JP4332002B2 - Content distribution program, content distribution method, and content distribution apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a content distribution program, a content distribution method, and a content distribution apparatus for distributing content such as advertisements to clients, and in particular, optimal according to the communication speed without increasing unnecessary traffic volume. The present invention relates to a content distribution program, a content distribution method, and a content distribution apparatus that can distribute various contents.

  Recently, with an increase in the number of Internet users and an increase in usage time, there is an increasing need for distribution of various forms of content (Internet advertisements, images, videos, sounds, etc.).

  In particular, in order to follow the expressiveness, appeal and impact of other media represented by television broadcasting even on the Internet, large-capacity and highly interactive content called rich media (hereinafter referred to as high-speed content). The tendency to develop is increasing.

  High-speed content is content that can be acquired comfortably (without stress and in a short time) under a connection environment with a high communication speed (for example, several hundred Kbps or more). ). On the other hand, low-speed content is content that can be obtained comfortably even in a connection environment where the communication speed is low (for example, less than several hundred Kbps), and is low-capacity information (such as still images). is there.

  Here, compared with television radio waves whose communication speed is not greatly affected by changes in the connection environment, in the case of the Internet, online connection is the mainstream, so the connection environment (modem, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) ), ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line), optical fiber, etc.) greatly affects the communication speed (synonymous with bandwidth, the same applies hereinafter).

  For example, the communication speed in a connection environment using a modem is approximately 56 Kbps. The communication speed in the connection environment using ISDN is approximately 64 Kbps. These communication speeds (56 Kbps and 64 Kbps) are classified as low speed.

  On the other hand, the communication speed in a communication environment using ADSL or optical fiber is several hundred kbps to several hundred Mbps, and is classified as high speed.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a conventional communication speed distribution. The distribution shown in the figure is based on the result of measuring the communication speed in each connection environment for about 3.8 million users possessed by the applicant.

  In the figure, the horizontal axis represents the communication speed. The vertical axis is the number of unique browsers. As can be seen from the figure, most users (78.5%) can obtain a communication speed of 1 Mbps or less, and 21.5% of users can obtain a communication speed of 1 Mbps or more.

  Here, as to whether or not the above-described high-speed content can be acquired comfortably, if the communication speed threshold is set to 50 Kbps, 14.1% of users cannot comfortably acquire the high-speed content. Further, when the threshold value of the communication speed is set to 500 Kbps, 59.1% of users cannot comfortably acquire high-speed content.

  Therefore, conventionally, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-124430 (Patent Document 1), measurement data (constant capacity) is transmitted and received to measure the communication speed, and according to the communication speed. A technique of distributing content is adopted.

  That is, when the communication speed is determined to be high by measurement, a large volume of high-speed content is distributed. On the other hand, when it is determined that the communication speed is low, a small amount of low-speed content is distributed.

JP-A-10-124430

  By the way, in the past, as a preparation for distributing content, the communication speed is measured by transmitting and receiving a certain amount of measurement data, and the type of content to be distributed is determined based on the measurement result. However, there is a problem that the amount of traffic on the network is unnecessarily increased by the transmission and reception of the measurement data, and it takes time and effort for preparation.

  Therefore, a method of reducing the volume of measurement data and reducing the amount of traffic can be considered, but this method is susceptible to noise on the network, and the reliability of measurement results is reduced, so it is practical. Do not use.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and a content distribution program, a content distribution method, and a content distribution capable of distributing optimum content according to the communication speed without accompanying an increase in unnecessary traffic An object is to provide an apparatus .

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a content request process for requesting a computer to distribute a low-speed content to a content distribution device, and the content based on the distribution of the low-speed content. A communication speed measuring step for measuring a communication speed in a communication path from the distribution device to the client, and when the communication speed is less than a threshold, the communication speed of the communication path is set to a low speed and the low-speed content that has already been distributed is used. When the communication speed is equal to or higher than a threshold value, a delivery accepting step of accepting delivery of high-speed content larger in capacity than the low-speed content from the content delivery device, with the communication speed of the communication path being high speed, It is a content distribution program for executing.

According to the present invention, based on the distribution of the low-speed content from the content distribution device, the communication speed in the communication path from the content distribution device to the client is measured. When the low-speed content that has already been distributed is used and the communication speed is equal to or greater than the threshold, the content distribution device accepts the distribution of high-speed content that is larger than the low-speed content. Optimal content (low-speed content or high-speed content) according to the communication speed can be distributed without an increase.

