File server

The present invention was made in order to provide a file server, wherein a distributing device for storing parts of data to be stored by a server between the server for providing data and a terminal device for outputting data provided by the server, the distributing device reads data and sends them to the terminal device if said data requested to be provided have been stored when receiving the requests from the terminal device, transfers the provision requests to the server if the data requested to be provided have not been stored, and when receiving requested data from the server, it newly registers the requested data and at the same time sends the data to the terminal device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
(1) Industrial Field 
The present invention relates to a file server for providing softwares such 
as video or sound works and the like, in particular digital information 
softwares, to a plurality of terminal devices. 
(2) Conventional Technology 
Recently, with the advance of communication and information processing 
technologies it has become possible to provide various types of 
information services. 
In particular, services for providing video works of movies, etc., and 
sound works of music, etc., to user terminals utilizing communication 
lines, etc., are becoming popular. 
In order to realize such services, there is a server system by which data 
requested by users can be provided through communication lines, etc. 
This server system is constructed by connecting a server storing a 
plurality of video or sound works and terminal devices owned by users by 
communication lines. The users transmit requests of provision of desired 
data from their terminal devices to the server. Upon receiving such 
requests from the terminal devices the server will read the data desired 
by the users and sent them to the terminal devices. 
At the server system mentioned above, however, in the case where the size 
and quantity of data and the number of users increase and particularly 
video works of several gigabytes are transferred, the processing capacity 
of the server will be occupied by this transfer operation. Further, the 
communication lines connecting the server and the terminal devices will be 
occupied, as well. In such a case, the server will not be able to accept 
data providing requests from the other terminals. Though a method 
utilizing communication lines in time-divisional manner is possible to 
deal with this problem, processing loads on the server will be increased. 
Moreover, in the case where the number of users increase, the 
communication lines will be occupied by providing information to limited 
user groups. Thus, when the processing capacity of the server and the 
transmitting capacity of the communication lines are exceeded, the server 
will not be able to accept requests from the other terminal devices and to 
provide data until the current processing is completed and some 
communication lines become available. 
Further, even when the server starts processing data provision, 
transmitting rate will be reduced as it is carried out together with the 
other processings. Thus, in the case where the users request such punctual 
information as music, videos or the like, a silent state or omission of 
some images will be easily generated. 
When a number of servers are used in order to prevent throughput reduction, 
it will be necessary to prepare servers having large-capacity storage 
devices or lines in knitted form. However, for the former it will be 
necessary to make adjustments of version number management, etc., within 
each server. For the latter it will take time to set the lines. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention was made in order to reduce loads on the server as 
well as communication lines, to improve the processing capacity of the 
entire device and to improve quality of services at the file server for 
connecting the server and the user terminals by the communication lines. 
In order to achieve its object, the file server according to the present 
invention is provided with a distributing device between the server and 
the terminal devices. 
The server is the device for storing a plurality of such data as video 
works of movies, etc., sound works of music, etc., programs or the like 
and providing desired data to the users. 
The distributing device is for storing data up to a specified number of 
those owned by the server and providing data desired by the users to their 
terminals if they are stored. Further, the distributing device will 
transfer user requests to the server if data desired by the users are not 
stored. Then, upon receiving data desired by the users from the server, 
the distributing device will transmit these data to the terminals and at 
the same time store them. The distributing device is provided with a means 
for storing information up to a specified number. This storing means is 
made of, for example, an optical disk for storing information of digital 
signal form and a driver device. Further, the distributing device includes 
a server side transmitting/receiving means, a terminal side 
transmitting/receiving means, a storage control means and a state control 
means. These components will be made to function when a CPU owned by the 
distributing device executes control programs. 
The storage control means is for reading data from the storing means and 
writing data thereinto. 
The server side transmitting/receiving means is for sending data provision 
requests to the server and receiving data sent therefrom. 
The terminal side transmitting/receiving means is for receiving provision 
requests from the terminal devices and sending data thereto. 
The state control means is for identifying whether there are provision 
requests received from the terminal devices or not and whether information 
is currently being provided to the terminal devices or not and monitoring 
loads on the distributing device. 
When the file server according to the present invention is utilized, the 
users must input commands. specifying desired data to the terminal 
devices. In this way, the terminal devices will transmit requests of 
provision of data desired by the users to the distributing device. 
At the distributing device, the terminal side transmitting/receiving means 
receives provision requests. Then, the terminal side 
transmitting/receiving means will report the requests to the storage 
control means. 
The storage control means identifies whether requested data is stored or 
not by retrieving data in the storing means. If the requested data is 
stored in the storing means, the storage control means will read the 
requested data from the storing means and send them to the terminal side 
transmitting/receiving means. 
The terminal side transmitting/receiving means sends data to the terminal 
devices. 
On the other hand, in the case where the data desired by the users are not 
stored in the storing means, the storage control means will report the 
provision requests to the server side transmitting/receiving means. 
The server side transmitting/receiving means sends provision requests to 
the server. 
Upon receiving the provision requests the server will send these requested 
data to the distributing device. 
The server side transmitting/receiving means at the distributing device, 
upon receiving these requested data from the server, will transfer them to 
the storage control means. 
The storage control means writes the requested data into the storing means 
and at the same time transfer them to the terminal side 
transmitting/receiving means. 
The terminal side transmitting/receiving means sends the requested data to 
the terminal devices. 
The state control means of the distributing device monitors the processing 
state of the distributing device and will report provision of requests of 
new data to the server side transmitting/receiving means when there are 
small loads. 
The server side transmitting/receiving means, upon receiving the provision 
requests from the state control means, will send them to the server. Thus, 
when loads are small, the distributing device will be able to obtain new 
information. 
Further, it is predetermined that data to be transmitted/received among the 
server device, the distributing device and the terminal devices must be 
added with category codes for identifying the kinds of individual data. In 
this case, the distributing device must be provided with a category 
identification reference table and an information managing means. The 
category identification reference table is for registering identification 
information used to identify whether data belonging to each category is 
stored or not at every category codes. The information managing means, 
when receiving new information sent simultaneously from the server, will 
access to the category code identifying reference table based on the 
category code of this new information and identify whether the new data 
will be stored or not referring to the identification information of the 
category codes mentioned above. 
The identification information may be fixed information for identifying 
storage of the data of each category or the one on the number of 
requesting times by the users to the data belonging to each category. If 
the identification information is the latter, the information managing 
means will detect the category codes of targeted data whenever receiving 
provision requests from the terminal devices and renew the number of 
requesting times of the category identification reference table. Further, 
upon receiving new data sent simultaneously from the server, the 
information managing means may access to the category identification 
reference table based on the category codes of these new data and permit 
storing of the new data if the number of requesting times of the category 
is over the specified value. 
Furthermore, the server may compress and send the data when sending them to 
the distributing device. Accordingly, at the distributing device the data 
received from the server will be expanded and sent to the terminal devices 
.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with 
reference to the accompanying drawings. 
EMBODIMENT 1 
The construction of a file server at the embodiment 1 will be described 
with reference to FIG. 1. 
The file server is provided with a distributing device 2 between a server 1 
and a terminal device 3 and the server 1 and the distributing device 2 and 
the distributing device 2 and the terminal device 3 are connected 
respectively by communication lines. 
The server 1 stores plural kinds of data such as video works of movies, 
etc. , sound works of music, etc. , programs or the like. 
The distributing device 2 is provided with a storing section 27a for 
storing parts of data stored by the server 1. The distributing device 2 
further includes a server side transmitting/receiving section 2a, a 
terminal side transmitting/receiving section 2b, a storage control section 
2c and information managing sections 2d and 2f. 
The server side transmitting/receiving section 2a transmits/receives 
information to and from the server 1. More in detail, the server side 
transmitting/receiving means 2a transmits data provision requests from 
users to the server 1 and received new data sent therefrom. 
The terminal side transmitting/receiving section 2b transmits/receives 
information to and from the terminal device 3. 
The storage control section 2c reads data desired by users from the storing 
section 27a and writes new data received from the server 1. 
The state control section 2 identifies whether provision requests have been 
received from the terminal device 3 or not and whether data are currently 
being sent thereto or not and monitors loads on the distributing device 2. 
At the embodiment 1 according to the present invention, category codes for 
identifying individual data are added to information transmitted and 
received among the server 1, the distributing device 2 and the terminal 
device 3. The distributing device is further provided with an information 
managing section 2f and a category identification reference table(not 
shown in the Figure). 
The category identification reference table is for registering 
identification information used to identify whether data belonging to each 
category should be stored in the storing section 27a or not at every 
category codes. 
