KR100675130B1 - Method and system for providing content to set-top box at the request of a third party - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a system for receiving a content transmission request from a user through various paths and transmitting or downloading the content directly to the set-top box. The present invention comprises the steps of receiving a device unique number from the set-top box connected via a network, registering a device unique number of the received set-top box corresponding to user registration information, and the user through a third user terminal Receiving a content transmission request from the user logged in according to the registration information to the set-top box, and transmitting the content selected according to the content transmission request to the set-top box corresponding to the user registration information. It provides a content providing method. According to the present invention, the content selected by the user can be transmitted to the set-top box through various paths without passing through the limited interface of the set-top box such as a television and a remote controller.

Description

METHOD FOR PROVIDING CONTENTS TO SET-TOP BOX BY THIRD PARTY'S ACTION AND SYSTEM THEREOF}

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration for providing content to a set-top box through a network according to the present invention.

2 is a diagram showing a table in which user registration information and a device unique number of a set-top box correspond to each other in the content providing method according to the present invention.

3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a content delivery management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating a user registration and a set-top box registration procedure in a content transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a diagram illustrating a user login and set-top box access procedure in a content transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a diagram illustrating a content delivery request and a content delivery procedure through a content providing service server in a content delivery method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a content delivery request and a content delivery procedure through a content delivery management system in a content delivery method according to the present invention.

8 is a view showing a second embodiment of a content delivery request and a content delivery procedure through a content delivery management system in a content delivery method according to the present invention.

9 is a diagram illustrating a third embodiment of a content delivery request and a content delivery procedure through a content delivery management system in a content delivery method according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

110: set-top box 120: user terminal

130: network 140, 300: content delivery management system

150: content providing service server

310: register 320: communication unit

330: transmission information storage unit 340: transmission unit

The present invention relates to a method and a system for providing content to a set-top box through a network, and in particular, receiving a content transmission request from a user through various paths other than the television interface of the set-top box, and transmitting or downloading the content directly to the set-top box. It relates to a method and a system thereof.

In general, a set-top box is a communication terminal required to use next-generation interactive multimedia communication services such as video on demand, video home shopping, or network game, and receives and stores multimedia signals such as video or audio. Converts the multimedia signal to be displayed on a television.

The conventional set-top box selects the desired content through an interface such as a television and a remote control while directly connected to a network. Therefore, the conventional set-top box can select the content to be downloaded only through the television and the remote control, there are many problems in the path of the content selection of the set-top box.

In addition, the set-top box in the form of a PC-attached multimedia player device, such as a DivX player, is connected to the network via a PC while downloading the desired content while attached to the PC, and then the set-top box is transferred to a television. As a method of viewing desired content through a separate wired / wireless network that connects or connects a PC to a TV, there is a problem in that the process of downloading desired content is only possible in a PC-dependent form.

In addition, the conventional set-top box receives a video signal to be downloaded through an interface such as a television or a remote control, so that the user cannot select content to be downloaded from the set-top box while moving to a place or place other than the place where the set-top box is installed. There is this.

The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, and a method and system for selecting a content through a variety of paths other than the television interface of the set-top box to transmit the selected content to the set-top box connected to the network The purpose is to provide.

Another object of the present invention is to allow a user to select content to be transmitted to a set-top box connected to a network while a set-top box is not installed or moving, and transmit the selected content to the set-top box.

