Distribution apparatus, communication system and communication method

A distribution apparatus performing data transmission with a plurality of external devices, comprising:

• a receiving unit that receives data being sent from a first external device and data being sent from a second external device;
• a storage unit that is configured with a common area and a non-common area and that stores data received by the receiving unit;
• a sending unit that sends data stored by the storage unit toward the first external device or the second external device;
• and
• a determining unit that performs a determination whether data received from the first external device by the receiving unit is stored on the common area or on the non-common area, wherein
• the storage unit stores the data received from the first external device by the receiving unit onto the common area or onto the non-common area, in accordance with a result of the determination performed by the determining unit;
• and
• the storage unit stores the data received from the second external device by the receiving unit onto the common area.

A communication system having a plurality of distribution apparatuses each of which is connected to a communication apparatus group that is configured with a plurality of communication apparatuses transmitting several types of data, wherein

• each distribution apparatus is interconnected to another distribution apparatus;
• and
• said each distribution apparatus comprises:
• a receiving unit that receives data being sent from a connected communication apparatus and data being sent from another distribution apparatus;
• a storage unit that is configured with a common area and a non-common area and that stores data received by the receiving unit;
• a sending unit that sends data stored by the storage unit to a connected communication apparatus or another distribution apparatus;
• and
• a determining unit that performs a determination whether data received from the connected communication apparatus by the receiving unit is stored on the common area or on the non-common area,
• the storage unit stores the data received from the connected communication apparatus by the receiving unit onto the common area or on the non-common area, in accordance with a result of the determination performed by the determining unit;
• and
• the storage unit stores the data received from said another distribution apparatus by the receiving unit onto the common area.

A communication method with a communication system having a plurality of distribution apparatuses each of which is interconnected to another distribution apparatus and is connected to a communication apparatus group that is configured with a plurality of communication apparatuses transmitting several types of data, comprising steps of:

• preparing a storage unit for each distribution apparatus, the storage unit storing received data and being configured with a common area and a non-common area;
• allowing said each distribution apparatus to receive data being sent from a communication apparatus and another distribution apparatus that are connected to said each distribution apparatus;
• allowing said each distribution apparatus to store the received data on said own storage unit;
• allowing said each distribution apparatus to send the data stored on said own storage unit toward a communication apparatus or another distribution apparatus that are connected to said each distribution apparatus;
• and
• allowing said each distribution apparatus to perform a determination whether the received data should be stored on the common area or the non-common area, wherein
• the data received from the connected communication apparatus is stored, in accordance with a result of the determination, on the common area or on the non-common area;
• and
• the data received from said another distribution apparatus is stored on the common area.