The information managing section 2f will detect the category codes of the 
respective new data and consult the category code identification reference 
table when a plurality of new data are simultaneously sent from the server 
1. Then, by consulting the identification information of the category 
codes of the respective new data it will identify which data should be 
stored. When identifying the new data to be stored, the information 
managing section 2f will transfer them to the storage control section 2c. 
At this time, the storage control section 2c will write the new data in 
the storing section 27a. 
As for identification information, it is to be preset. 
The function and the effect of the file server will be described 
hereinbelow. 
The user will input a command specifying desired data to the terminal 
device 3 when wishing to obtain them. 
The terminal device 3 sends a request of desired data provision made by the 
user to the distributing device 2. 
The terminal side transmitting/receiving section 2b at the distributing 
device 2, upon receiving the request, will sent it to the storage control 
section 2c. 
The storage control section 2c retrieves the data in the storing section 
27a and identifies whether there are data as requested stored or not. If 
there are requested data stored in the storing section 27a, the storage 
control section 2c will read the data therefrom and transfer them to the 
terminal side transmitting/receiving section 2b. 
The terminal side transmitting/receiving section 2b sends the data received 
from the storage control section 2c to the terminal device 3. 
In this way, it will be possible to obtain data without putting any loads 
on the server 1. 
On the other hand, in the case where there are no data as requested stored 
in the storing section 27a, the storage control section 2c will report the 
data provision request from the terminal device 3 to the server side 
transmitting/receiving section 2a. 
The server side transmitting/receiving section 2a will send the request to 
the server 1. 
Upon receiving the request from the distributing device 2, the server will 
read the data corresponding to this request and send them thereto. 
The server side transmitting/receiving section 2a at the distributing 
device 2, when receiving the data from the server 1, will transfer these 
data to the storage control section 2c and the terminal side 
transmitting/receiving section 2b. 
The storage control section 2c writes the data into the storing section 
27a. 
Also, the terminal side transmitting/receiving section 2b sends the data to 
the terminal device 3. 
Further, when identifying that loads on the distributing device 2 is small, 
the state control section 2d at the distributing device 2 will start the 
server side transmitting/receiving section 2a and send the request of new 
data provision to the server 1. 
Then, when the new data are sent from the server 1, the information 
managing section 2f at the distributing device 2 will detect the category 
codes of the respective new data. Then, the information managing section 
2f will identify whether the new data should be stored or not respectively 
consulting the category identification reference table. The information 
managing section 2f will transfer only the new data to be stored to the 
storage control section 2c. The storage control section 2c, upon receiving 
the new data from the information managing section 2f, will write them 
into the storing section 27a. 
In this way, it will be possible to obtain desired new data when loads on 
the distributing device 2 is small. 
EMBODIMENT 2 
The whole construction of the file server at the embodiment 2 will be shown 
in FIG. 2. 
The file server is constructed by connecting a server 1 and a plurality of 
distribution devices 2 by communication lines and connecting the 
respective distributing devices 2 and a plurality of terminal devices 3. 
At this embodiment a case where a plurality of distributing devices 2 are 
connected to a single server 1 is taken as an example. However, the cases 
where the respective distributing devices 2 are connected to a plurality 
of servers 1 may be possible. 
The server 1 is the device for holding a plurality of data such as video 
works, sound works, or the ones assembling these and providing data 
desired by users. 
The distributing device 2 is for distributing data provided by the server 1 
to a plurality of terminal devices 3. The distributing device 2 is 
provided with a storing device(an outside storing device and ROM25) for 
storing data up to a specified value and a function for reading the data 
desired by the users from the storing device when they are stored therein 
and sending them to the terminal devices 3 and transferring the 
users'requests to the server 1 when the data desired by the users are not 
stored. 
The terminal device 3 is the one for sending the users'requests of desired 
data provision to the distributing device 2 and outputting the data 
received from the distributing device 2 in image or sound forms. It is a 
personal computer, etc., provided with, for example, output devices such 
as a CRT, a speaker and so on and such input devices as a keyboard and so 
on. 
The construction and function of each device will be described hereinbelow. 
&lt;HARDWARE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SERVER 1&gt; 
As shown in FIG. 3, the server 1 is constructed by connecting a CPU 11, a 
RAM 15, a ROM 16, a keyboard 13, a LAN controller 12, an outside storing 
device controller 18, image output controller 17 and a clock by a bus 10. 
Further, an outside storing device 18a such as a magnetic disk, an optical 
disk or the like is connected to the outside storing device controller 18 
while an image output device 17a such as a CRT or the like is connected to 
the image output controller 17. 
The outside storing device 18a stores data such as video works of movies, 
etc., or sound works of music, etc., and programs from controlling the 
CPU11. 
The CPU 11 operates in accordance with the control programs stored in the 
ROM 16 and the outside storing device 18a and controls the LAN controller 
12, the image output controller 17 and the outside storing device 
controller 18. Thus, the server 1 can execute such communication 
processings as data reading/writing, communications with the other 
servers, communications with the data distributing device 2 or the like. 
The LAN controller 12 is the device for executing communications with the 
other servers and communications with the distributing device 2. As for 
the communication lines for connecting the server 1, the distributing 
device 2 and the terminal 3, lines such as ISDN and so on are used and the 
LAN controller 12 must be provided with communication boards or cards 
corresponding to the communication lines. 
The keyboard 13 is the device for inputting data and commands done by the 
owner of the server 1. For example, when new data held by the other 
servers or new data stored in the outside storing devices (not shown in 
the Figure) are registered in the outside storing device 18a, the owner 
will input commands specifying the new data from the keyboard 13. 
Accordingly, the CPU will receive the new data from the other servers or 
read the outside storing devices and register them in the outside storing 
device 18a. 
The specific function of the server 1 at the embodiment 2 will be described 
hereinbelow. 
&lt;FUNCTION OF THE SERVER 1&gt; 
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional construction of the server 
1, and functions shown in this Figure are realized by the hardware 
described above. 
The server 1 includes a transmitting/receiving section 1a, an information 
reading section 1b and a writing section 1c. 
The transmitting/receiving section 1a is for communicating with the other 
servers and with the distributing device 2 by controlling the LAN 
controller. More in detail, it sends (1) new data requests to the other 
servers 1, (2) receives new data requests sent from the other servers, (3) 
receives new data sent from the other servers, (4) sends new data to the 
other servers, (5) receives data requests sent from the distributing 
device 2 and (6) sends data to the distributing device 2. 
The information reading section 1b is for reading data stored in the 
outside storing device 18a by starting the outside storing device 
controller 18 and reading data stored in the RAM 15. 
The writing section 1c is provided with a function for writing new data 
received by the transmitting/receiving section 1a into the outside storing 
device 1e or into the RAM 15. 
Next, the construction and the function of the distributing device 2 at the 
embodiment 2 will be described. 
&lt;HARDWARE CONSTRUCTION OF THE DISTRIBUTING DEVICE 2&gt; 
The hardware construction of the distributing device 2 at the embodiment 2 
will be shown in FIG. 5. 
In this Figure, the distributing device 2 is constructed by connecting a 
CPU 21, a LAN controller(1) 22, a LAN controller(2) 23, a RAM 24, a ROM 
25, a clock 26 and an outside storing device interface card 27 by a bus 
20. 
Further, an outside storing device 27a of a magnetic disk, an optical disk, 
etc., is connected to the outside storing device interface card 27. 
The outside storing device 27a is for registering data received from the 
server 1. 
The CPU 21 operates in accordance with control programs stored in the ROM 
25 or the outside storing device 27a and controls the operations of the 
LAN controller(1) 22, the LAN controller(2) 23 and the outside storing 
device interface card 27. 
The LAN controller(1) 22 is for communicating with the server 1. 
The LAN controller(2) 23 is for communicating with the terminal device 3. 
The outside storing device interface card 27 is for interfacing between its 
own distributing device 2 and the outside storing device 27a. 
The function of the distributing device 2 realized by the hardware 
construction described above will be described hereinbelow. 
&lt;FUNCTION OF THE DISTRIBUTING DEVICE 2&gt; 
FIG. 6 shows the functional construction of the distributing device 2 at 
the embodiment 2. 
The distributing device 2 includes a server side transmitting/receiving 
section 2a as a means of issuing provision requests according to the 
present invention, a terminal side transmitting/receiving section 2b as a 
receiving section, a state control section 2d and a storage control 
section 2c. 
