Information processing apparatus and method

An information processing apparatus and method adapted to automatically convert contents edited by a user into a description language that is independent of platforms. Personal computers execute authoring software, convert the contents edited by the user into a markup language document, and transmit it to a server via the Internet. The server stores the markup language document supplied from the personal computer into a HDD and executes a markup language processing processor to develop the markup language document into a markup language document tree structure, which is stored in the HDD.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to an information processing apparatus and method and, more particularly, to an information processing apparatus and method adapted to automatically convert contents edited by a user into a platform-independent description language.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, in the software development in built-in system, there exists a variety of program codes dependent on platforms and program languages.

Recently, information sites in which contents such as music data and image data can personally be received without restriction exist on networks including the Internet.

However, the related-art technologies present a problem that the software developed on built-in systems can be re-used no more if devices or operation systems of these built-in systems are changed.

In the case where image data is received from information sites that manage contents, platform-dependent data conversion is required, thereby presenting a problem of complicating the contents delivery between users.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is an object of the present invention to automatically convert contents edited by a user into a description language that is independent of platforms.

According to the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus including: editing means for editing contents; converting means for converting, when storing the contents edited by the editing means, converting the contents into a predetermined description language; and storage means for storing the contents written in the predetermined description language, the contents being converted by the converting means.

In the above-mentioned information processing apparatus, the editing means can hold an editing history for the contents and the converting means can convert the editing history held in the editing means into the predetermined description language.

The above-mentioned information processing apparatus, further including: transmitting means for transmitting the contents written in the predetermined description language stored in the storage means to another information processing apparatus.

The above-mentioned information processing apparatus, still further including: translating means for requesting another information processing apparatus for the distribution of the contents, receiving the predetermined description language developed into a tree structure from the another information processing apparatus, and translating the received predetermined description language into a predetermined program code; and display means for executing the predetermined program code obtained by the translating means to display the corresponding contents.

In the above-mentioned information processing apparatus, the predetermined description language is an XML language.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an information processing method including the steps of: editing contents; converting, when storing the contents edited by the editing step, converting the contents into a predetermined description language; and controlling the storage of the contents written in the predetermined description language, the contents being converted by the converting step.

According to the present invention, there is provided a recording medium recording a computer-readable program including: editing contents; converting, when storing the contents edited by the editing step, converting the contents into a predetermined description language; and controlling the storage of the contents written in the predetermined description language, the contents being converted by the converting step.

According to the present invention, there is provided a program for having a computer execute the steps of: editing contents; converting, when storing the contents edited by the editing step, converting the contents into a predetermined description language; and controlling the storage of the contents written in the predetermined description language, the contents being converted by the converting step.

According to the present invention, there is provided an information processing system having an information processing apparatus for editing contents and an information distribution apparatus for distributing the contents, the information processing apparatus including: editing means for editing contents; converting means for converting, when storing the contents edited by the editing means, converting the contents into a predetermined description language; and transmitting means for transmitting the contents written in the predetermined description language to the information distribution apparatus, the information distribution apparatus including: storage means for receiving and storing the contents written in the predetermined description language sent from the information processing apparatus; developing means for developing the stored contents written in the predetermined description language stored in the storage means into a tree structure; and distributing means for distributing the contents written in the predetermined description language having the tree structure developed by the developing means to the information processing apparatus.

The information processing apparatus further includes: translating means for receiving the predetermined description language developed into a tree structure from the information distribution apparatus and translating the received predetermined description language into a predetermined program code; and display means for executing the predetermined program code obtained by the translating means to display the corresponding contents.

In the information processing apparatus and method and the program according to the invention, when editing contents and storing the edited contents, the contents are converted into a predetermined description language and the contents written in this predetermined description language is stored.

In the information processing system according to the invention, when editing contents and storing the edited contents in an information processing apparatus, the contents is converted into a predetermined description language, the contents written in the predetermined description language is sent to an information distribution apparatus, the contents written in the predetermined description language sent from the information processing apparatus is received and stored by the information distribution apparatus, the stored contents written in the predetermined description language is developed into a tree structure, and the contents written in the predetermined description language having this tree structure is distributed to the information processing apparatus.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Now, referring toFIG. 1, there is shown an exemplary configuration of a contents editing/distributing system to which the present invention is applied. In this contents editing/distributing system, a server1is connected to the Internet2and personal computers3-1through3-N (hereafter generically referred to simply as a personal computer3unless it is required to make distinction between the personal computers3-1through3-N) are also connected to the Internet2.