In order to achieve the above object and to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, the content providing method according to an embodiment of the present invention, receiving the device unique number from the set-top box connected through a network, and the set-top Registering the device unique number of the set-top box in response to user registration information only once when the box is first accessed through the network, and after registering the device unique number of the set-top box, the set-top box is networked every time. Connecting to the device registration number and the network address of the set-top box received when accessing the user registration information, receiving a content transmission request for the set-top box from the user logged in according to the user registration information; The content selected according to the content transmission request corresponds to the user registration information. Characterized in that it comprises the step of transmitting to the set-top box.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a set-top box includes a storage unit for storing content, a communication unit for communicating with an external system such as a content delivery management system and a content providing service server, address information of the transmitted content, and a transmission scheme according thereto. It characterized in that it comprises a transmission control unit in charge of controlling the process. Among the constituent parts of the set-top box, components such as a playback unit that converts the stored contents and play them on an external device such as a television are not directly related to the present patent and thus will be omitted.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a content delivery management system includes a register for registering user registration information and a device unique number of a set-top box, and a set-top box registered to the user according to a content transfer request of a user logged in according to the user registration information. And a transmission information storage unit for storing the content transmission information in the corresponding download queue, and a transmission unit responsible for the transmission of the content according to the transmission information.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration for providing content to a set-top box through a network according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, when the set-top box 110 is powered and driven and connected to the network 130, the set-top box 110 is a device unique number and its driving to the content delivery management system 140 connected through the network 130. The device unique number and the network address are registered in the content delivery management system 140 by transmitting information such as a status and its own network address.

The device unique number may include a unique Ethernet MAC address embedded in the set top box 110, or a device unique number embedded in the set top box 110.

Set-top box 110 has a storage function for storing the transmitted or downloaded content, a communication function for communicating with the content delivery management system 140 through the network 130, the content address received from the content delivery management system 140 A transmission control function for transmitting the content according to the form and content of the information, and a reproduction function for reproducing the content, converting the content into a television signal, and playing the content.

The set-top box 110 connects to the content delivery management system 140 through the network 130 and directly receives the content transmitted from the content delivery management system 140 (push method), or receives the content address information. Download the content directly from the content address (download method by direct URL address) or receive the content address information in metadata format and run the related software of a separate internal transmission control unit to download the content (to the metadata type address). Content download method).

The user terminal 120 receives a content transmission request for selecting content to be transmitted to the set-top box 110 from the user. The user terminal 120 may be implemented as a personal computer, a mobile communication terminal, or a wired or wireless telephone.

The user terminal 120 installs dedicated client software for using the content providing service provided by the content providing service server 150 or uses the content providing service through a web browser. The user terminal 120 may generate the content delivery request through the dedicated client software or the web browser, and transmit the content delivery request to the content delivery management system 140 through the network 130. In this case, the user terminal 120 may transmit the user registration information stored therein, a unique number of the set-top box corresponding to the user, and address information of the content requesting to the content delivery management system 140 (Pull method). Occation).

The user terminal 120 generates the content transmission request by clicking a button associated with the content on the screen with a mouse, selecting a specific menu activated for the content, or activating by a right button of a mouse. The content to be transmitted to the set-top box may be selected by selecting a menu.

The user terminal 120 installs dedicated client software for using the content providing service provided by the content providing service server 150. The user terminal 120 may generate the content transmission request through the dedicated client software and transmit the content transmission request to the corresponding content providing service server 150 through the network 130. In this case, the user terminal 120 may transmit the user registration information stored therein, the unique number and network address of the set-top box corresponding to the user, and address information of the content requesting transmission to the corresponding content providing service server 150. (For Push method).

In addition, the user terminal 120 may transmit the content delivery request to the content delivery management system 140 through a web service accessed through a web browser (pull or push method through the delivery management system). For example, the user terminal 120 connects through a web browser of the content providing service server 150 providing the corresponding content, finds the corresponding content, finds the corresponding content address information, and sends a content transmission request including the same to the content delivery management system. And transmit to 140. In addition, for example, as a result of the search initiated by the user terminal 120, address information about the corresponding content may be found and the content delivery information including the same may be transmitted to the content delivery management system 140.

The user terminal 120 may select content to be transmitted to the set-top box 110 by clicking a specific button associated with the corresponding content found on the web service from the user. In addition, the user terminal 120 may select a content to be transmitted to the set-top box 110 by receiving a selection of a right button menu of a mouse activated on the content of the web service from the user. In this manner, the content delivery information including the address information of the selected content may be transmitted to the content delivery management system 140.

