WO2004114141A1

WO2004114141A1 - Content transmission device, content reception device, and content distribution system using the same

Info

Publication number: WO2004114141A1
Application number: PCT/JP2004/008838
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yuko Arai; Ryota Tsukidate; Yasuaki Inatomi
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2003-06-20
Filing date: 2004-06-17
Publication date: 2004-12-29
Also published as: JP2005011218A

Abstract

It is possible to reduce the processing load of a transmission device by passing a content distributed from the transmission device between content reception devices. The transmission device transmits a content list original. The reception device compares its content list to the content list original so as to judge whether any content is present to be downloaded from the transmission device or another reception device and download a necessary content.

Description

Specification

Content sending device, content receiving device, and content distribution system using the same

Technical field

The present invention relates to a content transmitting device that distributes content to a plurality of receiving devices, a content receiving device that receives content, and a content distribution system using the same.

Background of the Invention

Conventionally, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-0-0870708, contents are automatically stored in a plurality of predetermined receiving devices. In such a case, one (at least several, at least several) sending devices directly delivered to each receiving device at the content delivery destination. Then, when a request for content is received from the receiving device, the transmitting device transmits the same content one by one to the requesting receiving device, thereby distributing the content.

However, in such a conventional content distribution system, the transmitting device transmits the same content many times, and as the number of receiving devices increases, the processing capability of the transmitting device and the output bandwidth required become higher. Increased. Disclosure of the invention

The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and the first object of the present invention is to reduce the processing load and the necessity of the sending device by allowing the receiving devices to exchange contents distributed from the sending device. Is to reduce the output band. A second object of the present invention is to provide a receiving apparatus which notifies a receiving apparatus of an original of a list of contents to be stored by the receiving apparatus, and the receiving apparatus automatically receives and stores the contents in advance. In this way, it is possible to provide a service that keeps the content stored when the user wants to use the content. It is.

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, first, a transmitting device constituting a content distribution system includes: transmitting means for transmitting an original content list, content, and a receiving device list; and content managing means for managing the content. Content updating means for updating the content managed by the content managing means, receiving apparatus list managing means for managing the receiving apparatus list, receiving apparatus registration request, content list original transmission request, and setting an update schedule for each receiving apparatus The gist of the present invention is to provide an update schedule setting means and a receiving means for receiving a content transmission request.

In addition, the receiving device configuring the content distribution system includes a content list transmission request, a content transmission request, a content list, a receiving unit that receives the content, a content management unit that stores the received content, and a content management unit that stores the content. Content output means for reproducing and outputting the content being received, content list storage means for storing the received content list, reception device list storage means for storing the received reception device list, and content stored by the content management means The content list creation means for creating the content list and the content list stored by the content list storage means are compared with the content list created by the content list creation means, and the content list is downloaded from the transmitting device or another receiving device (DL). ) Everything Judge whether or not there is content, download means to download necessary content, update schedule management means to manage update schedule, and send content list transmission request, content transmission request, content, reception device registration request Transmission means.

In such a configuration, the original of the list of contents to be stored is received from the sending device or another receiving device, and the substance of the content not held by itself is received from the other receiving device. Immediately notify the receiving device of content updates, and send The processing load of the device and the required output band can be reduced. Also, by receiving a list of receiving devices that may hold content (receiving device list) from another receiving device, it is possible to further reduce the output load of the transmitting device. Also, by randomly checking the order in the receiving device list, it is possible to average accesses to the receiving devices. In addition, it is possible to reduce the network load by adding an attribute that indicates the location in the network to the receiving device list and checking from the closest device in the network. In addition, by making it possible to set an update schedule for each receiving device, it becomes possible to adjust the request frequency to the sending device divided by the network traffic.

Second, the transmitting device in the content distribution system includes: a transmitting unit for transmitting an original content list, a content, a receiving device list; a content managing unit for managing the content; a content updating unit for updating the content managed by the content managing unit; Receiving device list management means including the content download order for determining the download order of the content, receiving device registration request, content list original transmission request, update schedule management means for managing the update schedule, and receiving means for receiving the content transmission request It is provided. The receiving device also includes a content list transmission request, a content transmission request, a content list, a receiving unit for receiving the content, a content management unit for storing the received content, and a content for reproducing and outputting the content stored in the content management unit. Output means, content list storing means for storing the received content list, receiving device list storing means for storing the receiving device list including the content download order for determining the download order of the received content, list of contents stored by the content management means The content list that is created by the content creation unit that creates the content list and the content list that is created by the content list creation unit are compared to determine whether there is any content to be downloaded. Determine the required content The receiving device that requests download is determined in accordance with the content download order described in the receiving device list, the download method for executing the download, the update schedule management means for managing the update schedule, the content list transmission request, the content transmission request, It has a transmitting means for transmitting the content and the receiving device registration request.

In such a configuration, a plurality of receiving devices sequentially download the content like a circulation version, so that it is not necessary to search for the receiving device in which the content exists, and the content can be distributed to the receiving device. It becomes possible. Also, by optimizing the download order, it is possible to further reduce the network load. In addition, by setting the update schedule in accordance with the content download order in consideration of the time required for content download, it is possible to distribute the content to all the receiving devices efficiently with less waste of time.

Third, the transmitting device in the content distribution system includes: a transmitting means for transmitting the original content list, the content, and the receiving device list; a content managing means for managing the content; a content updating means for updating the content managed by the content managing means; It is provided with a receiving device list management unit that divides the devices into a plurality of groups and manages the receiving device list, and a receiving unit that receives a receiving device registration request, a content list original transmission request, and a content transmission request.

