JP2001350483A - System and method for data delivering and data delivering server - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To further reduce downloading time of a data delivery conducted on a network. SOLUTION: Music data which are beforehand compressed by an encoder 12 in a compression system 200 are accumulated in a hard disk 17 of a music delivering server 100. When a delivery request of a desired music is received from a user's terminal 2, compressed data of the music are read from the disk 17 and transmitted to the user as they are. Thus, no need is required to compress and transmit the music data in real time during the delivery and the time required for a downloading is further reduced. Moreover, by generating compressed data according to various compression systems, very large number of musics are delivered while coping with various compression systems being used by many recording companies.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data distribution system and method, and a data distribution server, and more particularly to an electronic information distribution system for distributing various types of compressed data such as compressed music data and video data using a network such as the Internet. It is suitable for use.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of communication networks such as the Internet and satellite communication, net distribution services for distributing music, video, and the like on the net have been actively performed, and a system for realizing this has been proposed. ing.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a general configuration example of an electronic music distribution system for distributing music on a network. FIG.
, 1 is a music distribution server that distributes music data, 2 is a user terminal that receives distribution of music data,
These can be connected to a network 5 such as the Internet. Reference numeral 3 denotes a storage medium, such as a memory card or a mini disk, which is a portable removable storage medium that is configured to be detachable from an electronic device. 4
Is a portable small-sized reproducing device for reproducing music data.

[0004] The music distribution server 1 stores a plurality of music data for download. This music distribution server 1
Manages a website for music distribution, and receives a music distribution request from the user terminal 2 connected to the network 5 through the website. And
The requested music data is compressed by a predetermined compression method, and the compressed music data is delivered to the requesting user terminal 2.

[0005] The user terminal 2 is, for example, a personal computer located in each home, and has a decoder therein for expanding compressed music data. The music data decompressed by this decoder is D / A converted into an analog audio signal, which is emitted from an attached speaker or the like. Thereby, it becomes possible to listen to the music downloaded from the music distribution server 1 to the user terminal 2 from the speaker.

[0006] The compressed music data downloaded to the user terminal 2 is transmitted to the playback device 4 via the removable storage medium 3.
Can be transferred to The regenerator 4 has a decoder inside. The music data decompressed by this decoder is D / A converted to an analog audio signal, which is output to an earphone or the like attached to the reproducing device 4.
As a result, it is possible to transfer the music downloaded from the music distribution server 1 to the user terminal 2 to the reproducer 4 and listen to the music from an earphone or the like.

[0007]

As described above, when music is distributed over the Internet, the music data to be distributed is compressed for the purpose of shortening the download time of the music data having a large data amount as much as possible. Is normal. By compressing and distributing the music data, the download time can be shortened as compared with the case where the uncompressed raw data itself is communicated.

However, in the above-described conventional electronic music distribution system, the music distribution server 1 includes an encoder for compressing data, and when a download of a desired music is requested from the user terminal 2, the corresponding music is generated. The data was transmitted while compressing at that time. For this reason, there is a problem in that the compression process itself takes much time, and the time from the request for distribution to the completion of download is still long.

FIG. 5 shows a music distribution system as an example. However, in an electronic video distribution system for distributing video on a network, it is also possible to shorten the download time of video data having a large data amount as much as possible. Therefore, the video data to be distributed is usually compressed.

However, even in this electronic video distribution system, conventionally, the server that distributes the video itself has an encoder for compressing the data, and when the user terminal requests the download of the desired video, The raw data of the video to be transmitted was compressed and transmitted at that time. Therefore, there is a problem in that the compression process itself takes a lot of time, and the time from when a distribution request is made to when the download is completed becomes long.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and relates to data distribution such as music distribution and video distribution performed on a network, so that the time for downloading compressed data can be shortened. It is intended to be.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A data distribution system according to the present invention is a data distribution system for distributing compressed data from a data distribution server to a requesting terminal, and compresses data to be distributed according to a predetermined method. Compression means for storing the data compressed by the compression means, and a compressed data storage means for receiving desired data distribution request from the requesting terminal. Read the compressed data
Transmitting means for transmitting to the requesting terminal.

