D E S C R I P T I O N

CONTENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD, DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, AND NETWORK MANAGEMENT DEVICE Technical Field

The present invention relates to a content distribution method for sharing content in a specific area using a plurality of transmission and reception devices configured to reproduce and record of content including video and audio, etc., and for distributing the content among transmission and reception devices in the specific area, a distribution system configured to share and distribute the content, and a network management device. Background Art

A method using a home server has been proposed as an example of a method for reproducing or recording content including video, audio, etc., by using a plurality of devices in a network. For instance, using Home Audio/Video

Interoperability (HAVi) which has been enacted as an upper standard of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 enables treating a receiver (tuner) , a recorder (moving image recording device) , television (TV) device, a monitor device, etc., as one network.

Nowadays, as Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) and optical fiber networks have come into wide

use, content provided from a communication carrier and an Internet provider also may be treated as options in addition to content provided from a broadcaster.

A recording device (a moving image recording device) may easily record video content (horizontal direction 1920 pixels/vertical direction 1080 pixels) having high scanning line density referred to as full- high-definition television, for example, with the advance of a moving image compression standard called H.264/MPEG 4 AVC (freguently referred to as simply AVC) and with a reduction in price of a large capacity hard disk device. As regards a recording medium, by developing a DVD standard, an optical disk of a High Definition (HD) DVD standard with a recording capacity having a capacity almost five times in comparison with the DVD given thereto has been widely used.

For instance, an interactive communication interface represented by a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is mounted even on a recording device, a television device (a monitor device) or audio/video (AV) controller (AV amplifier) , and recording/reproducing ability of each set of equipment and the presence or absence of connections of devices may be confirmed on a network. A control server or a processor similar thereto, which can manage distributions of data (including audio and video) , voices, control signals among a plurality

of devices connected via a wired or a wireless communication network and can efficiently control the devices connected to the network, is disclosed in Japanese Translation of PCT International Application No. 2006-525597 (patent document 1) .

Japanese Patent Application Publication (KOKAI) No. 2006-59330 (patent document 2) discloses to efficiently execute registration or release of a plurality of sets of equipment owned by a user. Japanese Patent Application Publication (KOKAI)

No. 2004-37981 (patent document 3) discloses an example in which a main unit called a home server enables transferring content downloaded by the server to and from a slave unit to which reproduction of downloaded content is permitted.

However, each of the patent documents 1-3 does not disclose to include a table by which a server (NT agent) for controlling control target equipment (target device [NT] ) has a table to manage a use situation of a function of each set of NT equipment and to generate a graphical user interface (GUI) corresponding to functions of all sets of usable equipment.

Disclosure of Invention An object of the invention is to provide a content distribution method for sharing content in a specific area using a plurality of transmission and reception devices configured to reproduce and record of content

including video and audio, etc., and for distributing the content among transmission and reception devices in the specific area, a distribution system configured to share and distribute the content, and a network management device.

According to the present invention, there is provided a network management device comprising: a first distribution device which distributes content to a reception device from which the content has been requested; a second distribution device which is disposed independently from the first distribution device and distributes the content to the reception device from which the content has been requested; and a network management device which is disposed at either the first or the second distribution device, or formed so as to be disposed both the first and the second distribution devices, collects information related to each function of the first and the second distribution devices and related to a use situation of each function, and manages whether or not a required function is usable.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic view depicting an example of a method for sharing content in a specific area and for distributing the content among transmission and reception devices in the specific area, and an example

of connections of transmission and reception devices configured to realize the method;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view depicting an example of network target (NT) equipment for use in a network (home network) in the specific area shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view depicting an example of network client (NC) equipment for use on the network (home network) in the specific area shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view depicting an example of a start of the NC equipment and operations of the sets of the NT equipment on the home networks explained by- using FIGS. 1 - 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view depicting an example of a table (data) to be acquired and stored by an NT agent on the home network explained by using FIGS. 1 - 3;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view depicting an example of soft stack to be acquired by the NC equipment on the home network explained by using FIGS. 1 - 3;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view depicting an example of a selection screen (a GUI display) to be displayed on the basis of user' s selection;

FIG. 8A is a schematic view depicting an example of a capability and an operation situation of each set of the NT equipment and the NC equipment to be pre- stored in the NT agent on the home network explained by FIGS. 1 - 3;