In addition, the receiving device includes a content list transmission request, a content transmission request, a content list, a receiving unit for receiving the content, a content management unit for storing the received content, and a content for reproducing and outputting the content stored in the content management unit. Output means, content list storage means for storing the received content list, reception device list storage means for storing the received reception device list, content creation means for creating a list of contents stored by the content management means, content list storage Content storage that means accumulates 838

Five

By comparing the content list with the content list created by the content list creation means, it is determined whether or not there is content to be downloaded from the sending device or another receiving device belonging to the same group as itself, and the necessary content is determined. It is provided with a download unit that downloads from the transmission device or another reception device belonging to the same group as the transmission device, a transmission unit that transmits a content list transmission request, a content transmission request, content, and a reception device registration request.

In such a configuration, a receiver group is defined, and content download is performed only by each receiver group, so that content (region-specific content) that depends on the receiver attributes and user attributes is determined. And contents of the genre selected by the user) can be efficiently distributed to the receiving device. Also, by determining the order of content download within the receiving device group in advance, the content can be downloaded efficiently.

Fourthly, the transmitting device in the content distribution system is a transmitting means for transmitting the original content list, the content, and the receiving device list; a content managing means for managing the content; a content updating means for updating the content managed by the content managing means; Receiving device list management means for managing receiving device list, receiving device registration request, content list original transmission request, receiving means for receiving content transmission request, download history totaling means for totalizing download histories sent from each receiving device It is provided with.

In addition, the receiving device includes a content list transmission request, a content transmission request, a content list, a receiving unit for receiving the content, a content management unit for storing the received content, and a content for reproducing and outputting the content stored by the content management unit. Output means, content list storage means for storing the received content list, reception device list storage means for storing the received reception device list, content creation means for creating a list of contents stored by the content management means, content list storage Content storage that means accumulates Comparing the content list created by the content list with the content list created by the content list creating means to determine whether there is any content to be downloaded from the sending device or another receiving device, and downloading means for downloading the required content, and a content list transmission request. A download history management unit that manages a content transmission request, a download history of the content to another reception device, and a transmission unit that transmits the content, the reception device registration request, and the download history.

In the configuration described above, the content download histories for other receiving devices are collected and tabulated, and the reward for the content download is paid to each receiving device (user). This will lead to an increase in the number of receiving devices that undertake downloads, and the output processing and output bandwidth required for the transmitting device will be further reduced. In addition, by setting the time zone during which the content can be downloaded, the user can undertake the content download only during a convenient time zone.

As described above, according to the present invention, the receiving device exchanges the content delivered from the transmitting device with each other, so that the transmitting device does not need to transmit the content to a large number of receiving devices. Processing load and required output bandwidth can be reduced.

Also, the receiving device that receives the content receives the original of the list of contents to be stored from the sending device or another receiving device, and receives the entity of the content that is not held by itself from another receiving device. Therefore, it is possible to promptly notify the receiving device of the content update in the transmitting device, and to reduce the processing load of the transmitting device and the required output bandwidth with respect to downloading the content itself.

Also, by receiving a list of receiving devices that may hold content (receiving device list) from other receiving devices, it is possible to further reduce the output load of the transmitting device. Also, by randomizing the order of confirmation in the receiving device list, it is possible to average accesses to receiving devices.

Furthermore, by adding an attribute indicating the location in the network to the receiving device list, and confirming from the closest one in the network, it becomes possible to reduce the network load.

Furthermore, by making it possible to set an update schedule for each of the receiving devices, it becomes possible to adjust the frequency of the request for the sending device divided by the network traffic.

The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following embodiments described with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a receiving device list in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a content management table in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the original content list in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a content management table in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a content list in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a procedure for downloading content according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing updating of the receiving device list in the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a receiving device list in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a content distribution system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a content download order list according to the second embodiment. FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a content distribution system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a group receiving device list according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a receiving device list in the third embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration of a content distribution system according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the configuration of the content distribution system according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a configuration of a content distribution system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a service registration screen on the receiving device according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a receiving device list in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a receiving device list according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a content download history according to the fourth embodiment. '

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a download history totaling result in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a service registration screen on the receiving device according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a receiving device list according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a service registration screen according to the first embodiment. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an update schedule management table according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an update schedule according to the first embodiment. 04 008838

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FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an update schedule setting screen according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a stored content selection screen according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an update schedule management table according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing the time of content download of each receiving device in the second embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment)

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a content distribution system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This content distribution system is connected to a transmitting device 101 for transmitting content and a transmitting device 101 via a communication network 100, and receives the content transmitted from the transmitting device 101. It comprises a receiving device A 102 and a receiving device B 126. In this embodiment, two receiving devices are connected, but more receiving devices may be connected. The receiving device A 102 and the receiving device B 126 have basically the same configuration.

In FIG. 1, the sending device 101 is composed of a transmitting means 103 for transmitting the original content list, the content, and the receiving device list, a content managing means 104 for managing the content, and a content managing means 104. Content list original creation means 105 for creating an original (content list original) of a list of contents to be stored by the receiving apparatus from the managed data, and content for updating the content managed by the content management means 104 Updating means 106, receiving apparatus list managing means 121 for managing the receiving apparatus list, receiving apparatus registration request, content list original transmission request, and updating schedule of each receiving apparatus are set. Update schedule setting means 12 9 to be set, and receiving means 107 for receiving a content transmission request.