[0013] A data distribution method according to the present invention is a data distribution method for distributing compressed data from a data distribution server to a terminal of a request source. And when a request for distribution of desired data is received from the requesting terminal, the corresponding compressed data is read out from the compressed data stored in the data distribution server, and the requesting source is read out. Is transmitted to the terminal.

[0014] The data distribution server of the present invention is a data distribution server that distributes compressed data in response to a request, wherein the data distribution server stores compressed data that has been compressed in advance according to a predetermined method. And transmitting means for reading out the corresponding compressed data from the compressed data accumulating means when there is a request for distribution of desired data and transmitting it to the requesting terminal.

Here, the data distributed from the data distribution server is, for example, compressed music data or video data.

Since the present invention comprises the above technical means, music data and video data to be distributed are stored in the data distribution server in a compressed state before a distribution request is actually made. Thus, when there is a distribution request, the music data or video data that has been compressed can be simply read and transmitted as it is. Can be achieved.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an electronic music distribution system according to a first embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a music distribution server for distributing music data, and 2 denotes a user terminal for receiving distribution of music data, which can be connected to a network 5 such as the Internet. Although a plurality of user terminals 2 are actually connected on the network 5 as in FIG. 5, only one is shown here as a representative.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a storage medium, such as a memory card or a mini disk, which is a portable removable storage medium detachably mounted on an electronic device. Reference numeral 4 denotes a portable reproducing device for reproducing music data. Also,
Reference numeral 200 denotes a compression system for compressing music data, which is connected to the music distribution server 100.

The compression system 200 includes an A / D converter 1
1, an encoder 12 and an interface unit 13. The A / D converter 11 performs analog-to-digital conversion of an analog audio signal input from the input terminal 14, for example, an audio signal reproduced and output from a sound source such as a CD.
Output to 2. An interface for inputting and outputting digital data may be provided, and digital music data reproduced from a CD or the like may be directly input to the encoder 12.

The encoder 12 compresses the given music data according to a predetermined compression method. For example, MP3 (MPEG-Audio Layer 3), AA
C (Advanced Audio Coding), AC-3 (Dolby Digita
l), ATRAC3 (AdaptiveTransform Acoustic Codi
ng), TwinVQ, WMA (Windows (registered trademark))
Media Audio) can be used.

Although not particularly shown in FIG. 1, the compression system 200 also compresses character data and image data accompanying the music data as necessary. As a compression method of the image data, for example, MPEG, JPEG, or the like can be used. An encoder that compresses image data using these compression methods may be provided separately from the encoder 12 that compresses music data, or may be integrated into one LSI.

Here, the character data includes, for example, information such as a song title, lyrics, an artist name, a CD title, and a commentary. The image data includes, for example, a CD jacket image, an artist image, and the like. In this specification, music data and accompanying information such as character data and image data accompanying the music data are collectively referred to as music data.

The interface unit 13 includes the encoder 12
And an output port for outputting the music data compressed by the encoder and image data and character data compressed by an encoder (not shown) to the outside. The compressed music data is transmitted to the music distribution server 10 via this output port.
Output to 0.

The music distribution server 100 includes an interface unit 15, a memory controller 16, a storage medium 17, and a communication unit 18. The interface section 15 has an input port for inputting compressed music data sent from the compression system 200. The compressed music data is taken into the music distribution server 100 via this input port.

As the storage medium 17, for example, a large-capacity storage medium such as a hard disk is used, and music data compressed by the compression system 200 is stored here. That is, the hard disk 17 stores a plurality of pieces of compressed music data for download, and also stores compressed character data and image data accompanying each music data.

The memory controller 16 controls reading and writing of music data on the hard disk 17. That is, the memory controller 16 controls the interface unit 1
A process for storing the compressed music data input through the hard disk 17 on the hard disk 17 is performed. Further, in response to a distribution request given to the communication unit 18 from the user terminal 2 via the network 5, the memory controller 16 reads out the requested music data from the hard disk 17 and outputs it to the communication unit 18. At this time, accompanying information is read out as necessary, and output to the communication unit 18 together with the compressed music data.

The communication section 18 controls communication relating to distribution of music data. That is, a process of receiving a distribution request of a desired song transmitted from the user terminal 2 and transmitting the request to the memory controller 16 is performed. In addition, a process of distributing the compressed music data read by the memory controller 16 to the requesting user terminal 2 via the network 5 is also performed. At this time, the communication unit 18 packetizes and distributes the compressed music data and accompanying information, for example.