Meanwhile, in the case of a mobile communication terminal, the user terminal 120 may transmit the content transmission request to the content delivery management system 140 through the wireless Internet such as a WAP method. In addition, the user terminal 120 transmits the content transmission request in the form of a response to a short message service (SMS) incorporating a received call-back URL in the case of a mobile communication terminal. And transmit to 140. When the user terminal 120 receives a short text message (SMS) of a callback URL method incorporating a download address of the corresponding content by a user's request or by an operation of the content delivery management system 140, the user terminal 120 The content may be selected by receiving a corresponding operation button (for example, a menu button for selecting a connection function).

Meanwhile, when the user terminal 120 is a wired or wireless telephone, the user terminal 120 accesses an ARS information service center associated with the content delivery management system 140 to transmit the content transmission request according to the ARS information service procedure to the content delivery management system 140. Can transmit The user terminal 120 may select the content by receiving a specific number key associated with the information about the specific content in the ARS information service from the user.

As such, the user terminal 120 manages the content transmission request to access the content providing service server 150 through the network 130 to transmit the selected content to the set-top box 110 through various methods. Transmission to the system 140 (in the case of a pull method or a push method through a delivery management system), or transmits to the content providing service server 150 (in the case of a push method through the content providing service server).

The network 130 may include all types of communication networks such as the Internet provided as a public service or an intranet built and operated for a specific institution internal use. The network 130 is a path connecting the set-top box 110, the user terminal 120, the content delivery management system 140, and the content providing service server 150, and provides the content delivery management system 140 and the content providing. It may include all communication paths for delivering content from the service server 150 to the set-top box 110.

The content delivery management system 140 receives the content delivery request from the user terminal 120 connected through the network 130, and in response to the content delivery request (in case of a pull method or a push method through the content delivery management system). Accordingly, the selected content is transmitted to the set top box 110 connected through the network 130.

The content delivery management system 140 registers user registration information according to the content delivery service in advance.

The user registration information may be user information input from a user through a menu of dedicated client software of the user terminal 120 through the network 130. In addition, the user registration information may be user information input from a user according to a user information registration procedure of a web service accessed by the user terminal 120 through a web browser. In addition, when the user terminal 120 is a wired or wireless telephone, the user registration information may be user information input from a user according to a procedure by an ARS information service or a wireless Internet service such as a WAP connected through the network 130. The user registration information may include a user ID or a telephone number of a user used in the ARS information service.

When the power of the set-top box 110 connected through the network 130 is applied, the content delivery management system 140 receives a device unique number, a network address, and status information of the device from the set-top box 110. The registered device unique number and the network address corresponding to the user registration information. The content delivery management system 140 stores the device unique number of the received set-top box in response to user registration information of the content delivery management system 140 only once when the set-top box 110 is first connected through a network. After registering the device number of the set-top box 110, the set-top box 110 is transmitted from the set-top box 110 when connected to the network every time the set-top box 110 is powered and driven The unique number and the network address are registered in association with the user registration information.

The content delivery management system 140 receives the content transfer request from the user terminal 120 that is connected through the network 130 and logged in according to a predetermined login procedure. The content delivery management system 140 searches for set-top box information corresponding to the logged-in user registration information in response to the content delivery request (in case of a pull method and a push method through a content delivery management system).

The content delivery management system 140 stores the content download request information and the address information of the corresponding content in order in the download queue corresponding to the set top box according to the retrieved set top box information. Thereafter, the content delivery management system 140 refers to the network address of the set-top box 110, and when the corresponding set-top box 110 is connected through the network 130, the content delivery management system 140 depends on the network address of the set-top box 110. In another manner, the selected content is transmitted to the set-top box 110 according to the content transmission request.

When the network address of the set-top box 110 is a private IP address or a pull IP transmission method is selected, even if the public IP address, the set-top box 110 of the content delivery management system 140 by a daemon process that is operated internally. Periodically checks the download queue corresponding to its own and downloads the content to the set-top box 110 if there is content to download (Pull method).