FIG. 8B is another schematic view depicting an

example of the capability and the operation situation of each set of the NT equipment and the NC equipment to be pre-stored in the NT agent on the home network explained by FIGS. 1 - 3; FIG. 8C is a further schematic view depicting an example of reception the capability and the operation situation of each set of the NT equipment and the NC equipment to be pre-stored in the NT agent on the home network explained by FIGS. 1 - 3; FIG. 8D is a further schematic view depicting an example of reception the capability and the operation situation of each set of the NT equipment and the NC equipment to be pre-stored in the NT agent on the home network explained by FIGS. 1 - 3; FIG. 9 is a schematic view depicting another example of operations of a start of the NC equipment on the home network and operations of the NT equipment on the networks explained by FIGS. 1 - 3;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view depicting an example of a process to determine whether or not a restriction is put on a user function if necessary on the basis of a 'use function restriction' schematically shown in FIG. 9, namely whether or not a user is allowed to use an NT agent 1001 and each set of the connected NT equipment, or whether or not the user is a new one who should be allowed to use each set of the NT equipment; FIG. 11 is a schematic view depicting another

example of the start of the NC equipment and the operations of the NT devices on the network on the home networks explained by FIGS. 1 - 3; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic view depicting a process for setting an 'exclusive connection mode' schematically shown in FIG. 11, namely a state in which only an NT 1 is connected to an NC x that is a reception terminal prepared by the user.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment regarding the invention will be described with reference to the drawings .

FIG. 1 shows an example of a method for sharing content in a specific area in which the embodiment regarding the invention can be adopted and for distributing the content among transmission and reception devices in the specific area, and connections of the transmission and reception devices configured to realize the method. As shown in FIG. 1, network clients (NCs) NC - NC m of the arbitrary number (m) are mutually connected to network targets (NTs) NT 1 - NT n of the arbitrary number (n) present in a specific area, for example, in a home network through a network target (NT) agent 1001, respectively. The NT agent 1001 may be integrally installed, for example, in arbitrary NT equipment (an example of FIG. 1 shows an example in

which the NT agent 1001 is integrally installed in an NT 2) .

The NT agent (network target agent) 1001 has, for example, a function as a network server, acquires information related to a currently usable function among functions of each set of the connected NT equipment, namely information related to operation situations, related to a reproduction capability of each set of the connected NC equipment, etc., and stores them in the NT agent 1001. Although functions to be managed by the NT agent 1001 will be described later by referring to FIG. 5, the number of the functions is plural, and the NT agent 1001 can manage the acquired result, for example, as a table (data) . The NT agent 1001 holds a graphical user interface

(GUI) application for displaying a function which is usable for arbitrary NT equipment and a function which is usable for a whole of the network among each set of NT equipment by a GUI display at the NC equipment. Although the NT agent 1001 usually communicates to and from the connected NT equipment, if the NT agent 1001 is brought into a non-operation state due to a trouble, power supply off (or coming-off of an outlet), etc., the information from each set of the NT equipment is reported to the connected NC equipment.

FIG. 2 shows an example of each NT 1 - NT n (NT equipments) , and each NT 1 - NT n includes a local area

network (LAN) controller/modem 11, a security module interface (SMIF) 13, a packetized stream (PS) /transport stream (TS) processing unit 15, a graphical user interface (GUI) processing unit 17 and a bus 19 to which these foregoing units are connected. A central processing unit (CPU) 21 that is a main control unit, a read only memory (ROM) 23 with an operation program of the CPU 21 stored therein, a random access memory (RAM) 25 to be used as a work memory, an input and output unit 27 to be used for inputting a control signal (tuning by the tuner unit) from a user, and a non volatile random access memory (NVRAM) 29 for storing, for example, information, reservation information, etc., set by the user are connected to the bus 19. Each NT equipment includes a hard disc drive (HDD; a large capacity storage device) 31 for storing audio an video content and a disc drive device (not shown) capable of recording acquired content on an optical disc of a digital versatile disc (DVD) standard or of a high definition (HD) DVD standard. It is useless to say that the NT equipment further includes a semiconductor memory (may be referred to as a flash memory, or a memory card), etc.

