Data Distribution System

• US 20100030790A1
• Filed: 07/15/2009
• Published: 02/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Isozaki, Masaaki, Fukuda, Masaaki
• Granted Patent: US 9,201,894 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: N/A
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/182 Distributed file systems

Abstract

There is provided a data distribution system having a distribution device for holding a data file which is a distribution object and a plurality of user terminals, wherein each of the user terminals obtains each of a plurality of file pieces from any of the other user terminals or the distribution device, the plurality of file pieces being obtained by dividing the data file, and the plurality of file pieces obtained are assembled to thereby obtain the data file, at least one predetermined file piece among the plurality of file pieces is a restricted piece for which obtaining from the other user terminals is restricted, and the distribution device restricts distribution of the restricted piece to each of the user terminals, based on a predetermined condition.

Claims

1. A data distribution system comprising

a distribution device for holding a data file which is a distribution object, and

a plurality of user terminals, wherein

each of the user terminals comprises:

file piece obtaining means for obtaining each of a plurality of file pieces from any of the other user terminals or the distribution device, the plurality of file pieces being obtained by dividing the data file; and

file obtaining means for assembling the plurality of file pieces obtained to thereby obtain the data file,

at least one predetermined file piece among the plurality of file pieces is a restricted piece for which obtaining from the other user terminals is restricted, and

the distribution device restricts distribution of the restricted piece to each of the user terminals, based on a predetermined condition.

2. The data distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the distribution device restricts, as the predetermined condition, distribution of the restricted piece before arrival of a predetermined disclosure date and time.

3. The data distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a file information managing device for sending file information about the data file in response to a request from each of the user terminals,

wherein

the file information includes information specifying the restricted piece.

4. The data distribution system according to claim 3, wherein

the file information further includes information about the predetermined condition, and

the file piece obtaining means determines whether or not the predetermined condition indicated by the file information is satisfied, and upon determination that the condition is satisfied, sends a request for obtaining the restricted piece to the distribution device.

5. A user terminal connected to a distribution device for holding a data file which is a distribution object and to one or more other user terminals, comprising:

file piece obtaining means for obtaining each of a plurality of file pieces from any of the other user terminals or the distribution device, the plurality of file pieces being obtained by dividing the data file; and

file obtaining means for assembling the plurality of file pieces obtained to thereby obtain the data file, wherein

at least one predetermined file piece among the plurality of file pieces is a restricted piece for which obtaining from the other user terminals is restricted and for which obtaining from the distribution device is restricted based on a predetermined condition.

6. An information processing method to be carried out using a user terminal connected to a distribution device for holding a data file which is a distribution object, and to one or more other user terminals, the method comprising:

a file piece obtaining step of obtaining each of a plurality of file pieces from any of the other user terminals or the distribution device, the plurality of file pieces being obtained by dividing the data file; and

a file obtaining step of assembling the plurality of file pieces obtained to thereby obtain the data file,

wherein

at least one predetermined file piece among the plurality of file pieces is a restricted piece for which obtaining from the other user terminals is restricted and for which obtaining from the distribution device is restricted based on a predetermined condition.

7. A computer readable information storage medium storing a program for causing a user terminal connected to a distribution device for holding a data file which is a distribution object and to one or more other user terminals, to function as:

file piece obtaining means for obtaining each of a plurality of file pieces from any of the other user terminals or the distribution device, the plurality of file pieces being obtained by dividing the data file; and

file obtaining means for assembling the plurality of file pieces obtained to thereby obtain the data file,

wherein

at least one predetermined file piece among the plurality of file pieces is a restricted piece for which obtaining from the other user terminals is restricted and for which obtaining from the distribution device is restricted based on a predetermined condition.