On the other hand, the set-top box 110 may download the content in a different manner according to the form of the address information of the content. If the address information of the content points to a direct address on the network of the content providing service server 150 on the content (for example, URL (Universal Resource Locator) of the content file), the direct transmission such as HTTP, FTP, etc. You can download content in any way possible. If the address information of the content is not a direct content address but a form of related information (metadata) that can download content scattered on a network through a specific Internet service 150, the metadata is interpreted to download the content. The contents are downloaded by running the transmission control software that can be received.

For example, in case of content that can be downloaded by P2P method such as eDonkey2000 or BitTorrent, metadata files named "d2k link" or "torrrent file", respectively, serve as addresses for the contents. In order to download the content by interpreting the content address of the format, software capable of executing the download method is built into the transmission control unit of the set-top box 110, and the software interprets the metadata to download the content. I can receive it. In addition, even in the case of a service using a content address such as metadata instead of a direct URL address for the content, such as a web hard service, the set-top box 110 may include software capable of downloading the content from the service. ) Should be built into the transmission control unit.

When the network address of the set-top box 110 is a public IP address, the content providing service server 150 or the content delivery management system 140 uses the selected content as the Internet address through the network 130. Using a protocol such as FTP, HTTP, etc., it may be directly transmitted to the set-top box 110 corresponding to the Internet address (push method through a content providing service server and push method through a content delivery management system). That is, the content providing service server 150 or the content delivery management system 140 stores the address information of the content in a specific download queue when the content is transmitted to the set-top box 110, and then the internal transmission control software sets the box. The transmission control unit 110 may communicate with a daemon process that is always operating to directly transmit the corresponding content to the set-top box 110. The daemon process of the transmission controller of the set-top box 110 may store the transmitted content in a specific location of the storage unit.

2 is a diagram illustrating a table in which user registration information, set-top box information, and set-top box network address information are associated with each other in the content providing method according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the user registration information may include a user ID or a user phone number. The user ID may be an ID given to a user according to a content providing service. The user telephone number may be a wired or wireless telephone number for accessing an ARS information service for providing contents.

The set top box information is various kinds of information on the set top box used by the user, and includes a device unique number of the set top box. The device unique number may include an Ethernet MAC address of the set top box or a unique number embedded in the set top box.

The set top box network address information includes a network address when the set top box is connected to a network.

The user registration information may correspond to one or more set-top box information. For example, when a user uses a plurality of set-top boxes, the plurality of set-top boxes may be registered in their user registration information, and then all or some of the plurality of set-top boxes may be selected as necessary to provide a content delivery management system or a content providing service. Content can be sent or downloaded from the server to the set-top box of their choice.

The set-top box information is one of a specific area inside a client dedicated to a content providing service of the user terminal, a cookie inside a web browser of the user terminal, and as part of user registration information in the server of the content providing service, or of the user terminal. It can be stored in a specific area inside. The set top box information may be used after user authentication in a content delivery management system.

3 is a view showing the configuration of a content delivery management system according to an embodiment of the present invention, the content delivery management system 300 is a register 310, the communication unit 320, the transmission information storage unit 330 and the transmission unit 340.

Referring to FIG. 3, the registration unit 310 registers user registration information and set-top box information. The user registration information may include a user ID or a user's telephone number, and the set top box information may include a device unique number of the set top box and a network address of the set top box. The device unique number of the set top box may include an Ethernet MAC address embedded in the set top box, or a unique number embedded in the set top box.

The communication unit 320 performs communication with the set top box 110, the user terminal 120, or the content providing service server 150 connected through a network. The communication unit 320 receives a content transmission request transmitted from the user terminal 120, receives a content address request from the set-top box 110, and receives content transmitted from the content providing service server 150. .

The transmission information storage unit 330 sequentially stores the corresponding content address information in the download queue corresponding to the set top box according to the content transmission request.

The transmitter 340 periodically transmits the content to the set-top box by referring to the content address information requested for transmission to a specific set-top box of the transmission information storage unit 330. The transmission unit 340 may transmit the selected content to the plurality of set-top boxes when there are a plurality of set-top boxes corresponding to the user registration information in response to the content transmission request.

