KR20120108942A - Content aggregator system, content aggregator server, streaming server and user terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

A content relay system, a content relay server, a streaming server, and a user terminal are disclosed. At this time, the content relay system, if the use of the digital content from the Open API (Open Application Programming Interface) module of the user terminal, the authentication unit for confirming whether the user is a valid user, and transmits the use authority information of the digital content; And a streaming server providing digital content distributed by a content provider to the user terminal through a streaming service, wherein the streaming server checks through the authentication unit whether the usage right information received from the user terminal is legitimate. If justified, the streaming service is provided.

Description

Content relay system, content relay server, streaming server and user terminal {CONTENT AGGREGATOR SYSTEM, CONTENT AGGREGATOR SERVER, STREAMING SERVER AND USER TERMINAL}

The present invention relates to a content relay system, a content relay server, a streaming server and a user terminal.

Recently, a variety of multimedia devices such as smart phones, tablet PCs, smart TVs, PCs, laptops, and the like are becoming more common. Thus, unlike before, one person owns various IT devices is increasing.

Users use various contents such as dramas, movies, and MP3 music contents in IT devices. Most of these various contents are copyrighted works, and they must be paid for in order to be used legally. However, if a user is required to pay a content fee each time the purchased content is used for each IT device provided by the user, this is a burden.

In addition, the copyright holder may prevent copying, erase after a certain time, or apply various measures to protect copyright. Even if there is no such action, the user pays the fee and downloads the same content to multiple devices. It is also inconvenient.

In addition, content copyright owners want to supply content and have profits through a legal distribution structure without worrying about illegal copying to various multimedia devices.

It's anxious to provide content without copy protection, and it's uncomfortable for users to make copy protection for various devices.

There may be unreasonable cases where users who are legally paying for and using the illegal copy without any copy protection are more uncomfortable.

And when you choose copy protection, you need to provide an environment where you can use content while protecting copyright on a variety of devices. Even if device makers, content providers, or content distributors do copy protection, ultimately legitimate merchants will pay for illegal protection.

Above all, supplying players with copy protection on a variety of devices is also a burden. From the point of view of the copyright holder, in fact, the user will want to distribute as much as possible while legally paying the royalties. Now, as the variety of IT devices is diversified, it is increasingly burdened to develop and supply players with measures to protect their copyrighted works. It's going to be lovely.

Even if the user also has a favorite multimedia content player, the copyrighted content has no choice but to use a copyright protected player. If you use illegal copies, you don't have to think about it. In addition, even if you want to pay for the content legally and use the content, if the device does not have a copyright protected player, the device will not be allowed to use illegal content.

In the position of producing and supplying a content asset, it would be desirable to invest only in the production of high-quality content without paying such a burden, and the cost of the investment will be recovered through positive content distribution.

Content users want to use the content conveniently at various times in their various devices. It is hard to convince the user that they will have to pay the same content once they have paid differently.

The traditional way to support this integratedly has been to copy-protect some devices without copy protection, either to the user's conscience or to the user's inconvenience.

In addition, as the App Store becomes active on smart media, many developers can create and distribute various apps freely. Many of the applications they create also utilize multimedia content.

However, it is not easy for a developer to contract content sourcing individually. This is especially true for TV broadcast content that viewers watch a lot. In the case of individual developers or small developers as well as developers with large scales, the broadcasters have high thresholds, making it difficult to stand out easily.

Broadcasters also have various concerns. Through the Internet, a lot of broadcast content is delivered through illegal copying and consumed by consumers. In order to legally cultivate this, it is necessary to invest in servers and networks that provide content to the Internet. If left unattended, the wrong people who have nothing to do with the content are not getting paid back and reinvested in developing quality content. There is also no system in which broadcasters collect user fees.

Until the content is produced and delivered to the end consumer, there are various structures and interests, and this part is not efficiently maintained, and the virtuous cycle ecosystem is not established.

In the reality that various IT devices are generalized, users can provide a wide range of ways to legally use the contents at low cost without burden, and the profits collected from the large number of users are ultimately returned to the producers to produce high quality contents. A virtuous value chain that is to be reinvested should be built. It is necessary to establish a cultural contents ecosystem that distributes the amount of profits contributed to each participant in the value chain.

In addition, the existing IPTV, which provides a broadcast service through the Internet, has a similar system configuration and a broadcast service through a network with a similar technology. However, a significant difference from the present invention is that the existing IPTV is closed from IPTV operators to STB distribution. Build and operate all. So is service.

However, such a structure can not respond quickly to a variety of IT equipment, IPTV operators can only service a small number of terminals. It is difficult to cope with the frequent updates of various IT devices such as smartphones, tablet PCs, smart TVs, PMPs, and OSs such as Android, which are used in these IT devices. If you build an ecosystem that builds an entire service by linking with it, you can provide multimedia services to various IT devices dramatically compared to when a single operator has done by collective intelligence, and therefore, legal content purchase cannot be supported from your IT devices. In order to build an ecosystem that allows users who have no choice but to use illegal contents to conveniently consume legitimate contents, the ability to accumulate settlement information for sharing technology and profits for interoperability, which is not necessary in the existing single operator building system, etc. New way and sheath This introduction is necessary.

In addition, there is a need for an open platform API platform and method that implements an open technology for controlling multimedia contents to increase participation of various external developers.

In addition, there is a need for a method that can be used without any cost, without transferring content from any device.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an effort to provide a content relay system, a content relay server, a streaming server, and a user terminal that provide content collection distributor content copyright sourcing and royalty billing, authentication, and revenue distribution from viewers.