That is, each set of NT equipment includes at least a tuner function which can select and acquire a specific channel and a program provided from a broadcaster and a communication carrier, or a variety

of items of content (video, audio [voice], etc.) that is a graphical file, etc. The NT equipment includes, for example, a TV tuner capable of receiving a TV broadcast of an air wave (a terrestrial wave) and a satellite broadcast using a broadcast satellite, a cable TV tuner capable of receiving video content to be provided from a cable TV station (may be referred to as a set-top box [STB] ) , a modem and a splitter capable of acquiring content to be provided from the communication carrier or the Internet provider, a receiving function of an IPTV, etc.

Each NT equipment (NT 1 - NT n) may obtain receiving functions and operation situations of other NTx (x means the remaining NTs) by being connected to the NT agent 1001. Although each set of NT equipment usually communicates with the NT agent 1001, if the NT agent 1001 is brought into the non-operation state due to trouble, the power supply off (or disconnection of outlet) , the information from each set of the NT equipment is reported to the connected sets of the NC equipment .

An example of each set of NC 1 - NC m (NC equipments) is shown in FIG. 3 and each of the NC equipments includes a LAN controller/modem 111, a PS/TS processing unit 113, a decoder (audio decoder) 115A for decoding an audio signal, a decoder (video decoder) 115D decoding a video signal, a GUI processing unit 117

and a bus 119 with these units connected thereto. A CPU 121, a ROM 123, a RAM 125, an input and output unit 127 to be used for inputting and outputting video and audio (content) to and from the NT equipment and for inputting a control signal (for selecting content, etc.) from the user, and an NVRAM 129 for storing, for example, information, etc., set by the user.

That is, each set of the NC equipments functions as a reproduction device for outputting audio and video content to be provided from the NT equipment, for example, to TV receivers, monitor (display) devices, audio amplifiers (controllers) , loudspeaker sets connected to the audio amplifiers, etc., prepared by the arbitrary number in a home, or a personal computer (PC) connected to a communication line.

An example of a mutual operation of each NT agent, each set of the NT equipment and each set of the NC equipment shown in FIGS. 1 - 3 will be described. In the NT equipment selected in response to a tuning instruction from an NC x (arbitrary NC equipment which is intended to be used by the user) , a program (content) which is tuned (by the tuning instruction from the user) is demultiplexed by a demuliplexing processor (not shown) , and converted, for example, into transport stream with time stamp (TTS) . Processing necessary for Internet Protocol (IP) transmission such as a Remote Desktop Protocol (RTP) /User Datagram

Protocol (UDP) is further applied to the TTS, and the TTS is output to the NC x.

In the NC x, the TTS is the converted signals are separated into video, namely a video signal and music (including voice) , namely an audio signal, and decoded through the video system decoder (video decoder) 115 and by the audio system decoder (audio decoder) 115A corresponding to the video and audio signals, respectively. The decoded video signal, namely the video (not shown) is output to a display device connected to an output end in advance and represented, for example, by a liquid crystal display and a CRT. The decoded audio signal, namely music or voice is output, for example, to a loudspeaker or an audio amplifier (not shown) connected to the output end in advance .

As is already described by referring to FIG. 1, the NT agent 1001 can acquire receiving each capability, recording capability, current operating situation, etc., of each set of the NT equipment (NT 1 - NT n shown in FIG. 1) of the arbitrary number (n) and each set of the NC equipment (NC 1 - NC m shown in FIG. 1) of the arbitrary number (m) to be positioned on the same network (to be connected via the network) . The NT agent 1001 may store and manage the acquisition result, for example, as the table (data) as exemplified in FIG. 5.

The NT agent 1001, although not mentioned in detail, includes, for example, a network control unit for a GUI display in order to display a various display (referred to as icons in some cases) group to be utilized for controlling the NT equipment and the NC equipment of sets of the arbitrary number positioned on the network and for receiving an operation signal from the user; and a communication control unit configured to be connected to a memory with data for GUI distribution stored therein, an external server and the Internet .

