Patent ID: 8010488

Claim:
An information distribution system comprising a plurality of information processing devices that are capable of communicating with each other via a network, and that store at least one shared information, the shared information can be shared by the plurality of information processing devices, wherein each of the information processing device comprises: a memory unit configured to record the shared information, a public release time information indicating a public release time at which the shared information can be shared, and evaluation information indicating an estimation of access frequency to the shared information, wherein the public release time information and the evaluation information correlate to the shared information; and a controller configured to operate in a distribution mode and recording mode, wherein: in the distribution mode, the controller: selects a recording information processing device on the information distribution network; judges whether the public release time has been reached; receives record instruction information instructing recording of the shared information; determines a time interval to be shorter as the access frequency indicated by the evaluation information recorded in the memory unit is higher, wherein the interval time is between a time of receiving the record instruction information and a time of transmitting the record instruction information; judges whether the time interval passes or not; transmits the record instruction information to the selected recording information processing device, when the public release time has not been reached and the time interval has passed; and transmits the public release time information and the evaluation information correlating to the shared information that is instructed to be recorded by the record instruction information to the selected recording information processing device; in the recording mode, the controller; receives the record instruction information from one of distributing information processing devices on the information distribution network; acquires communication load information indicating communication loads in the communication paths between the information processing device and the distributing information processing device; transmits request information that requests transmission of the shared information that is instructed to be recorded by the record instruction information, to one of the information processing devices that is connected by way of the communication path that is found to have a relatively small communication load based on the acquired communication load information; receives the shared information; receives the public release time information and the evaluation information correlating to the shared information that is instructed to be recorded by the record instruction information; and stores the shared information, the received public release time information and the received evaluation information.