The receiving device A 102 (or the receiving device B 126) includes a content list transmission request, a content transmission request, a content list, receiving means 108 for receiving the content, and a content management means 1 for storing the received content. 10, content output means 1 2 2 for playing and outputting the content stored in the content management means 110, content list storage means 110 for storing the received content list, and the receiving device Receiving device list storing means 1 15 for storing the list, content creating means 1 12 for creating a list of contents to be stored by the content managing means 110, and contents to be stored by the content list storing means 111 The list is compared with the content list created by the content list creation means 1 1 2 and the content list is downloaded from the sending device or another receiving device. Download means to determine whether there is any content to be downloaded and download the necessary content 1 14 and update schedule management means to manage the update schedule 1 27, content list transmission request, content transmission request, content And transmitting means 113 for transmitting the receiving device registration request.

A description will be given of a service flow for automatically storing contents in the receiving device in the above configuration. The service here means that large-capacity content such as a movie is encrypted in advance and stored in a receiving device, a billing process is performed when a user wants to listen to a preview, and only a decryption key is obtained from a transmitting device. This is a service such as charging at the time of playback. With a mechanism that downloads content after the user requests a preview, if the content has a large capacity, the waiting time for the user before the trial can be actually performed becomes longer, but the content is stored in the receiving device in advance. By doing so, it is possible to play the content immediately when the user wants to listen to the trial. The content stored in each receiving device depends on the attributes of the receiving device and the user attributes described later. The content is basically the same except for the content, and the content management means of the sending device 101 manages them.

First, the receiving device to receive the service (here, receiving device A) 102 transmits a receiving device registration request from the transmitting means 113 to the transmitting device 101. Information on the provided services (content details, fees, etc.) and how to access the corresponding sending devices can be obtained from websites, direct mails, leaflet advertisements, etc. The present invention does not matter in what form it is provided. If the user decides to join the service, enter the user name and the access method to the receiving device on the service registration screen of the joining home page as shown in Fig. 25 by the service provider, and click the registration button. As a result, the receiver registration request transmitted to the transmitter 101 includes at least a method of accessing the receiver (for example, an IP address and a port number to be used). Here, it is assumed that the receiving device registration request includes the user name and the access method. The user name must be unique within the service (for example, if the user name notified from the receiving device is the same as a registered user name, a different user name will be prompted).

The sending device 101 that has received the receiving device registration request registers the receiving device A in the receiving device list managed by the receiving device list management means 121. The receiving device list when the receiving device registration request is also transmitted from the receiving device B is as shown in FIG. For the receiving device registered in the service, the update schedule setting means 122 of the sending device 101 sets an updating schedule for each receiving device to confirm the update of the content. For example, the update schedules of the receiving device A 102 and the receiving device B 126 registered in the service are managed by an update schedule management table as shown in FIG. 26. It is transmitted from the transmission means 103 as a response. As a result, the update schedule as shown in FIG. 27 is stored in the update schedule management means 127 of the receiving device A 102. Similarly, update schedule management means 1 28 of receiving device B 126 Also, the update schedule of the receiving device B is accumulated.

In the sending device 101, the content to be downloaded by the receiving device by the content management means 104 is composed of, for example, the content name, version, expiration date in the receiving device, and storage location in the sending device as shown in FIG. It is managed using a content management table. The content list original creation means 105 creates an original content list composed of, for example, a content name, a purge section, and an expiration date in the receiving apparatus as shown in FIG. 4 from the content management table. The content managed by the content management means 104 is updated by the content updating means 105 when the content to be stored in the receiving device is updated. For example, when the content “News0630” is updated to version 2.1, the content management unit 104 is notified that the content of the content is changed to 2.1 with the substance of the content. As a result of the content management means 104 updating the content, the content management table becomes as shown in FIG. The expiration date at the receiving device has also been updated.

First, the flow immediately after service registration will be described (Fig. 7). As described above, the content update schedule is set in the receiving device at the time of service registration. The content update schedule is a schedule for the receiving device to confirm the update of the content, and downloads the content when there is an update. Hereinafter, this flow will be described in detail.

When the receiving device (here, receiving device A) 102 reaches the time specified by the update schedule management schedule (for example, 3 o'clock), the transmitting device first sends a request for the original content list and a request for the receiving device list. Send to 101 On the other hand, the sending device 101 is composed of the original content list shown in FIG. 4 created by the original content list creating means 105 and the receiving device shown in FIG. The list is transmitted, and the receiving device 102 stores them in the content list storing means 111 and the receiving device list storing means 115 (S701). First, the content management means 110 of the receiving device 102 08838

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Has not been downloaded. The download means 1 1 4 determines the content to be downloaded by comparing the original content list stored by the content list storage means 1 11 with the content list created by the content list creation means 1 1 2. No content is listed (no content has been downloaded), so it is determined that all content listed in the original content list should be downloaded (S702) o

The procedure for downloading content will be described. The receiving device A 102 first receives the content list from the receiving device (for example, the receiving device B) 1 26 other than its own listed in the receiving device list stored in the receiving device list storage means 115. Submit the request. Receiving the content list request, the receiving device 1 26 receives the content list (eg, the content list shown in FIG. 6) created by the content list creating device 1 23 and stored in its own content management device 1 18. The data is transmitted to the receiving device A 102 via the transmitting means 124. If the desired content is included in the content list sent from the receiving device 126 (S703), the receiving device A102 transmits from the transmitting device 113 to the receiving device B122. A content transmission request is transmitted to 6, and the receiving device B 126 transmits the content managed by the content management means 118 to the receiving device A 102. The receiving device A 102 performs the same processing for all necessary contents, and downloads the content existing in another receiving device from the other receiving device.

