US20040093352A1 - Data sending/receiving method and apparatus, data receiving apparatus and data sending apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A sending receiving method for data, such as musical data, in which plural data stored in a first storage unit are retrieved based on the request information sent from a host side device. The retrieved data is sent to a terminal side device. The sent data is checked to see as to whether or not the sent data is data newly stored in the first storage unit. If the results of check indicate that the sent data is data newly stored in the first storage unit, the sent data is stored in a second storage unit of the terminal side device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention[0001]
• This invention relates to a data sending/receiving method and apparatus, a data receiving apparatus and a data sending apparatus. More particularly, it relates to a data sending/receiving method and apparatus configured for sending and receiving data, a data receiving apparatus and a data sending apparatus.[0002]
• 2. Description of the Related Art[0003]
• With improvement in the technique of compressing video signals or speech signals or in the digital signal processing technique in the field of broadcasting or communication, it has become possible to realize services of distributing digital data, such as video on demand (VOD) or music on demand (MOD).[0004]
• Up to now, as an example of service configurations of furnishing digital data, a so-called push type service is being offered, in which the receiving side specifies a particular genre to the host side over the Internet and in which the host side retrieves data falling under the genre from a data base to sequentially transfer the retrieved data in succession to the receiving side.[0005]
• However, in the conventional data transmission/reception system, there lacks up to now a system of automatically downloading data of the new information, put on sale or publicized only of late, on the reception side. For example, in the conventional MOD system, there lacks a system of downloading data on new musical numbers on the reception side. In the conventional MOD system, there lacks a system for permitting the reception side to switch between the low quality reproduction and the high quality reproduction of data on new musical numbers. In addition, the conventional MOD system is no other than a system in which a user pays fee unexceptionally for data acquisition. On the contrary, there has not been known to data a system in which a portion of a new musical number is heard on trial and a user pays only the fee for the number which has suited to his or her liking in order to acquire the data for the new musical number in its entirety.[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a data sending/receiving apparatus which resolves the above-described problems.[0007]
• It is another object of the present invention to provide a data sending/receiving method which resolves the above-described problems.[0008]
• It is still another object of the present invention to provide a data reception apparatus which resolves the above-described problems.[0009]
• It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a data sending apparatus which resolves the above-described problems.[0010]
• According to the present invention there is provided a data sending receiving apparatus including a first storage unit holding plural data on memory, a retrieval unit for retrieving the data stored in the first storage unit, a first sending receiving unit for sending data retrieved by the retrieval unit, and a second sending receiving unit for receiving the data sent from the first sending receiving unit and for sending the request information from the user. t The first sending receiving unit receives the request information sent from a user to supply the received request information to the retrieval unit. The second sending receiving unit has a decision unit for checking whether or not data sent from the first sending receiving unit is data newly stored in the first storage unit and a second storage unit for storing data sent from the first sending receiving unit if the results of check by the check unit indicates that the data is data stored in the first storage unit.[0011]
• According to the present invention there is also provided a data receiving apparatus including a sending receiving unit for receiving data sent from a host side device and for sending the request information from the user to the host side device, a storage unit for storing received data sent by the sending receiving unit and a controller for checking whether or not the sent data is data newly stored in the host side device, the controller causing the sent data to be stored in the storage unit if the results of check indicate that the sent data is data newly stored in the host side device.[0012]
• According to the present invention there is also provided a data sending receiving method including the steps of retrieving plural data stored in a first storage unit based on the request information from a user sent to a host side device, sending the retrieved data to a terminal side device, checking whether or not the sent data is data newly stored in the first storage unit and storing the sent data in a second storage unit of the terminal side device if the results of discrimination indicate that the sent data is data newly stored in the first storage unit.[0013]
• According to the present invention there is additionally provided a data sending apparatus including a storage unit having plural data stored therein, a retrieval unit for retrieving data stored in the storage unit based on the request information from the user containing data specifying the user's intention to make payments sent from a terminal side device and a sending receiving unit for sending the data retrieved by the retrieval unit. The sending receiving unit also receives the request information sent from the user to send the received information to the retrieval unit. The sending receiving unit switches the sending mode to the terminal side device of data retrieved by the retrieval unit based on data specifying the user's intention to make payments for the request information from the user.[0014]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 shows an entire structure of a data sending/receiving system embodying the present invention.[0015]
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view for illustrating the loading of a portable terminal device on a data relaying device.[0016]
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an illustrative circuit structure of a data sending/receiving system.[0017]
• FIG. 4 shows an example of a format of data sent from a data sending apparatus to a data receiving apparatus.[0018]
• FIG. 5 is a flowchart for illustrating the processing by a data sending apparatus, a data relaying device and a portable terminal device in case the designation of new musical number data is contained in the data designation information of the request information sent from the portable terminal device to the data sending apparatus and for illustrating an example of switching the sound quality of the new musical number data transferred by the data sending apparatus to the data receiving apparatus.[0019]
• FIG. 6 is a flowchart for illustrating the processing contents of the data sending apparatus, data relaying apparatus and the portable terminal device in case the data sending apparatus executes a push type service.[0020]
• FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view showing an example of setting an accounting flag for the musical data stored in a hard disc of a hard disc drive.[0021]
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view for illustrating the case of reproducing new musical number data recorded on the hard disc in the portable terminal device.[0022]
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view for illustrating the portable terminal device accessing the data sending apparatus without employing the data relaying device.[0023]
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an alternative structure of the data relaying apparatus.[0024]
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• Referring to the drawings, preferred embodiments of a data sending receiving apparatus according to the present invention will be explained in detail.[0025]
