Patent ID: 7894471
Filing Date: 2011-02-22
Classification: H04L,H04N

Abstract:
1. A content distribution system comprising a terminal apparatus for use as one of a plurality of terminal apparatus logically connected in multilayer in a hierarchical structure in a network, with a content distribution apparatus which stream-distributes content data as an apex, the content data transmitted from the content distribution apparatus being sequentially stream-distributed by a relay function of the terminal apparatus from an upstream terminal apparatus to a downstream terminal apparatus in the hierarchical structure, wherein channel identification information is allotted to each channel in which the content data are stream-distributed, and unique apparatus identification information is allotted to each of the plurality of terminal apparatus, the terminal apparatus including; a routing table storage module which stores a routing table in which are correlated one portion of apparatus identification information among the apparatus identification information in the content distribution system, with location information of apparatus corresponding to the apparatus identification information; a connection process module which, in response to participating in the content distribution system, transmits a connection destination introduction request message for connecting to a connection destination candidate, of the content distribution system, based on the information of the routing table module, and the channel identification information as destination identification information, and connects to the connection destination candidate; a message destination determination module which, in response to receiving a message via the network, based on the destination identification information of the received message and the routing table, determines whether the received message is addressed to its own terminal apparatus; a connection condition information storage module which, in response to determining by the message destination determination module that the received message is addressed to its own terminal apparatus, and that the received message is a connection condition information message including information on a connection condition of the content distribution apparatus or the terminal apparatus, stores the connection condition information; and a connection destination candidate selection module which, in response to determining by the message destination determination module that the received message is addressed to its own terminal apparatus, and that the received message is the connection destination introduction request message, selects a connection destination candidate based on the connection condition information stored in the connection condition information storage module; and the content distribution apparatus including a routing table storage module which stores a routing table in which are correlated one portion of apparatus identification information among the apparatus identification information in the content distribution system, and location information of apparatus corresponding to the apparatus identification information; and a channel registration message transmission process module which. based on the routing table and the channel identification information indicating a channel in which its own content distribution apparatus stream-distributes content data as destination identification information, transmits a channel registration message including location information and/or apparatus identification information of its own content distribution apparatus.