(S704). If there is any content that does not exist in the receiving device B 1 26 and other receiving devices (this is the case when downloading to the receiving device for the first time after updating the content is in this state), the sending device Download from 101 (S705).

After that, each receiving device receives the original content list and the receiving device terminal list from the sending device 101 at the timing described in the update schedule, and there is content in the original content list that is not in the content stored and managed by itself. 4 008838

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Then, the process of downloading the content from another receiving device in the receiving device list is repeated. In addition, regarding the acquisition of the original content list by the receiving device, first acquire the original content list purging, compare it with the processed content list original purging, and acquire the original content list if it has been updated. You may do it. Also, the update schedule may be set not at an explicit time but at intervals only, such as every five hours. Further, the update schedule setting screen as shown in FIG. 28 may be used so that the user can set the update schedule. This allows the user to set the time to download the content so as to avoid the time when the receiving apparatus is used for other services (for example, when viewing a homepage or receiving a streaming service).

As a result, the content managed by the content management unit of each receiving device is the same as the content managed by the content management unit 104 of the sending device 101, and the content management unit 110 The content to be managed is the same as the original content list in Fig. 4. Each receiving device checks and downloads the content according to the update schedule, so that the content update in the content management means 104 of the sending device 101 is gradually reflected in each receiving device. Will be. When a content is deleted, it is deleted from the original content list, but exists in its own content list. In such cases, delete the content. If the content has an expiration date, the content whose expiration date has expired may be deleted.

In the above example, only the content list is received from another receiving device. However, the receiving device list may be received from another receiving device. The reception timing may be, for example, when a content list is received. The receiving device list management means 122 of the sending device 101 assigns a purge line to the receiving device list as shown in FIG. 8 every time a receiving device is registered or deleted. Receiver The receiver checks the version of the receiver list each time there is transmission / reception with the transmitter or other receiver (or at a predetermined timing), and the receiver holding the old purge line Gets a new version of the receiver list and updates its own receiver list. The purge date may be the update date and time. In this case, the receiving devices confirm the update date and time of each other's receiving device list, acquire a receiving device list with a newer date, and update its own receiving device list.

In addition, each receiving device may check the receiving device list at random. Thereby, access to the receiving device is averaged. To further reduce the network load, an attribute indicating the location in the network is added to the list of receiving devices as shown in Fig. 9, and when checking, check from the closest receiving device on the network. Referring to the receiver list as shown in Fig. 9, if the receiver that confirms the content exists in the local IP network in Shizuoka, instead of GA KU at the head of the list, Confirm from RYU and RI KU existing in the regional IP network. Since they are in the same regional IP network, they exchange without going through the Internet, which can reduce the network load. If there are a plurality of attributes having the same network position, they may be checked at random. Further, each receiving device may store the distance on the network (such as the response time of the ping command) from each of the other receiving devices, and may access the receiving devices in order from the shorter distance.

Also, at the timing when the original content list is received from the transmitting device 101, an expiration date is given to the original content list, and after the expiration date, a content list original transmission request is transmitted to the transmitting device 101. Alternatively, the original content list may be received. In that case, it will expire and will be received on the first renewal schedule. Also, the original content list may be received from another receiving device.

In this way, the list of contents stored in the receiver as shown in Fig. 29 is displayed. G (storage content selection screen) The user selects the content to be auditioned from the input, and the selected content is output by the content output means 122. At that time, if necessary, a key for decrypting the content is obtained, decrypted, and output. Since the content is stored in advance, even if the content is large, it is possible to greatly reduce the waiting time from the time of content selection to the start of trial listening.

The update schedule of each receiving device can be increased (lowered) or avoided during a certain time zone depending on the sending device 101 and network traffic between the receiving devices. For example, on a weekday night, the network is generally busy, so set an update schedule to avoid that time zone, and there are too many requests for the original content list to the sending device 101, so it cannot be processed In such a case, the frequency can be reduced. When the receiving device (for example, receiving device A 102) that changes the update schedule accesses the sending device 101, the updated updating schedule is transmitted. The receiving device A 102 that has received the update schedule updates the update schedule managed by the update schedule management means 127. Also, as shown in FIG. 30, the update schedule may include the retry interval / the number of retries. The retry interval is the retry interval when a request fails. When the number of retries has been retried, the process is interrupted, and the update is confirmed in the next update schedule. In the present embodiment, since it is possible to receive all of the original content list, the content, and the receiving device list from other receiving devices, some receiving devices may not access the transmitting device. In order to ensure the transmission of the update schedule to such a receiving device, the date and time at which the receiving device accesses the sending device 101 periodically may be set in the receiving device. Alternatively, an expiration date may be set in the update schedule itself, and when the expiration date has expired, a new update schedule may be requested from the transmitting device 101.

As described above, the list of contents to be stored is transmitted to the transmitting device or other receiving device. By receiving from the receiving device, the entity of the content not held by the receiving device from another receiving device, the content update in the sending device is immediately transmitted to the receiving device, and the processing load of the sending device is required for downloading the content itself. The required output band can be reduced. Also, by receiving a list of receiving devices that may hold content (receiving device list) from another receiving device, it is possible to further reduce the output load of the transmitting device. Also, by randomizing the order of confirmation in the receiving device list, it is possible to average accesses to receiving devices. In addition, it is possible to reduce the network load by adding an attribute indicating the network location to the list of receiving devices and confirming that the location on the network is closest. Also, by making it possible to set an update schedule for each of the receiving devices, it becomes possible to adjust the request frequency to the sending device divided by the network traffic.