• In the data sending/receiving apparatus, explained in the following embodiment, it is assumed that music data is sent from a data sending apparatus as a host side device to a data receiving apparatus as a terminal side device.[0026]
• A data sending receiving[0027]system1 of the present invention, shown n FIG. 1, is a system for so-called music-on-demand and adata sending device2 as a terminal device on the server side is connected over acommunication network3 to adata receiving device4. Thedata receiving device4 is made up of adata relaying device5 and aportable terminal device6, as a user side terminal device, detachably connected to thedata relaying device5.
• Specifically, each lateral surface of a casing of the[0028]portable terminal device6 is loaded on amounting portion7 formed as a recess in a casing of thedata relaying device5 for electrically and mechanically interconnecting thedata relaying device5 and theportable terminal device6. That is, with the data sending receivingsystem1, thedata sending device2 is connected over thecommunication network3 to thedata relaying device5, and thedata relaying device5 is connected to theportable terminal device6 for interconnecting thedata sending device2 and theportable terminal device6.
• The[0029]data sending device2 is mounted at, for example, a data management center on the side of the server and exchanges data concerning the accounting for performing preset accounting for the user. Thedata relaying device5 relays the request information from theportable terminal device6, as later explained, to send the relayed information to thedata sending device2, while relaying the data sent from thedata sending device2 to send the relayed data to theportable terminal device6. Thedata relaying device5 is mounted on kiosk shop at a railway station, a convenience store, a public telephone box or at a home. Theportable terminal device6 is owned by each user and is a portable device convenient for transportation.
• Although only one[0030]data relaying device5 and oneportable terminal device6 are shown in FIG. 6 for convenience in illustration, a plurality ofdata relaying devices5 and a plurality of portableterminal devices6 are connected over thecommunication network3 to the server sidedata sending device2.
• For the[0031]communication network3 and anaccounting communication network10, ISDN or a telephone network is used. Although the present embodiment illustrates an embodiment in which thecommunication network3 and thedata sending device2 are connected by wired connection, such as with a communication cable or an optical fiber, the wired connection may be replaced by radio or wireless connection. In addition, although thecommunication network3 and thedata relaying device5 are similarly connected by wired connection, such as with a communication cable or an optical fiber, wireless connection, such as over a radio route, may also be used. Also, in the data sending receivingsystem1, data transmission from thedata sending device2 to thedata receiving device4 may be via a communication medium, employing a broadcasting satellite, without employing thecommunication network3 by a wired connection. If the broadcasting satellite is used, thecommunication network3 is used for sending the request information, as later explained, from thedata receiving device4 to thedata sending device2.
• The server side[0032]data sending device2 receives the request information, as later explained, sent from thedata relaying device5 over thecommunication network3, to retrieve the relevant data based on the received request information. In addition, thedata sending device2 transfers the retrieved data in a preset system over thecommunication network3 to thedata relaying device5 and/or to theportable terminal device6.
• Referring to FIG. 3, this[0033]data sending device2 includes aninterfacing unit11 connected over thecommunication network3 to thedata relaying device5 for data sending and reception, a large-capacityhard disc array12, having plural data items, such as music numbers, stored therein, and a dataretrieving processing unit13 for retrieving relevant data from thishard disc array12. Thedata sending device2 also includes anaccounting processing unit14 for accessing theaccounting communication network10 to perform preset accounting for the chargeable user and acontroller15 for controlling thedata sending device2 in its entirety.
• The[0034]interfacing unit11 is connected over thecommunication network3 to thedata relaying device5 to receive the request information sent from theportable terminal device6, such as the data designation information or the user ID information. Theinterfacing unit11 sends data, such as music data, outputted by the dataretrieving processing unit13, as later explained, via thecommunication network3 to thedata relaying device5. The above-mentioned operations of theinterfacing unit11 are executed on the bases of the control signals sent from thecontroller15.
• In the[0035]hard disc array12, there are stored data, such as musical data of various genres, guide for music, or other audio data as compressed data. In thehard disc array12, there are stored musical data concerning the new musical numbers, referred to herein as new musical number data, along with an appended identifier, referred to herein as a new musical data identifier. The new musical number data means musical data within a preset time period as from the date on which it is put on sale only of late, such as within one month. The specified definition of the new musical number data is appropriately determined or modified on the host side.
• The data retrieving[0036]processing unit13 receives the request information from the portableterminal device6, received by theinterfacing unit1, over thecontroller15, and retrieves relevant data from the numerous data items, such as musical numbers, stored in thehard disc array12, based on this request information. The data retrievingprocessing unit13 has a memory for transient data storage and reads out the retrieved data from thehard disc array12 for transient storage therein. The data retrievingprocessing unit13 also sends the data stored in the memory to theinterfacing unit11.
• The data retrieving[0037]processing unit13 also can read out only new musical number data from thehard disc array12 by retrieving the new musical number identifier. The above-described operation of the data retrievingprocessing unit13 is performed on the basis of control signals from thecontroller15.
• The[0038]accounting processing unit14 receives the request information from the portableterminal device6, received by theinterfacing unit11, via thecontroller15, and specifies the chargeable users based on the received request information, while executing preset accounting for the chargeable user.
• The[0039]controller15 has a sending control program for sending musical data relevant to the received request information to thedata relaying device5 on the basis of the request information sent from the portableterminal device6 via thedata relaying device5 and thecommunication network3. Thecontroller15 controls theinterfacing unit11,hard disc array12, data retrievingprocessing unit13 and theaccounting processing unit14 based on this sending control program.
• Specifically, the[0040]controller15 controls theinterfacing unit11 so that the request information sent from the portableterminal device6 via thedata relaying device5 and thecommunication network3 is received and sent to thecontroller15. Thecontroller15 transiently stores the request information supplied form theinterfacing unit11 to send this request information to the data retrievingprocessing unit13 and to theaccounting processing unit14.
• The[0041]controller15 executes the above-described retrieval based on the data designation information of the received request information to read out the retrieved data from thehard disc array12 to store the data transiently in the memory of the data retrievingprocessing unit13.
• The[0042]controller15 refers to the user ID information of the received request information to control, the data retrievingprocessing unit13 and theinterfacing unit11 so that the data transiently stored in the memory of the data retrievingprocessing unit13 is sent to theinterfacing unit11 and data read out from the memory is sent to thedata relaying device5 to which is connected the portableterminal device6. In this manner, musical data is sent from thedata sending device2 to the portableterminal device6 in the present data sending receivingsystem1.
