. When content is downloaded by P2P communication, the transmission unit 302 notifies the server system 10 of information indicating that the pending download has been executed in order to acquire points. Thereby, the server system 10 can give points to the user. Note that the point grant timing may be when the main device 220 is notified that the download by P2P communication has been completed.

  When the server system 10 or the terminal device 14 transmits content data, the reception unit 300 receives the content data, and the acquisition unit 330 acquires the content data and stores it as content data 382 in the storage device 380. In FIG. 4, the acquisition unit 330 and the DL processing unit 372 are illustrated as separate functional blocks, but both may form a DL processing unit in cooperation. The list generation unit 352 determines that the download is complete, and deletes the downloaded content identification information from the corresponding download list. The acquisition unit 330 also acquires the content index information 386 together with the content, and stores it in the storage device 380. The index information 386 includes a content name, icon data, and the like. The content name and icon data are used by the main device 220 for generating a content menu screen and the like, and also when the sub device 420 generates a content list display screen.

For example, the index information includes the following data.
(1) Content ID
It is a number that identifies the content.
(2) Content name This is the name of the content.
(3) Category Information indicating the type of content, for example, a game, movie, or music category is set.
(4) Icon data A thumbnail image or moving image of content.
(5) Text option This is a pop-up message added to the content list display screen.
(6) Download start date and time This is the date and time when the download started.
(7) Download end date and time This is the date and time when download is completed and the date and time when storage is started.
(8) Expiration date This is the expiration date for speculatively downloaded content data. Note that no expiration date is set for content data that has been downloaded immediately or on hold.
(9) Recycle time limit This is the recycle time limit for content data that has been speculatively downloaded, and a period longer than the expiration date is set. A recycle period is not set for content data that is downloaded immediately or on hold.
(10) Activation confirmation flag This flag indicates whether or not activation processing has been completed.

  The server system 10 holds index information 386 in synchronization with the information processing system 100. As a result, the server system 10 constantly monitors and grasps the content held by the main device 220. The display information notification unit 376 causes the transmission unit 302 to transmit the display information used for generating the content list display screen in the sub device 420 from the index information 386 to the sub device 420. The display information notification unit 376 preferably notifies the sub device 420 of display information each time there is a change such as change, addition, or deletion in the index information 386.

  When the content is downloaded on hold, the acquisition unit 330 acquires a predetermined point. The storage device 380 stores point accumulation information 394 obtained by accumulating past points. When the acquisition unit 330 acquires points, the point calculation unit 356 reads the point accumulation information 394 and adds the newly acquired points. Thus, the added value is registered as the point accumulation information 394. When the point accumulation information 394 is updated, the display information notification unit 376 causes the transmission unit 302 to transmit the point accumulation information 394 as display information in the subsystem 400. The accumulated points are also managed by the server system 10, and the acquisition unit 330 may acquire the accumulated points from the server system 10 and store the accumulated points in the storage device 380 as the point accumulated information 394.

  In the sub device 420, the reception unit 422 receives display information transmitted from the main device 220, and the display information acquisition unit 440 acquires display information and stores it in the storage device 480. As described above, the display information 482 is icon data and content names of accumulated contents, and also includes point accumulation information 394. The display processing unit 470 forms a content list display screen shown in FIG. 6 using the updated display information 482.

  The main device 220 acquires the unstored content list 398 from the server system 10 and transmits it to the sub device 420 as display information. The unstored content list 398 is updated each time the main device 220 downloads content or new content becomes available. Accordingly, when the icon 506 shown in FIG. 6 is selected, an unstored content list can be displayed on the output device 410.

  FIG. 9 shows a download process in response to a user request. When the DL request reception unit 320 receives a download request from the sub device 420 (Y in S10), the list generation unit 352 determines a mode included in the download request (S12). If no download request is accepted (N in S10), this process ends. When it is the immediate download mode (Y in S12), the list generation unit 352 registers the content identification information included in the download request in the immediate DL list 390 (S14). The DL processing unit 372 generates a download request including the content identification information registered in the immediate DL list 390 and transmits the download request to the server system 10. When the content identification information is registered in the immediate DL list 390, the DL processing unit 372 executes the immediate download process by causing the transmission unit 302 to immediately transmit a download request to the server system 10 (S16). The acquisition unit 330 acquires content and index information, and when the download process is completed, the list generation unit 352 deletes the corresponding content identification information from the immediate DL list 390 and updates the immediate DL list 390 (S18). ). The display information notification unit 376 notifies the sub device 420 of display information used for generating a content list display screen in the subsystem 400 (S26).

