Server/client system, information processing unit, information processing method, and computer program

• US 20060004770A1
• Filed: 06/15/2005
• Published: 01/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Nakano, Takehiko, Shima, Hisato, Takabayashi, Kazuhiko, Minoya, Yasushi
• Granted Patent: US 8,219,643 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1095 Replication or mirroring of data, e.g. scheduling or transport for data synchronisation between network nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]

Abstract

A method of information processing in a server/client system including a server for storing content and a client for receiving from the server and storing copy content of the content stored in the server. The method includes the steps of: the server generating at least either a content-ID list storing content-IDs corresponding to content for which use-expiration-date updating is permitted out of the copy content stored in the client or a content-ID list storing content-IDs corresponding to content for which use-expiration-date updating is not permitted, transmitting the content-ID list to the client; and the client selectively performing update processing of use-expiration date out of the copy content stored in that client or invalidation processing of the copy content stored in that client based on the content-ID list received from the server.

Claims

1. A server/client system comprising:

a server for storing content; and

a client for receiving and storing copy content of the content stored in the server,

wherein the client includes a storage part for storing a content-ID and use-expiration date information corresponding to the copy content received from the server in relation to each other,

the server generates at least either a content-ID list storing content-IDs corresponding to content for which use-expiration-date updating is permitted out of the copy content stored in the client or a content-ID list storing content-IDs corresponding to content for which use-expiration-date updating is not permitted, for transmission to the client, and

the client selectively performs update processing of a use-expiration date of the copy content stored in that client or invalidation processing of the copy content stored in that client based on the content-ID list received from the server.

2. The server/client system according to claim 1,

wherein when the content-ID list received from the server is a content-ID list storing content-IDs corresponding to content for which use-expiration-date updating is permitted,

the client performs update processing of the use-expiration date of the copy content corresponding to a content-ID included in the content-ID list out of the copy content stored in that client, and

the client performs invalidation processing of the copy content corresponding to a content-ID not included in the content-ID list out of the copy content stored in that client.

3. The server/client system according to claim 1,

wherein when the content-ID list received from the server is a content-ID list storing content-IDs corresponding to content for which use-expiration-date updating is not permitted,

the client performs invalidation processing of the copy content corresponding to a content-ID included in the content-ID list out of the copy content stored in that client, and

the client performs update processing of the use-expiration date of the copy content corresponding to a content-ID not included in the content-ID list out of the copy content stored in that client.

4. The server/client system according to claim 1,

wherein the server performs confirmation processing of the existence of the client in a private-use range, and executes transmission of the content-ID list to the client on the condition of having received the confirmation.

5. The server/client system according to claim 4,

wherein the confirmation processing executed by the server of the existence of the client in a private-use range is performed as round-trip-time (RTT) check processing.

6. The server/client system according to claim 1,

wherein the server performs notification processing of a content-invalidation request with a content-ID of content to be subjected to move processing to the client when performing move processing of the stored content, and

the client performs invalidation processing of the copy content corresponding to the content-ID included in the content-invalidation request.

7. The server/client system according to claim 1,

wherein the server holds move-processing execution timing Tv when performing move-processing of the stored content,

executes comparison between the move-processing execution timing Tv and copy-content use-expiration date setting processing timing Tr executed a previous time for the client when the client requests copy-content use-expiration date setting processing, and

if the move-processing execution timing Tv is before the use-expiration date setting processing timing Tr of the copy content executed the previous time, the server performs permission processing of a new use-expiration date setting of the copy content stored in the client without transmitting the content-ID list to the client.

8. The server/client system according to claim 1,

wherein the server performs notification processing of a content-invalidation request with a content-ID of content to be subjected to move processing to the client and generates and holds a moved list relating a client-ID of a notification-incapable client to a content-ID of move content when performing move processing of the stored content,

the server generates a deletion-content-ID list storing the content-ID recorded in the moved list corresponding to the client and sends the list to the client when the client requests the copy-content use-expiration date setting processing,

the client performs invalidation processing of the copy content corresponding to the content-ID included in the deletion-content-ID list out of the copy content stored in that client, and

the client performs, update processing of the use-expiration date of the copy content corresponding to the content-ID not included in the deletion-content-ID list out of the copy content stored in that client.

9. An information processing unit for storing content and functioning as a server to supply copy content to a client, comprising:

a generator for generating, in response to reception of a copy-content use-expiration date setting request from a client, at least either a content-ID list storing content-IDs corresponding to content for which use-expiration-date updating is permitted out of the copy content stored in the client or a content-ID list storing content-IDs corresponding to content for which use-expiration-date updating is not permitted, for transmission to the client; and

a transmission processor for transmitting the content-ID list to the client.

10. The information processing unit according to claim 9,

wherein the information processing unit performs confirmation processing of the existence of the client in a private-use range, and executes transmission of the content-ID list to the client on the condition of having received the confirmation.

11. The information processing unit according to claim 10,

wherein the confirmation processing of the existence of the client in a private-use range is performed as round-trip-time (RTT) check processing.