The server side transmitting/receiving section 2a is provided with a 
function for carrying out information sending and receiving operations 
with the server 1 controlling the LAN controller(1) 22. More in detail, it 
is provided with a function for transferring data requests from the 
terminal device 3 to the server 1 and the one for receiving data sent from 
therefrom. 
The terminal side transmitting/receiving section 2b is provided with a 
function for carrying out information sending and receiving operations 
with the terminal device 3 by controlling the LAN controller(2) 23. More 
in detail, it is provided with a function for receiving data requests sent 
from the terminal device 3 and the one for sending data thereto. 
The state control section 2d is for monitoring the operational state of the 
distributing device 2 of its own and provided with a function for 
identifying whether data requests from the terminal device 1 have been 
generated or not and whether data are currently being sent to the terminal 
device 1. If data requests have not been generated and no data are 
currently being sent, the distributing device 2 can send new data transfer 
requests to the server 1 itself and register new data received therefrom 
in the outside storing device 27a. 
The storage control section 2c is for accessing to the outside storing 
device 27a via the outside storing device interface card 27 and provided 
with reading, writing and rewriting data. That is, when receiving data 
requests from the terminal device 3, it will retrieve data in the outside 
storing device 27a, read the desired data if they are stored and send them 
to the terminal device 3 via the terminal side transmitting/receiving 
section 2b. Conversely, if the desired data are not stored in the outside 
storing device 27a, it will send the data requests from the terminal 
device 3 to the server 1 via the server side transmitting/receiving 
section 2a. It is further provided with a function for storing the data in 
the outside storing device 27a and at the same time sending them to the 
terminal device 3 via the terminal side transmitting/receiving section 2b 
when receiving the data from the server 1. 
&lt;HARDWARE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TERMINAL DEVICE 3&gt; 
The hardware construction of the terminal device 3 at the embodiment 2 will 
be described with reference to FIG. 7. 
The terminal device 3 is constructed by connecting a CPU 31, a LAN 
controller 32, a keyboard 33, a clock 34, a RAM 35, a ROM 36, an image 
output controller 37 and a sound output controller 38 by a, bus 30. 
Further, an image output device of a CRT, etc., is connected to the image 
output controller 37 while a sound output device 38a is connected to the 
sound output controller 38. 
The LAN controller 32 is for communicating with the distributing device 2. 
The keyboard 33 is for inputting image data received from the distributing 
device 2 to the image output device 37a. 
The sound output controller 38 is for outputting from the sound output 
device 38a sound data received from the distributing device 2. 
The CPU 31 is for controlling the respective sections mentioned above in 
accordance with control programs stored in the ROM 36. 
The functions of the terminal device 3 realized by the hardware 
construction described above will be described hereinbelow. 
&lt;FUNCTION OF THE TERMINAL DEVICE 3&gt; 
FIG. 8 shows the functional construction realized by controlling the LAN 
controller 32, the image output controller 37 and the sound output 
controller 38 with the CPU in accordance with control programs in the ROM 
36. 
As showing in FIG. 8, the terminal device 3 is provided with a 
transmitting/receiving section 3a, an information output section 3b and an 
input section 3c. 
The input section 3c is for inputting data requests via the keyboard 33. 
The transmitting/receiving section 3a is for carrying out information 
sending and receiving operations with the distributing device 2 by 
controlling the LAN controller 32. More in detail, it is provided with a 
function for sending data requests input by the input section 3c to the 
distributing device 2 and the one for receiving data sent therefrom. 
The information output section 3b is provided with a function for 
outputting data received by the transmitting/receiving section 3a via the 
image output controller 37 or the sound output controller 38. 
&lt;OPERATION OF THE FILE SERVER&gt; 
The operational steps of the file server at the embodiment 2 will be 
described herein below. 
FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the operational steps of the server 1. 
The transmitting/receiving section 1a of the server 1 is on standby for 
data transfer requests from the distributing device 2(step 901). 
Here, when receiving data transfer requests, the transmitting/receiving 
section 1a will report them to the information reading section 1b. 
The information reading section 1b will retrieve data in the outside 
storing device 18a based on the data transfer requests and identify 
registrations thereof(step 902). 
If the requested data are registered in the outside storing device 18a, the 
information reading section 1b will read them and transfer them to the 
transmitting/receiving section 1a. The transmitting/receiving section 1a 
will transfer the data read by the information reading section 1b to the 
distributing device 2(903). 
Further, when no data transfer requests have been received and no data are 
not currently been transferred, the server 1 will start the writing 
section 1c when commands specifying new data are input by the keyboard 
13(step 904). When the specifying commands are input, the writing section 
1c will read new data stored in the storage medium such as a magnetic 
disk, an optical disk or the like, or receive new data from the other 
servers 1 and write them in the outside storing device 18a(step 905). 
Next, the operation of the distributing device 2 will be described. 
FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the operational steps of the distributing 
device 2 at the embodiment 2. 
When receiving data requests from the terminal device 3(1001), the terminal 
side transmitting/receiving section 2b at the distributing device 2 will 
report them to the storage control section 2c. 
The storage control section 2c will retrieve data in the outside storing 
device 27a based on the data requests and identify storage thereof(step 
1002). 
Here, if the requested data are registered in the outside storing device 
27a, the storage control section 2c will read the requested data and send 
them to the terminal device 3 via the terminal side transmitting/receiving 
section 2b(step 1003). 
At the step 1002, in the case where the requested data have not been 
registered in the outside storing device 27a, the storage control section 
2c will transfer the data requests from the terminal device 1 to the 
server 1 via the server side transmitting/receiving section 2a(step 1004). 
Then, the distributing device 2 will be placed on standby for data 
provision from the server 1(step 1005). 
When the requested data are sent from the server 1, the server side 
transmitting/receiving section 2a will receive them and transfer them to 
the storage control section 2c. The storage control section 2c will write 
these data into the outside storing device 27a(step 1006) and at the same 
time send them to the terminal device 3 via the terminal side 
transmitting/receiving section 2b(step 1003). 
FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the operation of the terminal device 3 at 
the embodiment 2. 
The input section 3c monitors information input from the keyboard 33 and 
identifies whether it has been input or not(step 1101). 
Here, when information is input from the keyboard 33, the input section 3c 
will analyze it and identify if it is data request(step 1102). 
In the case where information input from the keyboard 33 is for requesting 
data, the transmitting/receiving section 3a will send the data requests to 
the distributing device 2(step 1103). 
Then, when the terminal device 3 which is on standby for data from the 
distributing device 2 receives data therefrom(step 1104), the information 
output section 3b will output the data from the image output device 37a or 
the sound output device 38a(step 1105). 
Next, the information storing operation of the distributing device 2 will 
be described with reference to FIG. 12. 
The state control section 2d at the distributing device 2 identifies 
whether data requests from the terminal device 1 have been generated or 
not(step 1201). Here, if data requests have been generated, a data 
transfer processing as shown in FIG. 10 will be executed(step 1202). 
On the other hand, at the step 1201, if there are not data requests 
generated, the state control section 2d will identify whether the 
distributing device 2 of its own is currently operating data transfer to 
the terminal device 1 or not(step 1203). Here, if there is no data 
transfer being operated, the server side transmitting/receiving section 2a 
will send new data transfer requests to the server 1(step 1204). 
Then, the distributing device 2 which had been on standby for data from the 
server 1(step 1205), when receiving new data therefrom, will receive them 
at the server side transmitting/receiving section 2a and transfer them to 
the storage control section 2d. 
The storage control section 2d will write the new data thus received to the 
outside storing device 27a(step 1206). 
&lt;EFFECT OF THE EMBODIMENT 2 &gt; 
According to the embodiment 2, as the file server stores data requested by 
the terminal device in the distributing device once, data to be 
transmitted from the server to the terminal device can be provided from 
the distributing device. Thus, the utilization rate of the communication 
lines connecting the server and the distributing device can be reduced and 
processing loads on the server can be reduced, as well. Therefore, in the 
case where a number of terminal devices are connected to a single server, 
it will be possible to provide information to the respective terminal 
devices at a high speed. 
Also, prior to operation of the file server, the utilization rate of the 
communication lines can be further reduced by registering parts of data 
held by the server in the distributing device. Moreover, parts of the data 
held by the server may be registered in a changeable type storage medium 
such as a CD-ROM or the like which is provided to the distributing device 
beforehand. 