  On the other hand, if it is not the immediate download mode (N in S12), the list generation unit 352 registers the content identification information included in the download request in the hold DL list 392 (S20). When the content identification information is registered in the reserved DL list 392, the DL processing unit 372 determines the time to start the content download processing. The DL processing unit 372 generates a download request including the content identification information registered in the pending DL list 392 and information indicating the pending download, and sends the download request from the transmitting unit 302 to the server system at the scheduled time. 10 or the terminal device 14 is transmitted to execute the hold download process (S22). The acquisition unit 330 acquires content, index information, and points, and when the download process is completed, the list generation unit 352 deletes the corresponding content identification information from the hold DL list 392 and updates the hold DL list 392. (S24). The display information notification unit 376 notifies the sub device 420 of display information used for generating a content list display screen in the subsystem 400 (S26).

Next, a process of speculative downloading of content selected by the server system 10 according to user preferences and the like will be described.
<Content download without user request>
In the speculative download mode, the server system 10 picks up recommended content to be downloaded by the user and notifies the information processing system 100 of it. The information processing system 100 downloads recommended content at an appropriate timing. When the server system 10 detects, for example, a purchase history of a series game from user information held in synchronization with the information processing system 100, the recommended content is displayed when the latest version of the game is released. Pick up as. Also, when a sequel to a movie purchased in the past appears, it may be picked up as recommended content.

  In the speculative download mode, various contents are downloaded regardless of a request from the user. Therefore, when the user wants to use the content, there is an advantage that the user can use the contents immediately without having to execute download processing again. is there. The content fee is not generated at the time of download but is generated at the time of use, so that a suitable content use environment can be realized without causing a disadvantage to the user.

FIG. 10 shows recommended content extraction processing in the server system 10. The server system 10 periodically synchronizes user information with the information processing system 100 (S30). For example, the user information includes the following data.
(1) User ID
It is a number that identifies the user.
(2) Speculative download permission flag This is set by the user, and indicates whether or not speculative downloading is permitted.
(3) Recycle permission flag This is set by the user and indicates information regarding whether or not to permit recycling of the content.
(4) Content information Indicates information such as content purchased in the past and content downloaded speculatively.
(5) User preference information Indicates information on content genres and categories that the user likes. It may be set by the user or may be set by the server system 10.

  The server system 10 refers to the speculative download permission flag value included in the user information and determines whether speculative download is permitted (S32). If it is not permitted (N in S32), the recommended content extraction process is not executed. If permitted (Y in S32), the server system 10 extracts recommended content from the user's preference information, past purchase history, and the like (S34). In this extraction process, for example, popular content or one-press content that is operated by the content distribution server may be extracted. The server system 10 adds the content information extracted as the speculative download candidate to the content information of the user information (S36). The server system 10 notifies the information processing system 100 of the extracted content information (for example, identification information) (S38).

  In the main device 220, when the receiving unit 300 receives the speculative download content identification information and the speculative DL content information accepting unit 324 accepts it, the list generating unit 352 reads the speculative DL list 388 from the storage device 380, and the content Add and update identification information.

  When the speculation DL list 388 is updated, the list generation unit 352 notifies the DL processing unit 372 to that effect. When the speculative DL list 388 is updated, the DL processing unit 372 schedules download processing. Note that the DL processing unit 372 may periodically check the speculative DL list 388 to confirm whether or not it has been updated.

  When the content identification information is registered in the speculative DL list 388, the DL processing unit 372 sets a time to start the content download process. At this time, the DL processing unit 372 refers to the hold DL list 392 and schedules the hold download to be preferentially executed when there is content to be held download. This is because the speculative download process is executed regardless of the user's request, and it is preferable to execute the pending download process in accordance with the user's request first.