(Second embodiment)

In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which a plurality of receiving devices download content in order like a circulation version. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a content distribution system including a transmitting device and a plurality of receiving devices according to the present embodiment. This content distribution system includes a sending device 1001 and receiving devices A to F (1002 to 1008). Arrows indicate the flow of content. The configurations in the sending device and receiving device are the same as those shown in FIG.

The receiving device A 1002 is a representative of the receiving device group, and only the receiving device A 1002 accesses the transmitting device 1001, obtains the original content list, confirms the update of the content, Necessary contents are downloaded from the sending device 101. The receiving device B 1003 acquires the original content list from the receiving device A 1002, confirms the update of the content, and downloads the necessary content from the receiving device A 1002. Content list original 8

1 8

The detailed flow of book acquisition, confirmation, and content download is the same as in the first embodiment (however, the source of the original content list is read from the sending device to the receiving device A1002). The contents are sequentially downloaded, and the contents are distributed to the receiving device G0108. Receiving device A checks whether or not the content has reached the receiving device G108, and if OK, notifies the sending device 1001. In the case of OK, it indicates that the content has been distributed to all the receiving devices. The content download order list indicating the order of content download in the receiving device group is as shown in FIG. 11, and is created by the receiving device list management means 122 of the sending device 1001. Also, each time a receiving device is registered or deleted, the receiving device is updated, and the receiving device list is transmitted to the receiving devices present in the receiving device list. Update the list.

In the normal flow, the content is correctly distributed to all receivers in the receiver list, but the content cannot be downloaded to the next receiver due to some failure (for example, the receiver was turned off). There may be cases. In such a case, the content of the next receiving device can be determined by referring to the receiving device list, and the content is downloaded to the receiving device. For example, when content is downloaded from the sending device 1001 to the receiving device A1002, the receiving device B1003, and the receiving device C104, it can be downloaded to the receiving device D1005. If unsuccessful, the receiving device C 1004 downloads the content to the receiving device E 106. At this time, it informs that the download to the receiving device D1005 has failed. After that, the content is downloaded from the receiving device E1006 to the receiving device F1007 and the receiving device G0108 (at this time, the download to the receiving device D1005 also failed). At the same time), that the receiving device A 1002 has downloaded the content to the receiving device G 1008 and that the receiving device D 1005 has failed in the down mode. And sends it to the sending device 1001. In the implementation, as described in the first embodiment, the receiving device at the download destination accesses the receiving device at the download source periodically or according to an update schedule, transmits a download request only when necessary, Downloading of content is performed as an application (the same implementation will be used in the following description). If a failure prevents access to the receiver in front of the receiver, the receiver will access the receiver in front of the receiver and receive the downloaded content. If the previous receiving device is the first in the list, it will access the sending device and receive the content download. For the receiving device D 1005 that failed to download the content, it then directly checks whether the sending device 1001 can be downloaded, and downloads the content when the download becomes possible.

When determining the download order in the content download order list as shown in Fig. 11, each receiving device first reports the network distance (for example, the response time of the ping command) to the receiving device other than itself. Based on the traveling salesman problem, it can also be determined based on the algorithm.

The update schedule set for each receiving device can be made more efficient by setting the time according to the download order. For example, if the content download order is as shown in Fig. 11 and the download of the content is expected to finish within approximately 30 minutes, the receiving device A will receive 10:00:00 and the receiving device B will receive 10: 30 and the receiving device C are 1 1: 0 0, and the updating schedule of the receiving devices A to G may be set so as to be an interval of 30 minutes. As a result, as shown in Fig. 31, the content is sequentially downloaded to the receiving device A from the start of the process at the receiving device A. The update schedule interval takes into account the time required for content download and the like, so that there is little waste of time and content can be efficiently distributed to all receiving devices. 2004/008838

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As described above, since multiple receiving devices download content in order, such as a circulation version, it is not necessary to search for a receiving device that has content, and it is possible to distribute the content to the receiving device. Become. By optimizing the download order, it is possible to further reduce the network load. In addition, by setting the update schedule in accordance with the content download order in consideration of the time required for content download, it is possible to reduce the waste of time and efficiently distribute the content to all receivers. .

(Third embodiment)

In the present embodiment, an example in which receiving apparatuses are grouped by a plurality of receiving apparatuses and distributed will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a transmitting device and a receiving device according to the present embodiment. The transmitting apparatus 1201 and the receiving apparatuses A to I (1202 to 1210) are configured, and the configurations of the transmitting apparatus and the receiving apparatus are the same as those in the first embodiment. Also, the receiving devices A to E (1202 to 1205) are defined as receiving device group 1, and the receiving devices F to I (1207 to 1210) are defined as receiving device group 2. The network 1211 between the sending device 1201 and the receiving device group 1 and the network 1212 between the sending device 1201 and the receiving device group 2 may be physically connected. Arrows indicate the flow of content. Basically, the content is downloaded once from the sending device to any of the receiving devices, and thereafter the content is downloaded between the receiving devices.

The receiving device list management means 121 also performs receiving group management using a group receiving device list as shown in FIG. The group receiving device list manages which receiving group each receiving device belongs to. FIG. 13 shows the state of FIG. 12, in which the receiving devices A to E belong to the receiving device group 1 and the receiving devices F to I belong to the receiving device group 2. When a transmission request for the reception device list is received from a reception device belonging to the reception device group 1, the reception device list management unit 12 1 creates and transmits a receiver list including only receivers belonging to the receiver group. For example, when receiving a request for a receiving device list from receiving device A 1221, which belongs to receiving device group 1, a receiving device list as shown in FIG. 14 is created and transmitted. The mechanism for exchanging the receiving device list, the original content list, and the content in the receiving device group is the same as in the first embodiment.