The user terminal 2 is, for example, a personal computer placed in each home, and includes a communication unit 21, a storage medium 22, a decoder 23, a D / A converter 24, and a speaker 25.
And an interface unit 26. Communication unit 21
Performs communication control regarding download of music data. That is, a process of transmitting a distribution request for a desired song,
In response to the request, a process of receiving the compressed music data sent from the music distribution server 100 is performed.

As the storage medium 22, for example, a large-capacity storage medium such as a hard disk is used, and downloaded music data is stored here. The decoder 23 expands the compressed music data in the hard disk 22 and reproduces and outputs the original music data before compression. D / A converter 24
Performs digital-to-analog conversion of the music data decompressed by the decoder 23, and outputs an analog audio signal obtained thereby to the speaker 25. As a result, the music downloaded from the music distribution server 100 to the user terminal 2 can be heard from the speaker 25.

Although not shown here, if the downloaded music data contains accompanying information such as character data or image data, these are expanded according to the compression method and are not shown. It can be output to a display or the like or printed by a printer (not shown). The decoder for the image used in this case is
It may be provided separately from the audio decoder 23, or one L
It may be integrated in SI.

The interface unit 26 has an output port for outputting the compressed music data stored in the hard disk 22 to the outside. Via this output port, the compressed music data in the hard disk 22 can be transferred to the removable storage medium 3.

The reproducing device 4 is a small-sized memory audio player which can be carried around and carried, and has an interface section 27, a decoder 28 and a D / A converter 29 as shown in FIG. Interface section 2
7 has an input port to which the removable storage medium 3 can be attached and detached. The compressed music data in the removable storage medium 3 is taken into the player 4 via this input port.

The decoder 28 expands the compressed music data in the removable storage medium 3, and reproduces and outputs the original music data before compression. The D / A converter 29 includes the decoder 2
The digital-to-analog conversion of the music data decompressed by 8 is performed, and the analog audio signal obtained by this is output to the earphone 30. As a result, the music downloaded from the music distribution server 100 to the user terminal 2 can be transferred to the reproducer 4 and listened to from the earphone 30.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the music distribution server 100 and the user terminal 2 during music distribution. In FIG. 2, the user terminal 2 first inputs a title of a song desired to be downloaded in step S1, and transmits distribution request data including the title to the music distribution server 100 via the network 5 in step S2.

On the other hand, the music distribution server 100 waits in step S11 until data of a distribution request is received from the user terminal 2, and upon receiving the distribution request, proceeds to step S12.
Proceed to. In step S12, music data corresponding to the requested music is searched from the hard disk 17. Then, in step S13, the searched music data is transmitted to the requesting user terminal 2 via the network 5.
At this time, since the music data stored in the hard disk 17 has already been compressed, the corresponding music data may be simply read from the hard disk 17 and transmitted.

After making a distribution request in step S2, the user terminal 2 waits in step S3 for the requested music data to be sent from the music distribution server 100. When the music data relating to the requested music is received, the process proceeds to step S4, and the received music data is stored in the hard disk 22. The compressed music data stored here is then decompressed by the decoder 23 in response to an instruction from the user, and output from the speaker 25 via the D / A converter 24. Alternatively, the data is transferred to the reproducing device 4 via the removable storage medium 3.

As described in detail above, in the electronic music distribution system of the present embodiment, the music distribution server 10 stores the data compressed in advance for the music data to be distributed.
0, and when a distribution request is received from the user terminal 2, the compressed data of the corresponding music is read out from the music distribution server 100 and transmitted, so that the music data is transmitted in real time at the time of distribution. There is no need to transmit the data while compressing, so that the download time can be further reduced.

In this embodiment, the accompanying information to be distributed together with the compressed music data is also compressed and stored in advance, and when requested by the user terminal 2, the corresponding compressed accompanying information is simply read. Therefore, it is not necessary to transmit accompanying information such as character data and image data in real time at the time of distribution, and the download time can be shortened.