The server1stores a document12of markup language format (hereafter referred to as a markup language document12) supplied from a personal computer3via the Internet2into a hard disk drive (HDD)10.

The document of a markup language (ZIML: Zooming Interface Markup Language) denotes a document written in XML (extensible Markup Language) or XSL (extensible Stylesheet Language) for example.

On the basis of an operation done by the manager of the server1, the server1executes a markup language processing processor11to read the markup language document12from the hard disk drive10and develops this markup language document into a tree structure. The markup language document developed into a tree structure (hereafter referred to as a markup language document tree structure13is stored in the hard disk drive10.

If the distribution of a markup language document is requested from the personal computer3, the server1reads the corresponding markup language document tree structure13from the hard disk drive10and distributes it to the personal computer3via the Internet2.

On the basis of a user operation, the personal computers3-1through3-N execute authoring software21-1through21-N respectively to convert the user-edited contents (namely, multimedia information including images, graphics and text for example) into a markup language document and stores it into a hard disk drive59(FIG. 3). Also, the personal computers3-1through3-N may input the contents edited by use of a general-purpose application into the authoring software21-1through21-N respectively to convert the contents into a markup language document.

On the basis of a user operation, the personal computers3-1through3-N send the markup language document stored in the hard disk drive59to the server1via the Internet2.

On the basis of a user operation, the personal computers3-1through3-N execute markup language compliant browsers22-2through22-N respectively to request the server1via the Internet2for the distribution of contents.

The markup language compliant browser as used herein is an HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) browser or a BML (Broadcast Markup Language) browser for example.

The personal computers3-1through3-N receive the markup language document tree structure13from the server1and translates it into the program codes suitable to graphics engines23-1through23-N respectively. The translated program codes are displayed on an output block57(FIG. 3) based on a display device for example by the graphics engines23-1through23-N respectively.

It should be noted that, in the example ofFIG. 1, one unit of the server1is connected to the Internet2; it will be apparent that two or more units of server1may be connected to the server1.

In what follows, the authoring software21-1through21-N will be generically referred to as authoring software21unless otherwise specified, the markup language compliant browsers22-1through22-N will be generally referred to as the markup language compliant browser22unless otherwise specified, and the graphics engines23-1through23-N will be generically referred to as the graphics engine23unless otherwise specified.

Referring toFIG. 2, there is shown a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of the server1.

A CPU (Central Processing Unit)31executes various processing operations as instructed by programs stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory)32or programs loaded from the hard disk drive10into a RAM (Random Access Memory)33. These programs include the markup language processing processor11. The RAM33also stores, from time to time, data necessary for the execution by the CPU31of the above-mentioned various processing operations.

The CPU31, the ROM32, and the RAM33are interconnected via a bus34. This bus34is also connected to an input/output interface35.

The input/output interface35is connected to a communication block36based on a modem and a terminal adaptor and the hard disk drive10in which markup language documents12processed by the markup language processing processor11and markup language document tree structures13are stored. The communication block36executes communication processing via networks including the Internet2.

The input/output interface35is also connected to a drive37as required, on which a magnetic disk41, an optical disk42, a magneto-optical disk43, or a semiconductor memory44is appropriately loaded, computer programs read therefrom being installed into the hard disk drive10as required.

Referring toFIG. 3, there is shown a block diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of the personal computer3.

A CPU51executes various processing operations as instructed by programs stored in a ROM52or programs loaded from the hard disk drive59into a RAM53. These programs include a markup language compliant browser22and a graphics engine23. The RAM53also stores, from time to time, data necessary for the execution by the CPU51of the above-mentioned various processing operations.

The CPU51, the ROM52, and the RAM53are interconnected via a bus54. This bus54is also connected to an input/output interface55.

The input/output interface55is connected to an input block56composed of buttons, switches, a keyboard, and a mouse for example, an output block57composed of a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and a speaker, a communication block58composed of a modem and a terminal adaptor, and a hard disk drive59. The communication block58executes communication processing via networks including the Internet2.