In the description of the embodiment 2, reference was not made to data 
forms to be sent and received amount the devices. However, the server may 
be made to hold data in a compressed state, send the data in this state to 
the distributing device and provide them to the terminal device after they 
are given expansion processing at the distributing device. Or, the data in 
the compressed state may be sent from the distributing device to the 
terminal device and expanded thereat. In this way, it will be made 
possible to reduce the amount of data sent on the communication lines and 
to reduce the utilization rate thereof. 
Further, in the case where it is necessary to charge for data requested by 
the users, user charging information will be sent from the terminal device 
to the distributing device just before or after data transmission and the 
distributing device will send the information singly or in a compressed 
form to the server. The server may store the charging information in the 
outside storing device and carry out charging processings when necessary. 
Furthermore, as the distributing device can obtain data from the server 
when no transmission processings or receiving processings are not 
currently operated, loads on the CPU are small and some communication 
lines are available, the amount of communications between the distributing 
device and the server can be reduced at the time of data requests from the 
terminal device. Thus, even if the same data are requested by a number of 
terminals, as the data can be provided from the respective distributing 
devices to the terminal devices, high-speed data transfer will be made 
possible. 
EMBODIMENT 3 
The whole construction of a file server at the embodiment 3 is similar to 
the one at the embodiment 1 including a server 1, a distributing device 2 
and terminal device 3. 
&lt;HARDWARE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SERVER 1&gt; 
The hardware construction of the server 1 will be shown in FIG. 13. 
This server 1 is provided, in addition to the ones at the embodiment 1, a 
transmitter 19a for sending data by radio and a broadcast transmission 
controller 19 for controlling data transmission from this transmitter 19a. 
The other parts of the construction are the same as the one at the 
embodiment 1, and thus their explanation will be omitted. 
&lt;FUNCTION OF THE SERVER 1&gt; 
FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the functional construction of the 
server 1 realized by the hardware construction mentioned above. 
The server at the embodiment 3 is provided, in addition to the ones at the 
embodiment 1, with a state control section 1d and a broadcasting section 
1e. 
The broadcasting section 1e is provided with a function for controlling the 
broadcast transmission controller 19 and transmitting data simultaneously 
to all distributing devices 2. 
The state control section 1d is provided with a monitor for monitoring the 
processing state of the server 1 and identifying whether data are 
currently being provided to the distributing device 2 and a line monitor 
for monitoring the utilization band of communication lines connected to 
the distributing device 2. Depending on the detection results of the 
respective monitors, if data are not currently being sent and some 
communication lines are available, the server 1 will start the information 
reading section 1b and the transmitting/receiving section 1a and send new 
data newly registered in the outside storing device to all the 
distributing devices 2. Conversely, if the server 1 is not engaged with 
data transfer and there are only small bands of the communication lines 
available, the broadcasting section 1e will be started and the new data 
will be sent to all the distributing devices 2. 
Here, it is assumed that the transmitting/receiving section 1a is provided 
with a function for simultaneously sending the same data to a plurality of 
distributing devices 2. The other functions are similar to those at the 
embodiment 1, and thus their explanations will be omitted. 
Next, the distributing device 2 at the embodiment 3 will be described. 
&lt;HARDWARE CONSTRUCTION OF THE DISTRIBUTING DEVICE 2&gt; 
The hardware construction of the distributing device at the embodiment 3 is 
shown in FIG. 15. 
The distributing device 2 is provided, in addition to the ones at the 
embodiment 1, with a receiver 28a for receiving data sent by radio from 
the server 1 and a broadcast receiving controller 28 for transforming data 
received by this receiver 28a into data changeable by the distributing 
device 2 and inputting them. The other parts of the construction are the 
same as those at the embodiment 1, and thus their explanations will be 
omitted. 
The functions of the distributing device 2 realized by the hardware 
construction mentioned above will be described hereinbelow. 
&lt;FUNCTION OF THE DISTRIBUTING DEVICE 2&gt; 
The functions of the distributing device 2 will be described with reference 
to FIG. 16. 
The distributing device 2 includes a receiving section 2e in addition to 
those at the embodiment 1. This receiving section 2e is provided with a 
function for controlling the broadcast receiving controller 28 and 
receiving data sent from the server 1. When receiving data from the server 
1, the receiving section 2e will transfer the data to the storage control 
section 2c. The storage control section 2c will write the data received by 
the receiving section 2e into the outside storing device 27a via the 
outside storing device interface card 27. 
The other functions are similar to those at the embodiment 1, and thus 
their explanations will be omitted. 
Also, the construction and the function of the terminal device 3 are 
similar to those at the embodiment 1, and thus their explanations will be 
omitted. 
&lt;OPERATION OF THE FILE SERVER&gt; 
The operation of the file server at the embodiment 3 will be described with 
reference to the Figures. 
First, the operation of the server 1 will be described with reference to 
FIG. 17. 
The transmitting/receiving section 1a at the server 1 is on standby for 
data transfer requests from the distributing device 2(step 1701). 
When there are no data transfer requests from the distributing device 2 for 
a certain period of time, the state control section 1d will detect the 
utilization amounts of respective communication lines connected to the 
distributing device(step 1702). 
When the utilization amounts of the communication lines are small, that is, 
in the case where there are still some communication lines available, the 
information reading section 1b will be started when commands specifying 
new data to be transferred are input from the keyboard 13. 
The information reading section 1b will access to the outside storing 
device 17a and read the new data in accordance with the specifying 
commands(step 1703). Then, the information reading section 1b will 
transfer the new data which have been read. 
The transmitting/receiving section 1a will control the LAN controller 12 
and simultaneously send the new data to all the distributing devices 
2(step 1704). 
At the step 1701 previously mentioned, when the transmitting/receiving 
section 1a receives data transfer requests(step 1707), the information 
reading section 1b will retrieve data in the outside storing device 17a, 
identify registration of the requested, and if they have been registered 
it will report the requested data to the transmitting/receiving section 
1a. 
The transmitting/receiving section 1a will send the data read by the 
reading section 1b to the data request originating distributing device 
2(step 1704). 
Also, at the step 1702, in the case where the utilization rate of the 
communications lines is high, the broadcasting section 1e will be started 
and the new data will be sent to all the distributing devices by 
radio(step 1708). 
Further, when there are no data transfer requests at the step 1701 and the 
users input commands for registering new data to the outside storing 
device 17a without inputting transfer commands of the new data even if the 
utilization rate of the communication lines is identified to be low at the 
step 1702(step 1705), the writing section 1c will be started. When the 
registering commands are input, the writing section 1c will read new data 
stored in the storage medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk or 
the like, or receive new data from the other server 1 and write them in 
the outside storing device 18a(step 1706). 
Next, the operation of the distributing device 2 will be described. 
FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the operational steps of the distributing 
device 2 at the embodiment 3. 
The terminal side transmitting/receiving section 2b at the distributing 
device 2 is on standby for data requests from the terminal device 3(step 
1801), and when receiving the data requests it will report them to the 
storage control section 2c. 
The storage control section 2c will retrieve data in the outside storing 
device 27a based on the data requests and identify their storage(step 
1802). 
Here, in the case where the requested data have been registered in the 
outside storing device 27a, the storage control section 2c will read the 
requested data and send them to the terminal device 3 via the terminal 
side transmitting/receiving section 2b(step 1803) . 
Further, when there is no registration of the requested data in the outside 
storing device 27a at the step 1802, the storage control section 2c will 
transfer the data requests from the terminal device 1 to the server 1 via 
the server side transmitting/receiving section 2a(step 1804). Then, the 
distributing device 2 will be placed on standby for data provision from 
the server 1(step 1805). 
When the requested data are sent from the server 1, the server side 
transmitting/receiving section 2a will receive them and transfer them to 
the storage control section 2c. The storage control section 2c will write 
the requested data in the outside storing device 27a(step 1806) and at the 
same time send them to the terminal device 3 via the terminal side 
transmitting/receiving section 2b(step 1803). 
Further, when there are no data requests from the terminal device 3 at the 
step 1801 and new data are sent from the server 1 by the communication 
lines or radio(step 1807), these new data will be received by the server 
side transmitting/receiving section 2a or the receiving section 2e and 
transferred to the storage control section 2c. 
The storage control section 2c will write the received new data into the 
outside storing section 27a(step 1808). 
As the operation of the terminal device 3 at the embodiment 3 is similar to 
the one at the embodiment 1, its description will be omitted. 