When the set-top box information is a public IP address and the push-type transmission method by a content delivery management system is selected, the transmission unit 340 uses the public IP address as an Internet address and uses the content according to an Internet protocol such as FTP or HTTP. Sends the selected content directly to the set-top box according to the transmission request.

When the set-top box information is a private IP address or when a pull type transmission method is selected at the same time using a public IP address, a daemon process operating inside the set-top box operates to operate the content transmission management system itself (the set-top box). If the content address information stored in the download queue corresponding to the existence of the periodic information, and if the content address information exists, the content corresponding to the content address information may be downloaded to the set-top box.

4 is a diagram illustrating a flow of user registration and set-top box registration in a content providing method according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, in step 411, the user terminal accesses the content delivery management system through a network, transmits user information to the content delivery management system, and performs user registration.

In step 412, the content delivery management system registers user information transmitted from the user terminal as user registration information. The user registration information may include a unique number for identifying the corresponding user, such as a user ID or a user telephone number. The user registration can only be performed once the user has started using the service.

In operation 413, when the set-top box is powered and driven to access the network for the first time, the set-top box transmits a device unique number of the set-top box to the content delivery management system.

In step 414, when the set-top box is first connected through the network, the content delivery management system registers the registered user's registration information and the set-top box information in association. The registration information is used in the content delivery management system by checking the device unique number and the network address of the set-top box through the set-top box registration information when the user transmits the content to the set-top box in the future.

5 is a diagram illustrating a user login and set-top box access procedure in a content transmission method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In step 511, the user terminal accesses the content delivery management system through the network and transmits login information. The login information may include a user ID or password for authenticating the user.

In step 512, the content delivery management system receives the login information transmitted from the user terminal connected through the network, and performs the login operation for the user by comparing the login information with the registered user information.

In step 513, the set-top box transmits the set-top box information to the content delivery management system through the network.

In step 514, the content delivery management system registers the received set-top box information in correspondence with the user registration information. In this case, the received set-top box information includes a unique number of the set-top box, a network address, and other operation state information. The user registration information associated with the set-top box is retrieved using the unique number of the set-top box, and the set-top box information such as the network address and other operation state information of the set-top box is registered in the related information. Step 514 may occur after a user login of step 512 is obtained, or may occur prior to a user login of step 512.

6 is a diagram illustrating a content delivery request and a content delivery procedure through a content providing service server in a content delivery method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, in step 611, the content providing service server stores and maintains content to be provided in a database. The method of storing and maintaining the content may be operated in a unique manner according to the content and method of the corresponding content providing service. In this case, the address information of the stored content may be a direct address of a URL (Universal Resource Locator) method indicating a file address of the corresponding content. In addition, according to the method of the corresponding content providing service may be address information in the form of metadata that can find the corresponding content distributed on the Internet. For example, it is an example of metadata information such as ed2k link information of eDonkey2000 or .torrent information of BitTorrent.

In step 612, the user terminal transmits a content delivery request to the content providing service server storing the corresponding content through the network while logged in to the content delivery management system. The content transmission request may include content information to be transmitted to the set top box and set top box information to transmit the selected content.

In step 613, the content providing service server receives the content transmission request transmitted from the user terminal through the network.

The content providing service server may receive the content selection request transmitted through a dedicated client software of a content providing service from a computer of the user connected through the network. In addition, the content providing service server may receive the content selection request transmitted from the user's computer through a web service. In addition, the content providing service server may receive a response action of the SMS message of the callback URL method including the download address for the content from the mobile communication terminal of the user. In addition, the general Internet service server may receive the content selection request from the user terminal according to the ARS information service.

In step 614, the content providing service server requests registration information of the set-top box registered to the user who requested the content transmission to the content delivery management system. At this time, the user information transmitted together with the content delivery request received from the user terminal is also transmitted to the content delivery management system.

In step 615, the content delivery management system searches for the set-top box information registered in the user information by using the user information transmitted together with respect to the set-top box registration information request, and transmits it to the content providing service server. .

In step 616, the content providing service server transmits the selected content to the set top box according to the content transmission request by using the set top box network address of the set top box information. At this time, the content is directly transmitted to the set-top box using a data transmission method such as FTP or HTTP.