The input/output interface55is also connected to a drive60as required, on which a magnetic disk61, an optical disk62, a magneto-optical disk63, or a semiconductor memory64is appropriately loaded, computer programs read therefrom being installed into the hard disk drive59as required.

The following describes contents editing to be executed on the authoring software21of the personal computer3.

When the user gives an instruction to start the authoring software21by operating the input block56, the CPU51loads the authoring software21from the ROM52on the basis of an input signal corresponding to the user operation supplied from the input block56and executes the loaded authoring software21. Consequently, a contents editing screen as shown inFIG. 4is displayed on the output block57.

Next, when the user gives an instruction to store the contents data by editing (laying out) contents101-1through101-5as shown inFIG. 4, the CPU51which is executing the authoring software21automatically converts the edited contents data into a markup language document (for example, an XML document) on the basis of an input signal corresponding to the user operation supplied from the input block56and stores this markup language document into the hard disk drive59.

Referring toFIG. 5, there is shown an example of a data description format (DTD: Document Type Definition) as it is when the contents of content editing are converted into a markup language document.

<?xml version=“1.0” encoding=“shift_jis”?> on line1denotes that the version of XML language is 1.0 and encoding is based on shift JIS. <?xml-stylesheet type=“text/css” href=“ziml_sample.css”?> on line2denotes that the style specification language of XML language is made up of text or css (Cascading Style Sheets) and the data to be linked are a ziml_sample.css description file. <!DOCTYPE interface> on line3denotes that the document type is an interface description language.

<interface xmlns:html=“http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40” xmlns=“http://ziml.aaaa.co.jp/ziml-dtd”> on lines4and5denotes that the data indicated by the interface description language exist in URL (Uniform Resource Locator) http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40 and the data indicated by a ZIML document (markup language document) exist in the URL of xmlns=“http://ziml.aaaa.co.jp/ziml-dtd.

<ziml> on line6denotes the root element which delimits the entire ZIML document.

In a range from <view> on line7to </view” on line11, the description about one or more view nodes is made. <view-node id=“1” view-factor=“design”/> on line8denotes that the ID of view element which is a screen display status is “1” and the condition of selecting a node to be displayed in the view is “design” (which explicitly specifies a node by style description). Likewise, lines9and10denote that the ID of view element is 2 and 3 respectively and the condition for selecting a node is “design”.

In a range from <macrocosm> on line12to </macrocosm> on line43, the description of one or more universe elements is made. In a range from <universe> on line13to </universe> on line22and in a range from <universe> on line23and </universe> on line42, the description of one or more node elements is made.

<node id=“1” object-type=“image” contents-type“image/jpg” data=url(“http://ziml.aaaa.co.jp/data/genre1.jpg”)focus=“got_focus”keyword=“pops”/> on lines14and15denotes that the ID of the node shown in view is “1”, the type of drawing object representative of the node is “image object” (image), the type of contents indicative of the drawing object representative of node is “JPEG” (Joint Photographic Experts Group), the data indicated by the drawing object representative of node exist in URL http://ziml.aaaa.co.jp/data/genrel.jpg, there is a focus (got_focus) for the drawing object representative of node, and the keyword of information included in node is “pops”.

Likewise, on lines16and17, the ID of node is “2”, the type of drawing object is “image” object, the type of contents is “JPEG”, the data indicated by the drawing object exist in URL http://ziml.aaaa.co.jp/data/genre2.jpg, there is no focus (lost_focus) for the drawing object, and the keyword is “rock”.

On lines18and19, the ID of node is “3”, the type of drawing object is “image” object, the type of contents is “JPEG”, the data indicated by the drawing object exist in URL http://ziml.aaaa.co.jp/data/genre3.jpg, there is no focus for drawing object, and the keyword is “jazz”.

On lines20and21, the ID of node is “4”, the type of drawing object is “image” object, the type of contents is “JPEG”, the data indicated by drawing object exist in URL http://ziml.aaaa.co.jp/data/genre4.jpg, there is no focus for drawing object, the keyword is classical “classic”.

On lines24and25, the ID of node is “5”, the type of drawing object is “image” object, the type of contents is GIF (Graphics Interchange Format), the data indicated by drawing object exist in URL http://ziml.aaaa.co.jp/data/duppy1.gif, there is a focus for drawing object, and the keyword is “duppy”.