• In the sending control program of the[0043]controller15 is assembled a program for offering a so-called push type service as its subroutine. The program for offering this push type service includes a genre-based sending program for sequentially sending musical data in the relevant genre to the portableterminal device6 based on the genre designating information used for designating the specified genre sent from the portableterminal device6.
• In the program for offering the push type services, there is assembled the new musical number data sending program for sequentially sending only the new musical number data to the portable[0044]terminal device6 based on the new musical number request information from the portableterminal device6 commanding transfer only of new musical number data. The control operations performed by thecontroller15 in offering these push type services will be explained in detail subsequently.
• The data sending receiving[0045]system1 of the present embodiment uses the packet exchanging system and sends data on the data packet basis. The format of each data packet sent from thedata sending device2 to thedata receiving device4 is such a format in which music data as main data portion is compressed with modified DCT as disclosed for example in Japanese Laying-Open Patent H-3-139923 or Japanese Laying-Open Patent H-3-139922 and in which a new music number flag or number ID is appended to the compressed data, as shown in FIG. 4.
• The new musical number flag is a flag specifying whether or not the music data as compressed data is the new musical number, and is appended as a header for each data packet. The number ID data includes, for example, music genre, name of the performing artist or the title of the musical number. By using the data format as shown in FIG. 4, there is caused no inconvenience in the data sending receiving[0046]system1 even in case the data is sent from thedata sending device2 to thedata receiving device4 over the broadcasting satellite or data is sent in accordance with the push system.
• Referring to FIG. 3, the[0047]data relaying device5 includes aninterfacing unit21, a hard disc array (HDD)22, a read-only memory (ROM)23, a random-access memory (RAM)24, an operatinginput unit25, adisplay unit26, an interfacing (I/F)unit27, a chargingunit28 and acontroller29 comprised of a micro-computer. These elements are interconnected over abus30.
• The[0048]interfacing unit21 is connected viacommunication network3 to thedata sending device2 to receive data sent from thedata sending device2. The received data is stored transiently in theRAM24. In thedata relaying device5, a terminal21aprovided on the top of a casing serves as input/output terminals of theinterfacing unit21 serves as an input/output terminal of theinterfacing unit21.
• The[0049]hard disc drive22 includes a hard disc not shown, on which received data transiently stored in theRAM24 is recorded under control by thecontroller29.
• In the[0050]ROM23 is stored the relay control program for controlling the operation of thedata relaying device5. In thedata relaying device5, thecontroller29 reads out the relay control program stored in theROM23 to control the constituent elements of thedata relaying device5.
• The[0051]RAM24 transiently stores the data sent from thedata sending device2 over thecommunication network3. TheRAM24 transiently stores the request information sent from the portableterminal device6 over the I/F27.
• An[0052]actuating input unit25 sends an actuation input signal to thecontroller29 and has a plurality ofactuating buttons25a,as shown in FIG. 2.
• A[0053]display unit26 has a liquid crystal display device and is provided on the top of the casing, as shown in FIG. 2. Thisdisplay unit26 displays the actuating input signal from theactuating buttons25a,data reception states from thedata sending device2 or the request information from the portableterminal device6.
• The I/[0054]F27 is an input output interface for the portableterminal device6 and is connected to the I/F31 of the portableterminal device6 to receive the request information from the portableterminal device6 via this I/F27. The I/F27 sends musical data sent from thedata sending device2 via I/F31 to the portableterminal device6. The I/F27 of thedata relaying device5 and the I/F31 of the portableterminal device6 provide for electrical connection between thedata relaying device5 and the portableterminal device6 viaterminal27aon the side of thedata relaying device5 and via terminal31aof the portableterminal device6 connected to the I/F27 and I/F31, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
• The charging[0055]unit28 is used for charging abattery39 of the portableterminal device6. Specifically, with thedata relaying device5 being electrically connected to the portableterminal device6, that is with the portableterminal device6 being loaded in position on thedata relaying device5, anoutput terminal28aof the chargingunit28 is contacted with aninput terminal39aof thebattery39, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, to supply the current from the chargingunit28 to thebattery39 under control by thecontroller29.
• The[0056]controller29 reads out and executes the relay control program stored in theRAM23 to control the respective blocks as described above.
• Referring to FIG. 3, the portable[0057]terminal device6 includes an interface (I/F)31, a hard disc drive (HDD)32, a read-only memory (ROM)33, a random access memory (RAM)34, anactuating input unit35, adisplay unit36, an interface (I/F)37, adata expanding unit38, abattery39, a D/A controller41 and acontroller42 made up of a micro-computer. These component parts are interconnected over abus40.
• The I/[0058]f31 is an input/output interface for thedata relaying device5 and is connected to the I/F27 of thedata relaying device5 in order to output the request information to thedata relaying device5. The I/F31 receives data, such as music, from thedata sending device2, sent from thedata relaying device5 over the I/F27. The received music data is transiently stored in theRAM34.
• The[0059]hard disc drive32 includes a hard disc, not shown. The music data from thedata sending device2, transiently stored in theRAM34, is recorded in this hard disc.
• In the[0060]ROM33 is stored the control program for controlling the operation of the portableterminal device6. Thecontroller42 of the portableterminal device6 reads out the control program stored in theROM33 to control the constituent elements of the portableterminal device6.
• The[0061]RAM34 transiently stores data sent from thedata relaying device5 or the various data sent from thecontroller42.
• The[0062]actuating input unit35 sends actuating input signals to thecontroller42 and, as shown in FIGS.1 an2, is provided withvarious actuating buttons35ato35d.Specifically, theactuating buttons35aand35bare selection keys for moving a cursor displayed on thedisplay unit36 or selecting various functions, while the actuating key35cis a decision key for making decisions as to various functions. Theactuating button35d,made up of plural actuating keys, are made up of various actuating keys for executing basic operations, such as playback, stop, pause, cue or review, for reproducing data recorded on the hard disc of thehard disc array32. In the portableterminal device6, these actuating buttons are pushed to permit actuating input signals corresponding to the thrusting to be sent over thebus40 to thecontroller42.
• The[0063]display unit36 has a liquid crystal display device and is provided on the upper part of the major surface of the casing, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thisdisplay unit36 is responsive to an actuating input signal from the actuatinginput unit25 derived from the pushing actuation of theactuating buttons35ato35dto display the request information generated by thecontroller42, reception states from thedata sending device2 or the connection states with thedata relaying device5.
