Patent ID: 7461124

Claim:
A hardware content providing device, comprising: content storing and providing means for storing contents supplied from an information processing device in a storage area exclusive to a client; means for receiving a demand from the client for a desired content from among the contents; means for providing available times to the information processing device, the available times being a plurality of time frames during which the desired content can be provided; providing schedule setup means for receiving schedule times for providing said desired content over said network from the information processing device, the schedule times selected from the available times, and for setting up a providing schedule for providing said desired content based on the received schedule times; means for providing said desired content over the network at the schedule times received from the information processing device; control means for setting an upper limit on a number of said contents which can be provided at one schedule time; and means for notifying said information processing device over said network that said desired content cannot be provided at said one schedule time, if the number of said contents to be provided at said one schedule time reaches said upper limit.