In the above description, the receiving device has been described as belonging to only one receiving device group. However, the receiving device can also belong to a plurality of receiving device groups in an overlapping manner. In this case, when the receiver requests the receiver list, it is necessary to notify which receiver group the request is for. The transmitting device notifies the receiving device to which receiving device group the receiving device belongs when the receiving device is registered.

If the receiving device group to which the receiving device belongs is determined by the receiving device attribute and the user attribute, the content can be distributed more efficiently. For example, if the content is classified according to the place of residence of the user or the genre of the content selected by the user, the content belonging to the content genre specific to each region can be efficiently distributed.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 15, a mode in which the receiving device groups are hierarchized is also possible. The receiving device and transmitting device (1503 to 1505) belonging to the receiving device group 4 has the function of combining the receiving device and the transmitting device in the first embodiment, and stores the updated original content list. Recognize the update of the content and retain the content by receiving from the direct sending device 1501 or the updated content list from another receiving device and sending device (1503 to 1505) Download from the sending device 1501 or the receiving device and sending device (1503 to 1505). The receiving / transmitting device (1503 to 1505) that has downloaded the content updates its own content, updates the original content list, and sends it to the receiving device of the receiving device group to which it is assigned (for example, , Receiving 4 008838

twenty two

The transmitting / receiving device 1503 transmits the original content list and the content to the receiving device of the receiving device group 1) (detailed processing is the same as that described in the first embodiment). In the example of FIG. 15, the hierarchy is a two-stage hierarchy, but a higher hierarchy may be used.

Also, as described in the second embodiment, by creating a content download order list indicating the order of content download within the receiving device group, the content is sequentially ordered within each receiving device group. Can also be downloaded. The configuration of the sending device and receiving device in that case is as shown in Fig. 16. Receiving device group 1 is composed of receiving devices A to F (16 02 to 16 08), and receiving device group 2 is receiving device C 16 04, receiving device D 16 05, receiving device H to 16 It is composed of L (1609 to 1613). In each of the receiving device groups, only the receiving device A 162 and the receiving device HI 609 make a request for the original content list to the transmitting device 161 and confirm the update of the content and download the content. . Thereafter, the flow of sequentially downloading the contents is the same as the description in the second embodiment. In FIG. 16, the receiving device C 164 and the receiving device D 165 belong to two receiving device groups, the receiving device group 1 and the receiving device group 2, but three or more receiving devices are provided. You may belong to a group.

As described above, by defining a receiver group and performing download of content only in each receiver group, content (such as region-specific content and content-dependent content) that depends on the attributes of the receiver and user is determined. Content of the genre selected by the user) can be efficiently distributed to the receiving device. In addition, by determining the order of the content download within the receiving device group in advance, the content download can be performed efficiently.

(Fourth embodiment) T / JP2004 / 008838

twenty three

In the present embodiment, it is set whether each receiving apparatus performs reception of contents or both reception and transmission, and a service provider charges a transmission fee according to the setting or the result of contents transmission. An example of payment will be described. Figure 17 shows the configuration of the sending device and receiving device. The difference from Fig. 1 is that a download history summarizing means 1 7 2 7 that adds the download history sent from each receiving device to the sending device 1701 is added. Receiving device A that only receives contents. The arrow from 1 7 0 2 to the content list creation means 1 7 1 2 to the transmission means 1 7 1 3 has been deleted, and the receiving device B 1 2 5 that performs both reception and transmission of the content has the download history. The point is that management means 1725 has been added.

In the present embodiment, when a request for registration of a service is made from a receiving device, a request for registration of the receiving device to the sending device 1701 indicates whether the reception of the content is to be performed or both the reception and the transmission are to be performed. To send. The screen on the receiving device when registering the service is as shown in Fig. 18. Select "Receive content only" or "Receive & send content" along with the user name, IP address, port number, etc. It has become. "Receive content only" Force You must always select either "Receive & send content" (or if you do not select, the sending device 1701 will default to either one) It may be set). Receiving devices that select "Receive & send content" must always be able to accept download requests or content list requests from other receiving devices, or at a fixed time. In the example of Fig. 18, "Receive content only" is selected. As shown in FIG. 19, the receiving device list management means 1721 of the sending device 1701, also manages which setting is set for each receiving device in the item of "reception and transmission setting". When the receiving device requests transmission of the receiving device list, '· The receiving device list as shown in Fig. 20 consisting of only receiving devices whose “Receiving and sending setting” is set to “Receive & transmit” Create and send. In the example of FIG. 20, the receiving device A is set to receive only, and is out of the receiving device list. Therefore, since the content list is not requested from another receiving device, there is no arrow from the content list list creation unit 1712 to the transmission unit 1713, and the content list is not transmitted. Receiving device B is in the receiving device list because it is set to receive & transmit. Therefore, the content list is transmitted in response to the content list request from another receiving device, and the content is transmitted when the download of the content is requested. At this time, the download history management means 1725 records the content download history. The download history is, for example, as shown in Fig. 21. The download date and time, the content name, the version, the IP address of the content transmission destination, etc. are recorded. Send to

The transmitting device 1 7 0 1 receiving the download history via the receiving means 1 7 0 7 The download history totaling means 1 7 2 7 transmits the content to another receiving device as a substitute for the content download. Calculate the amount to be paid to the user of the device. The calculation method can be based on only the number of downloads, the time required for the download, or a combination of the two. In addition, each unit price may be different depending on the content. The calculated result is the download history total result as shown in Fig.22. The payment amount for each receiving device (user) is calculated. Here, the payment amount is calculated from the result of the download history, but the same amount is paid to the receiving device (user) that has set “Receive & Send” as “Receive / Send Setting”. May be.