  Further, according to the present invention, even if the measured communication speed is not notified to the content distribution apparatus, the low-speed content and the high-speed content are separately distributed, and the promotion or content planning according to the communication speed is led by the content distribution apparatus. Can be expanded.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the threshold value is dynamically set according to a capacity of the low speed content.

  According to the present invention, since the threshold value is dynamically set according to the capacity of the low-speed content, the determination accuracy of the low speed and the high speed can be obtained with respect to the communication speed without being affected by the size of the capacity. Can be high.

  Also, in the present invention according to the above invention, the threshold value is set based on a measured value of a communication speed when a plurality of volumes of low-speed content are distributed for a plurality of communication paths having different communication environments. Features.

  According to the present invention, the threshold value is set based on the measured value of the communication speed when a plurality of low-speed contents are distributed for a plurality of communication paths having different communication environments. And the determination accuracy of the low speed and the high speed can be further increased with respect to the communication speed.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the threshold is set based on a result of removing a noise component from the measured value of the communication speed.

  According to this invention, since the threshold value is set based on the result of removing the noise component from the measured value of the communication speed, the accuracy of the threshold value can be increased, and the communication speed is low. High-speed determination accuracy can be further increased.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the threshold value is set with a margin corresponding to the measurement accuracy of the communication speed with respect to the communication speed.

  According to the present invention, the threshold value is set with a margin corresponding to the measurement accuracy of the communication speed with respect to the communication speed, so that the determination accuracy of the low speed and the high speed is further increased with respect to the communication speed. can do.

  In the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that, in the communication speed measuring step, the communication speed is measured based on a capacity and a delivery time of the low speed content.

  According to the present invention, since the communication speed is measured based on the capacity of low-speed content and the delivery time, the optimum content (low-speed content) corresponding to the communication speed can be obtained without increasing unnecessary traffic volume. Content or high-speed content) can be distributed.

  In the present invention, the distribution time is a value obtained by subtracting a setup time required for preparation from a time from a distribution start time to a completion time.

  According to the present invention, since the delivery time is a value obtained by subtracting the setup time required for preparation from the time from the delivery start time to the completion time, it is possible to measure a communication speed that is more realistic.

  In the invention described above, the setup time is a value based on a plurality of actually measured values.

  According to the present invention, since the setup time is a value based on a plurality of actually measured values, it is possible to reduce the influence on the communication speed when the capacity of the low speed content is small.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the information on the capacity of the low speed content is acquired when the low speed content is stored in a predetermined database.

  According to the present invention, since the information on the capacity of the low speed content is acquired when the low speed content is stored in the predetermined database, the convenience can be improved.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the computer is caused to execute a notification step of notifying the content distribution device of the measured communication speed.

  According to this invention, since the measured communication speed is notified to the content distribution apparatus, the content distribution can be performed by setting the link destination of the low-speed content and the link destination of the high-speed content separately in advance. Promotion and content planning according to the communication speed (low speed, high speed) can be led by the device.

  In the invention described above, the low-speed content and the high-speed content are Internet advertisements.

  According to the present invention, since the low-speed content and the high-speed content are Internet advertisements, an optimal Internet advertisement (low-speed Internet advertisement or high-speed advertisement) corresponding to the communication speed without increasing unnecessary traffic volume. Internet advertisement).

In addition, the present invention provides a distribution request step for requesting the content distribution apparatus to distribute the low-speed content, and communication for measuring a communication speed in a communication path from the content distribution apparatus to the client based on the distribution of the low-speed content. When the speed measurement step and the communication speed is less than a threshold value, the communication speed of the communication path is set to a low speed, the delivered low-speed content is used, and the communication speed is equal to or higher than the threshold value, And a delivery accepting step of accepting delivery of high-speed content larger in volume than the low-speed content from the content delivery device, wherein the communication speed of the communication path is high.

According to the present invention, based on the distribution of the low-speed content from the content distribution device, the communication speed in the communication path from the content distribution device to the client is measured. When the low-speed content that has already been distributed is used and the communication speed is equal to or greater than the threshold, the content distribution device accepts the distribution of high-speed content that is larger than the low-speed content. Optimal content (low-speed content or high-speed content) according to the communication speed can be distributed without an increase.