  FIG. 11 shows a pending download process and a speculative download process. The DL processing unit 372 refers to the reserved DL list 392 and the speculative DL list 388 to determine whether there is content that has not been downloaded (S50). For example, this determination process may be executed periodically, or may be executed when either the pending DL list 392 or the speculative DL list 388 is updated. If the content identification information is not registered in the pending DL list 392 and the speculative DL list 388, the DL processing unit 372 determines that there is no content waiting for download (N in S50), and ends this processing.

  When there is content waiting for download (Y in S50), the DL processing unit 372 determines the download order (S52). Here, under the policy of preferentially performing the pending download process over the speculative download process, the DL processing unit 372 determines the download order of the content corresponding to the content identification information included in the pending DL list 392 as the speculative DL list. It is set before the download order of the content corresponding to the content identification information included in 388. When there are a plurality of contents to be subject to pending download, the download order is set in the order in which the download request from the user is generated. Similarly, when there are a plurality of contents to be speculatively downloaded, the download order is set in the order extracted by the server system 10 as recommended contents.

  When executing the hold download process, the DL processing unit 372 generates a download request including information indicating the hold download, and sends the download request from the transmission unit 302 to the server system 10 or the terminal device at the scheduled time. 14, the pending download process is executed (S54). When executing speculative download processing, the DL processing unit 372 generates a download request including information indicating speculative download, and sends the download request from the transmission unit 302 to the server system 10 or the terminal at the scheduled time. A speculative download process is executed by transmitting the data to the device 14 (S54). The obtaining unit 330 obtains content index information together with the content data, and stores the content index information in the storage device 380. When points are given, the point calculation unit 356 stores the calculated points in the storage device 380 as point accumulation information 394.

  In the immediate download mode and the hold download mode, charging processing is performed at the time of downloading. Therefore, in the speculative download mode, information indicating that it is a speculative download is included in the download request so that charging processing is not performed at the time of downloading. . If the server system 10 determines that it is a speculative download request, it does not perform the billing process. Thus, since the speculative download process is not based on the user's request as compared with other modes, it is preferable that the billing process is performed when the content is activated. In the content distribution system 1, it is also possible to perform charging processing for all contents at the time of activation regardless of the download mode.

  When the download process is completed, the list generation unit 352 deletes the identification information of the downloaded content from the corresponding download list, and updates the download list (S56). The display information notification unit 376 notifies the sub device 420 of display information used for generating the content list display screen in the subsystem 400 (S58).

  Steps S52 to S58 are performed until the download processing of all the contents included in the reserved DL list 392 and the speculative DL list 388 is completed. Note that the order determination step of S52 can be omitted by using the order set for the first time. Since the pending download process has already been described with reference to FIG. 9, details of the speculative download process will be described below.

  When the server system 10 or the terminal device 14 transmits content, the reception unit 300 receives the content, the acquisition unit 330 acquires the content, and stores the content as data 382 in the storage device 380. At this time, the list generation unit 352 determines that the download has been completed, and deletes the downloaded content identification information from the speculative DL list 388. The acquisition unit 330 also acquires the content index information 386 together with the content, and stores it in the storage device 380. The index information 386 includes a content expiration date in addition to the content name and icon data.

  The expiration date is information indicating the date on which the content data is to be deleted if it is not activated before that date. The content name and icon data are used by the main device 220 for generating a content menu screen and the like, and also when the sub device 420 generates a content list display screen. The display information notification unit 376 causes the transmission unit 302 to transmit the display information used for generating the content list screen in the sub device 420 from the index information 386 to the sub device 420.

  In the sub device 420, the reception unit 422 receives display information transmitted from the main device 220, and the display information acquisition unit 440 acquires display information and stores it in the storage device 480. As described above, the display information 482 is the icon data and content name of the accumulated content, and may include a text option. The display processing unit 470 forms a content list display screen shown in FIG. 6 using the updated display information 482.