FIG. 4 shows an example of the starts of the sets of the NC equipment on the home networks and the operations of the sets of the NT equipment on the networks which have been described with reference to FIGS. 1 - 3. In FIG. 4, an example, in a case, in which one set of the NC equipment is turned on by the user in a state where two sets of NT equipment, i.e., the NT 1, NT 2 and one set of the NC equipment are connected via the NT agent 1001 on the home network, will be described. It is assumed that each set of the NT equipment, i.e., the NT 1, NT 2 can receive a broadcast (BS) from the broadcast satellite, and that a BS tuner is in operation at the NT 1. When specific NC equipment which has been selected by the user is turned on, operated (turned on) NC equipment (one set, hereinafter referred to as an NC x)

requests for a communication start of the NT agent 1001, and communication is established on the basis of the response from the NT agent 1001 ([I]). It is assumed that the NC x is a generic TV receiver with a video display unit (flat panel display or a CRT) and an audio (voice) reproduction unit (loudspeaker) . It is assumed that the NC x is connected to a uniform resource locator (URL) of the NT agent 1001.

Subsequently, the NT agent 1001 checks the function of each set of the NY equipment and its use situation, and stores the check result ( [*] acquisition of NT connection information) . The [*] acquisition of the NT connection information is not always performed in time series, and for example, in adding or removing the NT equipment, or in starting operation or in terminating operation of arbitrary NT equipment, by reporting the fact from the NT equipment to the NT agent 1001, the information stored in the NT agent 1001 is updated. Then, the NT agent 1001 distributes the GUI application to the NC x ([2]) .

Hereinafter, in the NC x, the GUI application which has been distributed from the NT agent 1001 is initiated, and the soft stuck of which the one example is shown in FIG. 6 may be obtained ( [3] ) .

The user becomes able to select a "BS program list" from a tuning menu of which the one example is

shown in FIG . 6 ( [ 6 ] ) .

The user then operates, for example, a remote control terminal (a remote controller) (not shown) to select and instruct a desired menu. For instance, if 'tuning' is instructed, the "BS program list" becomes selectable from the tuning menu of which the one example is shown in FIG. 7 ([4]).

When the user selects, namely tunes a certain BS program (BS program A) from a BS tuning list (not shown) , the NC x transmits a prescribed command (a

'tuning command' ) to the NT agent 1001 so that the NT agent 1001 distributes BS (BS program A) ([5]) .

At this moment, NT agent 1001 specifies (determines) usable NT equipment, namely NT equipment which has a BS tuner and can currently use the BS tuner on the basis of a report (table update information) from the table or each set of the NT equipment shown in FIG. 4 ([A] NT determination) .

Here, if it is determined that, for example, the BS tuner of the NT 1 is usable; the NT agent 1001 transmits a 'tuning instruction' to the NT 1 ([6]) .

Sequentially, communication between the NT agent 1001 and the NT 1 is established depending on a communication start request from the NT agent 1001 to the NT 1 and on a response from the NT 1 to the NT agent 1001 ( [7] ) .

When the communication between the NT agent 1001

and the NT 1 is established, a "program" (currently) being on the air is distributed from the NT 1 to the NT agent ([8]). In other words, the BS program A which has been selected by the NC x and currently being on the air is reproduced (video and audio output is output to the NC x) .

According to such time series, in a state in which the NC x reproduces the program of a prescribed channel of the BS broadcast, if the user instructs, for example, a "recording reservation" for 'reservation recording' , the NC x initiates the GUI application enabling instructing (inputting) the "recording reservation" ( [9] ) .

The NC x selects a program to be target from the GUI application, enables making the "recording reservation" and the user instructs the "recording reservation" ( [10] ) .

When the user instructs the "recording reservation", the NC equipment (NC x) with the "recording reservation" instructed thereto issues a request for a communication start to the NT agent, and the communication between the NC x and the NT agent 1001 is established ([H]).

Next, the NC x instructs the "recording reservation" to the NT agent 1001 ([12]) .

Sequentially, the NT agent 1001 specifies (determines) usable NT equipment, in other words,

NT equipment capable of using a tuner to be used for the "recording reservation", or capable of recording a program (content) to be recorded by being connected to the network, etc., on the basis of a report (table update information) from the table or each set of NT equipment shown in FIG. 4 ( [B] NT determination) .

Here, for example, in the NT 2, if it is determined that the program (content) to be recording based on the "recording reservation" can be recorded, the NT agent 1001 instructs "recording reservation" to the NT 2 ( [13] ) .