  Further, according to the present invention, even if the measured communication speed is not notified to the content distribution apparatus, the low-speed content and the high-speed content are separately distributed, and the promotion or content planning according to the communication speed is led by the content distribution apparatus. Can be expanded.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the threshold value is dynamically set according to a capacity of the low speed content.

  According to the present invention, since the threshold value is dynamically set according to the capacity of the low-speed content, the determination accuracy of the low speed and the high speed can be obtained with respect to the communication speed without being affected by the size of the capacity. Can be high.

  Also, in the present invention according to the above invention, the threshold value is set based on a measured value of a communication speed when a plurality of volumes of low-speed content are distributed for a plurality of communication paths having different communication environments. Features.

  According to the present invention, the threshold value is set based on the measured value of the communication speed when a plurality of low-speed contents are distributed for a plurality of communication paths having different communication environments. And the determination accuracy of the low speed and the high speed can be further increased with respect to the communication speed.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the threshold is set based on a result of removing a noise component from the measured value of the communication speed.

  According to this invention, since the threshold value is set based on the result of removing the noise component from the measured value of the communication speed, the accuracy of the threshold value can be increased, and the communication speed is low. High-speed determination accuracy can be further increased.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the threshold value is set with a margin corresponding to the measurement accuracy of the communication speed with respect to the communication speed.

  According to the present invention, the threshold value is set with a margin corresponding to the measurement accuracy of the communication speed with respect to the communication speed, so that the determination accuracy of the low speed and the high speed is further increased with respect to the communication speed. can do.

  In the above invention, the present invention is characterized in that, in the communication speed measuring step, the communication speed is measured based on a capacity and a delivery time of the low speed content.

  According to the present invention, since the communication speed is measured based on the capacity of low-speed content and the delivery time, the optimum content (low-speed content) corresponding to the communication speed can be obtained without increasing unnecessary traffic volume. Content or high-speed content) can be distributed.

  In the present invention, the distribution time is a value obtained by subtracting a setup time required for preparation from a time from a distribution start time to a completion time.

  According to the present invention, since the delivery time is a value obtained by subtracting the setup time required for preparation from the time from the delivery start time to the completion time, it is possible to measure a communication speed that is more realistic.

  In the invention described above, the setup time is a value based on a plurality of actually measured values.

  According to the present invention, since the setup time is a value based on a plurality of actually measured values, it is possible to reduce the influence on the communication speed when the capacity of the low speed content is small.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the information on the capacity of the low speed content is acquired when the low speed content is stored in a predetermined database.

  According to the present invention, since the information on the capacity of the low speed content is acquired when the low speed content is stored in the predetermined database, the convenience can be improved.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, a notification step of notifying the content distribution device of the measured communication speed is included.

  According to this invention, since the measured communication speed is notified to the content distribution apparatus, the content distribution can be performed by setting the link destination of the low-speed content and the link destination of the high-speed content separately in advance. Promotion and content planning according to the communication speed (low speed, high speed) can be led by the device.

  In the invention described above, the low-speed content and the high-speed content are Internet advertisements.

  According to the present invention, since the low-speed content and the high-speed content are Internet advertisements, an optimal Internet advertisement (low-speed Internet advertisement or high-speed advertisement) corresponding to the communication speed without increasing unnecessary traffic volume. Internet advertisement).

The present invention also provides low-speed content that has been distributed to the client when the communication speed on the communication path from the content distribution device to the client when the low-speed content is distributed from the content distribution device to the client is less than a threshold value. And when the communication speed is equal to or higher than a threshold value, a content use / distribution step of delivering a high-speed content having a larger capacity than the low-speed content is included.

According to the present invention, when the communication speed on the communication path from the content distribution device to the client when the low-speed content is distributed from the content distribution device to the client is less than the threshold, the low-speed content already distributed to the client is displayed. When the communication speed is higher than the threshold value, it is decided to deliver high-speed content with a larger capacity than low-speed content, so it is optimal for the communication speed without increasing unnecessary traffic. Content (low-speed content or high-speed content) can be distributed.

The present invention also provides low-speed content that has been distributed to the client when the communication speed on the communication path from the content distribution device to the client when the low-speed content is distributed from the content distribution device to the client is less than a threshold value. When the communication speed is equal to or higher than a threshold value, content use / distribution means for distributing high-speed content having a larger capacity than the low-speed content is provided.