  FIG. 12 shows a modification of the game list display area 500 in the content list display screen shown in FIG. A game icon 503 indicates game content that is immediately or on-hold downloaded, and game icons 502 and 504 indicate game content that is speculatively downloaded. Explanation information 507 of “half price today” is added to the game icon 502 as a pop-up message. This indicates that if the activation process is performed so that the game A can be used on this day, it can be purchased at a normal half price. In addition, explanation information 508 of “11/19 storage end” is added to the game icon 504 as a pop-up message. An expiration date is set for the speculatively downloaded content, and it indicates that the game B is automatically deleted from the storage device 380 if the activation process is not performed before 11/19.

  Thus, it is preferable that explanatory information that attracts the user's interest is added to the speculatively downloaded content. This explanation information is a message set as a text option of the index information. In the information processing system 100 of the present embodiment, the subsystem 400 is always in a power-on state, so that the user notices a message (description information) from the content distributor without starting up the main system 200. Therefore, it is possible to construct a content distribution system 1 that is advantageous for both content distributors and users.

<Content usage processing>
Hereinafter, processing for using the accumulated content will be described.
In the sub device 420, the communication control unit 450 controls communication between the operation input device 120 and the main device 220 as a master. When the user operates the operation input device 120, the receiving unit 422 receives the operation information, and the display processing unit 470 moves the cursor on the content list display screen according to the operation information. When the receiving unit 422 receives predetermined operation information (selection input) while the cursor is placed on, for example, any of the game icons 502, 503, and 504 (see FIG. 12), the usage request receiving unit 432 Accept usage requests for content. The transfer unit 460 supplies a use request including content identification information for specifying content to the transmission unit 424.

  The communication control unit 450 generates an activation instruction signal for activating the main device 220 in the power saving mode, and transmits the activation instruction signal before transmitting the use request from the transmission unit 424. Note that when the main device 220 is already in the normal power mode, the activation instruction signal may not be transmitted. When the main apparatus 220 receives the activation instruction signal, the main apparatus 220 is activated by supplying power to the main controller 240 and the like. After the main device 220 is activated, the communication control unit 450 causes the transmission unit 424 to transmit a usage request. For example, the communication control unit 450 may cause the use request to be transmitted several seconds after the activation instruction signal is transmitted.

  In the main apparatus 220, the communication control unit 340 controls communication with the sub apparatus 420 as a slave. The receiving unit 300 receives the usage request, and the usage request receiving unit 314 receives the usage request. When the reception unit 300 receives the usage request, the main device 220 preferably activates the output device 210 automatically, but the output device 210 may be activated by the user pressing a power switch. The usage request is supplied to the usage request processing unit 360, and the confirmation unit 362 confirms whether the content included in the usage request has been activated. The confirmation unit 362 may refer to the activation confirmation flag value included in the index information 386. The activation process is a process for decoding the encrypted content data 382 so that the content processing unit 342 can execute it.

  When the confirmation unit 362 confirms that the content data has already been activated, the usage permission notification unit 378 causes the transmission unit 302 to transmit a notification that the usage of the content is permitted to the sub apparatus 420. The confirmation unit 362 supplies a content execution instruction to the content processing unit 342. As a result, the content processing unit 342 reads the decrypted content data from the storage device 380 and executes the content data.

  In the sub apparatus 420, when the receiving unit 422 receives the usage permission notification, the usage permission receiving unit 436 receives and supplies it to the communication control unit 450. Upon receiving the usage permission notification, the communication control unit 450 confirms that the main device 220 can execute the content, and the main device 220 is the master in the current communication environment in which the sub device 420 is the master. Perform processing to switch to the communication environment. This process may be called a function switching process. The communication control unit 450 generates a master switching instruction for the main device 220, causes the transmission unit 424 to transmit the master switching instruction to the main device 220, and disconnects the connection between the main device 220 and the operation input device 120.