• The I/[0064]F37 is an input/output interface for an external input/output device, such as a keyboard, modem or display. The lower part on the lateral surface of the casing of the portableterminal device6 is provided with aconnection terminal37afor interconnecting the I/F37 with the external input/output device, as shown in FIG. 2.
• The[0065]data expanding unit38 expands musical data, that is compressed data, read out from theRAM34 or thehard disc drive32.
• The[0066]battery39 furnishes the source voltage to the respective constituent elements of the portableterminal device6 and may be a repeatedly rechargeable secondary cell, for example, a nickel cadmium cell, nickel hydrogen cell or lithium ion cell. In the present embodiment, thebattery39 is automatically charged by the voltage supplied from the chargingunit28 of thedata relaying device5 when the portableterminal device6 is connected to thedata relaying device5.
• The D/[0067]A controller41 converts digital signals outputted by thedata expanding unit38 into analog playback signals. The playback signals generated after conversion by the D/A controller41 are sent to the terminal41aso as to be outputted as speech or as music via anexternal speaker43 connected to the terminal41a.
• The[0068]controller42 reads out the control program stored in theROM33 to execute the read-out program to output a control signal to respective blocks of the portableterminal device6 to execute pre-set processing. Specifically, thecontroller42 generates the request information based on the actuation input signals from the actuatinginput unit35 to send the request information to thedata relaying device5 by way of a control operation. Thecontroller42 also outputs the data stored in theRAM34 viadata expanding unit38 and D/A controller41 to anexternal speaker43 by way of a playback operation. Thecontroller42 furnishes the data stored in theRAM34 to thehard disc drive32 for storage in the hard discs held therein.
• The request information sent by the portable[0069]terminal device6 to thedata sending device2 may be exemplified by the user ID information, data designation information for specifying data desired to be acquired, and the accounting information specifying whether or not the user is intending to make corresponding payments. The user ID information is previously stored in the memory in thecontroller42 in order to generate the user ID information automatically.
• In order for the[0070]data sending device2 to execute the above-mentioned genre-based sending program, it suffices if the genre designation information for specifying the genre of musical data desired to be acquired is sent to thedata sending device2 in place of the data designation information of the request information. In order for thedata sending device2 to execute the above-mentioned new musical number data sending program, it suffices if the new musical number information for requesting only the new musical number data to be transferred is sent to thedata sending device2 in place of the data designating information. At this time, the above-mentioned genre designation information may be sent simultaneously with the new musical number request information in order to acquire only new musical number data in the specified genre.
• The basic operation in the respective devices when the user acquires music data in accordance with the so-called MOD system in the present data sending receiving[0071]system1 is hereinafter explained. The user acts on theactuating buttons35ato35dof theactuating input unit35aof the portableterminal device6 to designate one or more desired data. If new musical number data is contained in the specified data, the above-mentioned accounting information is entered to decide whether or not to make payments. The portableterminal device6 then generates the request information including the accounting information by thecontroller42. This request information is stored in theRAM34.
• For designating the data, it suffices if the schematics and a list of data registered in the[0072]hard disc array12 of thedata sending device2 are stored as a data base menu in theROM33 or in theRAM34 and desired data is selected from this data base menu by actuation of theactuating buttons35ato35d.At this time point, the portableterminal device6 need not be connected to thedata relaying device5.
• If the portable[0073]terminal device6, in which the request information has been generated as described above, is loaded on the mountingportion7 of thedata relaying device5, and thecontroller29 of thedata relaying device5 detects that the portableterminal device6 has been loaded in position, thecontroller29 of thedata relaying device5 reads out the relay control program from theROM23 to execute the read-out program. This connects the portableterminal device6 viadata relaying device5 and thecommunication network3 to thedata sending device2. In the data sending receivingsystem1, the request information stored in theRAM34 is sent from the I/F31 to thedata relaying device5 under control by thecontroller42. Thedata relaying device5 which has received the request information from the portableterminal device6 sends this request information viacommunication network3 to thedata sending device2 under control by thecontroller29.
• In the[0074]data sending device2, the request information sent from thedevice5 is entered to theinterfacing unit11, the request information entering theinterfacing unit11 being then sent to thecontroller15 and to the data retrievingprocessing unit13. The data retrievingprocessing unit13 refers to the data designation information of the request information to retrieve and read out the corresponding data from thehard disc array12. Thecontroller15 controls theinterfacing unit11 to send the data read out from thehard disc array12 viacommunication network3 to thedata relaying device5 based on the request information. The music data read out from thehard disc array12, that is the music data designated by the user, is received by thedata relaying device5. Thecontroller15 discriminates, based on the user ID information in the request information, whether or not the user of the portableterminal device6 is the user who can use the data sending receivingsystem1, and permits only the user capable of using the data sending receivingsystem1 to perform the operations indicated in the flowcharts of FIG. 5ff.
• The[0075]controller29 of thedata relaying device5 which has received the data controls the respective blocks so that the received data will be sent to the portableterminal device6. Specifically, thecontroller29 sends data entering themodem21 via I/F27 to the portableterminal device6, while causing the data to be stored on the hard disc of thehard disc drive22. This permits the data to be backed-up by thehard disc drive22 even if thedata relaying device5 is disconnected from the portableterminal device6 during data sending.
• The basic operation in the respective devices when the user acquires new musical number data in the data sending receiving[0076]system11 is explained with reference to the flowcharts.
• FIG. 5 shows that plural data is designated in the data designating information of the request information sent by the portable[0077]terminal device6 to thedata sending device2. Specifically, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing contents of t thedata sending device2,data relaying device5 and the portableterminal device6 in case the designation of new musical number data is contained in this data designation information. That is, this flowchart shows a typical processing of switching the sending mode when thedata sending device2 sends data to thedata receiving device4 depending on the possible presence of accounting for the new musical number data.
• The[0078]controller15 of thedata sending device2 having received the request information refers to the data designation information of the request information at step s1 to control the data retrievingprocessing unit13 to retrieve and read out data designated by the user from thehard disc array12.
• At the next step S[0079]2, thecontroller15 verifies whether or not data read out from thehard disc array12 is the new musical number flag explained with reference to FIG. 4, based on the new musical number data. If the result of check at step S2 is YES, that is if the data is the new musical number data, the flow moves to step S3. If the result is NO, that is if the data is found not to be the new musical number data, the flow moves to step S5.