In the present embodiment, since the compression processing is performed in advance, by creating compressed data according to various compression methods, it is possible to cope with any of the different compression methods adopted by each record company. can do. As a result, it is possible to realize distribution of an extremely large number of songs irrespective of the record company and the artist to which the record company belongs.

Also, compressed data created according to various compression methods may be stored in the music distribution server 100, and music data of a desired compression method may be selectively distributed according to a request from a user. It is possible. Further, it is also possible to confirm a compression method that can be supported by the user terminal 2 from the music distribution server 100 and selectively distribute music data of a compression method suitable for the user terminal 2. In this way, it is possible to cope with any compression method, and it is possible to realize an extremely versatile system.

In the above-described embodiment, the music distribution server 100 and the compression system 200 are configured separately.
If the compressed music data is stored in the hard disk 17, the A / D converter 11 and the encoder 12 in the compression system 200 may be provided in the music distribution server 100.

In the above-described embodiment, the packetization processing is performed in the music distribution server 100. However, the compression system 200 also performs packetization of the compressed data, and stores the packet data in the music distribution server 100. You may make it. By doing so, it is not necessary to transmit the packets while distributing them in real time at the time of distribution, and the download time can be further reduced.

In the above-described embodiment, a personal computer has been described as an example of the user terminal 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to an information terminal (so-called kiosk terminal) placed at a storefront such as a record store or a convenience store, or a mobile phone such as a PHS or a mobile phone. These information terminals and mobile phones also have substantially the same configuration as the user terminal 2 shown in FIG. When the information terminal is used, the network 5 does not need to be the Internet, and may be a dedicated line.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an electronic video distribution system according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 300 denotes a video distribution server that distributes video data (including both still images and moving images), and 2 denotes a user terminal that receives distribution of video data. These user terminals can be connected to a network 5 such as the Internet. Have been. Reference numeral 400 denotes a compression system for performing compression processing of video data, which is connected to the video distribution server 300.

The compression system 400 includes the encoder 3
1 and an interface unit 32. The encoder 31 compresses digital video data input from the input terminal 33, for example, still image data shot by a digital camera, moving image data shot by a digital video camera, and the like according to a predetermined compression method. In addition,
An interface for inputting and outputting an analog signal is provided, and an analog video signal reproduced from an analog video camera or the like is converted into digital data by an A / D converter (not shown), and the digitally converted video data is compressed. good.

As a compression method of a still image by the encoder 31, for example, JPEG (joint photographic coding expe
rts group), JBIG (joint bi-lebel image expert)
s group) or any of various compression methods for still images. As a moving image compression method, for example, MPEG (moving picture coding expert)
s group), especially MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG
4, any one of MPEG ++ and the like can be used.

Although not shown in FIG. 3, the compression system 400 also compresses character data and audio data accompanying video data as necessary. As the compression method of the audio data, any of the various compression methods described in the first embodiment can be used. Encoders that compress audio data using these compression methods
It may be provided separately from the encoder 31 for compressing the video data, or may be integrated into one LSI.

Here, the character data includes, for example, information such as a video title, caption, author name, and commentary. Further, the audio data includes, for example, audio recorded together with the video, dialogue of a person or the like appearing in the video, guide voice for operation guidance, and the like. In this specification, video data and accompanying information such as character data and audio data accompanying the video data are collectively referred to as video data or the like.

The interface unit 32 includes an encoder 31
And an output port for outputting the video data compressed by the encoder and the audio data and character data compressed by an encoder (not shown) to the outside. The compressed video data and the like are output to the video distribution server 300 via this output port.

The video distribution server 300 includes an interface unit 34, a memory controller 35, a storage medium 36, and a communication unit 37. The interface unit 34 has an input port for inputting compressed video data and the like sent from the compression system 400. The compressed video data and the like are taken into the video distribution server 300 via this input port.

As the storage medium 36, a large-capacity storage medium such as a hard disk is used, and video data and the like compressed by the compression system 400 are stored here. That is, the hard disk 36 stores a plurality of compressed video data for download and also stores compressed character data and audio data accompanying each video data.

