# US 2019/0110089 A1 · Content distribution system, playback apparatus, and content distribution method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0110089 A1 - Document ID: US20190110089A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/097,081 - Filed: 2018-02-27 - Published: 2019-04-11 - Earliest claimed: 2017-03-28 - Assignees: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Yasushi MIYAKE - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190110089A1 ## CPC - H04N 21/23424: {involving splicing one content stream with another content stream, e.g. for inserting or substituting an advertisement} - G06F 13/00: Interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units (interface circuits for specific input/output devices G06F3/00 {; multiprogram control therefor G06F9/46}; multiprocessor systems G06F15/16 ) - G11B 27/102: {Programmed access in sequence to addressed parts of tracks of operating record carriers (access by moving the head G11B3/08, G11B5/54, G11B7/085, G11B21/022; by moving the record carrier G11B15/005, G11B17/005, by driving of both record carrier and head G11B15/1816)} - G11B 27/105: {of operating discs} - H04L 12/4625: {Single bridge functionality, e.g. connection of two networks over a single bridge} - H04N 5/765: Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus - H04N 21/2401: {Monitoring of the client buffer} - H04N 21/2407: {Monitoring of transmitted content, e.g. distribution time, number of downloads (arrangements for monitoring programmes for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/14)} - H04N 21/436: Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB {or one or more peripheral devices} inside the home - H04N 21/43615: {Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals (home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805)} - H04N 21/458: Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules {; time-related management operations (arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or during the distribution H04H20/10)} - H04N 21/4825: {using a list of items to be played back in a given order, e.g. playlists} - H04N 21/8113: {comprising music, e.g. song in MP3 format} - G11B 2020/10972: {Management of interruptions, e.g. due to editing} - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - G11B: INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER (recording measured values in a way that does not require playback through a transducer G01D9/00; recording or playback apparatus using mechanically marked tape, e.g. punched paper tape, or using unit records, e.g. punched or magnetically marked cards G06K; transferring data from one type of record carrier to another G06K1/18; circuits for coupling output of reproducer to radio receiver H04B1/20; gramophone pick-ups or like acoustic electromechanical transducers or circuits therefor H04R) - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract A content distribution system includes a playback apparatus and a content distribution apparatus. The content distribution apparatus includes: the second communication unit that receives a request for first content data from the playback apparatus; and a distribution controller that causes the second communication unit to transmit the first content data and second content data that is determined to be played back next to the first content data in a playback order of pieces of content data, when the received request for the first content data includes gapless playback instruction information. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A content distribution system, comprising: a playback apparatus; and a content distribution apparatus, wherein the playback apparatus includes: a first communication unit; and a playback controller that causes the first communication unit to transmit a request for first content data, and plays back the first content data received by the first communication unit, and the content distribution apparatus includes: a second communication unit that receives the request for the first content data from the playback apparatus; and a distribution controller that causes the second communication unit to transmit the first content data and second content data when the request for the first content data received by the second communication unit includes gapless playback instruction information, the second content data being determined to be played back next to the first content data in a playback order of pieces of content data. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The content distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the distribution controller causes the second communication unit to transmit first order information and second order information in response to the request for the first content data, the first order information indicating at which position in the playback order the first content data is to be played back, the second order information indicating at which position in the playback order the second content data is to be played back. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The content distribution system according to claim 2, wherein the distribution controller causes the second communication unit to transmit a first transmission unit and a second transmission unit in response to the request for the first content data, the first transmission unit including the first content data and the first order information, the second transmission unit including the second content data and the second order information. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The content distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the distribution controller causes the second communication unit to transmit all the pieces of content data in response to the request for the first content data, the pieces of content data being determined to be played back starting from the first content data in the playback order. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The content distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the distribution controller causes the second communication unit to transmit only the first content data out of the first content data and the second content data in response to the request for the first content data, when the request for the first content data received by the second communication unit does not include the gapless playback instruction information. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The content distribution system according to any claim 1, wherein the first content data and the second content data each are music data recorded in a recording medium, and the distribution controller causes the second communication unit to transmit the first content data and the second content data obtained from the recording medium. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The content distribution system according to any claim 1, wherein the playback apparatus further includes an operation receiver that receives user's operation, and the playback controller determines whether or not to include the gapless playback instruction information in the request for the first content data, according to the user's operation received by the operation receiver. ### Claim 8 A playback apparatus, comprising: a communication unit; a playback controller that causes the communication unit to transmit a request for content data, and plays back the content data received by the communication unit; and an operation receiver that receives user's operation, wherein the playback controller determines whether or not to include gapless playback instruction information in the request for the content data, according to the user's operation received by the operation receiver. ### Claim 9 A content distribution method, comprising: receiving a request for first content data from a playback apparatus; and transmitting the first content data and second content data when the request for the first content data received from the playback apparatus includes gapless playback instruction information, the second content data being determined to be played back next to the first content data in a playback order of pieces of content data. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium in which a program is recorded, the program causing a computer to execute the content distribution method according to claim 9.