In response to this instruction, the NT 2 notifies (reports) the completion of the "recording reservation" to the NT agent 1001 ([14]) . In addition to this notification, the management table shown in FIG. 4 is updated.

Sequentially, the NT agent 1001 notifies (reports) the completion of the "recording reservation" to the NC x. In this case, the NT agent 1001 reports the URL of the NT 2 to the NC x ([15]).

For instance, in all sets of the NT equipment, if it is determines that the "recording reservation" which has required from the user via the NT agent 1001, that is, if it is reported that the program (content) to be recorded based on the "recording reservation" cannot be recorded from each set of the NT equipment to the NT agent 1001, the NT agent 1001 reports that "there is no

usable NT equipment' to the NC x. Even in a case where there is usable NT equipment, if at least a part of reservation (recording, etc.) which overlaps with the "recording reservation" instructed (selected) in the process of [13] at the NT equipment, the NC x displays ^λ when it reaches a reserved time, an "already reserved program (channel)" will be received (recorded)'. FIGS. 8A - 8D respectively show examples of receiving capabilities and operation situations of each set of the NT equipment pre-stored in built-in memories (not described in detail) of the NT agent 1001. While FIGS. 8A - 8D have shown examples of XML forms, it is useless to say that the table form, etc., is acceptable if the receiving capabilities and the operation situations are in recordable.

In FIG. 8A, <network Tuner Function List> is indicated by [a] , hereinafter, FIG. 8A is referred to as an NT function list shows broadcast receiving (recording) capabilities and interactive communication capabilities of the respective arbitrary sets of the NT equipment connected to the NT agent 1001.

For instance, in <nt_id>θxθl</nt_id (indicated by [b] in the NT function list)>, <terrestrial (indicated by [c] in the NT function list)> shows that the NT 1 can receive a terrestrial TV broadcast. Similarly, <bs (indicated by [d] in the NT function list)>, shows that the NT 1 can receive a TV broadcast (a BS broadcast)

from a broadcast satellite. <t_id (indicated by [e] , [f] in the NT function list)> shows that the meaning of "flag" indicating whether or not being in current operation, and that <t_id>l (indicated by [f] in the NT function list) is being in current operation.

<storage Info (indicated by [g] in the NT function list)> is information of a recording medium having the NTl, <hdd (indicated by [h] in the NT function list)> shows that the HDD 5 (refer to FIG. 2) is installed, and <dvd (indicated by [i] in the NT function list)> shows that the disc drive unit 3 (refer to FIG. 2) is installed, respectively.

Other than the foregoing NT function list (FIG. 8A), <indicated by [j] in network Client Function List (hereinafter, FIG. 8B is referred to as an NC function list)> indicates a capability of the NC x, i.e., a video reproduction capability

(horizontal/vertical resolution, (refer to [k] in the NC function list)) and indicates an audio reproduction capability (refer to an owned list of an audio decoder (refer to [1] of the NC function list)) .

Further, as another list, <indicated by [m] in a user list (hereinafter, FIG. 8C is called a user function list)> stores information related to the taste of the user (a (program) selected in the past) and a key word (<search Keyword (indicated by [n] in the user function list)>) .

Meanwhile, <history_info (indicated by [o] in FIG. 8C) > is information of a reproduction channel (content) at the NC x, that is, information of a reproduction channel (content) at the TV receiver which has been viewed (reproduction of content) by the user just before. For instance, in a case in which ^λ after turning off the NC 1, the NC 2 is turned on within a prescribed time period' so as to view the channel (reproduced content) which has been viewed by the NC 1 in a dining room just after in a bed room by the NC 2, it is also able that the channel (reproduced content) which has been received by the NC 1 is displayed on the NC 2. In <history_info (indicated by {o} in FIG. 8C) >, information related to a mode of the reproduction channel (content) at the NC x, namely the TV receiver by which the user views (reproduces content) just before may be stored. For instance, audio reproduction conditions, etc., which have been used for reproducing, for example, a music program (content) , audio reproduction conditions which have been used for reproducing a news program, or language information, etc., which has been selected in producing a movie, etc., produced abroad. Thereby, according to the taste of the user, specific content can be reproduced on further appropriate reproduction conditions.

