Patent ID: 6473902
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A method of transmitting programs, each comprising a group of data, stored in a first saving means and copied to a second saving means before being distributed from the second saving means, comprising the steps of:saving a database file including data of programs copied to the second saving means, a playback file including data of transmission of the programs stored in the second saving means, and a copy file specifying programs in the order of transmission listed in the playback file but not saved in the database file; transferring to the first saving means a first copy demand for copying the programs specified by the copy file; copying the programs from the first saving means to the second saving means in response to the first copy demand; when the playback file is changed, examining whether the program specified by the copy file is to be transmitted on an urgent basis; when a program added and/or modified is to be transmitted on an urgent basis and before a current program being copied to the second saving means, transmitting to the first saving means a second copy demand for interrupting copying of the current program and then copying the program added and/or modified on an urgent basis; when a program added and/or modified is to be transmitted on an urgent basis and before a current program being copied to the second saving means, transferring to the first saving means a second copy demand for interrupting copying of the current program and then copying the program added and/or modified on a priority basis; and copying the program added and/or modified from the first saving means to the second having means in response to the second copy demand.