Also, when selecting “Receive & Send” as “Receive / Send Setting”, it is possible to accept a content download request or a content list request from another receiving device and determine the transmittable time period for transmitting the content or the content list. May be used. For example, the user decides on the service registration screen as shown in FIG. 23 and registers it in the sending device 1701. In Fig. 23, the available transmission time starts at 8:00 8

twenty five

1 2 o'clock is set. As a result of such setting, the receiving device list transmitted from the transmitting device 1701 includes the transmittable time zone as shown in FIG. When transmitting a content list request or a content download request to another receiving device, each receiving device determines whether the current time is included in the transmittable time zone of the receiving device list and includes the current time. Sends a request to the receiving device. If there is no receiving device including the current time in the transmittable time zone, a request is made to the sending device 1701.

Note that the collection of the download history may be performed in the first embodiment to the third embodiment. In other words, even in the situation where all the receiving devices that have registered the service receive and transmit, the download histories may be collected and totaled, and the reward for the content download may be paid to each receiving device (user).

As described above, by collecting and counting the content download histories of other receiving devices, and paying each receiving device (user) in return for the content download, the content downloading that was conventionally performed by the sending device is undertaken. This will lead to an increase in the number of receiving devices, which will further reduce the output processing and output bandwidth required for the transmitting device. In addition, by setting the time zone during which content can be downloaded, users will be able to undertake content downloads only during convenient time zones.

As described above, in the present invention, the receiving device exchanges the content distributed from the transmitting device with each other, so that the transmitting device does not need to transmit the content to many receiving devices, and the processing in the content transmitting operation is performed. The load and the required output bandwidth can be reduced.

Although the present invention has been described based on the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can easily make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. . The present invention includes such modifications.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. A content distribution system configured to include a transmission device that transmits content and a plurality of reception devices, and that distributes the content from the transmission device to the reception device,

The sending device includes: a content list original creating unit that creates an original of a list of contents to be stored by the receiving device; a content management unit that stores the content; and a transmitting unit that transmits the original content list and the content. The receiving device includes: a receiving unit that receives the original content list and the content; a content list storing unit that stores the original content list; a content list creating unit that creates its own content list; and a content managing unit that stores the content. A means for comparing the content list created by the content list creation means with the original content list to determine whether there is content to be downloaded, and a download means for downloading the required content. Storing the acquired Conte N'managing means from the device out

A content distribution system, characterized in that:

2. The content list original creation means of the sending apparatus assigns and manages the content list original by purging, and the transmission means transmits the versioned content list original,

The download means of the receiving device compares the processed version of the original content list with the version of the original content list received from the transmitting device, and if the received version of the original content list is newer, the content list The content distribution system according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not to receive the original.

3. The transmitting device further includes a receiving device list management means for managing the list of receiving devices, and the transmitting means of the transmitting device transmits the receiving device list to the receiving device. The receiving device further includes a receiving device list storage unit for storing a receiving device list, and the download unit transmits a content to be downloaded or a receiving device that holds the content among the receiving devices described in the receiving device list. Download from device

3. The content distribution system according to claim 2, wherein:

4. The receiving device according to claim 3, wherein the download unit of the receiving device downloads the content from the transmitting device when the content to be downloaded does not exist in all the receiving devices listed in the receiving device list. Content distribution system.

5. The receiving device further includes update schedule management means for managing an update schedule,

4. The content distribution system according to claim 3, wherein the receiving device executes content update confirmation according to an update schedule.

6. The transmitting device further includes an update schedule setting means for setting an update schedule, which is a schedule for each receiving device to confirm the update of the content and download the content,

The transmitting means of the transmitting device transmits the update schedule to the receiving device,

The content distribution system according to claim 5, wherein the receiving device rewrites the update schedule managed by the update schedule management means with the update schedule received by the reception means.

7. A content distribution system that distributes content to a plurality of receiving devices,

The transmitting device includes: a content list original creating unit that creates an original of a list of contents to be stored by the receiving device; a content management unit that stores the content; an update schedule setting unit that manages an update schedule of each receiving device; A transmission means for transmitting the original content list, the content and the update schedule, A content distribution system, wherein a schedule for confirming content update is set for each receiving device, and the content is transmitted when a content download request is received.

8. A content distribution system that distributes content to multiple receiving devices,

The receiving device includes: a receiving unit that receives the original content list and the content; a receiving device list storing unit that stores the receiving device list; a content list storing unit that stores the original content list; and a content that creates its own content list. The list creation means, the content management means for storing the contents, the update schedule management means for managing the update schedule, and the content list created by the content list creation means should be compared with the original content list and downloaded. A download unit that determines the content; and a transmission unit that transmits the content to another receiving device. The device checks a content update according to an update schedule managed by the update schedule management unit, and sends a necessary content. Also Con Ten' delivery system characterized by storing acquired from another receiving device described in the received device list.

9. The receiving device according to claim 8, wherein the download means of the receiving device downloads the content from the transmitting device when the content to be downloaded does not exist in all the receiving devices listed in the receiving device list. Content distribution system.

10. The receiving device list management means of the transmitting device manages the receiving device list by assigning a version thereto,

The transmitting means of the transmitting device transmits a versioned receiving device list,

When a receiving device receives a newer version of the receiving device list from the sending device or another receiving device than the purging device in its own receiving device list, 4. The content distribution system according to claim 3, wherein the content updating system updates its own receiving device list with the received receiving device list.