&lt;EFFECT OF THE EMBODIMENT 3&gt; 
According to the file server at the embodiment 3, prior to data requests 
from the terminal device data can be stored in the distributing device, 
and thus the amount of data communications between the server and the 
distributing device can be reduced at the time of data requests from the 
terminal device. Therefore, by distributing processing loads to the server 
and the distributing device it will be made possible to transfer data to 
the terminal device at a high speed. That is, the period of waiting time 
from data requests to obtaining of data can be reduced. Also, in the case 
where a number of terminal devices request the same data, it will be 
possible to transfer data at a high speed. 
Further, by providing mechanisms for transmitting/receiving data by radio 
on the server and the distributing device, it will be made possible to 
supply data even when the utilization frequency of the communication lines 
is high and to reduce the utilization rate thereof. 
EMBODIMENT 4 
The server 1 at the embodiment 4 is made to send data, individual data 
names, category codes indicating the kinds of data and data lengths 
indicating the lengths of data when transmitting data to the distributing 
device 2 (see FIG. 19). 
Accordingly, a category identification reference table as shown in FIG. 20 
is registered in the ROM 25 of the distributing device 2 or the outside 
storing device 27a. This category identification reference table is for 
identifying data requested by a terminal device group 1 connected 
respectively to the distributing devices 2 and registering identification 
infirmation for every category code. This category identification 
reference table will be written in the RAM 24 from the ROM 25 or the 
outside storing device 27a when the distributing device 2 is started. 
The function of the distributing device 2 realized by the construction 
mentioned above will be described hereinbelow. 
&lt;FUNCTION OF THE DISTRIBUTING DEVICE 2&gt; 
The distributing device 2 is provided, in addition to those shown at the 
embodiment 3, with an information managing section 2f. 
The information managing section 2f is to be started when new data are 
simultaneously sent from the server 1 to all the distributing devices 2, 
and it is for detecting the category codes of the data received from the 
server 1, retrieving the category identification reference table based on 
these category codes and consulting the identification information of the 
category codes. It is provided with a function for transferring the new 
data to the storage control section 2c and registering them in the outside 
storing device 27a if the data are the ones as requested by the terminal 
device group 1. 
For example, in the case where data (1) is received as shown in FIG. 22, 
the information managing section 2f will detect the category code 
"DOMESTIC NEWS" of this data (1) and consult the category identification 
reference table as shown in FIG. 20 based on this category code "DOMESTIC 
NEWS". As the identification information of the domestic news is "yes" in 
the category identification table, the storage control section 2c will 
write the data (1) into the outside storing device 27a. 
Further, when receiving the data (2) as shown in FIG. 22, the information 
managing section 2f will detect a category code "OVERSEAS NEWS" from this 
data (2) and consult the category identification reference table as shown 
in FIG. 20 based on this category code "OVERSEAS NEWS". As the 
identification reference of the verses news is "no" in the category 
identification reference table, the storage control section 2c will erase 
the data (2) without writing it into the outside storing device 27a. 
As the other functions are the same as those at the embodiment 3, their 
explanations will be omitted. 
Also, as the functions of the server 1 and the terminal device 3 are 
similar to those at the embodiment 3, their explanations will be omitted. 
The operation of the distributing device 2 at the embodiment 4 will be 
described hereinbelow. 
&lt;OPERATION OF THE DISTRIBUTING DEVICE 2&gt; 
The operational flow chart of the distributing device 3 at the embodiment 4 
is shown in FIG. 23. 
The information managing section 2f at the distributing device 2 makes 
accessing to the outside storing device 27a at the time of starting the 
distributing device, reads the category identification reference table and 
loads to the RAM 24(step 2301). 
Then, the terminal side transmitting/receiving section 2b will be placed on 
standby for data requests from the terminal device l(step 2302). 
When the terminal side transmitting/receiving section 2b receives data 
requests, the storage control section 2c will retrieve the outside storing 
device 27a based on the data requests and identify storage thereof (step 
2303). 
If there are the requested data registered in the outside storing device 
27a, the storage control section 2c will read the requested data and send 
them to the terminal device 3 via the terminal side transmitting/receiving 
section 2b(step 2304). 
On the other hand, if the requested data have not been registered in the 
outside storing device 27a at the step 2303, the storage control section 
2c will start the server side transmitting/receiving section 2a and send 
the requests asking for transfer of the requested data to the server 
1(step 2305). 
Then, when the server side transmitting/receiving section 2a receives the 
requested data from the server 1(step 2306), the storage control section 
2c will write the requested data into the outside storing device 27a(step 
2307) and send them to the terminal device 1 via the terminal side 
transmitting/receiving section 2b(step 2304). 
Further, when there are no data requests at the step 2302 and when new data 
are sent from the server 1 by the communication lines or by radio(step 
2308), these new data will be reported to the information managing section 
2f. 
The information managing section 2f will detect the category codes of the 
new data and make accessing to the category identification reference table 
of the RAM 24 based on these category codes. Then, it will identify 
whether the category indicated by these codes coincides with the one 
requested by the terminal device 3 or not(step 2308). 
Here, in the case where the category of the new data coincides with the one 
requested by the terminal device 3, the information control section 2c 
will write the new data into the outside storing device 27a(step 2309). 
&lt;EFFECT OF THE EMBODIMENT 4&gt; 
According to the embodiment 4, by setting a category identification table 
for identifying categories of data requested by users for each 
distributing device, each distributing device will be allowed to register 
data as requested by the users beforehand. 
Further, though the category identification reference table is used only at 
the time of simultaneous transmission of data from the server in the case 
of this embodiment 4, it is possible to identify categories of data 
requested by users. In this case, in the case where the categories of the 
data do not coincide with the identification information of the category 
identification reference table when the data as requested by the users are 
received from the server device, the data will not be sent to the users. 
EMBODIMENT 5 
The server 1 at the embodiment 5 is, as similar to the case at the 
embodiment 4, made to transmit data, names of the data, category codes and 
data length. 
The distributing device 2 is provided with a category identification 
reference table for identifying whether data sent from the server 1 are 
the one belonging to a category requested by the terminal device or not. 
This category identification reference table registers the number of 
requesting times from the terminal device 3 as identification information 
as different from the structure of the embodiment 4 (see FIG. 24). 
Further, this category identification reference table is not a fixed one 
as at the embodiment 4 but a dynamically changing one. That is, when data 
requested by the terminal device 3 is sent, the information managing 
section 2f will secure an area for the table on the outside storing device 
27a and register the category code of the data and the number of 
requesting times "1". Thereafter, the processing will be repeated, and if 
the category code of the data to be transmitted to the terminal device 3 
has already been registered in the category identification reference 
table, the information managing section 2f will increment the number of 
requesting times by "1 ". 
Further, when receiving new data simultaneously sent from the server 1, the 
information managing section 2f will retrieve the category identification 
reference table on the RAM based on the category codes of these new data 
and identify whether the same category codes have already been registered 
or not. Here, it is provided with a function for starting the storage 
control section 2c and registering the new data in the outside storing 
section 27a if the same category codes have been registered. 
On the other hand, the information managing section 2f is provided with a 
function for abolishing the new data if the same category codes have not 
been registered. 
The operation of the distributing device 2 at the embodiment 5 will be 
described hereinbelow. 
&lt;OPERATION OF THE DISTRIBUTING DEVICE 2&gt; 
FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing the operational steps of the distributing 
device 2. 
The information managing section 2f at the distributing device 2 makes 
accessing to the outside storing device 27a at the time of starting the 
distributing device 2 and loads the category identification reference 
table to the RAM 24(step 2501). 
Then, the terminal side transmitting/receiving section 2b will be placed on 
standby for data requests from the terminal device l(step 2502). 
When the terminal side transmitting/receiving section 2b receives the data 
requests, the storage control section 2c will retrieve the outside storing 
device 27a based on the data requests and identify if they have been 
stored(step 2503). 
If the requested data have been registered in the outside storing device 
27a, the storage control section 2c will read the requested data and send 
them to the terminal device via the terminal side transmitting/receiving 
section 2b(step 2504). 
On the other hand, if the requested data have not been registered in the 
outside storing device 27a at the step 2503, the storage control section 
2c will start the server side transmitting/receiving section 2a and send 
the request asking for requested data transfer to the server 1(step 2506). 
Then, when the server side transmitting/receiving section 2a receives the 
requested data from the server 1(step 2507), the storage control section 
2c will write the requested data into the outside storing device 27a(step 
2508) and send them to the terminal device 1 via the terminal side 
transmitting/receiving section 2b(step 2504). 
When transmission of the requested data is completed at the step 2504, the 
information managing section 2f will detect the category codes of the 
requested data and renew the contents of the category identification table 
based on these category codes(step 2505). 