• At step S[0080]3, thecontroller15 refers to the payment information of the request information to check whether or not the user is willing to make payments for the new musical number data. If the result of check at step S3 is YES, that is if it is found that the user is willing to make payments for the new musical number data, the flow moves to step S4. If the result of check at step S3 is NO, that is if it is found that the user is not willing to make payments for the new musical number data, the flow moves to step S6.
• At step S[0081]4, thecontroller15 controls theaccounting processing unit14 to execute preset accounting for the new musical number data before the flow moves to step S5.
• At step S[0082]5, thecontroller15 switches to the sending mode of sending the new musical number data or other musical data, for which accounting has been made, to thedata receiving device4 with the same sound quality, that is with high sound quality, and executes data processing matched to the mode, before proceeding to step S7. On the other hand, thecontroller15 at step S5 switches to the sending mode of sending the new musical number data for which the user is not willing to make payments with a sound quality lower than that of other musical data, executes data processing matched to the mode, before proceeding to step S7. If new musical number data is sent at step S5 or S7, a new musical number flag is set in a header of each data packet before sending the data packet.
• As for the processing at steps S[0083]5 and S6, the new musical number data or other data, read out from thehard disc array12 is directly sent at step S5, while new musical number data is converted at the processing at step S6 to audio data which is sent directly or after limiting the S/N ratio or the frequency range of the new musical number data. It is also possible to send only new musical number data for one chorus without degrading the sound quality of the new musical number data.
• By executing the processing at step S[0084]6, it is possible for thedata sending device2 to send new musical number data as sample data to the user failing or not willing to make payments.
• The data sent in this manner from the[0085]data sending device2 is received by thedata relaying device5 at step S7 and sent to the portableterminal device6 under control by thecontroller29 of thedata relaying device5.
• The portable[0086]terminal device6 on reception of data from thedata relaying device5 at step S8 detects the new musical number flag of the header of each data packet shown in FIG. 4 by thecontroller42 to check at step S9 whether or not the data is the new musical number data. If the result of check at S9 is YES, that is if the data is found to be the new musical number data, the flow moves to step S10 and, if otherwise, the flow moves to step S11.
• The[0087]controller42 allows the new musical number data to be supplied to thehard disc drive32 at step S10 to control the data to be stored in the hard disc in thehard disc drive32.
• The[0088]controller42 performs control at the next step S11 to send the new musical number data or other data to thedata expanding unit38 to expand the data to sequentially reproduce the data. This permits the portableterminal device6 to sequentially reproduce the data requested by the user and to record only the new musical number data automatically on the hard disc. On the portableterminal device6, the new musical number data for which payment has been made can be heard with the same sound quality as that of other musical data, while the new musical number data for which payment has not been made can be heard as data processed at step S6, that is as so-called sample data.
• FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the[0089]data sending device2,data relaying device5 and the portableterminal device6 in case thedata sending device2 performs so-called push type services similar to broadcasting. In this flowchart, the portableterminal device6 designates a specified music genre to permit thedata sending device2 to start the above-mentioned genre-based sending program to sequentially send the music data of the specified genre to thedata receiving device4.
• The[0090]controller15 of thedata sending device2 on reception of the genre designation information refers at step S2 to the genre designation information of the request information to control the data retrievingprocessing unit13 to sequentially retrieve and read out the music data in the specified genre from thehard disc array12. In this case, the read-out musical data contains not only the new musical number data but also other music data.
• At the next step S[0091]22, thecontroller15 performs control to send the read-out musical data sequentially to thedata receiving device4. It should be noted that, when sending the new musical number data, a new musical number flag is set in the header of each data packet before sending the data.
• The musical data sent from the[0092]data sending device2 is received at step S23 by thedata relaying device5 and thence sent to the portableterminal device6 under control by thecontroller29 of thedata relaying device5.
• The portable[0093]terminal device6 on reception of the musical data from thedata relaying device5 at step S24 detects the new musical number flag of the header of the packet of each data packet shown in FIG. 4 to check whether or not the data is the new musical number data (step S25). If the result of check at step S25 is YES, that is if the data is found to be the new musical number data, the flow moves to step S26 and, if otherwise, the flow moves to step S27.
• The[0094]controller42 at step S26 sends the new musical number data to thehard disc drive32 to control thehard disc drive32 to record the data on the hard disc in thehard disc drive32.
• The[0095]controller42 performs control at step S27 to send the new musical number data or other musical data to thedata expanding unit38 to expand the data to sequentially reproduce the data. Thus, in the portableterminal device6, the musical data of the genre specified by the user is sequentially reproduced, while only the new musical number data is automatically recorded on the hard disc.
• At the next step S[0096]28, thecontroller42 is in a state of waiting for an input indicating whether the payment should be made for each new musical number data recorded on the hard disc of thehard disc drive32. If the result of check at step S28 is YES, that is if an input indicates that payment should be made, the reproducing state is switched to permit the new musical number data to be reproduced with the same high quality as that of the other music data to execute the processing of step S29. If the result of check at step S28 is NO, that is if an input indicates that payment is not made, the reproducing state is terminated, on the assumption that the user is not willing to reproduce data with high sound quality.
• The[0097]controller15 of thedata sending device2, which has received this request information, controls theaccounting processing unit14 at step S30 to make preset payment for the specified new musical number data.
• After completion of the sending of the request information, the[0098]controller42 of the portableterminal device6 performs control at step S31 to set an accounting flag indicating the end of accounting for the musical data stored in the hard disc of thehard disc drive32. This processing is performed by appending a flag to the leading end of the data, rewriting file allocation table (FAT) data or directory data of the hard disc or by providing thecontroller42 with a table for data names of the music data stored in the hard disc and by setting a pointer in this table, as shown in FIG. 7.
• It is also possible to provide a new step between the step S[0099]30 and the step S31, to send data indicating the end of the accounting from thedata sending device2 to the portableterminal device6 when the accounting at step S30 comes to a close and to execute the processing of step S31 by the portableterminal device6 detecting this data.
• By the above processing, an accounting flag is set on only those of the new musical number data recorded in the hard disc of the[0100]hard disc drive32 for which the payment has been made.