On lines26and27, the ID of node is “6”, the type of drawing object is “image” object, the type of contents is GIF, the data indicated by drawing object exist in URL http://ziml.aaaa.co.jp/data/duppy2.gif, there is no focus for drawing object, and the keyword is “duppy”.

On lines28and29, the ID of node is “7”, the type of drawing object is “image” object, the type of contents is “GIF”, the data indicated by drawing object exist in URL http://ziml.aaaa.co.jp/data/duppy3.gif, there is no focus for drawing object, and the keyword is “duppy”.

On lines30and31, the ID of node is “8”, the type of drawing object is “image” object, the type of contents is “GIF”, the data indicated by drawing object exist in URL http://ziml.aaaa.co.jp/data/duppy4.gif, there is no focus for drawing object, and the keyword is “duppy”.

On lines32and33, the ID of node is “9”, the type of drawing object is “image” object, the type of contents is “GIF”, the data indicated by drawing object exist in URL http://ziml.aaaa.co.jp/data/kuraki.gif, there is a focus for drawing object, and the keyword is “kuraki”.

On lines34and35, the ID of node is “10”, the type of drawing object is “image” object, the type of contents is “GIF”, the data indicated by drawing object exist in URL http://ziml.aaaa.co.jp/data/hirai.gif, there is no focus for drawing object, and the keyword is “hirai”.

On lines36and37, the ID of node is “11”, the type of drawing object is “image” object, the type of contents is “GIF”, the data indicated by drawing object exist in URL http://ziml.aaaa.co.jp/data/spick.gif, there is no focus for drawing object, and the keyword is “spick”.

On lines38and39, the ID of node is “12”, the type of drawing object is “image” object, the type of contents is “GIF”, the data indicated by drawing object exist in URL http://ziml.aaaa.co.jp/data/19.gif, there is no focus for drawing object, and the keyword is “19”.

On lines40and41, the ID of node is “13”, the type of drawing object is “image” object, the type of contents is “GIF”, the data indicated by drawing object exist in URL http://ziml.aaaa.co.jp/data/qube.gif, there is no focus for drawing object, and the keyword is “qube”.

Thus, the contents are converted into a markup language document and stored in the hard disk drive59.

When the user gives an instruction to send the markup language document from the hard disk drive59to the server1by operating the input block56of the personal computer3, the CPU51reads the markup language document from the hard disk drive59as instructed by the user operation and sends the markup language document to the server1via the communication block58and the Internet2.

The server1receives the markup language document12supplied from the personal computer3via the Internet2and stores the received markup language document12into the hard disk drive10. Then, when the markup language processing processor11is executed by the manager of the server1, the markup language document12is read from the hard disk drive10to be developed into the markup language document tree structure13.

Referring toFIG. 6, there is shown an example of the markup language document tree structure13.

In the example shown inFIG. 6, tags (elements) “genre”, “hit chart”, and “recommendation” are linked to tag “menu screen” which is the topmost entry. Tag “genre” is linked down to tags “Japanese music” and “Western music”. Tag “Japanese music” is linked down to tags “pops”, “rock”, and “classical”.

Thus, the markup language document12stored in the hard disk drive10is developed into a tree structure by the markup language processing processor11to be stored, as the markup language document tree structure13, in a different storage area than that of the markup language document12.

When the user of the personal computer3executes the markup language compliant browser22by operating the input block56to request the Internet2for the distribution of contents, the Internet2reads the corresponding markup language document tree structure13from the hard disk drive10and distributes the markup language document tree structure13to the personal computer3via the Internet2.

The personal computer3gets (receives) the markup language document tree structure13supplied from the server1via the Internet2and translates it into a program code suitable for the graphics engine23, displaying the resultant program code on the output block57constituted by a display device for example.

Thus, the contents edited by the user as desired by use of the authoring software21is automatically converted into a markup language document, which is sent to the server1to be developed into a tree structure. Therefore, the server1can provide common contents (the markup language document tree structure13) to the user independently of platforms. Namely, the personal computer3can distribute the contents edited by use of the authoring software21via the server1without restriction.

The following describes the processing ranging from the editing contents and the distribution of the edited contents with reference to the flowchart shown inFIG. 7.

In step S1, the CPU51of the personal computer3loads the authoring software21from the ROM52to execute it as instructed by the user. Consequently, the a contents editing screen as shown inFIG. 8for example is displayed on the output block57.