Further, when there are no data requests at the step 2502 and when new data 
are sent from the server 1 by the communication lines or by radio(step 
2509), these new data will be reported to the information managing section 
2f. 
The information managing section 2f will detect the category codes from the 
new data and make accessing to the category identification reference table 
on the RAM 24 based on these category codes. Then, it will identity 
whether they have already been registered or not(step 2510). 
Here, if the categories of the new data have been registered, the 
information control section 2c will write the new data into the outside 
storing device 27a(step 2511). 
The renewing operation at the step 2505 will be described with reference to 
the flow chart in FIG. 26. 
The information managing section 2f will detect the category codes from the 
data when the data requested by the terminal device 3 are sent 
thereto(step 2601). 
Then, the information managing section 2f will retrieve the category 
identification reference table on the RAM 24 and identify whether the 
category codes have been registered or not(step 2602). 
Here, if the category codes have not been registered, the information 
managing section 2f will newly register them on the category 
identification reference table and at the same time register "1" as the 
number of requesting times for these category codes(step 2603). 
On the other hand, if the category codes have been registered in the 
category identification reference table at the step 2602, the information 
managing section 2f will increment the number of requesting times for the 
category codes by "1"(step 2604). 
&lt;EFFECT OF THE EMBODIMENT 5&gt; 
According to the embodiment 5, in the case where a plurality of terminal 
devices are connected to the distributing device, by recording the 
requesting frequency for the category requested by each terminal device 
data corresponding to the user request history can be stored by the 
distributing device. Thus, it will be made possible to provide data 
requested by the users from the distributing device and to shorten the 
period of waiting time from data requests to data input needing only a 
minimum storage capacity of the outside storing device. 
Further, by storing data groups desired by the users by the distributing 
device, it will be made possible to reduce the amount of communications 
between the server and the distributing device. 
EMBODIMENT 6 
At the embodiment 6, as similar to the case at the embodiment 4 or 5, data 
names, category codes and data lengths are added to data transmitted and 
received among a server 1, a distributing device 2 and a terminal device 
3. 
On the distributing device 2 at the embodiment 6, as similar to the 
embodiment 5, a category identification reference table is set registering 
the number of requesting times for every category codes. 
Further, an information managing section 2f at the distributing device 2 is 
provided, in addition to the functions at the embodiment 4, with a sorting 
section for sorting category codes in the order of the big number of 
requesting times to the small when the content of the category 
identification reference table is changed as shown in FIG. 27 and a 
requesting count identifying section for detecting the category codes of 
new data sent from the server 1 in a simultaneous manner and identifying 
whether these category codes have already been registered in the category 
identification reference table or not and whether the requesting count is 
over the specified value. The information managing section 2f will permit 
registration of new data only when the category codes of the new data have 
been registered in the category identification reference table and the 
number of times for requesting the category codes is over the specified 
value. 
For example, if the specified value is 5, when data (1) as shown in FIG. 28 
are simultaneously sent from the server 1, the information managing 
section 2f will detect the category code "DOMESTIC NEWS" of the data (1) 
and retrieve the category identification reference table shown in FIG. 27. 
In this case, as the number of times for requesting the category code 
"DOMESTIC NEWS" is "40"(.gtoreq.5), these data (1) will be registered in 
the outside storing device 27a. 
Also, in the case of data (2), as the number of requesting times is 
"10"(.gtoreq.5), they will be registered in the outside storing device 
27a. In the case of data (3), however, they will not be registered because 
the number of requesting times is "0"(.gtoreq.5). Further, as the other 
parts and functions of the device are similar to those at the embodiment 
4, their explanations will be omitted. 
The operation of the distributing device 2 at the embodiment 6 will be 
described hereinbelow. 
&lt;OPERATION OF THE DISTRIBUTING DEVICE 2&gt; 
FIG. 29 is a flow chart showing the operational steps of the distributing 
device 2. 
The information managing section 2f at the distributing device 2 makes 
accessing to the outside storing device 27a(ROM 25) at the time of 
starting the distributing device 2 and loads the category identification 
reference table to the RAM 24 (step 2901). 
Then, the terminal side transmitting/receiving section 2b will be placed on 
standby for data requests from the terminal device l(step 2902). 
Here, when the terminal transmitting/receiving section 2b receives data 
requests, the storage control 2c will retrieve the outside storing device 
27a based on the data requests and identify storage of the requested 
data(step 2903). 
If the requested data have not been registered in the outside storing 
device 27a, the storage control section 2c will read the requested data 
and send them to the terminal device 3 via the terminal side 
transmitting/receiving section 2b(step 2904). 
If the requested data have not been registered in the outside storing 
device 27a at the step 2903, the storage control section 2c will start the 
server side transmitting/receiving section 2a and send the request asking 
for requested data transfer to the server 1(step 2906) 
Then, the server side transmitting/receiving section 2a receives the 
requested data from the server 1(step 2907), the storage control section 
2c will write them into the outside storing device 27a(step 2908) and send 
them to the terminal device 1 via the terminal side transmitting/receiving 
section 2b(step 2904). 
When transmission of the requested data is over at the step 2904, the 
information managing section 2f will detect the category codes of the 
requested data and renew the content of the category identification 
reference table based on these category codes (step 2905). 
When there are no data requests at the step 2902 and when new data are sent 
from the server 1 by the communication lines or by radio(step 2909), these 
new data will be reported to the information managing section 2f. 
The information 2f will detect the category codes from the new data and 
make accessing to the category identification reference table on the RAM 
24 based on these category codes. Then, it will identify whether the 
category codes have been registered or nor(step 2910). 
Here, if the category codes have been registered, the information managing 
section 2f will identify whether the number of times for requesting the 
category codes is over the specified value or not(step 2911). 
If the number of requesting times for the category codes is over the 
specified value, the information control section 2c will write them into 
the outside storing device 27a(step 2912). 
The renewing operation carried out at the step 2905 will be described with 
reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 30 hereinbelow. 
The information managing section 2f will detect the category codes from the 
data when the data requested by the terminal device 3 are sent 
thereto(step 3001). 
Then, the information managing section 2f will retrieve the category 
identification reference table on the RAM 24 and identify whether the 
category codes have been registered or not(step 3002). 
Here, if the category codes have not been registered, the information 
managing section 2f will newly register them on the category 
identification reference table and at the same time register "1" as the 
number of times for requesting these category codes (step 3003). 
On the other hand, if the category codes have been registered in the 
category identification reference table at the step 3002, the information 
managing section 2f will increment the number of times for requesting the 
category codes by "1"(3005) 
When the new registration operation at the step 3003 or the renewing 
operation at the step 3005 is finished, the information managing section 
2f will compare the numbers of times for requesting the respective 
category codes and arrange them in the order of big to small(step 3004). 
&lt;EFFECT OF THE EMBODIMENT 6&gt; 
According to the file server at the embodiment 6, by strictly selecting 
data requested by the users and storing them based on the past data 
request histories data groups having high request frequencies will be 
stored by the distributing device. Thus, it will made possible to reduce 
the amount of data sent from the server to the distributing device at the 
time of data requests by the users and at the same time to shorten the 
period of waiting time on the part of the users from the data requests to 
data obtaining. 
EMBODIMENT 7 
A the file server at the embodiment 7, in addition to the functions at the 
embodiment 6 the information managing section 2f at the distributing 
device 2 is provided with a function for changing specified values 
depending on the available capacity of the outside storing device 27a. 
That is, the information managing section 2f is provided with a sorting 
section for sorting requested data in the order of the big number of 
requesting times to the small at the time of renewing the content of the 
category identification reference table, a requesting count identifying 
section for identifying if the number of times for requesting the category 
codes of new data is over the specified value at the time of obtaining 
them and a specified value determining section for changing the specified 
values depending on the available capacity of the outside storing device 
27a. The storage control section 2c is provided with a monitoring section 
for calculating the available capacity of the outside storing device 27a 
and reporting its result to the specified value determining section. Here, 
the specified value determining section will set the value big when the 
available capacity of the outside storing device 27a becomes small and set 
the value small when it becomes large. More in detail, in the case where 
the available capacity of the outside storing device 27a is large, e.g., 1 
GB, the specified value will be set at "1", and if the data belonging to 
the category whose number of requesting times is over "1", the data will 
be stored in the outside storing device 27a. On the other hand, when the 
available capacity declines, e.g ., to 1 MB while new data are stored in 
the outside storing device 27a, the specified value will be set at "100", 
and if the data belongs to the category whose number of requesting times 
is over "100", the data will be stored in the outside storing device 27a. 