• In the above description, it is assumed that the[0101]data sending device2 has started the genre-based sending program by the portableterminal device6 sending the genre-based designation information. However, similar processing may be used when thedata sending device2 starts the new musical number data sending program by the portableterminal device6 sending the above-mentioned new musical number request information. It this case, it suffices if thecontroller15 of thedata sending device2 having received the new musical number request information retrieves the new musical number identifier to sequentially retrieve and read out new musical number data from thehard disc array12.
• If the[0102]controller15 also receives the genre designation information along with the new musical number request information, it suffices if the data retrievingprocessing unit13 is controlled at step S21 to sequentially retrieve and read out new musical number data of the genre specified by the user. If thedata sending device2 executes this new musical number data sending program, the processing of step S25 for checking on the side of the portableterminal device6 if the data is the new musical number data based on the new musical number flag is unnecessary.
• The playback processing for reproducing the acquired new musical number data for the case of reproducing new musical number data recorded on the hard disc of the[0103]hard disc drive32 on the present portableterminal device6 is explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6. In this case, the portableterminal device6 is taken out of thedata relaying device5 and aheadphone44 is connected to the terminal41a.This allows the user to hear the music of the new musical number data corresponding to the acquired new musical number data as the user carries the portableterminal device6. The playback processing for new musical number data by the portableterminal device6 is explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9.
• At step S[0104]41 at the time of transfer to the new musical number data reproducing mode, thecontroller42 of the portableterminal device6 is in a state of waiting for a playback request for new musical number data. An actuation input signal, specifying the playback request, is kept at this step S41 until the actuation input signal specifying the playback request is supplied from the actuatinginput unit35, with the actuation input signal transferring to step S42 when a playback request is issued. Specifically, at step S41, all data names of the new musical number data stored on the hard disc are displayed on thedisplay unit36 and the user then selects and decides one or more of the new musical number data desired to be reproduced by the user acting on one of theactuating buttons35ato35dof theactuating input unit35.
• At step S[0105]42, thecontroller42 checks whether or not the accounting flag shown in FIG. 7 has been set on new musical number data requested to be reproduced. At step S43, the new musical number data found at step S42 to be that for which the accounting flag is set (YES) is processed before the flow moves to step S45. The new musical number data found at step S42 to be that for which no accounting flag has been set (NO) is processed at step S44 before the flow moves to step S45.
• At step S[0106]43, thecontroller42 switches the playback state of the portableterminal device6 to a high quality playback mode. Conversely, at step S44, thecontroller42 switches the playback state of the portableterminal device6 to a low quality playback mode. Examples of the reproducing processing of the low quality reproducing mode include executing data expansion at a lower data expansion rate than that used for expansion processing for the high quality reproducing mode, executing monaural reproduction if the new musical number data is stereo musical data or limiting the reproducing time such as reproducing only one chorus of the new musical number data.
• At step S[0107]45, thecontroller42 controls thedata expanding unit38 so that the new musical number data will be reproduced in accordance with the playback mode as set or with the reproducing state. The data sending receivingsystem1 then reproduces the new musical number data recorded on the hard disc of thehard disc drive32 in such a manner that high quality reproduction is made as other musical data if the musical data as new musical number data with the accounting flag set is reproduced, while reproduction at a lower sound quality than in reproducing other musical data as at step S44 is made by way of a sample-wise reproduction if the musical data as new musical number data devoid of the accounting flag set is reproduced.
• At the next step, the end waiting state is set in order to wait for termination of the reproducing operation. Thus, control dwells at this step S[0108]46 until the reproducing processing on all designated new musical number data comes to a close and, if the data reproducing operation comes to a close, control reverts to step s41 to repeat the processing from step S41 to step S46.
• That is, if the new musical number data stored on the hard disc of the[0109]hard disc drive32 is to be reproduced with the present data sending receivingsystem1, and the new musical number data to be reproduced is the new musical number data with the accounting flag set, high quality reproduction is executed as in the case of other musical data. If the new musical number data reproduced is that devoid of the accounting flag as set, sample-wise reproduction with a lower sound quality than in reproducing other musical data is executed. Thus, new musical number data for which payment has not been made can be heard repeatedly for trial sake. If there is any musical number data that has suited to the liking of the user as a result of tentative hearing, the corresponding new musical number data that can be reproduced with high sound quality similarly to other musical data can be acquired by the processing explained with reference to FIG. 5.
• In the above-described embodiment, the portable[0110]terminal device6 and thedata sending device2 are interconnected viadata relaying device5. It is however possible to interconnect amodem46 accessible to thecommunication network3 to the I/F37 shown in FIG. 3 viaconnection terminal37aof the portableterminal device6 to interconnect the portableterminal device6 and thedata sending device2 without interposition of thedata relaying device5, as shown in FIG. 10. In this case, it is also possible to interconnect akeyboard45 or adisplay47 to theconnection terminal37afor convenience in the inputting or display operations.
• In the above-described embodiment, there is shown a data relaying device interconnecting a sole portable[0111]terminal device6 with thedata sending device2. The present invention is, however, not limited to this specified constitution. For example, adata relaying device50 capable of interconnecting plural portableterminal devices6, as shown in FIG. 11. Specifically, thedata relaying device50 includes plural mountingportions7 for connecting to the portableterminal devices6 on a base block of thedevice50 and a corresponding plural number ofactuating buttons25aanddisplay units26. That is, with the presentdata relaying devices50, theblocks22 to30 making up thedata relaying device50 are provided internally so that a number of users can acquire new musical number data or musical data at a time.
• In the above-described embodiment, musical data for a new musical number that is on the market only for a pre-set period since it was first put on the market, such as for one month. The present invention is, however, not limited to this and any musical data not received by the user as yet, that is musical data that is new musical number data for the user, may be defined as new musical number data.[0112]
• In this case, it suffices if the index information of data stored in the[0113]hard disc drive32 of the current portableterminal device6 is sent along with the above-mentioned request data to thedata sending device2 in order for thedata sending device2 to check if the information is the new information to permit only musical data not stored in thehard disc drive32 of the portableterminal device6 to be sent to the portableterminal device6. It is also possible for the portableterminal device6 to compare the data stored in thehard disc drive32 to the data sent from thedata sending device2 in order to record only musical data not stored in thehard disc drive32.