According to the present invention, when the communication speed on the communication path from the content distribution device to the client when the low-speed content is distributed from the content distribution device to the client is less than the threshold, the low-speed content already distributed to the client is displayed. When the communication speed is higher than the threshold value, it is decided to deliver high-speed content with a larger capacity than low-speed content, so it is optimal for the communication speed without increasing unnecessary traffic. Content (low-speed content or high-speed content) can be distributed.

According to the present invention, based on the distribution of the low-speed content from the content distribution device, the communication speed in the communication path from the content distribution device to the client is measured. When the low-speed content that has already been distributed is used and the communication speed is equal to or greater than the threshold, the content distribution device accepts the distribution of high-speed content that is larger than the low-speed content. There is an effect that it is possible to deliver optimum content (low-speed content or high-speed content) according to the communication speed without increasing.

  In addition, according to the present invention, even if the measured communication speed is not notified to the content distribution apparatus, the low-speed content and the high-speed content are separated, and the content distribution apparatus leads the promotion and content planning according to the communication speed. There is an effect that can be expanded.

  Further, according to the present invention, the threshold value is dynamically set according to the capacity of the low-speed content, so that it is possible to determine whether the communication speed is low or high without being affected by the capacity. There is an effect that the accuracy can be increased.

  Further, according to the present invention, the threshold value is set based on the measured value of the communication speed when a plurality of low-speed contents are distributed for a plurality of communication paths having different communication environments. The threshold value is optimized, and there is an effect that the determination accuracy of the low speed and the high speed can be further increased with respect to the communication speed.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since the threshold value is set based on the result of removing the noise component from the measured value of the communication speed, the accuracy of the threshold value can be increased, There is an effect that the determination accuracy of the low speed and the high speed can be further increased.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the threshold value is set with a margin corresponding to the measurement accuracy of the communication speed with respect to the communication speed. There is an effect that it can be further increased.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since the communication speed is measured based on the capacity and distribution time of the low-speed content, the optimum content (according to the communication speed without increasing unnecessary traffic volume ( (Low-speed content or high-speed content) can be distributed.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since the delivery time is a value obtained by subtracting the setup time required for preparation from the time from the delivery start time to the completion time, it is possible to measure the communication speed more realistically. There is an effect.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the setup time is a value based on a plurality of actually measured values, there is an effect that the influence on the communication speed can be minimized when the capacity of the low speed content is small.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the information on the capacity of the low speed content is acquired when the low speed content is stored in a predetermined database, so that the convenience can be improved.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since the measured communication speed is notified to the content distribution apparatus, by setting the link destination of the low-speed content and the link destination of the high-speed content separately in advance, There is an effect that promotion and content planning corresponding to the communication speed (low speed, high speed) can be developed led by the content distribution apparatus.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since the low-speed content and the high-speed content are Internet advertisements, the optimal Internet advertisement (low-speed Internet advertisement or High-speed Internet advertisement) can be distributed.

Further, according to the present invention, when the communication speed on the communication path from the content distribution device to the client when the low-speed content is distributed from the content distribution device to the client is less than the threshold, the low-speed content already distributed to the client When the content is used and the communication speed is equal to or higher than the threshold, the high-speed content that is larger than the low-speed content is distributed. Therefore, according to the communication speed without an unnecessary increase in traffic. The optimum content (low-speed content or high-speed content) can be distributed.

Embodiments of a content distribution program, a content distribution method, and a content distribution apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment according to the present invention. The figure shows a content distribution system for distributing content (high-speed content or low-speed content) according to the communication speed on the client side.

This content distribution system includes a content distribution apparatus 10, a network 20 (such as the Internet), and clients 30 ₁ to 30 _n . The content distribution device 10 is a device that distributes content to the clients 30 ₁ to 30 _n via the network 20.

  Here, the content includes all of various types of information and data that can be distributed via the network 20, and is an Internet advertisement (banner advertisement or the like), an image, a moving image, a sound, or the like.

In one embodiment, the communication speed on the communication path L between the client 30 ₁ to 30 _n and the content distribution apparatus 10 between the client (for example, the client 30 ₁ ) that has issued a request for content distribution is measured. (Actually measured).

  In the content distribution apparatus 10, the communication unit 11 is connected to the network 20, and controls communication according to a predetermined communication protocol. Actually, the content distribution apparatus 10 is composed of a plurality of servers such as a Web server, an advertisement server, and a file server.

The control unit 12 performs control related to content distribution. Details of the operation of the control unit 12 will be described later. The storage unit 13 stores various information used by the control unit 12. The input unit 14 is a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. The display unit 15 is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), or the like.