  In the main apparatus 220, when the receiving unit 300 receives the master switching instruction, the communication control unit 340 starts communication control as a master. If the connection with the main device 220 is still continued when the master switching instruction is received, the communication control unit 340 disconnects the connection with the sub device 420. As described in connection with the communication control of the Bluetooth protocol, the Bluetooth terminal enters a “waiting” state when the communication link is disconnected. As described above, the communication control unit 340 has acquired the identification information of the operation input device 120 and the sub device 420 in advance, and thus does not need to make an “inquiry” to peripheral terminal devices, and directly performs “calling”. Thus, the Bluetooth connection can be established with the operation input device 120 and the sub device 420 at an early stage.

  By the main device 220 functioning as a master, the user can directly operate the operation input device 120 to transmit operation information for content processing such as a game or a movie to the main device 220. When executing game content, the operation information by the user is information for controlling the movement of the game character, and real-time characteristics are often required. If the operation information is transmitted to the main device 220 via the sub device 420, it is not preferable because transmission delay occurs only by that. Since the main device 220 functions as a master, the receiving unit 300 can directly receive the operation information from the operation input device 120, and the operation information receiving unit 312 receives the operation information and supplies it to the content processing unit 342 with a small transmission delay. it can. The content processing unit 342 executes content data based on the operation information. In particular, it is preferable that the transmission delay is small when executing content such as a game that requires real-time performance.

  FIG. 13 shows a master-slave function switching process. As a premise, the sub device 420 functions as a master in the Bluetooth protocol, and the main device 220 and the operation input device 120 function as slaves.

  The operation input device 120 generates a selection input of content to be used (S70) and transmits it to the sub device 420 (S72). The sub device 420 accepts the content selection input as a content use request (S74) and transmits it to the main device 220 (S76). When receiving the usage request, the main device 220 confirms whether the content requested to be used has been activated (S78). The case where the activation process has not been completed will be described later. If it is confirmed that the activation processing has been completed, the main device 220 transmits a notification to the effect that the use of the content is permitted to the sub device 420 (S80).

  When the sub device 420 receives the usage permission notification, the sub device 420 recognizes that the main device 220 can execute the content, generates a master switching instruction for the main device 220 (S82), and transmits it to the main device 220 ( S84). The sub device 420 disconnects the communication link with the main device 220 and the operation input device 120 (S86). At this time, the sub device 420 transmits a communication link disconnection instruction to the main device 220 and the operation input device 120 (S88, S90), and the main device 220 and the operation input device 120 spontaneously perform a communication link disconnection process. It may be made. As a result, the wireless connection can be disconnected early. Thus, the communication in which the main device 220 and the operation input device 120 function as slaves of the sub device 420 is terminated (S92, S94).

  Subsequently, the main device 220 starts communication control as a master based on the master switching instruction (S96). Since the main device 220 holds the identification information of the sub device 420 and the operation input device 120 in advance, the call procedure is executed without performing the inquiry procedure. Specifically, the main device 220 transmits an ID packet to the sub device 420 and the operation input device 120 (S98, S100), and the sub device 420 and the operation input device 120 return a response to the ID packet (S102, S104). . Receiving these responses, the main device 220 transmits an FHS packet to the sub device 420 and the operation input device 120 (S106, S108). As described above, the sub device 420 and the operation input device 120 establish a wireless connection with the main device 220 and can communicate with each other as slaves of the main device 220 (S110, S112).

  FIG. 14 shows another example of the master-slave function switching process. As a premise, for example, while game content is being executed, the main device 220 functions as a master in the Bluetooth protocol, and the sub device 420 and the operation input device 120 function as slaves.

  For example, the user ends the game play, and the operation input device 120 transmits a communication link disconnection instruction to the main device 220 (S200). This disconnection instruction may be, for example, an instruction to turn off the main device 220. The main device 220 disconnects the communication link with the operation input device 120 (S202). After disconnecting the communication link with the operation input device 120, the main device 220 disconnects the communication link with the sub device 420 (S204). Note that the main device 220 may simultaneously disconnect the communication link between the operation input device 120 and the sub device 420 when receiving the disconnection instruction. Thereby, the communication using the main device 220 as a master is completed.