The memory controller 35 controls reading and writing of video data and the like with respect to the hard disk 36. That is, the memory controller 35 performs a process of storing the compressed video data and the like input via the interface unit 34 on the hard disk 36. Further, the memory controller 35 reads the requested video data from the hard disk 36 and outputs the read video data to the communication unit 37 in response to a distribution request given from the user terminal 2 to the communication unit 37 via the network 5. At this time, accompanying information is read out as necessary, and output to the communication unit 37 together with the compressed video data.

The communication section 37 controls communication concerning distribution of video data and the like. That is, a process of receiving a distribution request of a desired video sent from the user terminal 2 and transmitting the request to the memory controller 35 is performed. Further, it also performs a process of delivering the compressed video data and the like read by the memory controller 35 to the requesting user terminal 2 via the network 5. At this time, the communication unit 37 packetizes and distributes the compressed video data and the accompanying information, for example.

The user terminal 2 is, for example, a personal computer placed in each home, and includes a communication unit 41, a storage medium 42, a decoder 43, and a display unit 44. The communication unit 41 performs communication control regarding download of video data and the like. That is, a process of transmitting a request for distribution of a desired video and a process of receiving compressed video data and the like transmitted from the video distribution server 300 in response to the request are performed.

As the storage medium 42, a large-capacity storage medium such as a hard disk is used, and downloaded video data and the like are stored here. The decoder 43 expands the compressed video data in the hard disk 42, and reproduces and outputs the original video data before compression. Display 44
Converts the video data expanded by the decoder 43 into an LCD.
It is output and displayed on a display device such as a CRT or CRT. Thereby, the video downloaded from the video distribution server 300 to the user terminal 2 can be viewed on the display device.

Although not particularly shown here, if accompanying information such as character data and audio data is downloaded together with the video data, these are decompressed according to the compression method and the character information is displayed on a display device. Alternatively, audio data can be converted into an analog audio signal by a D / A converter (not shown) and output from a speaker or the like. The audio decoder used at this time may be provided separately from the video decoder 43, or may be integrated into one LSI.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing operations of the video distribution server 300 and the user terminal 2 at the time of video distribution. In FIG. 4, the user terminal 2 first specifies a video desired to be downloaded in step S21, and transmits data of a video distribution request to the video distribution server 300 via the network 5 in step S22.

On the other hand, in step S31, the video distribution server 300 waits until data of a distribution request is received from the user terminal 2, and upon receiving the distribution request, proceeds to step S32.
Proceed to. In step S32, the hard disk 36 is searched for video data or the like corresponding to the requested video. Then, in step S33, the found video data and the like are transmitted to the requesting user terminal 2 via the network 5. At this time, since the video data and the like stored in the hard disk 36 have already been compressed, the corresponding video data and the like may be simply read from the hard disk 36 and transmitted.

After making the distribution request in step S22, the user terminal 2 waits for the requested video data to be sent from the video distribution server 300 in step S23. Then, when the video data or the like relating to the requested video is received, the process proceeds to step S24, and the received video data or the like is stored in the hard disk 42. The compressed video data and the like stored here are decompressed by the decoder 43 in response to an instruction from the user, and
Is output to the display device.

As described in detail above, in the electronic video distribution system of the present embodiment, the video distribution server
00, and when there is a distribution request from the user terminal 2, the compressed data of the corresponding video is read from the video distribution server 300 and transmitted.
There is no need to transmit the video data while compressing it in real time at the time of distribution, so that the download time can be further shortened.

In the present embodiment, the accompanying information to be distributed together with the compressed video data is also compressed and stored in advance, and when requested by the user terminal 2, the corresponding compressed accompanying information is simply read. Therefore, it is not necessary to transmit the accompanying information such as character data and audio data while compressing the information in real time at the time of distribution, and the download time can be shortened.

In the present embodiment, since the compression processing is performed in advance, by creating compressed data according to various compression methods, it is possible to cope with any of the different compression methods adopted by each distribution company. can do. Thus, it is possible to realize distribution of a very large number of videos regardless of the distribution company.

It is also possible to store compressed data created in accordance with various compression schemes in the video distribution server 300 and selectively distribute video data in a desired compression scheme in response to a request from a user. It is possible. Further, it is also possible to confirm a compression method that can be supported by the user terminal 2 from the video distribution server 300 and selectively distribute video data of a compression method suitable for the user terminal 2. In this way, it is possible to cope with any compression method, and it is possible to realize an extremely versatile system.

