Contents distribution system, contents distribution method, and computer-readable storage medium therefor

A contents distribution method for a contents distribution system connecting a distributing server which stores broadcast program data including to-be-distributed contents, a distributing-site apparatus which receives the broadcast program data, and a control server which controls the distributing-site apparatus over a communication line, the method comprising:

• storing in the distributing-site apparatus at least one file of a first configuration file for a display apparatus and a second configuration file for an external source, the at least one file of the first and second device configuration file being controlled by the distributing-site apparatus;
• interpreting the at least one file of the first and second configuration setting files and generating from the at least one file of the first and second configuration setting files URL constructed with a character sequence representing a logical configuration, in an execution routine of a broadcast program schedule included in the broadcast program data, when a control request for controlling at least one of the display apparatus and the external source which is a subject to be controlled, is acquired;
• operating a Web browser to access to the control server to acquire a control I/F component;
• and
• controlling at least one of the display apparatus and the external source by the acquired control I/F component.

A storage medium readable by a computer, the storage medium storing a program of instructions executable by the computer of at least one of the control server and the distributing-site apparatus to perform a function for a contents distribution system connecting a distributing server which stores broadcast program data including to-be-distributed contents, a distributing-site apparatus which receives the broadcast program data, and the control server which controls the distributing-site apparatus over a communication line, the function, comprising:

• storing in the distributing-site apparatus a configuration setting file describing at least one of a configuration of a display apparatus and a configuration of an external source, at least one of the display apparatus and the external source being controlled by the distributing-site apparatus;
• interpreting the configuration setting file and generating from the at least one of the first and second device configuration files URL constructed with a character sequence representing a logical configuration, in an execution routine of a broadcast program schedule included in the broadcast program data, when a control request for controlling at least one of the display apparatus and the external source is acquired;
• operating a Web browser to access to the control server to acquire a control I/F component;
• and
• controlling at least one of the display apparatus and the external source by the acquired control I/F component.