  The sub device 420 starts communication control as a master when a predetermined time elapses after the communication link with the main device 220 is disconnected (S206). Since the sub device 420 holds the identification information of the main device 220 and the operation input device 120 in advance, the sub device 420 executes the calling procedure without performing the inquiry procedure. Specifically, the sub device 420 transmits an ID packet to the main device 220 and the operation input device 120 (S208, S210), and the main device 220 and the operation input device 120 return a response to the ID packet (S212, S214). . Receiving these responses, the sub device 420 transmits an FHS packet to the main device 220 and the operation input device 120 (S216, S218). As described above, the main device 220 and the operation input device 120 establish a wireless connection with the sub device 420 and can communicate with each other as a slave of the sub device 420 (S220, S222).

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 13, it is assumed that the content data to be used has already been activated when the accumulated content is used. Hereinafter, a case where content data has not yet been activated will be described.

  In the main device 220, when the receiving unit 300 receives a usage request from the sub device 420, the usage request receiving unit 314 receives the usage request and supplies the usage request to the usage request processing unit 360. The confirmation unit 362 confirms whether the content included in the use request has been activated. At this time, when the confirmation unit 362 confirms that the content data has not been activated, the confirmation unit 362 determines whether the content data has been speculatively downloaded.

  In the content distribution system 1 of the present embodiment, charging processing is performed at the time of downloading the content that has been downloaded immediately or suspended. On the other hand, the speculatively downloaded content data is not originally downloaded at the request of the user, so no charging process is performed at the time of downloading. Therefore, the main device 220 performs the procedure for the billing process in the server system 10 if the content data for which the use request has been received has not been activated and the content data has been acquired by speculative download. . If the content data for which the use request has been received has not been activated, and if the content data is obtained by download other than speculative download, the decoding unit 364 decodes the content data.

  When the content data is acquired by speculative download, the authentication information notification unit 370 generates user authentication information including content identification information, and the transmission unit 302 transmits the authentication information to the server system 10. The authentication information is generated based on the user information 384. The server system 10 holds the index information 386 held by the main device 220 in synchronism. Therefore, when receiving the content identification information included in the user authentication information, the content is speculatively downloaded. I can confirm that. The server system 10 performs a billing process for the content and transmits activation information including a decryption key for decoding to the main device 220.

  In the main device 220, when the receiving unit 300 receives the activation information, the activation information receiving unit 316 receives it and supplies it to the use request processing unit 360. The decoding unit 364 decodes the encrypted content data using the decryption key included in the activation information. As a result, the speculatively downloaded content data can be used. When the decoding unit 364 completes the decoding process, the confirmation unit 362 confirms that the content included in the use request has been activated, and the main apparatus 220 is made the master by the processing shown in FIG. A function switching process for making the sub device 420 a slave is executed.

  FIG. 15 shows processing from when a usage request is received until the content is used. In the main apparatus 220, the usage request receiving unit 314 receives a content usage request (S120). The confirmation unit 362 confirms whether the content requested to be used has been activated (S122). If the content has already been activated (Y in S122), the content is available and the content processing unit 342 executes the content (S132).

  On the other hand, when the content requested to be used has not been activated (N in S122), the confirmation unit 362 determines whether the content data has been speculatively downloaded (S124). If the content data has been downloaded immediately or suspended (N in S124), the decoding unit 364 activates the content data (S130), and the content processing unit 342 executes the content (S132).

  If the content data has been speculatively downloaded (Y in S124), the use permission notifying unit 378 notifies the server system 10 of authentication information including content identification information (S126). Based on the authentication information, the server system 10 authenticates whether the user is an appropriate user or whether the content has been speculatively downloaded. If the authentication is successful, the server system 10 transmits the activation information to the main device 220. When the activation information receiving unit 316 receives the activation information (S128), the decoding unit 364 activates the content data using the activation information (S130), and the content processing unit 342 executes the content (S132).

<Content recycling process>
In the information processing system 100, a valid period until activation processing is set for speculatively downloaded content, and when the valid period comes, the content data is registered in the unnecessary content list 396. Further, the user can delete content data that is not used before the expiration date arrives, and the deleted content data is registered in the unnecessary content list 396. In the content distribution system 1 of the present embodiment, a mechanism for recycling content data that has not been used to another user is constructed.