Claims (49)

What is claimed is:

1. A data sending receiving apparatus comprising:

a first storage unit holding plural data on memory;

a retrieval unit for retrieving the data stored in said first storage unit;

a first sending receiving unit for sending data retrieved by said retrieval unit, said first sending receiving unit receiving the request information sent from a user and supplying the received request information to said retrieval unit; and

a second sending receiving unit for receiving the data sent from said first sending receiving unit and for sending the request information from the user, said second sending receiving unit having a decision unit for checking whether or not data sent from said first sending receiving unit is data newly stored in said first storage unit and a second storage unit for storing data sent from said first sending receiving unit if the results of check by said check unit indicates that the data is data stored in said first storage unit.

2. The data sending receiving apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein said second sending receiving unit further includes a reproducing unit and wherein, if the results of check by said decision unit indicates data other than data newly stored in said first storage unit, said second sending receiving unit reproduces the data sent from the first sending receiving unit by said reproducing unit.

3. The data sending receiving apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein said first sending receiving unit when sending data retrieved by said retrieval unit appends supplementary data indicating that the data is data newly stored in said first storage unit if data sent is the the data newly stored in said first storage unit.

4. The data sending receiving apparatus according toclaim 3 wherein said decision unit checks whether or not data sent from said first storage unit is data newly stored in said first storage unit.

5. The data sending receiving apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein said second sending receiving unit generates the request information form the user inclusive of data specifying the user's intention to make payment to send the generated information to said first sending receiving unit.

6. The data sending receiving apparatus according toclaim 5 wherein said first sending receiving unit switches the sending mode to said second sending receiving unit of data retrieved by said retrieval unit based on data specifying the user's intention to make payment sent from the second sending receiving unit.

7. The data sending receiving apparatus according toclaim 6 wherein said first sending receiving unit switches the sending mode to the second sending receiving unit based on data specifying the user's intention to make payment sent from the second sending receiving unit if data retrieved by said retrieval unit is data newly stored in said first sending receiving unit.

8. The data sending receiving apparatus according toclaim 7 wherein said first sending receiving unit sends to said second sending receiving unit data newly stored in said first sending receiving unit with the same data quality as that in sending other data stored in said first storage unit if data specifying the user's intention to make payments for the request information from the user sent from the second sending receiving unit indicates that the user is willing to make the payments.

9. The data sending receiving apparatus according toclaim 8 wherein said first sending receiving unit sends to said second sending receiving unit data newly stored in said first sending receiving unit with the data quality lower than that in sending other data stored in said first storage unit if data specifying the user's intention to make payments for the request information from the user sent from the second sending receiving unit indicates that the user is not willing to make the payments.

10. The data sending receiving apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein said second sending receiving unit generates the request information from the user inclusive of the genre designation information to send the generated information to said first sending receiving unit.

11. The data sending receiving apparatus according toclaim 10 wherein said second sending receiving unit when reproducing data stored in said second storage unit reproduces the data in the same playback state as that for reproducing data other than the data newly stored in said first storage unit if the user is willing to make the payment.

12. The data sending receiving apparatus according toclaim 11 wherein said second sending receiving unit when reproducing data stored in said second storage unit sends the information concerning the payment to said first sending receiving unit if the user is willing to make the payment.

13. The data sending receiving apparatus according toclaim 12 wherein said first sending receiving unit performs accounting based on the accounting information sent from said second sending receiving unit.

14. The data sending receiving apparatus according toclaim 11 wherein said first sending receiving unit sends to said second sending receiving unit data specifying that the accounting has come toa close and appends accounting data specifying that effect to data for playback stored in the second storage unit based on data specifying that the accounting has come to a close.

15. The data sending receiving apparatus according toclaim 14 wherein said second sending receiving unit switches the reproducing state of data stored in said second storage unit based on said accounting data.

16. The data sending receiving apparatus according toclaim 11 wherein said second sending receiving unit discontinues the reproducing state if, when reproducing data stored in said second storage unit, the user has no intention to make payments.

17. The data sending receiving apparatus according toclaim 10 wherein said first sending receiving unit sends to the retrieving unit the request information from the user containing the genre designation information sent from the second sending receiving unit, and wherein said retrieval unit retrieves data stored in said first storage unit based on the request information from the user containing the genre designation information to send the retrieved data to the second sending receiving unit.

18. A data receiving apparatus comprising:

a sending receiving unit for receiving data sent from a host side device and for sending the request information from the user to said host side device;

a storage unit for storing received data sent by said sending receiving unit; and

a controller for checking whether or not the sent data is data newly stored in said host side device, said controller causing the sent data to be stored in said storage unit if the results of check indicate that the sent data is data newly stored in said host side device.

19. The data receiving apparatus according toclaim 18 further comprising:

a reproducing unit;

said controller causing the sent data to be reproduced by said reproducing unit if the results of check indicate that the sent data is data other than data newly stored in said host side device.

20. The data receiving apparatus according toclaim 19 wherein said controller further includes a check unit for checking whether or not the sent data is data newly stored in said host side device.

21. The data receiving apparatus according toclaim 20 wherein said controller discriminates, based on the supplementary data appended to the sent data for indicating that the data is data newly stored in the host side device, whether or not the sent data is data newly stored in the host side device.