The operational steps of the distributing device 2 at the embodiment 7 will 
be described hereinbelow. 
&lt;OPERATION OF THE DISTRIBUTING DEVICE 2&gt; 
FIG. 31 is a flow chart showing the operational steps of the distributing 
device 2. 
The information managing section 2f at the distributing device 2 makes 
accessing to the outside storing device 27a(ROM 25) at the time of 
starting the distributing device 2 and loads the category identification 
reference table to the RAM24(step 3101). 
Then, the terminal side transmitting/receiving section 2b will be placed on 
standby for data requests from the terminal device l(step 3102). 
When the terminal side transmitting/receiving section 2b receives data 
requests, the storage control section 2c will retrieve the outside storing 
device 27a based on the data requests and identify whether they have been 
stored or not(step 3103). 
If the requested data have been registered in the outside storing device 
27a, the storage control section 2c will read the requested data and send 
them to the terminal device 3 via the terminal side transmitting/receiving 
section 2b(step 3104). 
If the requested data have not been registered in the outside storing 
device 27a at the step 3103, the storage control section 2c will start the 
server side transmitting/receiving section 2a and report the data requests 
to the server 1(step 3106). 
Then, when the requested data are transmitted from the server 1, the server 
side transmitting/receiving section 2a will receive them(step 3107). The 
server side transmitting/receiving section 2a will then transfer the 
received requested data to the storage control section 2c. 
The storage control section 2c will write the requested data into the 
outside storing section 27a(step 3108). At this time, the monitoring part 
of the storage control section 2c will calculate the available capacity of 
the outside storing device 27a after data registration and report its 
result to the information managing section 2f. The specified value 
determining part of the information managing section 2f will reset the 
specified value in accordance with the available capacity(step 3109). 
Also, the data will be sent to the terminal device 1 by the terminal side 
transmitting/receiving section 2b(step 3104). 
When transmission of the requested data is finished at the step 3104, the 
information managing section 2f will detect the category codes of the 
requested data and renew the content of the category identification 
reference table based on the category codes(step 3105). As this renewing 
operation is the same as the one at the embodiment 5 or 6, its description 
will be omitted. 
Further, when there are no data requests at the step 3102 and when new data 
are sent from the server 1 by the communication lines or by radio(step 
3110), these new data will be reported to the information managing section 
2f. 
The information managing section 2f will detect the category codes from the 
new data and based on these category codes make accessing to the category 
identification reference table on the RAM 24. Then, it will identify 
whether these category codes have been registered or not(step 3111). 
Here, if the category codes have been registered, the request count 
identifying section will identify whether the number of times for 
requesting the category codes is over the specified value or not(step 
3112). 
If the above number is over the specified value, the storage control 
section 2c will write the new data into the outside storing device 
27a(step 3113). At this time, the monitoring part of the storage control 
section 2c will calculate the available capacity of the outside storing 
device 27a after registration of the new data and report its result to the 
information managing section 2f. The specified value determining part of 
the information managing section 2f will reset the specified value based 
on the available capacity of the outside storing device 27a(step 3114). 
&lt;EFFECT OF THE EMBODIMENT 7&gt; 
According to the file server at the embodiment 7, by identifying 
registration of the new data based on the history of the past user 
requests and the available capacity of the outside storing device it will 
be made possible to hold only optimal data desired by the users at the 
minimum storage capacity. Also, it will be possible to reduce the amount 
of data communications between the distributing device and the server at 
the time of data requests by the users and at the same time to shorten the 
period of waiting time on the part of the users from the time of data 
requests to the time of obtaining the data by touring the optimal data 
desired by the users in the distributing device. 
EMBODIMENT 8 
In the file server at the embodiment 8, as different from the embodiment 5, 
6 or 7, data names, category codes, data making dates, data expiration 
dates and data lengths are added to data transmitted and received among a 
server 1, a distributing device 2 and a terminal device 3 (see FIG. 33). 
Accordingly, in addition to those at the embodiment 5, 6 or 7, the 
information managing section 2f of the distributing device 2 is provided 
with a data comparing section for identifying the existence of the data 
having the same names in an outside storing device 97b when data are sent 
simultaneously from the server 1 and comparing the making dates of the 
received data and those of the data in the outside storing device if the 
existence is identified. This comparing section is for data having the 
same names, e.g., news and renewed every specified time intervals. It 
erases data having old making dates and register data newly made. Thus, 
the outside storing device 27a can register new data when necessary. 
Further, the information managing section 2f is provide with a data erasing 
section for consulting the finishing dates of data stored in the outside 
storing device 27a at every specified time intervals and erasing the data 
passing the finishing dates. 
The operational steps of the distributing device 2 at the embodiment 8 will 
be described hereinbelow. 
&lt;OPERATION OF THE DISTRIBUTING DEVICE 2&gt; 
FIG. 33 is a flow chart showing the operation of the distributing device 2 
at the embodiment 8. 
The information managing section 2f of the distributing device 2 makes 
accessing to the outside storing device 27a(ROM 25) at the time of 
starting the distributing device 2 and loads the category identification 
reference table to the RAM 24(step 3301). 
Then, the terminal side transmitting/receiving section 2b will be placed on 
standby for data requests from the terminal device l(step 3302). 
Here, when the terminal side transmitting/receiving section 2b receives 
data requests, the storage control section 2c will retrieve the outside 
storing device 27a based on the data requests and identify storage 
thereof(step 3303). 
If there are requested data registered in the outside storing device 27a, 
the storage control section 2c will read the requested data and send them 
to the terminal device 3 via the terminal side transmitting/receiving 
section 2b(step 3304). 
If there are no requested data registered in the outside storing device 27a 
at the step 3303, the storage control section 2c will start the server 
side transmitting/receiving section 2a and send the request asking for 
requested data transfer to the server 1(step 3306). 
Then, when the server side transmitting/receiving section 2a receives the 
requested data from the server 1(step 3307), the storage control section 
2c will write them into the outside storing device 27a(step 3308) and the 
terminal side transmitting/receiving section 2b will send them to the 
terminal device 3(step 3304) 
When transmission of the requested data is finished at the step 3304, the 
information managing section 2f will detect the category codes of the 
requested data and renew the content of the category identification 
reference table based on these category codes(step 3305). As this new 
processing is similar to the one at the embodiment 5 or 6, its description 
will be omitted. 
Further, when there are no data requests at the step 3302 and when new data 
are sent from the server 1 by the communication lines or radio(step 3309), 
these new data will be reported to the information managing section 2f. 
The information managing section 2f will detect the category codes from 
the new data and make accessing to the category identification reference 
table on the RAM 24 based in these category codes. Then, it will identify 
registration of these category codes (and if the number of times for 
requesting them is over the specified value) (step 3310). 
Here, if the category codes have been registered(and the number of times 
for requesting them is over the specified value), the information managing 
section 2f will start the storage control section 2c and identify 
registration of data having the same names as the new data in the outside 
storing device 27a(step 3311). 
Here, if the data having the same names have been registered, the 
information managing section 2f will identify the making dates of the new 
data are the same as those of the data registered in the outside storing 
device 27a(step 3312). If they are the same, the information managing 
section 2f will abolish the new data received from the server 1. 
On the other hand, in the case where no data having the same names as the 
new data have not been registered in the outside storing device 27a at the 
step 3311, the storage control section 2c will register the new data in 
the outside storing device 27a(step 3313). 
Further, if the making dates of the new data are newer than those of the 
data registered in the outside storing device 27a, the storage control 
section 2c will write the new data into the outside storing section 
27a(step 3313). 
Furthermore, the information managing section 2f may be provided with a 
function for filtering data whose making date is 12 o'clock and finishing 
date is 13 o'clock on the same day, for example, so as not to store them 
in the outside storing device. 
&lt;EFFECT OF THE EMBODIMENT 8&gt; 
According to the file server at the embodiment 8, in the case of data whose 
contents are renewed at every time intervals, foe example, news, holding 
of newest data can be allowed when necessary. 
EMBODIMENT 9 
In the file server at the embodiment 9, different from the embodiment 8, 
the transmission/receiving section 1a of the server 1 is provided with a 
function for sending data attribution including data names, category 
codes, data lengths and data main body transmission starting time (see 
FIG. 34) and after transmission of this data attribution sending the data 
main body added with the data names and the data lengths (see FIG. 35) in 
the case where new data are sent in a simultaneous manner. 
Further, a writing section 1c is provided with a function for detecting the 
transfer starting time from the data attribution sent to a distributing 
device 2 and writing this transfer starting time in a RAM 15. 
