Patent ID: 8219634

Claim:
An information distribution system for distributing at least a first file, a second file and a third file from a content distribution apparatus to a data terminal by way of downloading via a network, the information distribution system comprising: the data terminal; and the content distribution apparatus comprising: (A) a processor; and (B) a memory device storing instructions which when executed by the processor, causes the processor to: (a) collect and store preference information of a user of the data terminal; (b) automatically select, based on the preference information: (i) the second file which is assigned to play in an interval between: (A) starting downloading the first file to the data terminal; and (B) playing the first file at the data terminal; and (ii) the third file, the second file being a first type of file, the third file being a different second type of file; wherein: (i) the first file includes at least one of a video image data and a music data; and (ii) the second file includes a portion of the at least one of the video image data and the music data; and (c) distribute the selected second file to the data terminal by downloading via the network, wherein the automatically selected second file, which includes said portion of the at least one of the video image data and the music data, and the automatically selected third file are automatically distributed from the content distribution apparatus to the data terminal: (i) before the first file starts downloading to the data terminal; and (ii) based on an amount of storage associated with the data terminal.