22. The data receiving apparatus according toclaim 18 wherein said sending receiving unit generates the request information from the user containing data specifying the user's intention to make payments to send the generated data to said host side device.

23. The data receiving apparatus according toclaim 18 wherein said sending receiving unit generates the request information from the user containing the genre designation information to send the generated information to said host side device.

24. The data receiving apparatus according toclaim 23 wherein if, when data stored in said storage unit is to be reproduced, the user has the intention to make payments, the data is reproduced in a reproducing state similar to that for reproducing data other than said data newly stored in said host side device.

25. The data receiving apparatus according toclaim 24 wherein if, when data stored in said storage unit is to be reproduced, the user has the intention to make payments, the accounting information is sent from said sending receiving unit to said host side device.

26. The data receiving apparatus according toclaim 25 wherein, after accounting comes to a close on the basis of the accounting information, accounting data specifying that the accounting has come to a close is appended to data for playback stored in said storage unit.

27. The data receiving apparatus according toclaim 26 wherein the playback state of data stored in said storage unit is switched based on said accounting data.

28. The data receiving apparatus according toclaim 24 wherein if, when reproducing data stored in said storage unit, the user has no intention to make payments, the reproducing state is discontinued.

29. A data sending receiving method comprising the steps of:

retrieving plural data stored in a first storage unit based on the request information from a user sent to a host side device;

sending the retrieved data to a terminal side device;

checking whether or not the sent data is data newly stored in said first storage unit; and

storing the sent data in a second storage unit of said terminal side device if the results of discrimination indicate that the sent data is data newly stored in said first storage unit.

30. The data sending receiving method according toclaim 29 wherein, if the results of discrimination indicate that the sent data is data other than data newly stored in said first storage unit, the sent data is reproduced by said terminal side device.

31. The data sending receiving method according toclaim 29 wherein if, when the retrieved data is sent, the sent data is data newly stored in said first storage unit, supplementary data specifying that the sent data is data newly stored in said first storage unit is appended to the sent data and resulting data is sent.

32. The data sending receiving method according toclaim 31 wherein the sent data is checked on the basis of the supplementary data as to whether the sent data is data newly stored in said first storage unit.

33. The data sending receiving method according toclaim 29 wherein the request information from the user containing data specifying the user's intention to make payments is generated and sent from said terminal side device to said host side device.

34. The data sending receiving method according toclaim 33 wherein the sending mode of the retrieved data is switched on the basis of data specifying the user's intention to make payments for the request information sent from the portable terminal device.

35. The data sending receiving method according toclaim 33 wherein the sending mode of the retrieved data is switched on the basis of data sent from the terminal side device specifying the user's intention to make payments for the request information in case the retrieved data is data newly stored in said first storage unit.

36. The data sending receiving method according toclaim 35 wherein, if the data sent from the terminal side device specifying the user's intention to make payments for the request information sent from the terminal side device specifies that the user has the intention of making payments, data newly stored in said first storage unit is sent to said terminal side device with the same data quality as that of other data stored in said first storage unit and sent.

37. The data sending receiving method according toclaim 36 wherein, if the data sent from the terminal side device specifying the user's intention to make payments for the request information sent from the terminal side device specifies that the user has no intention of making payments, data newly stored in said first storage unit is sent to said terminal side device with the data quality inferior to that of other data stored in said first storage unit and sent.

38. The data sending receiving method according toclaim 29 wherein the request information from the user containing the genre designation information is generated and sent to said host side device.

39. The data sending receiving method according toclaim 38 wherein if, when data stored in said storage unit is to be reproduced, the user has the intention to make payments, the data is reproduced in a reproducing state similar to that in reproducing data other than said data newly stored in said host side device.

40. The data receiving method according toclaim 39 wherein if, when data stored in said storage unit is to be reproduced, the user has the intention to make payments, the accounting information is sent to said host side device.

41. The data sending receiving method according toclaim 40 wherein accounting is executed on the basis of the accounting information sent from the terminal side device.

42. The data sending receiving method according toclaim 41 wherein data specifying that the accounting has come to a close is sent to said terminal side device and wherein said terminal side device appends accounting data specifying that the accounting has come to a close to data for playback stored in said second storage unit based on data specifying that the accounting has come to a close.

43. The data sending receiving method according toclaim 42 wherein the reproducing state of data stored in said second storage unit is switched based on said accounting data.

44. The data receiving apparatus according toclaim 39 wherein if, when reproducing data stored in said second storage unit, the user has no intention to make payments, the reproducing state is discontinued.

45. The data receiving apparatus according toclaim 38 wherein data stored in the first storage unit is retrieved on the basis of the request information from the user containing the genre designation information sent from the terminal side device and wherein the retrieved data is sent to said terminal side device.

46. A data sending apparatus comprising:

a storage unit having plural data stored therein;

a retrieval unit for retrieving data stored in said storage unit based on the request information from the user containing data specifying the user's intention to make payments sent from a terminal side device; and

a sending receiving unit for sending the data retrieved by said retrieval unit, said sending receiving unit receiving the request information sent from the user to send the received information to said retrieval unit, said sending receiving unit switching the sending mode to said terminal side device of data retrieved by said retrieval unit based on data specifying the user's intention to make payments for the request information from the user.

47. The data sending apparatus according toclaim 46 wherein said sending receiving unit switches the sending mode to said terminal side device based on data specifying the user's intention to make payments for the request information from the user sent from the terminal side device if the data retrieved by said retrieval unit is data newly stored in said storage unit.

48. The data sending apparatus according toclaim 47 wherein, if the data sent from the terminal side device specifying the user's intention to make payments for the request information sent from the terminal side device specifies that the user has the intention of making payments, data newly stored in said storage unit is sent to said terminal side device with the same data quality as that of other data stored in said storage unit and sent.

49. The data sending apparatus according toclaim 48 wherein, if the data sent from the terminal side device specifying the user's intention to make payments for the request information sent from the terminal side device specifies that the user has no intention of making payments, data newly stored in said storage unit is sent to said terminal side device with the data quality inferior to that of other data stored in said storage unit and sent.

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