  In the main apparatus 220, the list generation unit 352 refers to the index information 386 and periodically searches for content whose expiration date has come. When the list generation unit 352 detects the content whose expiration date has arrived, the list generation unit 352 refers to the recycle permission flag of the user information 384 and confirms whether the user has permitted the recycle of the content. If the user does not permit the recycling of the content, the content deletion unit 354 deletes the content data 382 from the storage device 380, and the list generation unit 352 deletes the content identification information from the speculative DL list 388. On the other hand, if the user permits the recycling of the content, the list generation unit 352 deletes the content identification information from the speculative DL list 388 and simultaneously registers the content identification information in the unnecessary content list 396.

  Further, the user can operate the operation input device 120 to transmit a request to delete the speculatively downloaded content to the sub device 420. In the sub apparatus 420, when the receiving unit 422 receives the content deletion request, the deletion request receiving unit 438 receives the request, and the transfer unit 460 causes the transmission unit 424 to transmit the deletion request to the main device 220. In the main device 220, when the receiving unit 300 receives the deletion request, the deletion request receiving unit 322 receives the deletion request and supplies it to the content management unit 350. The list generation unit 352 refers to the recycle permission flag of the user information 384 and confirms whether the user has permitted the recycle of the content. If the user does not permit the recycling of the content, the content deletion unit 354 deletes the content data 382 from the storage device 380, and the list generation unit 352 deletes the content identification information from the speculative DL list 388. On the other hand, if the user permits the recycling of the content, the list generation unit 352 deletes the content identification information from the speculative DL list 388 and simultaneously registers the content identification information in the unnecessary content list 396.

  The content registered in the unnecessary content list 396 is transmitted to another user by P2P communication when there is a transfer (download) request from another user. Specifically, when the transfer request receiving unit 318 receives a transfer request for content included in the unnecessary content list 396 from another user, the transfer processing unit 374 transfers content data to the user through P2P communication. As a result, the content data originally intended to be deleted can be effectively recycled, and the load on the distribution server in the server system 10 can be reduced. For example, the server system 10 may give a predetermined point to a user who has recycled the content data 382.

  Note that the transfer processing unit 374 transfers a part of the content data, so that a part of the content data is collected from a plurality of users at the terminal device of the user who has requested the transfer. The data may be collected. The transfer request accepting unit 318 may be restricted to accept only transfer requests from members in a specific group, for example, or may accept transfer requests from all users without any user restriction. Good.

  The list generation unit 352 refers to the index information 386 and periodically searches for content that has reached the recycling period. When the list generation unit 352 detects the content whose recycling deadline has arrived, the list generation unit 352 deletes the content identification information from the unnecessary content list 396, and the content deletion unit 354 deletes the content data 382 from the storage device 380. Thereby, the free capacity of the storage device 380 can be increased.

  In the above, this invention was demonstrated based on the Example. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. . In the embodiment, it has been described that the operation input device 120 always functions as a slave. However, in the information processing system 100, the operation input device 120 may be configured to function as a master.

  In the content distribution system 1 of the present embodiment, when a valid period (accumulation deadline) is set for speculatively downloaded content, and the user does not permit recycling, the content deletion unit 354 receives the valid period when the valid period has arrived. The content data is deleted from the storage device 380. Even before the expiration date, the content deletion unit 354 deletes the content data in order from the closest expiration date when, for example, the free space of the storage device 380 is equal to or less than the predetermined capacity. May be. Thereby, it is possible to secure an appropriate free space in the storage device 380.

  Also, if there is a use request from the user during speculative downloading of content, the transfer processing unit 374 may compensate for the missing data by immediate download or pending download without deleting the content data that has already been speculatively downloaded. Good.