<reservation_info (indicated by [p] in FIG. 8D) > is reservation information specified by its NT

equipment, the user can simply display the list in which the user has made recording reservation by him/her self even if the user uses any NC equipments by referring to the reservation information. A function and a use situation of each set of NT equipment which is usable are recorded in the management table which has been described by referring to FIG. 5 is recorded at <nt_directory_infor (indicated by [q] in FIG. 8D) >. Of cause, it is useless to say that the data to be recorded is updated as needed in response to the change (including addition and deletion) in state of the NT equipment described above.

FIG. 9 shows another example of the start of the NC equipment on the home network and operations of the NT equipment on the network. In FIG. 9, a state in which two sets of NT equipment, namely the NT 1, NT 2 and one set of the NC equipment are connected via the NT agent 1001 on the home network will be described. When the specific NC equipment selected by the user is turned on, the operated (turned on) NC equipment (one set, hereinafter referred to as NC x) requires the communication start of the NT agent 1001, and the communication is established on the basis of the response from the NT agent 1001 ([10I]). It is assumed that the NC x is a generic TV receiver with a video display unit (a flat panel display or a CRT) and an audio (voice) reproduction unit (loudspeaker) . It

is assumed that the NC x is connected to the URL of the NT agent 1001.

The NT agent 1001 then checks whether or not restrictions are put on the use function as well as the function of each set of the NT equipment and its use situation, and the check result is stored ( [C] use function restriction determination) . The [C] use function restriction determination will be described with reference to FIG. 10. The restriction is put on the use function of the NT equipment as needed on the basis that whether or not the user is allowed to use the NT agent 1001 and each set of the NT equipment connected thereto, or whether or not the user is a new comer to be allowed the use of each set of the NT equipment.

When the user function restriction determination has been completed, the NT agent 1001 distributes the GUI application to the NC x ([102]) . The example in FIG. 9 shows a case in which the user is not subject to any use function restriction, and a start and operations are similar to a routine described for FIG. 4 (a case in which communication among the NT agent 1001 and each set of the NT equipment is practical) . Accordingly, the NC x initiates the GUI application distributed from the NT agent, the soft stuck as shown in FIG. 6 is presented to the NC x

( [103] ) , and selection of the desired menu, for example, by the operation of the remote terminal (remote controller) (not shown) from the user becomes enabled. For instance, selecting "tuning' poses a selected display of a "BS program list" 711 from a tuning menu of which the one example is shown in FIG. 7 ([104]) .

When the user selects to display the "BS program list" 711, the NC x transmits a prescribed command ( "tuning instruction' ) to the NT agent 1001 so as to tune the BS program A ( [105] ) .

At this moment, the NT agent 1001 specifies (determines) the NT equipment which has usable NT equipment, i.e., the BS tuner and which is currently capable of using the BS tuner on the basis of the table shown in FIG. 5 or of the report (table update information) from each set of the NT equipment ([D] NT determination) . Here, for example, if it is determined that the BS tuner of the NT 1 is usable, the NT agent 1001 transmits the "tuning instruction' to the NT 1 ([106]) .

Sequentially, when communication between the NT agent 1001 and the NT 1 is established by the communication start request from the NT agent 1001 to the NT 1 and by the response from the NT 1 to the NT agent 1001 ([107]), and when the communication between the NT agent 1001 and the NT 1 is established, the NT 1

distributes a "program list" or a "program" being on the air to the NT agent 1001 ([108]) . That is, the NC x reproduces the program being on the air through the selected "BS channel" (video and audio output is output to the NC x) .

According to such time series, in a sate in which the NC x has been reproducing the program on the prescribed channel of the BS broadcast, if the user issues an instruction, for example, "recording reservation" for the 'reservation recording' , the NC x requires the GUI application making it possible to instruct (input) the "recording reservation" to the NT agent 1001, the NT agent 1001 distributes the GUI application to the NC x and the GUI application is initiated ( [109] ) .

Hereinafter, distributing the GUI application enables the "recording reservation" in response to the GUI application distributed from the user, and the user instructs the "recording reservation" ([HO]) . When the user instructs the "recording reservation", the NC equipment (NC x) with the "recording reservation" instructed thereto requires the communication start to the NT agent 1001, the communication between the NC x and the NT agent 1001 is established on the basis of the response from the NT agent 1001 ( [111] ) .