12. The information processing unit according to claim 9,

wherein the information processing unit performs notification processing of a content-invalidation request with a content-ID of content to be subjected to move processing to the client when performing move processing of the stored content.

13. The information processing unit according to claim 9,

wherein the information processing unit holds move-processing execution timing Tv when performing move-processing of the stored content,

executes comparison between the move-processing execution timing Tv and copy-content use-expiration date setting processing timing Tr executed a previous time for the client when the client requests copy-content use-expiration date setting processing, and

if the move-processing execution timing Tv is before the use-expiration date setting processing timing Tr of the copy content executed the previous time, the information processing unit performs permission processing of a new use-expiration date setting of the copy content stored in the client without transmitting the content-ID list to the client.

14. The information processing unit according to claim 9,

wherein the information processing unit performs notification processing of a content-invalidation request with a content-ID of content to be subjected to move processing to the client and generates and holds a moved list relating a client-ID of a notification-incapable client to a content-ID of move content when performing move processing of the stored content, and

the information processing unit generates a deletion-content-ID list storing the content-ID recorded in the moved list corresponding to the client and sends the list to the client when the client requests the copy-content use-expiration date setting processing.

15. An information processing unit for functioning as a client receiving and storing copy content of content stored in a server, comprising

a storage part for-storing a content-ID and use-expiration date information corresponding to the copy content received from the server in relation to each other,

wherein the information processing unit selectively performs update processing of a use-expiration date of the copy content stored in that client or invalidation processing of the copy content stored in that information processing unit based on the content-ID list received from the server.

16. The information processing unit according to claim 15,

wherein when using copy content, the information processing unit compares a current timer value obtained from a timer and the use-expiration date information, and proceeds to content-use processing on the condition that the current timer value is smaller than the use-expiration date of the copy content to be used.

17. The information processing unit according to claim 15,

wherein when the content-ID list received from the server is a content-ID list storing content-IDs corresponding to content for which use-expiration-date updating is permitted,

the information processing unit performs update processing of the use-expiration date of the copy content corresponding to a content-ID included in the content-ID list out of the copy content stored in that information processing unit, and

the information processing unit performs invalidation processing of the copy content corresponding to a content-ID not included in the content-ID list out of the copy content stored in that information processing unit.

18. The information processing unit according to claim 15,

wherein when the content-ID list received from the server is a content-ID list storing content-IDs corresponding to content for which use-expiration-date updating is not permitted,

the information processing unit performs invalidation processing of the copy content corresponding to a content-ID included in the content-ID list out of the copy content stored in that information processing unit, and

the information processing unit performs update processing of a use-expiration date of the copy content corresponding to a content-ID not included in the content-ID list out of the copy content stored in that information processing unit.

19. A method of information processing in a server/client system including a server for storing content and a client for receiving from the server copy content of the content stored in tie server and storing the copy content, the method comprising the steps of:

the server generating at least either a content-ID list storing content-IDs corresponding to content for which use-expiration-date updating is permitted out of the copy content stored in the client or a content-ID list storing content-IDs corresponding to content for which use-expiration-date updating is not permitted, transmitting the content-ID list to the client; and

the client selectively performing update processing of a use-expiration date of the copy content stored in that client or invalidation processing of the copy content stored in that client based on the content-ID list received from the server.

20. The method of information processing according to claim 19,

wherein when the content-ID list received from the server is a content-ID-list storing content-IDs corresponding to content for which use-expiration-date updating is permitted,

the client performs update processing of use-expiration date of the copy content corresponding to a content-ID included in the content-ID list out of the copy content stored in that client, and

the client performs invalidation processing of the copy content corresponding to a content-ID not included in the content-ID list out of the copy content stored in that client.

21. The method of information processing according to claim 19,

wherein when the content-ID list received from the server is a content-ID list storing content-IDs corresponding to content for which use-expiration-date updating is not permitted,

the client performs invalidation processing of the copy content corresponding to a content-ID included in the content-ID list out of the copy content stored in that client, and

the client performs update processing of use-expiration date of the copy content corresponding to a content-ID not included in the content-ID list out of the copy content stored in that client.

22. The method of information processing according to claim 19,

wherein the server performs confirmation processing of the existence of the client in a private-use range, and executes transmission of the content-ID list to the client on the condition of having received the confirmation.

23. The method of information processing according to claim 22,

wherein the confirmation processing executed by the server of the existence of the client in a private-use range is performed as round-trip-time (RTT) check processing.

24. The method of information processing according to claim 19,

wherein the server performs notification processing of a content-invalidation request with a content-ID of content to be subjected to move processing to the client when performing move processing of the stored content, and the client performs invalidation processing of the copy content corresponding to the content-ID included in the content-invalidation request.