In the above embodiment, the video distribution server 300 and the compression system 400 are configured separately.
If the compressed video data is stored in the hard disk 36, the encoder 3 in the compression system 400
1 may be provided in the video distribution server 300.

In the above embodiment, the packetization process is performed in the video distribution server 300. However, the compression system 400 also performs packetization of the compressed data, and stores the packet data in the video distribution server 300. You may make it. By doing so, it is not necessary to transmit the packets while distributing them in real time at the time of distribution, and the download time can be further reduced.

In the above embodiment, a personal computer is described as an example of the user terminal 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to an information terminal (so-called kiosk terminal) placed at a storefront such as a video store or a convenience store, a mobile phone such as a PHS or a mobile phone, and a car navigation system. These information terminals and mobile telephones also have substantially the same configuration as the user terminal 2 shown in FIG. When the information terminal is used, the network 5 does not need to be the Internet, and may be a dedicated line.

The electronic video distribution system shown in FIG. 3 also has the same structure as the user terminal 2 shown in FIG.
May be provided with an interface unit so that compressed video data or the like can be output to the removable storage medium 3 via the interface unit. Then, the removable storage medium 3 storing the compressed video data or the like may be mounted on the video player, and the video player may perform the decompression / reproduction processing.

In the above embodiment, the music distribution system and the video distribution system have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to a system that distributes both music and video. Further, the present invention can be applied to game distribution for distributing game programs and the like, or program distribution for distributing various programs other than games.

In addition, each of the above-described embodiments is merely an example of the embodiment for carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted in a limited manner. Things. That is, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.

[0071]

As described above, according to the present invention, data to be distributed is compressed and stored in advance, and when there is a distribution request, the compressed data is read and transmitted. It is not necessary to transmit data while compressing the data in real time at the time of distribution, so that the time required for downloading can be further reduced. This allows
A more comfortable data distribution environment for the user can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an electronic music distribution system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing operations of a music distribution server and a user terminal during music distribution.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an electronic video distribution system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a music distribution server and a user terminal during video distribution.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a general configuration example of an electronic music distribution system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 Encoder 16 Memory controller 17 Hard disk 18 Communication unit 31 Encoder 35 Memory controller 36 Hard disk 37 Communication unit 100 Music distribution server 200 Compression system 300 Video distribution server 400 Compression system

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 7/173 610 H04N 7/173 610A F term (Reference) 5C064 BA07 BC10 BC16 BD02 BD08 BD13 5D108 BG06 5K015 AB02 GA01 5K101 KK18 MM07 NN06 NN07 NN14 NN18 NN21

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A data distribution system for distributing compressed data from a data distribution server to a requesting terminal, comprising: compression means for compressing data to be distributed according to a predetermined method; Compressed data storage means for storing data in advance; and when there is a request for distribution of desired data from the requesting terminal, read out the corresponding compressed data from the compressed data storage means, and And a transmission means for transmitting the data to the data distribution system. 2. The data distribution system according to claim 1, wherein said data distribution system is a music distribution system for distributing compressed music data from a music distribution server to a requesting terminal. 3. The data distribution system according to claim 1, wherein said data distribution system is a video distribution system for distributing compressed video data from a video distribution server to a terminal of a request source. 4. A data distribution method for distributing compressed data from a data distribution server to a requesting terminal, wherein data compressed in advance for data to be distributed is stored in the data distribution server. When there is a request for distribution of desired data from the requesting terminal,
A data distribution method, comprising reading out the corresponding compressed data from each of the compressed data stored in the data distribution server and transmitting the compressed data to the requesting terminal. 5. The data distribution method according to claim 4, wherein the data to be distributed is music data. 6. The data distribution method according to claim 4, wherein the data to be distributed is video data. 7. A data distribution server for distributing compressed data in response to a request, comprising: a compressed data storage means for storing data compressed in advance according to a predetermined method; Transmitting means for reading out the corresponding compressed data from the compressed data storage means and transmitting it to the requesting terminal. 8. The data distribution server according to claim 7, wherein the compressed music data is distributed according to a request. 9. The data distribution server according to claim 7, wherein the compressed video data is distributed in response to a request.