The content database 16 is a database that stores low-speed content 16S and high-speed content 16F to be distributed. The low-speed content 16S has a small capacity displayed to the client when the environment on the client side (clients 30 ₁ to 30 _n ) is for low speed or the measured communication speed is low (less than a threshold). Content, for example, a small-capacity Internet advertisement. The low-speed content 16S is the above-described measurement data itself, and has a capacity sufficient to obtain a highly reliable measurement result.

  On the other hand, the high-speed content 16F is a large-capacity content distributed to the client when the client-side environment is for high-speed or the measured communication speed is high (above a threshold value). Internet advertising.

  Here, examples of the client-side environment include an OS (operating system), a browser, multimedia playback software, and a connection environment (modem, ISDN, ADSL, etc.). The OS is basic software that performs file management, memory management, input / output management, provision of a user interface, and the like.

  The browser is software for accessing the content distribution apparatus 10 (Web server), performs file transfer by HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) protocol, decodes hypertext described in HTML (HyperText Markup Language), and Web It has a function to display pages and contents (Internet advertisement etc.). The multimedia playback software is software for playing back multimedia (video, audio, etc.) on the client.

  Here, regarding the OS, browser, and multimedia playback software, when the version is lower than the predetermined version, the low speed is supported, and when the version is equal to or higher than the predetermined version, the high speed is supported.

Each of the clients 30 ₁ to 30 _n is a computer terminal to which content (low-speed content 16S or high-speed content 16F) corresponding to the communication speed is distributed from the content distribution device 10 via the network 20, and the computer main body, It consists of a keyboard, mouse and display.

These clients 30 ₁ to 30 _n are equipped with the OS, browser, and multimedia playback software described above. The clients 30 ₁ to 30 _n are connected to the network 20 in different connection environments (modem, ISDN, ADSL, optical fiber, etc.).

Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Hereinafter, the operation when the content is distributed from the content distribution device 10 to the client 30 ₁ will be described.

At step SA1 shown in FIG. 2, the client 30 _1, the content delivery apparatus 10 via the network 20 issues a HTTP request for content distribution. In step SA2, the control unit 12 of the content distribution apparatus 10 sets a script in an HTML file.

The script, the communication path communication speed (bandwidth) is measured in L, it displays a low-speed content 16S delivered in response to the communication rate or the content distribution device 10 between the client 30 ₁ and the content distribution device 10 This is a program for requesting the high-speed content 16F.

At step SA3, the control unit 12 transmits the HTML file scripts mentioned above is set to the client 30 _1. Thus, the client 30 _1, based on the script configured in the HTML file, performing a subsequent processing step SA4, a client information determination processing in step SA9 in parallel.

At step SA4, the client 30 ₁ acquires information of start time from the timer (not shown). The start time is a reference time at which the low-speed content 16S is distributed (downloaded) from the content distribution apparatus 10.

At step SA5, the client 30 _1, the content delivery apparatus 10 requests the low-speed content.

  Thereby, in step SA6, the control unit 12 of the content distribution apparatus 10 acquires the low speed content 16S from the content database 16. The low speed content 16S is used for measuring the communication speed.

In step SA7, the control unit 12 via the communication path L for distributing the low speed content 16S to the client 30 _1. Thus, the low-speed content 16S is received gradually to the client 30 ₁ in accordance with the communication speed of the communication path L.

At step SA8, the client 30 ₁ determines whether the low-speed content 16S delivery is completed, this case, the result of determination as "No", and repeats the same determination.

On the other hand, in step SA9, the client 30 ₁ executes a client information determination process. Specifically, at step SB1 shown in FIG. 3, the client 30 ₁ obtains its client information (OS, browser, multimedia playback software version, connection environment) from the storage unit (not shown).

At step SB2, the client 30 _1, OS determines whether or not more than a predetermined version (High speed).

If the OS is less than the predetermined version (slow response), the client 30 _1, the result of determination in step SB2 as "No". At step SB5, the client 30 ₁ determines whether or not the low-speed content 16S delivery is completed.

Already, if a low-speed content 16S delivery is complete, the client 30 _1, the result of determination in step SB5 as "Yes", in step SB6, distributed low speed content 16S (e.g., the small capacity Internet advertising ) Is displayed on a display (not shown). If the result of determination in step SB5 is "No", the client 30 _1, the same determination is repeated.