In step 617, the daemon process continuously operating in the set-top box stores the content delivered by the data transmission method in a storage unit of the set-top box in response to the transmission request (Push method by a content providing service server). .

If the network address information of the set-top box corresponding to the user registration information is a public IP address, the content may be directly transmitted to the set-top box using a data transmission protocol such as FTP or HTTP using the public IP address as an Internet address. have.

7 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a content delivery request and a content delivery procedure through a content delivery management system in a content delivery method according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, in step 711, the content providing service server stores and maintains the corresponding content in a database.

In step 712, the user terminal transmits a content delivery request to the content delivery management system storing the corresponding content through the network while logged in to the content delivery management system. The content transmission request may include content information to be transmitted to the set top box and set top box information to transmit the selected content.

In step 713, the content delivery management system receives the content transfer request transmitted from the user terminal through the network, and searches for information on the set-top box registered to the user.

The content delivery management system may receive the content selection request transmitted through a dedicated client software of a content providing service from a computer of the user connected through the network. In addition, the content delivery management system may receive the content selection request transmitted from the user's computer through a web service. In addition, the content delivery management system may receive a response action of the SMS message of the callback URL method including a download address for the content from the user's mobile communication terminal. In addition, the content delivery management system may receive the content selection request from the user terminal according to the ARS information service.

In step 714, the content delivery management system requests the content providing service server to transmit the corresponding content with respect to the content address information of the content delivery request.

In step 715, the content providing service server transmits the content to the content delivery management system in response to a request for delivery of the content.

In step 716, the content delivery management system temporarily stores the received content.

In step 717, the content delivery management system transmits the temporarily stored content to the set top box using the set top box network address of the retrieved set top box information. At this time, the content is directly transmitted to the set-top box using a data transmission method such as FTP or HTTP.

In step 718, the daemon process continuously operating in the set-top box stores the content delivered by the data transmission method in a storage unit of the set-top box in response to the transmission request (Push method by a content delivery management system). .

When the network address information of the set-top box corresponding to the user registration information is a public IP address, the content delivery management system uses the public IP address as an Internet address, and uses the data transmission protocol such as FTP or HTTP. Content can be delivered directly to the box (push method by the content delivery management system).

8 is a view showing a second embodiment of a content delivery request and a content delivery procedure through a content delivery management system in a content delivery method according to the present invention.

In step 811, the content providing service server stores and maintains the corresponding content in a database.

In step 812, the user terminal transmits a content delivery request to the content delivery management system storing the corresponding content through the network while logged in to the content delivery management system. The content transmission request may include content information to be transmitted to the set top box and set top box information to transmit the selected content.

In step 813, the content delivery management system receives the content transfer request transmitted from the user terminal through the network, and searches for information on the set-top box registered to the user.

The content delivery management system may receive the content selection request transmitted through a dedicated client software of a content providing service from a computer of the user connected through the network. In addition, the content delivery management system may receive the content selection request transmitted from the user's computer through a web service. In addition, the content delivery management system may receive a response action of the SMS message of the callback URL method including a download address for the content from the user's mobile communication terminal. In addition, the content delivery management system may receive the content selection request from the user terminal according to the ARS information service.

In step 814, the content delivery management system stores the content address information of the content delivery request in a download queue corresponding to the set-top box retrieved in step 813.

In step 815, the set-top box periodically requests the content address information stored in the download queue corresponding to the content delivery management system.

In step 816, the content delivery management system transmits the content address information of the download queue corresponding to the set-top box to the requesting set-top box.

In step 817, the set-top box receives the transmitted content address information.

If the received content address information is a Universal Resource Locator (URL) address indicating a direct file address of the content, in step 818, the set-top box stores the content according to the received content address information. Request the server to send the content.

In step 819, the content providing service server transmits the content corresponding to the received content address information to the set-top box.

In step 820, the set-top box stores the delivered content in the storage of the set-top box (Pull method by URL direct address).