The NC x then instructs the "recording

reservation" to the NT agent 1001 ([112]) .

The NT agent 1001 specifies (determines) the NT equipment which is usable, namely which can use the tuner to be used for the "recording reservation", or the NT equipment which can record the program (content) to be recorded through the "recording reservation" by connecting to the network, etc., on the basis of the report (table update information) from the table shown in FIG. 5 or each set of the NT equipment ([E] NT determination) .

Here, in a case in which it is determined that, for example, the NT 2 can record the program (content) to be recorded through the "recording reservation", the NT agent 1001 instructs the "recording reservation" to the NT 2 ([113]), and the NT2 notifies (reports) the completion of the "recording reservation" to the NT agent 1001 ([114]) . In addition, the management table shown in FIG. 5 is updated.

The NT agent 1001 then notifies (reports) the completion of the "recording reservation" to the NC x. In this case, the NT agent 1001 reports the URL of the NT 2 to the NC x ( [115] ) .

For instance, in a case where it becomes clear that all the sets of NT equipment cannot execute the "recording reservation" required from the user via the NT agent 1001, that is, in a case where each set of the NT equipment reports that the program (content) to be

recorded by the "recording reservation" cannot be recorded to the NT agent 1001, the NT agent 1001 notifies that "usable NT equipment is not present" to the NC x. Even if the usable NT equipment is present, if at least a part of reservation (recording, etc.) overlapping with the "recording reservation" instructed (selected) from [113] at the usable NT equipment, ^λ when it reaches the reserved time, "already reserved program (channel)" is received (recorded)' is displayed. FIG. 10 shows an example of a process for determining whether or not a restriction should be put on a user function as needed on the basis a 'use function restriction' schematically shown in FIG. 9, that is, whether or not the user has been permitted to use the NT agent 1001 and each set of the NT equipment connected to the NT agent 1001, or whether or not the user is a new one to which the use of each set of the NT equipment should be permitted.

Starting the arbitrary reception (reproduction) device NC x starts the communication between the NC x and the NT agent 1001, and the connection is established (SIl) .

The NT agent 1001 compares between authentication conditions input from the NC x (through a GUI for authentication) and authentication (allowance) conditions stored in the NT agent 1001 in advance (S12) .

If the input authentication conditions are authenticated (allowed) (YES, S13) , user information stored in the NT agent 1001 is referred (S14).

Sequentially, it is determined whether or not the user is one who has been made subject to a restriction on a use function (S15) , if it is confirmed that no restriction has been put on the user (NO, S15) , a GUI with no restriction of the use function is distributed to the NC x (S16) . Meanwhile, if it is confirmed that the user is one who has been made subject to the restriction on the use function (YES, S15) , the GUI with the restriction of the use function is distributed to the NC x (S17) .

If the authentication cannot given in the preceding authentication (NO, S13) , it is determined whether or not the user is registered as a new user (S18), if the user is registered as the new user (S19) , the user information is prepared (S20) . Of course, if the user is not registered as the new user (NO, S18); the user cannot operate on the network.

FIG. 11 shows another example of starts of the sets of the NC equipment on the home network and operations of the sets of the NT equipment on the network described using FIGS. 1 - 3. In FIG. 11, explanation will be described on the basis of a sate in which two sets of the NT equipment, i.e., the NT 1, NT 2 and one set of the NC equipments are connected via

the NT agent 1001.

When the specific NC equipment selected by the user is turned on, in the operated (tuned on) NC equipment (one set, hereinafter referred to as an NC x) , it is determined whether or not an exclusive connection mode is set ( [X] exclusive connection mode determination) .

Here, if it is determined that the exclusive connection mode is set, for example, between the NC x and the NT 1, the communication is started between the NC x and the NT 1, and the connection is established ([20I]) .

The NT 1 then distributed the GUI application to the NC x ( [202] ) . Hereinafter, the NC x initiates the GUI application distributed from the NT 1; a GUI screen of which the example is shown in FIG. 6 is displayed (presented) on a video display unit of the NC x ([203]) . The GUI screen displayed by the NC x selects to instruct the desired menu, for example, by means of the operation of the remote terminal (remote controller) (not shown) by the user. For instance, with ^λ tuning' 611 selected, the "BS program list" 711 is selected from the tuning menu of which the one example is shown in FIG. 7 ( [204] ) .