On the other hand, the determination in step SB2 is "Yes", i.e., if the OS is above the predetermined version (High speed), at step SB3, the client 30 _1, the browser determines whether a predetermined version or higher To do.

If the browser is less than the predetermined version (slow response), the client 30 _1, the determination result of step SB3 is "No". At step SB5, the client 30 ₁ determines whether the low-speed content 16S delivery is completed, this case, the judgment result is "Yes". In step SB6, the client 30 ₁ displays distributed low-speed content 16S on the display (not shown).

On the other hand, the judgment result of step SB3 is "Yes", i.e., if the browser is more than a predetermined version (High speed), at step SB4, the client 30 _1, multimedia playback software or given version (High speed) It is determined whether or not.

When the multimedia playback software is less than the predetermined version (slow response), the client 30 _1, the result of determination in step SB4 as "No". At step SB5, the client 30 ₁ determines whether the low-speed content 16S delivery is completed, this case, the judgment result is "Yes". In step SB6, the client 30 ₁ displays distributed low-speed content 16S on the display (not shown).

On the other hand, when the result of determination in step SB4 is "Yes", the client 30 ₁ determines whether or not the distribution of the low-speed content 16S in step SA8 shown in FIG. 2 has been completed.

When the low-speed content 16S delivery is complete, the client 30 _1, the determination result of step SA8 is "Yes". At step SA10 shown in FIG. 4, the client 30 ₁ acquires information of completion time from the timer (not shown). The completion time is set as a reference time when the low-speed content 16S is distributed (downloaded) from the content distribution apparatus 10.

In step SA11, the client 30 _1, the distribution of the low-speed content 16S via the communication path L, to calculate the communication speed of the communication path L (the measured value) from the following equation (1).

Communication speed = (capacity of low-speed content 16S) / ((completion time-start time)
-Setup time) (1)

  In the formula (1), the completion time corresponds to the information on the completion time acquired in step SA10. The start time corresponds to the information on the start time acquired in step SA4. The capacity of the low speed content 16S is the capacity (K bytes) of the low speed content 16S distributed in step SA7.

  The setup time is the time from when the low-speed content 16S is requested until delivery is actually started, and is defined by the script described above. This setup time is an actual measurement value (for example, 0.09) at a client having the best connection environment, and is a value based on a plurality of actual measurement values. This has a greater effect on the communication speed as the setup time is longer when the capacity of the low-speed content 16S is small. Therefore, in one embodiment, the setup time is set to the minimum value in order to minimize the influence on the communication speed.

In step SA12, the client 30 _1, the communication speed calculated in step SA11, it is determined whether a preset threshold value or more. This threshold value is defined in the script described above.

If the judgment result of step SA12 is "No", i.e., if the communication speed is slow, in step SA13, the client 30 _1, displays a low-speed content 16S delivered at step SA7 in display (not shown) Let

If the judgment result of the step SA12 is "Yes", i.e., if the communication speed is high, in step SA14, the client 30 _1, the content delivery apparatus 10 requests the high-speed content.

  Thereby, in step SA15, the control unit 12 of the content distribution apparatus 10 acquires the high-speed content 16F from the content database 16.

In step SA16, the control unit 12 distributes the high-speed content 16F to the client 30 ₁ via the communication path L. In step SA17, the client 30 ₁ displays the distributed high-speed content 16F on the display (not shown).

As described above, according to one embodiment, the communication speed in the communication path L from the content distribution apparatus 10 to the client (for example, the client 30 ₁ ) based on the distribution of the low-speed content 16S from the content distribution apparatus 10. When the communication speed is less than the threshold, the low-speed content 16S that has already been distributed is used (displayed). When the communication speed is equal to or higher than the threshold, the content distribution apparatus 10 uses the low-speed content. Since the delivery of the high-speed content 16F having a larger capacity than that of the content 16S is accepted , the optimum content corresponding to the communication speed (the low-speed content 16S or the high-speed content 16F) is not accompanied by an increase in unnecessary traffic. Can be delivered.

Also, according to one embodiment, the content distribution device 10 sends a client (eg, client 30 ₁ ), When the communication speed in the communication path L from the content distribution apparatus 10 to the client when the low-speed content 16S is distributed is less than the threshold value, the low-speed content 16S distributed to the client is used, and the communication speed is When the threshold value is exceeded, the high-speed content 16F having a larger capacity than the low-speed content 16S is distributed, so that the optimum content (low speed) corresponding to the communication speed is not accompanied by an unnecessary increase in traffic. Content 16S or high-speed content 16F) can be distributed.