When the pull-up method is selected even when the set-top box information corresponding to the user registration information is a private IP address or a public IP address, the pull content transmission method may be selected.

9 is a diagram illustrating a third embodiment of a content delivery request and a content delivery procedure through a content delivery management system in a content delivery method according to the present invention.

In step 911, the content providing service server stores and maintains the corresponding content in the database.

In operation 912, the user terminal transmits a content delivery request to the content delivery management system storing the corresponding content through the network while logged in to the content delivery management system. The content transmission request may include content information to be transmitted to the set top box and set top box information to transmit the selected content.

In step 913, the content delivery management system receives the content delivery request transmitted from the user terminal through the network, and retrieves information on the set-top box registered to the user.

The content delivery management system may receive the content selection request transmitted through a dedicated client software of a content providing service from a computer of the user connected through the network. In addition, the content delivery management system may receive the content selection request transmitted from the user's computer through a web service. In addition, the content delivery management system may receive a response action of the SMS message of the callback URL method including a download address for the content from the user's mobile communication terminal. In addition, the content delivery management system may receive the content selection request from the user terminal according to the ARS information service.

In step 914, the content delivery management system stores the content address information of the content delivery request in a download queue corresponding to the set top box retrieved in step 913.

In step 915, the set-top box periodically requests the content address information stored in the download queue corresponding to the content delivery management system.

In step 916, the content delivery management system transmits the content address information of the download queue corresponding to the set top box to the set top box.

In step 917, the set-top box receives the transmitted content address information.

If the received content address information is not a direct URL address of the content but the address information in the form of metadata containing information for finding the corresponding content on the Internet, in step 918, the set-top box receives the received content address information. It drives the corresponding software module of the content delivery control unit corresponding to the metadata. For example, when the content address information is metadata such as an ed2k link of eDonkey2000 or a .torrent file of BitTorrent, a software module that downloads the content from the corresponding service to the corresponding metadata is driven.

In step 919, the set-top box drives the software module of the content delivery control unit to request content delivery from an Internet service server storing the corresponding content.

In step 920, the content providing service server transmits the content corresponding to the received content address information to the set-top box through communication with the transmission control software module of the set-top box.

In step 921, the set-top box stores the transmitted content in a storage unit of the set-top box (Pull method based on content address information in metadata format).

When the pull-up method is selected even when the set-top box information corresponding to the user registration information is a private IP address or a public IP address, the pull content transmission method may be selected.

In the content delivery management system according to the present invention, a method for providing content to a set-top box may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed by various computer means and recorded in a computer-readable medium. The computer readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, etc. alone or in combination. Program instructions recorded on the media may be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the present invention, or they may be of the kind well-known and available to those having skill in the computer software arts. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape, optical media such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, and magnetic disks, such as floppy disks. Magneto-optical media, and hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. The medium may be a transmission medium such as an optical or metal wire, a waveguide, or the like including a carrier wave for transmitting a signal specifying a program command, a data structure, or the like. Examples of program instructions include not only machine code generated by a compiler, but also high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like. The hardware device described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the present invention, and vice versa.

As described above, although the present invention has been described with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains various modifications and variations from such descriptions. This is possible.

Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be determined not only by the claims below but also by the equivalents of the claims.

According to the present invention, the content selected by the user can be transmitted to the set-top box through various paths without going through the interface of the set-top box such as a remote controller or a television.

In addition, according to the present invention, the user can receive the content to be transmitted to the set-top box from the user in a place or a remote place where the set-top box is not installed, and transmit the selected content to the set-top box.

In addition, according to the present invention, the user can select the content to be transmitted to the set-top box via the mobile communication terminal, and transmit the selected content to the set-top box.