A state control section 1d is provided with a function for restarting the 
transmitting/receiving section 1a and sending the data main body when 
current time is obtained from a clock 14 and the current time is 
coincident with the transfer time on the RAM 15. 
The other parts of the construction of the server 1 and the functions are 
the same as those at the embodiment 3, and thus their descriptions will be 
omitted. 
In addition of the functions of the server 1 described earlier, the storage 
control section 2c of the distributing device 2 is provided with a 
function for detecting the transfer starting time and write it on a RAM 24 
when receiving the data attribution and the starting time. 
Further, the state control section 2d of the distributing device 2 is 
provided with a function for obtaining the current time from a clock 26 
and identifying its coincidence with the transfer starting time on the RAM 
24. When they coincide, it will start a server side transmitting/receiving 
section 2a and be placed on standby for receiving of the data main body. 
The other parts and functions of the distributing device are the same as 
those at the embodiment 5, 6, 7 or 8, and thus their descriptions will be 
omitted. 
The operation of the file server at the embodiment 9 will be described 
hereinbelow. 
&lt;OPERATION OF THE SERVER 1&gt; 
The operation of the server 1 at the embodiment 9 will be described with 
reference to FIG. 36. 
The transmitting/receiving section 1a of the server 1 is placed on standby 
for data transfer requests from the distributing device 2(step 3601). 
Here, if there are no data transfer requests from the distributing device 
2, the state control section 1d will detect the utilization amount of each 
communication line connected to the distributing device 2(step 3602). 
If there is still some availability of the communication line remaining, 
the new data to be transferred will be selected(step 3603), the current 
time will be obtained from the clock 14 and compared with the transfer 
starting time written on the RAM 15(step 3604). Here, if there are data 
whose transfer starting time coincides with the current time, the 
transmitting/receiving section 1a will transfer the main body of these 
data to the distributing device l(step 3605) . 
On the other hand, if there are no data whose transfer starting time 
coincides with the current time, the transmitting/receiving section 1a 
will send the data attribution selected at the step 3603 to the 
distributing device 2(step 3606). 
When the transmitting/receiving section 1a receives data transfer requests 
at the step 3601, an information reading section 1b will retrieve the 
outside storing device 17a and identify registration thereof(step 3607). 
Then, if the requested data have been registered in the outside storing 
device 17a, the transmitting/receiving section 1a will send the data read 
by the information reading section 1b to the data requesting distributing 
device 2(step 3608). 
Further, when there are no data transfer requests at the step 3601 and when 
the user inputs commands for registering new data to the outside storing 
device 17a without inputting commands for transferring new data even if 
there is still some availability of the communication lines remaining(step 
3609), the writing section 1c will be started, new data stored in such 
storage medium as a magnetic disk, an optical disk or the like will be 
read, or new data will be received from the other server 1 and written in 
the outside storing section 18a(step 3601). 
Next, the operation of the distributing device 2 at the embodiment 9 will 
be described. 
&lt;OPERATION OF THE DISTRIBUTING DEVICE 9&gt; 
FIG. 37 is a flow chart showing the operation of the distributing device 2 
at the embodiment 9. 
The information managing section 2f of the distributing device 2 makes 
accessing to the outside storing device 27a(ROM 25) at the time of 
starting the distributing device 2 and loads the category identification 
reference table to a RAM 24(step 3701). 
Then, the terminal side transmitting/receiving section 2b will be placed on 
standby for data requests from the terminal device l(step 3702). 
Here, when the terminal side transmitting/receiving section 2b receives 
data requests, the storage control section 2c will retrieve the outside 
storing device 27a based on the data requests and identify storage 
thereof(step 3703). 
If there are data as requested registered in the outside storing device 
27a, the storage control section 2c will read the requested data and send 
them to the terminal device 3 via the terminal side transmitting/receiving 
section 2b(step 3704). 
If there are no data as requested registered in the outside storing section 
27a at the step 3703, the storage control section 2c will start the server 
side transmitting/receiving section 2a and send the request asking for 
transfer of the requested data to the server 1(step 3706). 
Then, when the server side transmitting/receiving section 2a receives the 
requested data from the server 1(step 3707), the storage control section 
2c will write them into the outside storing section 27a(step 3708) and the 
terminal side transmitting/receiving section 2b will send them to the 
terminal device 3(step 3704). 
When transmission of the requested data is finished at the step 3704, the 
information managing section 2f will detect the category codes of the 
requested data and renew the content of the category identification 
reference table based on these category codes(step 3705). As this renewing 
operation is the same as in the case of the embodiment 5, 6 or 7, its 
description will be omitted. 
If there are no data requests at the step 3702 on the other hand, the state 
control section 2d will obtain current time from the clock 26 and compare 
it with the transfer starting time written on the RAM 24(step 3709). Here, 
if there are no data whose transfer starting time is not coincident with 
the current time, the server side transmitting/receiving section 2a will 
be placed on standby for data attribution from the server 1(step 3710). 
When the server side transmitting/receiving section receives the data 
attribution from the server 1, the information managing section 2f will 
detect the category codes from the new data and make accessing to the 
category identification reference table on the RAM 24 based on these 
category codes. Then, it will identify whether these category codes 
satisfy the category identification reference or not (whether the category 
codes have been registered in the category identification reference table 
or not, and whether the number of times for requesting the category codes 
is over the specified value or not) (step 3711). 
Here, if the category codes satisfy the category identification reference, 
the information managing section 2f will start the storage control section 
2c and identify storage of data having the same names as the new data in 
the outside storing device 27a(step 3712). 
Here, if there are data having the same names registered, the information 
managing section 2f will identify whether the making dates of the new data 
are coincident with those of the data registered in the outside storing 
device 27a(step 3713). If they coincide, the information managing section 
2f will abolish the new data received from the server 1. 
On the other hand, if there are no data having the same names as the those 
of the new data at the step 3713, the storage control section 2c will 
detect the transfer starting time from the data attribution and write it 
on the RAM 24(step 3714). 
If the making dates of the new data are newer than those of the data 
registered in the outside storing device 27a at the step 3312, the storage 
control section 2c will detect the transfer starting time from the data 
attribution and write it on the RAM 24(step 3714). 
If there exist data whose transfer starting time is coincident with the 
current time at the step 3709, the server side transmitting/receiving 
section 2a will start the operation of receiving the main body of the 
data. Then, when the server side transmitting/receiving section 2a 
receives the data main body, the storage control section 2c will write the 
data main body into the outside storing device 27a(step 3715). 
&lt;EFFECT OF THE EMBODIMENT 9&gt; 
According to the file server at the embodiment 9, it will not be necessary 
to monitor end of previous data transfer so as to select the following 
data or to transmit the following data in the case where a plurality of 
data are continuously sent from the server, and thus it will be made 
possible to reduce loads on the server and the distributing device. 
EMBODIMENT 10 
In the file server at the embodiment 10, analog lines are used in addition 
to such digital lines as ISDN or the like connecting the distributing 
device and the terminal device 3. That is, in the case where transmissions 
of video images are requested by the users, data will be sent between the 
server 1 and the distributing device 2 by digital signals, but at the 
distributing device 2 the digital signals will be transformed into analog 
signals and sent to the terminal device 3. 
Accordingly, the distributing device 2 is provided with a D/A converter 29 
for transforming digital signals into analog signals and an analog outside 
storing device 200a for storing data in the form of analog signals. The 
analog outside storing device 200a is the one constructed by, for example, 
a video tape and a video reproducing device and connected via an analog 
outside storing device control device 200 (see FIG. 38). 
In the case where data having the form of digital signals stored in the 
outside storing device 27a are sent to the terminal device 3, they will be 
transformed from digital signals to analog signals by the D/A converter 
29, stored in the analog outside storing device 200a and sent to the 
terminal device 3 via analog lines 200a. 
Further, in the case of data of video images, etc., they may be transformed 
into analog signals and stored in the analog outside storing device 200a 
beforehand. 
Accordingly, the terminal device 3 may be provided with an A/D converter 39 
(see FIG. 39) by which data sent by analog lines can be transformed into 
digital signals or the data may be input intact as analog signals. 
&lt;EFFECT OF THE EMBODIMENT 10&gt; 
According to the embodiment 10, in the case where a large amount of data is 
transmitted as by the video transfer system, etc., by omitting 
digitization of information on users'data requests, charging, etc., and 
sending it by such communication lines as analog telephone lines, or the 
like, it will be made possible to attain a high speed for digitizing 
requested data and to reduce communication costs for the users.