  In addition, according to one embodiment, the low-speed content 16S and the high-speed content 16F are separated from each other without communicating the communication speed measured on the client side to the content distribution apparatus 10, and communication is led by the content distribution apparatus 10. Promotion and content planning according to speed can be developed.

  In one embodiment, the threshold value of the communication speed used in step SA20 (see FIG. 4) may be set dynamically according to the capacity of the low-speed content 16S instead of a constant value.

  Here, when the low speed content 16S and the high speed content 16F are Internet advertisements, the capacity varies for each advertiser within a predetermined range. In addition, the accuracy when the communication speed is measured using the low speed content 16S depends on the capacity of the low speed content 16S and varies as shown in FIG. In order to avoid this, the threshold value of the communication speed may be set dynamically according to the capacity.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the correspondence between the capacity of the low-speed content 16S and the communication speed. In the figure, the horizontal axis represents the capacity of the low-speed content 16S, and is in the range of 5 to 50 KB. The vertical axis represents the actually measured communication speed when the low-speed content 16S of each capacity is actually distributed in a predetermined communication environment (modem (56 Kbps), 200 times for each capacity). A characteristic line Smin represents the distribution of the minimum value of the communication speed. The characteristic line Smax represents the distribution of the maximum value of the communication speed. The characteristic line Sav represents the harmonic average distribution of the communication speed.

  As can be seen from the figure, the smaller the capacity of the low-speed content 16S, the greater the standard deviation and the greater the variation in communication speed. On the other hand, it can be seen that the larger the capacity of the low speed content 16S, the smaller the standard deviation and the smaller the communication speed variation.

  In such a situation, when a certain threshold value (for example, 60 Kbps) is applied regardless of the capacity of the low-speed content 16S, the smaller the capacity, the more misjudgment (although it is originally a low speed). It is judged to be high speed).

  Therefore, in one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, three levels of threshold TH1> threshold TH2> threshold TH3 are dynamically set according to the capacity (5 to 50 KB) of low-speed content 16S. It may be configured to be set to. In this case, the determination accuracy (low speed or high speed) of the communication speed in the communication path L can be increased.

  The threshold value TH1 is 90 Kbps, and is a value applied when the capacity of the low speed content 16S is less than 5 to 10 KB. The threshold value TH2 is 85 Kbps, and is a value applied when the capacity of the low-speed content 16S is less than 10 to 13 KB. The threshold value TH3 is 60 Kbps, and is a value applied when the capacity of the low speed content 16S is 13 KB or more.

  These threshold value TH1, threshold value TH2, and threshold value TH3 are set by a script by control unit 12 of content distribution apparatus 10 in step SA2 (see FIG. 2).

  In one embodiment, the threshold value TH1, threshold value TH2, and threshold value TH3 have a margin corresponding to the measurement accuracy of the communication speed with respect to the communication speed (for example, harmonic average (characteristic line Sav)). (Difference between harmonic average and threshold). That is, the threshold TH1, the threshold TH2, and the threshold TH3 have a larger margin (difference) as the measurement accuracy is lower (capacity is smaller), and a margin (difference) is higher as the measurement accuracy is higher (capacity is larger). ) Is set to be small. In this case, regarding the communication speed, the determination accuracy of the low speed and the high speed can be further increased.

  As another configuration example, the threshold value TH1, threshold value TH2, and threshold value TH3 are set for each of a plurality of communication environments (modem, ISDN, ADSL, optical fiber, etc.), and the communication environment and low speed are set. Depending on the capacity of the content for use 16S, an optimum threshold value may be applied in step SA20. In this case, the determination accuracy (low speed or high speed) of the communication speed in the actual communication path L can be further increased.

  Further, in one embodiment, when data N1, N2, and N3 as noise are included in the measured data as shown in FIG. 7, based on data obtained by removing these data N1, N2, and N3 by the filtering process. The threshold value TH1, threshold value TH2, and threshold value TH3 described above may be set. In this case, the determination accuracy (low speed or high speed) of the communication speed in the communication path L can be further increased.

  In one embodiment, instead of the discontinuous threshold values TH1, TH2, and TH3, a function (linear or non-linear) corresponding to the capacity of the low speed content 16S is used as the threshold value. Also good.