Claims (11)

In the content providing method in a content delivery management system, Registering and maintaining user registration information and set-top box information; Storing and maintaining content to be provided by the content providing service server in a database; Receiving a content transmission request from a user terminal; Retrieving set-top box information corresponding to user registration information of the user terminal according to the received content transmission request; Transmitting the content transmission request to the content providing service server; Receiving content corresponding to content information included in the content transmission request from the content providing service server; And Transmitting the received content according to the content transmission request to the corresponding set-top box by referring to the found set-top box information; Content providing method comprising a. The method of claim 1, The user registration information includes a user ID or a user telephone number, The set top box information includes an Ethernet MAC address of the set top box, or a unique number embedded in the set top box. The method of claim 1, The step of transmitting the received content according to the content transmission request to the set-top box with reference to the searched set-top box information, If the set-top box information is a public IP address (Public IP Address), the content providing method characterized in that the directly transmitted to the set-top box using the public IP address as the Internet address through the network. In the content providing method in the content providing service server, Storing and maintaining content to be provided in a database; Receiving a content transmission request from a user terminal; Requesting set-top box information corresponding to user registration information of the user terminal and receiving the information, according to the received content transmission request; And Transmitting the content corresponding to the content information included in the content transmission request to the corresponding set-top box with reference to the received set-top box information; Content providing method comprising a. In the content providing method in a content delivery management system, Registering and maintaining user registration information and set-top box information; Storing and maintaining content to be provided by the content providing service server in a database; Receiving a content transmission request from a user terminal while logged in; Retrieving set-top box information corresponding to user registration information of the user terminal according to the received content transmission request; Storing content address information in a download queue corresponding to the retrieved set-top box information; Receiving the content address information request from the set top box; And Transmitting the stored content address information to the set-top box according to the received content address information request. Including, The set-top box requests content transmission to the content providing service server storing the corresponding content according to the received content address information when the transmitted content address information is a URL (Universal Resource Locator) address indicating a direct file address of the content. , And The content providing service transmits content corresponding to the content address information to the set-top box according to a content transmission request transmitted from the set-top box. In the content providing method in a content delivery management system, Registering and maintaining user registration information and set-top box information; Storing and maintaining content to be provided by the content providing service server in a database; Receiving a content transmission request from a user terminal while logged in; Retrieving set-top box information corresponding to user registration information of the user terminal according to the received content transmission request; Storing content address information in a download queue corresponding to the retrieved set-top box information; Receiving the content address information request from the set top box; And Transmitting the stored content address information to the set-top box according to the received content address information request. Including, The set-top box is a content that stores the content by driving the software module of the content delivery control unit if the transmitted content address information is metadata that includes information that can find the content on the Internet, rather than a direct URL address Send the content delivery request to the provision service server, The content providing service server transmits the corresponding content to the set-top box through communication with a software module of the content controller in response to the content transmission request. The method according to any one of claims 1, 4, 5 and 6, Receiving the content transmission request from the user terminal, 1) receiving the content selection request transmitted via dedicated client software of a content providing service from the computer of the user connected via the network; 2) receiving the content selection request transmitted from the user's computer via a web service; 3) receiving a download request from the user's mobile communication terminal as a response to an SMS message of a callback URL method including a download address for content according to the content selection request; And 4) receiving the content selection request from the user's telephone in accordance with ARS information service Content providing method comprising any one of steps. A computer-readable recording medium in which a program for executing the method of any one of claims 1 to 6 is recorded. In the content delivery management system for transmitting the content to the set-top box, A registration unit for registering user registration information and set-top box information; A communication unit configured to receive the user registration information or a content transmission request from a user terminal and to receive content from a content providing service server; A transmission information storage unit storing content address information in a download queue corresponding to the corresponding set-top box according to the content transmission request; And A transmission unit for transmitting the received content or the content address information to the set-top box corresponding to the user information in response to the content transmission request Content delivery management system comprising a. The method of claim 9, When the set-top box information is a public IP address, the transmission unit transmits the received content to the set-top box directly through the Internet protocol, such as FTP, HTTP using the public IP address . The method of claim 9, The transmission unit stores the content address information in a download queue corresponding to the set-top box when the set-top box information is a private IP address or when a pull type transmission method is selected even when the public IP address is selected. The set-top box receives the corresponding content address information from the download queue corresponding to the set top box, And a corresponding content is downloaded from the content providing service server using the transmitted content address information in the set top box.

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