The user lays out contents101to a desired position by operating the mouse for example or displays a property screen111as shown inFIG. 9, on which the user lays out the contents by entering its coordinates for example.

For example, when laying out the contents101to a desired position by use of the mouse for example, the user drags and drops (by selecting an image, moving the selected image to a desired position, and deselecting the image at that position) the contents101to that position and zooms in or out as necessary, by which the edited results (the editing history) are held in the authoring software21.

In addition, for example, when entering an initial position by displaying the property screen111as shown inFIG. 9, the user activates a tab named “Coordinates And Scale” and enters the x and y coordinates and a scaling value (scale of zoom-in/zoom-out) as required, by which the edited results are held in the authoring software21.

When laying out the contents just laid out to another desired position, the user determines the laid out position and size of the contents101by use of the mouse for example or by entering the numerals.

For example, when laying out the contents101by entering the numerals, the user activates a tab titled “Animation” in the property screen111shown inFIG. 10and enters the duration of animation (a time required for movement), start waiting time, change pattern, and repeat of animation as required, by which the edited results are held in the authoring software21.

When the editing by of the contents101has been completed and the user gives an instruction for the storage of the contents data, the CPU51which is executing the authoring software21automatically converts the edited contents data into a markup language document as instructed by the user and stores the markup language document into the hard disk drive59.

Referring toFIG. 11, there is shown an example of a part of the markup language document (XML document) stored in the hard disk drive59.

In a range from <frame picture=“f02—01.bmp” X=“150” Y=“50” scale=“1.000000”> on line2to </frame> on line9, there is the description about a frame (image) having file name f02—01.bmp with the x coordinate and y coordinate of top left being 150 mm and 50 mm respectively and the scaling value being 1.000000.

In a range from <action> on line3to </action> on line8, there is the description about an operation (editing history) for moving an image of which frame name is f02—01.bmp.

<transformAction X=“0” y=“50” scale=“2.000000” duration=“200” animetionType=&LINEAR;” wait=“50” repeat=“1”/> on lines4and5denotes that the image linearly (LINEAR) moves, in 200 ms, to a predetermined position with x coordinate and y coordinates of top left point being 0 mm and 50 mm respectively, the scaling value after movement is 2.000000, the waiting time until the start of movement is 50 ms, and the repeat times of movement is 1.

<transformAction x=“50” y=“100” scale=“0.750000” duration=“50” animetionType=&SISO;” wait=“0” repeat=“1”/> on lines6and7denotes that the image moves in a Slow-in-Slow-out (SISO) manner, in 50 ms, to a predetermined position with x and y coordinates at to left point being 50 mm and 100 mm, the image of the scaling value after movement is 0.750000, the waiting time until the start of movement is 0 ms, and the repeat times of movement is 1.

Thus, contents data are converted into a markup language document by the authoring software21and stored in the hard disk drive59.

Now, referring toFIG. 7again, in step S2, the CPU51reads the markup language document from the hard disk drive59and sends it to the server1via the communication block58and the Internet2as instructed by the user.

In step S11, the CPU31of the server1receives the markup language document12supplied from the personal computer3via the Internet2and stores it into the hard disk drive10.

In step S12, the CPU31reads the markup language document12stored in the10in step S11when the markup language processing processor11is executed by the manager of the server1, develops the markup language document12into the markup language document tree structure13, and stores it into the hard disk drive10.

To be more specific, as shown inFIG. 12, a tag named “frame”, which is the topmost tag, is linked down with a tag named “action”, which is still linked down with two tags named “transformAction”.

In the example shown inFIG. 12, tag “frame” (element) is entered with attributes ““picture=”f02—01.bmp” x=“150” y=“50” scale=“1.000000”” described on line2of the markup language document shown inFIG. 11. Tag “transformAction” shown to the left inFIG. 12is entered with attributes “x=”0” y=“50” scale=“2.000000” duration=“200” animetionType=&LINEAR;” wait=“50” repeat=“1”” described on line4of the markup language document shown in the left inFIG. 11. Tag “transformAction” shown in the right inFIG. 12is entered with attributes “x=”50” y=“100” scale=“0.750000” duration=“50” animetionType=&SISO;” wait=“0” repeat=“1”” described on line6of the markup language document shown inFIG. 11.

