Patent ID: 6092112
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: G06F,H04L,H04N

Abstract:
An information distribution system using a network comprising:an information server including:a server communication control section for making a communication through said network;a data production section for producing and obtaining data to be offered from said information server; anda server control section for controlling said server communication control section and said data production section; anda client for receiving information from said information server through said network, said client including:a client communication control section for making a communication through said network:a client data holding section for holdino data offered from said information server through said network;a portable large capacity data retaining medium;a data retaining medium control section for controlling said data retaining medium; anda client control section for controlling said client communication control section, said client data holding section and said data retaining medium control section,wherein:when providing the information through said network to said client, said information server also provides further data, said further data including control information for using, in accordance with a state of said data retaining medium control section of said client, data existing in said data retaining medium of said client;when using the information from said information server, said client uses said data existing in said data retaining medium in accordance with said control information included in said further data and,when said client makes a request for data through said network to said information server, said information server makes a request for information specifying the contents of the data included in said data retaining medium under control of said data retaining medium control section of said client which acts as information on the state of said data retaining medium control section thereof toward said client, and said client is responsive to said request from said information server to offer the information on the state of said data retaining medium control section to said information server.