Patent ID: 8291109

Claim:
A first distribution apparatus performing data transmission with a plurality of external devices and a second distribution apparatus, the first distribution apparatus comprising: a receiving unit that receives data sent from an external device and data sent from the second distribution apparatus; a storage unit configured with a common area and a non-common area so as to store data received by the receiving unit; a sending unit configured to send data stored by the storage unit toward the external device or the second distribution apparatus; and a determining unit configured to perform a determination whether data received from the external device by the receiving unit is a type of data stored on the common area or on the non-common area, wherein the storage unit stores the data received from the external device by the receiving unit onto the common area when the determining unit determines that the data received from the external device by the receiving unit is a type of data stored on the common area, the storage unit stores the data received from the external device by the receiving unit onto the non-common area, when the determining unit determines that the data received from the external device by the receiving unit is a type of data stored on the non-common area, and the storage unit stores the data received from the second distribution apparatus by the receiving unit onto the common area such that data of the common area of the first distribution apparatus and data of a common area of the second distribution apparatus are periodically synchronized, wherein, the first distribution apparatus and the second distribution apparatus are on-board equipment for a car and an operating status is stored on the common area.