Patent ID: 7836210

Claim:
A terminal apparatus in an information distribution system which includes: an information distribution apparatus which distributes contents information via a network; and a plurality of the terminal apparatus which, being connected to the network, receive the contents information distributed from the information distribution apparatus, and in which a plurality of hierarchical structures, formed by the plurality of terminal apparatus being logically connected in multiple layers with the information distribution apparatus as an apex, are provided on the network, and the terminal apparatus, in a condition in which the terminal apparatus participates in a first hierarchical structure and a second hierarchical structure which constitutes at least two of the hierarchical structures, receives the contents information from an upstream terminal apparatus connected to the terminal apparatus in the first hierarchical structure or the second hierarchical structure, the terminal apparatus comprising: a loop detection information transmitter which transmits loop connection detection information including identification information for identifying the terminal apparatus, to a downstream terminal apparatus which is connected to the terminal apparatus receiving the contents information from the terminal apparatus; a loop detection information receiver which receives the loop connection detection information; a loop detection information relay which relays the received loop connection detection information to the downstream terminal apparatus connected to the terminal apparatus receiving the contents information from the terminal apparatus; a downstream terminal determiner which determines whether or not a terminal apparatus corresponding to the received loop connection detection information is a downstream terminal apparatus connected to the terminal apparatus in the plurality of hierarchical structures; a loop avoidance instruction transmitter which, in the event that it is determined, by the downstream terminal determiner, that the terminal apparatus corresponding to the received loop connection detection information is the downstream terminal apparatus connected to the terminal apparatus, transmits loop connection avoidance instruction information, which instructs an avoidance of a loop connection, to the terminal apparatus corresponding to the loop connection detection information; a loop avoidance instruction receiver which receives the loop connection avoidance instruction information; and a controller that avoids a loop connection occurring in a distribution route of the contents information by not setting an upstream terminal apparatus to a terminal apparatus which has transmitted the loop connection avoidance instruction information, when the terminal apparatus switches the upstream terminal apparatus connected to the terminal apparatus in the first hierarchical structure to the upstream apparatus connected to the terminal apparatus in the second hierarchical structure.