  In one embodiment, when the low speed content 16S and the high speed content 16F are stored in the content database 16, the capacity information of the low speed content 16S is automatically acquired by the control unit 12, and step SA2 (see FIG. 2). ) May be a configuration example in which such a capacity is automatically set by a script. When the low-speed content 16S and the high-speed content 16F are Internet advertisements, the acquisition and setting of the capacity of the Internet advertisement can be automated at the time of submission (when stored in the content database 16), thereby improving convenience. it can.

In one embodiment, a script for notifying the content distribution apparatus 10 of the communication speed measured by each client (clients 30 ₁ to 30 _n ) and the aforementioned client information in step SA2 (see FIG. 2). It is good also as a structural example which is set to an HTML file and the content distribution apparatus 10 collects the communication speed and client information in each client.

  In this case, since the measured communication speed or the like is notified to the content distribution apparatus 10, the link destination of the low-speed content 16S and the link destination of the high-speed content 16F are set separately in advance. The promotion and content planning according to the communication speed (low speed, high speed) led by the content distribution apparatus 10 can be developed on the network 20 (Web site).

  Although one embodiment according to the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, a specific configuration example is not limited to this one embodiment, and design changes and the like within a scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are possible. Even if it exists, it is included in this invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, a program for realizing the content distribution function is recorded in the computer-readable recording medium 200 shown in FIG. 8, and the program recorded in the recording medium 200 is shown in FIG. The content distribution function may be realized by causing the computer 100 shown in FIG.

  A computer 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110 that executes the above-described program, an input device 120 such as a keyboard and a mouse, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 130 that stores various data, an operation parameter, and the like. RAM (Random Access Memory) 140, a reading device 150 for reading a program from the recording medium 200, and an output device 160 such as a display and a printer.

  The CPU 110 implements the above-described functions by reading a program recorded on the recording medium 200 via the reading device 150 and then executing the program. Examples of the recording medium 200 include an optical disk, a flexible disk, and a hard disk.

As described above, the content distribution program, the content distribution method, and the content distribution apparatus according to the present invention are useful for distributing contents such as Internet advertisements, and are particularly suitable for distributing contents in networks with severe traffic volume restrictions. Yes.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Example concerning this invention. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the same Example. It is a flowchart explaining the client information determination process shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining operation | movement of the same Example. It is a figure explaining the correspondence of a capacity | capacitance and a communication speed. It is a figure explaining the example of a setting of the threshold value in the same Example. It is a figure explaining the noise removal in the correspondence of a capacity | capacitance and a communication speed. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the modification of the same Example. It is a figure which shows distribution of the communication speed in the past.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Content delivery apparatus 11 Communication part 12 Control part 13 Storage part 14 Input part 15 Display part 16 Content database 16S Low-speed content 16F High-speed content 20 Network 30 ₁ Client 30 ₂ Client 30 _n Client

Claims (2)

A content distribution program for controlling the out divided distribution of advertising content to the computer terminal is a client from the content distribution apparatus is performed via a communication path,
Is delivered via the communication path by the content distribution device capacity and display mode previously stores two different advertising content, is a small volume of the two types of advertisement content to be displayed on a computer terminal is the client A communication speed measuring step of measuring a communication speed in the communication path using the first advertisement content ;
When the communication speed is less than a threshold value, the first advertisement content distributed by the content distribution device is displayed, while when the communication speed is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the two types of advertisement contents Requesting the content distribution device to distribute the second advertisement content having a larger capacity than the first advertisement content and having a different display form, and the second advertisement content distributed by the content distribution device Usage process to display;
A content distribution program for causing the computer terminal to execute the program. A content distribution method for controlling the out divided distribution of advertising content to the computer terminal is a client from the content distribution apparatus is performed via a communication path,
The computer terminal has a small capacity among the two types of advertising content distributed via the communication path by the content distribution device that stores in advance two types of advertising content having different capacities and display forms . A communication speed measuring step of measuring the communication speed in the communication path using the advertising content ;
When the communication speed is less than a threshold value, the computer terminal displays the first advertising content that has been distributed by the content distribution device , and when the communication speed is equal to or higher than the threshold value, the computer The terminal requests the content distribution device to distribute the second advertising content having a larger capacity than the first advertising content and having a different display form from the two types of advertising content, and the content distribution device distributes the second advertising content. A process of displaying the second advertising content that has been performed;
A content distribution method comprising:

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