25. The method of information processing according to claim 19,

wherein the server holds move-processing execution timing Tv when performing move-processing of the stored content,

executes comparison between the move-processing execution timing Tv and the copy-content use-expiration date setting processing timing Tr executed a previous time for the client when the client requests copy-content use-expiration date setting processing, and

if the move-processing execution timing Tv is before the use-expiration date setting processing timing Tr of the copy content executed the previous time, the server performs permission processing of a new use-expiration date setting of the copy content stored in the client without transmitting the content-ID list to the client.

26. The method of information processing according to claim 19,

wherein the server performs notification processing of a content-invalidation request with a content-ID of content to be subjected to move processing to the client and generates and holds a moved list relating a client-ID of a notification-incapable client to a content-ID of move content when performing move processing of the stored content,

the server generates a deletion-content-ID list storing the content-ID recorded in the moved list corresponding to the client and sends the list to the client when the client requests the copy-content use-expiration date setting processing,

the client performs invalidation processing of the copy content corresponding to the content-ID included in the deletion-content-ID list out of the copy content stored in that client, and

the client performs update processing of use-expiration date of the copy content corresponding to the content-ID not included in the deletion-content-ID list out of the copy content stored in that client.

27. A method of information processing in a server for storing content and supplying copy content to a client, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a copy-content use-expiration-date request from the client;

generating at least either a content-ID list storing content-IDs corresponding to content for which use-expiration-date updating is permitted out of the copy-content stored in the client or a content-ID list storing content-IDs corresponding to content for which use-expiration-date updating is not permitted, for transmission to the client; and

transmitting the content-ID list to the client.

28. The method of information processing according to claim 27, further comprising the steps of:

performing confirmation processing of the existence of the client in a private-use range; and

executing transmission of the content-ID list to the client on the condition of having received the confirmation.

29. The method of information processing according to claim 28,

wherein the confirmation processing of the existence of the client in a private-use range is performed as round-trip-time (RTT) check processing.

30. The method of information processing according to claim 27, further comprising the steps of:

performing notification processing of a content-invalidation request with a content-ID of content to be subjected to move processing to the client when performing move processing of the stored content.

31. The method of information processing according to claim 27, further comprising the steps of:

holding move-processing execution timing Tv when performing move-processing of the stored content,

executing comparison between the move-processing execution timing Tv and copy-content use-expiration date setting processing timing Tr executed a previous time for the client when the client requests copy-content use-expiration date setting processing, and

if the move-processing execution timing Tv is before the use-expiration date-setting processing timing Tr of the copy content executed the previous time, performing permission processing of a new use-expiration date of the copy content stored in the client.

32. The method of information processing according to claim 27, further comprising:

performing notification processing of a content-invalidation request with a content-ID of content to be subjected to move processing to the client and generating and holding a moved list relating a client-ID of a notification-incapable client to a content-ID of the move content when performing move processing of the stored content; and

generating a deletion-content-ID list storing the content-ID recorded in the moved list corresponding to the client and sending the list to the client when the client requests the copy content use-expiration date setting processing.

33. A method of information processing in a client for receiving and storing copy content of content stored in a server, the method comprising the steps of:

storing a content-ID and use-expiration date information corresponding to the copy content received from the server in relation to each other; and

selectively performing update processing of a use-expiration date of the copy content stored in that client or invalidation processing of the copy content stored in that client based on the content-ID list received from the server.

34. The method of information processing according to claim 33, further comprising:

when using copy content, comparing a current timer value obtained from a timer and the use-expiration date information; and

executing content-use processing on the condition that the current timer value is smaller than the use-expiration date of the copy content to be used.

35. The method of information processing according to claim 33,

further comprising:

when the content-ID list received from the server is a content-ID list storing content-IDs corresponding to content for which use-expiration-date updating is permitted,

performing update processing of the use-expiration date of the copy content corresponding to content-ID included in the content-ID list out of the copy content stored in that client; and

performing invalidation processing of the copy content corresponding to content-ID not included in the content-ID list out of the copy content stored in that client.

36. The method of information processing according to claim 33, further comprising:

when the content-ID list received from the server is a content-ID list storing content-IDs corresponding to content for which use-expiration-date updating is not permitted, performing invalidation processing of the copy content corresponding to a content-ID included in the content-ID list out of the copy content stored in that client; and

performing update processing of a use-expiration date of the copy content corresponding to a content-ID not included in the content-ID list out of the copy content stored in that client.

37. A computer program for causing a server for storing content and supplying copy content to a client to execute a method comprising the steps of:

receiving a copy-content use-expiration-date request from the client;

generating at least either a content-ID list storing content-IDs corresponding to content for which use-expiration-date updating is permitted out of the copy-content stored in the client or a content-ID list storing content-IDs corresponding to content for which use-expiration-date updating is not permitted, for transmission to the client; and

transmitting the content-ID list to the client.

38. A computer program for causing a client for receiving and storing copy content of content stored in a server to execute a method comprising the steps of:

storing a content-ID and use-expiration date information corresponding to the copy content received from the server in relation to each other; and

selectively performing update processing of a use-expiration date out of the copy content stored in that client or invalidation processing of the copy content stored in that client based on the content-ID list received from the server.