Thus, the markup language document12is developed into the a tree structure by the markup language processing processor11and stored in the hard disk drive10as the markup language document tree structure13.

Referring toFIG. 7again, in step S3, the CPU51of the personal computer3executes the markup language compliant browser22to request the server1for the distribution of the edited contents as instructed by the user.

In step S13, the CPU31of the server1determines whether or not the distribution of contents has been requested by the personal computer3and executes this determination processing until the request for a distribution of contents is made. When the distribution of contents is requested by the personal computer3, the CPU31reads the corresponding markup language document tree structure13from the hard disk drive10and distributes it to the personal computer3via the Internet2in step S14.

In step S4, the personal computer3that is executing the markup language compliant browser22receives the markup language document tree structure13supplied from the server1via the Internet2and translates it into a program code suitable for the graphics engine23.

Thus, the markup language document tree structure13is translated by the markup language compliant browser22into program codes suitable for the graphics engine23.

Referring toFIG. 7again, in step S5, the CPU51executes, on the graphics engine23, each program code translated in step S4. Consequently, the corresponding contents are displayed on the output block57as shown inFIGS. 14A through 14C.

To be more specific, as shown inFIG. 14A, the contents101is laid out at an initial position with x coordinate being 150 mm and y coordinate being 50 mm, the scaling value at this moment being 1.0. Next, the contents are linearly (LINEAR) moved after 50 ms in 200 ms to a position with x coordinate being 150 mm and y coordinate being 50 mm, the scaling value at this moment being 2.0. Next, in the Slow-in-Slow-out manner, the contents are moved immediately (namely, the waiting time before the start of movement is 0 ms) in 50 ms to a position with x coordinate being 50 mm and y coordinate being 100 mm, the scaling value at this moment being 0.75 as shown inFIG. 14C.

Thus, the markup language document supplied from the server1is translated by the markup language compliant browser22into program codes suitable for the graphics engine23, which are outputted to the output block57.

As described above, the contents edited by the user by use of the authoring software21is automatically converted into a markup language document, which is developed into a tree structure in the server1, so that the edited contents may be distributed without restriction independently of platforms and program languages.

In the above description, the personal computer3is used by way of example as a platform on which the authoring software21is executed. It will be apparent that the platforms also include other information processing apparatuses such as portable telephones or PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) for example on which the authoring software21can be executed.

For example, if a portable telephone is used for the above-mentioned execution of the processing, a compact HTML browser is used as the markup language compliant browser, in which the markup language document tree structure13supplied from the server1is translated into a program code which can operate on the graphics engine of the portable telephone and the program code is executed, thereby displaying the corresponding contents.

The above-mentioned sequence of processing operations may be executed not only by hardware but also by software. In the software approach, the programs constituting the software are installed from a program storage medium into a computer incorporated in a dedicated hardware apparatus or a general-purpose personal computer for example that is able to execute various functions by installing various programs.

The recording media storing the above-mentioned software programs which are installed in a computer and made executable thereby may be constituted by a package medium made up of magnetic disk41or61(including flexible disks), optical disk42or62(including CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) and DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), magneto-optical disk43or63(including MD (Mini-Disc) (trademark)), or semiconductor memory44or64, or flash ROM4or the hard disk drive10or59in which the programs are stored temporarily or permanently. The recording of programs to the recording media is executed by use of wired or wireless communication media such as public line networks, local area networks, the Internet2, or digital satellite broadcasting systems via the communication block36or58based on a rooter and a modem.

It should be noted herein that the steps for describing each program recorded in recording media include not only the processing operations that are sequentially executed in a time-series manner but also the processing operations that are executed concurrently or discretely.

It should be noted that the term system as used herein denotes an entire apparatus constituted by a plurality of apparatuses.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to a first aspect of the present invention, when contents are edited and the edited contents are stored, the edited contents are converted into a predetermined description language, which is then stored, so that the contents edited by users may be distributed without restriction.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when an information processing apparatus edits contents and stores the edited contents, the contents are converted into a predetermined description language, the resultant contents written in the predetermined description language being sent to an information distribution apparatus. The information distribution apparatus receives and stores the contents written in the predetermined description language from the information processing apparatus, develops the stored contents written in the predetermined description language into a tree structure, and distributes the tree-structured contents written in the predetermined description language to the information processing apparatus, so that the common contents may be distributed to users independently of platforms.