When a "BS program list" 611 is selected by the

user, the NC x transmits a prescribed command ( 'tuning instruction' ) so as to display the "BS program list" 711 ([205]) .

Hereinafter, the NT 1 selects the channel (program) instructed by the user, a "program list" or a "program" being on the air is distributed to the NC x ( [206] ) . That is, the NC x reproduces the program which has been broadcasted on the selected "BS channel" (video and audio output are output to the NC x) . FIG. 12 shows an example of a process of setting the 'exclusive connection mode' of which the outline is shown in FIG. 11, namely an example of setting a state where only the NT 1 is connected to the NC x that is a reception terminal prepared by the user. Firstly, with the reception (reproduction) device NC x started, the function information of the NC x is refereed (Sl) .

It is determined whether or not the 'inclusive connection mode' is set to the NC x from the referred function information (S2) .

In step S2, if it is determined that the 'exclusive connection mode' is set (YES, S2), the communication with the NT which has been specified in the 'exclusive connection mode' is started (S3) . Hereinafter, the possibility of the connection between the NC x and the NT is determined (S4) .

If it is determined that the 'exclusive connection

mode' is not set in Step S2 (NO, S2), the NC x is connected to the NT agent 1001, and the possibility of the connection between the NC x and the NT agent 1001 is determined (S4) . Meanwhile, in step S4, when the connection between the NC x and the NT which has been specified in the 'exclusive connection mode' , or the connection between the NC x and the NT agent 1001 is not established (NO, S4), the NT connection information is referred (S5) , and the connection to the next NT is begun (S6) .

As mentioned above, according to an embodiment regarding the invention, in a case where the plurality of usable sets of the NT equipment, which has been connected to the arbitrary NC (network client) equipment positioned on the network, are present, it becomes able for the user to receive (reproduce) and record the content desired by the user without having to be aware of the selection of the plurality of sets of the NT equipment. Even in a case of presence of the usable sets of the NT equipment, if at least a part of reservation (recording, etc.) is overlapped with the reproduction time of the content to be received (reproduced) by the (usable) sets of the NT equipment, the user can be recognized that the reserved program (channel) is taken precedence.

Further, if the NC equipment, which has been

viewed (of which the content has been reproduced) just before by the user, is turned off and another NC equipment is turned off within a prescribed time period, it is also able to make the newly turned on NC equipment continuously display the channel (reproduced content) received on the NC equipment which has been turned off just before.

The invention is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein, and in an implementation phase, this invention may be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept thereof. Various types of the invention can be forms by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the foregoing embodiments. Some of the constituent elements, for example, may be omitted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiments mentioned above. Further, the constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

Industrial Applicability

According to an embodiment regarding the invention, in a case where a plurality of usable sets of NT equipment, which has been connected to arbitrary NC (network client) equipment positioned on a network, are present, it becomes able for a user to receive (reproduce) and record content desired by the user

without having to be aware of selection of the plurality of sets of the NT equipment.

Even in a case of presence of the usable sets of the NT equipment, if at least a part of reservation (recording, etc.) is overlapped with a reproduction time of the content to be received (reproduced) by the (usable) sets of the NT equipment, the user can be recognized that the reserved program (channel) is taken precedence. Further, if the NC equipment, which has been viewed (of which the content has been reproduced) just before by the user, is turned off and another NC equipment is turned off within a prescribed time period, it is also able to make the newly turned on NC equipment continuously display the channel (reproduced content) received on the NC equipment which has been turned off just before.

That is, in a system for redistributing a broadcast program, etc., if a plurality of distribution devices (NT equipment) are present, a reception device (NC equipment) may easily and efficiently use a function of each set of NT equipment by disposing a distribution agent (NT agent) function of collecting to manage function information provided from each distribution device (NC equipment) and generating an integrated GUI application corresponding to usable all functions in a home and providing the GUI application

to the NC equipment, and by executing a remote operation for a broadcast program, etc., to each set of the NT equipment through an NT agent via the GUI application.