11. The receiving device list management means in the transmitting device assigns an attribute indicating the position on the network as an attribute of the receiving device,

4. The content distribution system according to claim 3, wherein the download means in the receiving device searches the receiving device in an order depending on a position on the network when searching for a download request destination of the content to be downloaded.

1 2. The receiving device list management means of the transmitting device manages a content download order list defining the order of downloading the content, and the transmitting device of the transmitting device transmits the content download order list to each receiving device. 8. The content distribution system according to claim 7, wherein:

1 3. The receiving device list storage means of the receiving device stores the content download order list,

9. The content distribution system according to claim 8, wherein the transmission means of the receiving device downloads the content to a receiving device defined as the next device in the content download order list.

14. If the content download to the download destination receiving device has failed, the transmitting means of the receiving device refers to the content download order list stored by the receiving device list storing means, and the next to the download destination receiving device. 14. The content distribution system according to claim 13, wherein the content is downloaded to a download destination receiving device.

1 5. The receiving device list storage means of the receiving device stores the content download order list,

9. The content distribution system according to claim 8, wherein the transmission means of the receiving device transmits a content download request to a receiving device defined before the content download order list in the content download order list.

16. If the content download request to the download request destination receiving device fails, the transmitting means of the receiving device refers to the content download order list stored by the receiving device list storing means, and the download request destination receiving device 16. The content distribution system according to claim 15, wherein a content download is requested to a download request destination earlier than the request.

17. The receiving device list management means of the transmitting device manages the receiving device by dividing the receiving device into a plurality of groups, notifies the receiving device of the group to which the receiving device belongs,

4. The download device of the receiving device searches the receiving device list stored by the receiving device list storing device for a download request destination of the content to be downloaded only in a group to which the receiving device belongs. Content distribution system as described.

18. The receiving device list management means of the transmitting device manages a content download order list that defines receiving devices for which content download is requested for each receiving device in the group.

The transmitting means transmits the content download order list to the receiving device, and the download means of the receiving device requests the content download to a download request destination in a group determined by the content download order list. 7. Content distribution system described in 7.

1 9. Whether the sending device has completed downloading to all receiving devices or all receiving devices in the group by checking the content download status to the last receiving device in the content download order list 19. The content distribution system according to claim 18, wherein the content distribution system recognizes content.

20. The content distribution system according to claim 18, wherein division into groups is performed based on attributes of a receiving device or attributes of a user.

21. The content distribution system according to claim 17, wherein several receiving devices are selected from each group, and the selected receiving devices form a group.

22. The content distribution system according to claim 3, wherein the reception device can select whether to only receive the content or also receive and transmit the content at the time of service registration.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising: a download history management unit that manages a history of content download to another receiving device when receiving and transmission of content are selected by the receiving device. Content distribution system.

2 4. Download history that collects the download history managed by the download history management means in the receiving device selected to receive and transmit the content, and calculates the amount to be paid to each receiving device based on the total result. The content distribution system according to claim 23, further comprising a collection unit.

25. A transmitting unit for transmitting content to the receiving device, a content list original creating unit for creating an original of a list of contents to be stored by the receiving device, and a content managing unit for storing the content, wherein the transmitting is performed. Means for transmitting the original content list to the receiving device in addition to the content.

26. The original content list creation means assigns a version to the original content list and manages the original, and the transmitting means transmits the version-added original content list to the receiving device. 25 The content sending device described in 5.

27. The content transmitting apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising a receiving apparatus list management unit that manages a list of receiving apparatuses, wherein the receiving apparatus list is transmitted to the receiving apparatus.

28. Each receiving apparatus further includes an update schedule setting means for confirming the update of the content and setting an update schedule that is a schedule for downloading the content, and transmitting the update schedule to the receiving apparatus. 28. The content transmission device according to claim 27, wherein:

29. The receiving device list management means manages a content download order list defining the order of downloading content, and the transmitting means transmits the content download order list to each receiving device. Content sending device according to the above description.

30. Receiving means for receiving the original content list and the content transmitted from the transmitting device,

Content list storage means for storing the original content list,

Content list creation means for creating a content list that the user wants to receive;

Content management means for storing content,

By comparing the content list created by the content list creation means with the original content list, it is determined whether there is any content to be downloaded, and a download means for downloading necessary content is provided. A content receiving device obtained from a sending device and stored in content management means.

3 1. When the download means receives the original content list to which the purge is added from the sending device, the download unit compares the version of the processed original content list with the purge of the content list original newly received from the sending device. 30. The content receiving apparatus according to claim 30, wherein if the version of the newly received original content list is newer, it is determined whether to receive the original content list.

32. The system further comprises a receiving device list storing means for storing the receiving device list, and when the receiving device list is received from the transmitting device, the download means outputs the content to be downloaded to the transmitting device or the receiving device list. 30. The content receiving device according to claim 30, wherein the content receiving device downloads the content from the receiving device that holds the content.

33. The content receiving apparatus according to claim 32, further comprising an update schedule management means for managing an update schedule, and performing a content update check according to the update schedule.

34. The update schedule management means, when the update schedule is received from the transmission device by the reception means, rewrites the update schedule managed by the update schedule management means with the received update schedule. The content receiving device according to the above.

35. The apparatus further comprises transmitting means for transmitting the content to another receiving apparatus, wherein the receiving apparatus list storing means stores the content download order list, and the transmitting means is defined as the next in the content download order list. 33. The content receiving device according to claim 32, wherein the content is downloaded to the selected receiving device.