  FIG. 16 shows a modification of the information processing system 100. In this modification, the subsystem 400 has a form of a tablet terminal in which the output device 410 and the sub device 420 in FIG. 2 are integrated. The output device 210 and the main device 220 constitute a main system 200, and the main device 220 has a cradle part. FIG. 16 shows a state in which the subsystem 400 is accommodated in the cradle part of the main device 220. When the subsystem 400 is accommodated in the cradle part, the subsystem 400 is charged by the power supplied from the main device 220. The

  While being accommodated in the cradle part, the subsystem 400 is connected to a connection pin provided in the cradle part, and transmits information to and from the main device 220 via the connection pin, while being removed from the cradle part. In this case, the main apparatus 220 is wirelessly connected to transmit information.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Content delivery system, 10 ... Server system, 12 ... Network, 14 ... Terminal device, 100 ... Information processing system, 120 ... Operation input device, 200 ... Main system 210 ... Output device 220 ... Main device 300 ... Receiving unit 302 ... Transmitting unit 310 ... Receiving unit 312 ... Operation information receiving unit 314 ... Use Request accepting unit, 316 ... Activate information accepting unit, 318 ... Transfer request accepting unit, 320 ... DL request accepting unit, 322 ... Delete request accepting unit, 324 ... Speculative DL content information accepting unit 330 ... acquisition unit 340 ... communication control unit 342 ... content processing unit 350 ... content management unit 352 ... list generation unit 354 ... content deletion Unit, 356... Point calculation unit, 360... Usage request processing unit, 362... Confirmation unit, 364... Decoding unit, 370... Authentication information notification unit, 372. 374 ... Transfer processing unit, 376 ... Display information notification unit, 378 ... Usage permission notification unit, 380 ... Storage device, 382 ... Content data, 384 ... User information, 386 ... Index information, 388 ... Speculative DL list, 390 ... Immediate DL list, 392 ... Pending DL list, 394 ... Point accumulation information, 396 ... Unnecessary content list, 398 ... Not stored Content list, 400 ... subsystem, 410 ... output device, 420 ... sub device, 422 ... receiving unit, 424 ... transmitting unit, 430 ... receiving unit, 432 Usage request reception unit, 434 ... DL request reception unit, 436 ... usage permission reception unit, 438 ... deletion request reception unit, 440 ... display information acquisition unit, 450 ... communication control unit, 460: Transfer unit, 470: Display processing unit, 480: Storage device, 482: Display information.

Claims (12)

An information processing system connected to a server via a network,
A first accepting unit for accepting content information selected by the server;
A download processing unit for downloading content data specified by the content information received by the first receiving unit;
A storage device for storing the downloaded content data ,
The download processing unit starts the download process at a set time,
The information processing system, wherein the download processing unit sets the download order of the content data selected by the user earlier than the content data selected by the server and not selected by the user . A list generation unit that generates a list of content information received by the first reception unit;
The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the download processing unit downloads content data based on the generated list. A second accepting unit for accepting a content data use request from a user;
A usage request processing unit for confirming whether the content data requested to be used is available;
An authentication information notification unit for notifying the server of user authentication information when it is not available;
The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a. As a response to the notified user authentication information, the server further includes a third reception unit that receives activation information for making the content data available,
The information processing system according to claim 3 , wherein the usage request processing unit decodes content data using activation information. The content data has an expiration date,
The information processing system according to claim 4 , further comprising a content deleting unit that deletes the content data from the storage device if the content data is not decoded by the expiration date. The content data has a recycling deadline that comes after the expiration date.
6. The information according to claim 5 , wherein when the user permits the recycling of the content, the content deletion unit does not delete the content data from the storage device even when an expiration date comes. Processing system. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the information processing system notifies the server of information on whether or not to permit downloading of the content data selected by the server. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the download processing unit, the information indicating that the downloading of content data selected by the server, characterized in that included in the download request. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the content data is added with explanatory information that attracts the user's interest in purchase. A method of downloading content,
Receiving the content information selected by the server;
Downloading content data specified by the received content information;
Storing the downloaded content data , and
The download step starts the download process at a set time, and sets the download order of the content data selected by the user first, rather than the content data selected by the server and not selected by the user. To
A download method characterized by that. On the computer,
A function to receive content information selected by the server;
A function of downloading content data specified by the received content information;
A program for realizing the function of storing downloaded content data ,
The download function starts the download process at the set time, and sets the download order of the content data selected by the user before the content data selected by the server and not selected by the user. The program characterized by including the function to perform . The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of Claim 11 .

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