According to an aspect of the present invention, if the content relay system is requested to use the digital content from an open API (Open Application Programming Interface) module of the user terminal, after verifying that the user is a valid user, the authentication for transmitting the use rights information of the digital content part; And a streaming server providing digital content distributed by a content provider to the user terminal through a streaming service.

The streaming server confirms whether the usage right information received from the user terminal is right, and if so, provides the streaming service.

In this case, the authentication unit may generate and transmit a ticket including a unique code of the digital content permitted to use the permission, information indicating authentication confirmation, an access address for receiving the digital content to the streaming service, and an expiration date, to the user terminal. have.

In addition, the user terminal requests a streaming service by accessing the access address included in the ticket,

The streaming server may check the validity of the ticket received from the user terminal from the authentication unit, and if so, may stream the digital content.

The content relay system further includes a streaming server manager that manages connection information of one or more streaming servers.

The authentication unit may obtain an access address of a streaming server capable of streaming the digital content from the streaming server manager and include it in the ticket.

In addition, when the user terminal requesting the digital content is determined to be a duplicate viewer, the authenticator may request the streaming server to stop the streaming service of the user terminal that is previously provided with the streaming service.

In addition, if the user terminal requesting the digital content is determined to be a duplicate viewer, the authenticator checks the plan information to determine whether the multi-view usage policy is applied. The streaming server may be requested to stop the streaming service from the first requested user terminal when the allowable value is exceeded in comparison with the number.

The content relay system may further include a transcoding unit which transcodes the digital content provided from the digital content provider and transmits the digital content to the streaming server.

The content relay system may further include a content information management unit that manages digital content provided from a digital content provider and provides a list of the digital content to the user terminal that has successfully logged in authentication.

The content relay system may further include a billing unit configured to charge the user fee for the digital content for each user terminal.

The content relay system may further include a log manager configured to manage an authentication log, a streaming server use log, a client application use log, and a content use log; And revenue distribution based on the authentication log, streaming server usage log, client application usage log, and content usage log, the fee for using the digital content to content providers, application developers, content collection distributors, and streaming server operators. It may further include wealth.

In addition, the content relay system, the operation DB for storing the viewing history generated based on the authentication log, streaming server usage log, client application usage log, content usage log; And a history inquiry unit for querying the operation DB according to a viewing history inquiry request and providing a viewing history.

According to another feature of the present invention, a content relay server is a content relay server operated by a content collection distributor and connected through a network with a streaming server, and manages digital content provided from a digital content provider and successfully logs in authentication. A content information management unit for providing a list of the digital contents to the user; And an authentication unit which transmits the use right information of the digital content after checking whether the use of the digital content is requested from an open application programming interface (API) module of the user terminal. The terminal is used to receive the digital content through a streaming service.

In this case, the authentication unit may generate and transmit a ticket including a unique code of the digital content permitted to use the permission, information indicating authentication confirmation, an access address for receiving the digital content to the streaming service, and an expiration date, to the user terminal. have.

The content relay server may further include a streaming server manager that manages connection information of one or more streaming servers.

The authentication unit may obtain an access address of a streaming server capable of streaming the digital content from the streaming server manager and include it in the ticket.

In addition, when the user terminal requesting the digital content is determined to be a duplicate viewer, the authenticator may request the streaming server to stop the streaming service of the user terminal that is previously provided with the streaming service.

In addition, if the user terminal requesting the digital content is determined to be a duplicate viewer, the authenticator checks the plan information to determine whether the multi-view usage policy is applied. The streaming server may be requested to stop the streaming service from the first requested user terminal when the allowable value is exceeded in comparison with the number.

The content relay server may further include: a billing unit configured to charge the user fee for the digital content for each user terminal; And a revenue distribution unit that distributes the fee of digital content to content providers, application developers, content collection distributors, and streaming server operators based on authentication logs, streaming server usage logs, client application usage logs, and content usage logs. It may further include.

The content relay server may further include: an operation DB configured to store a viewing history generated based on the authentication log, the streaming server use log, the client application use log, and the content use log; And a history inquiry unit for querying the operation DB according to a viewing history inquiry request and providing a viewing history.

The content relay server may further include a transcoding unit transcoding the digital content provided from the digital content provider and transmitting the digital content to the streaming server.

According to another feature of the present invention, a streaming server is a streaming server, which is operated by a streaming service provider, is one or more streaming server connected via a network with a content relay server, receiving a real-time digital content from the content relay server to the streaming service to the user terminal Live streaming unit provided through; And a VOD streaming unit configured to receive VOD digital content from the content relay server and provide the user terminal through a streaming service.

When the streaming service is requested from the user terminal, the live streaming unit and the VOD streaming unit, after checking from the content relay server whether there is a usage right, and if so, provide a streaming service.

At this time, the live streaming unit and the VOD streaming unit,

When a streaming service is requested from the user terminal, a ticket from the user terminal-the ticket is a unique code of digital content allowed to use, information indicating authentication confirmation, an access address for receiving the streaming service of the digital content, and validity. After receiving a deadline, and in conjunction with the content relay server to confirm that the ticket is valid, and if it is valid, the digital content can be streamed.

The streaming server may further include a transcoding unit transcoding digital content received from the content relay server to the live streaming unit or the VOD streaming unit.

In addition, the streaming server receives the streaming service history from the live streaming unit and the VOD streaming unit, and receives the digital content usage information of the user terminal from the content relay server to the authentication log, streaming server usage log, client application The apparatus may further include a log manager that generates and manages a star usage log and a content usage log.

According to another feature of the invention, the user terminal comprises a memory for storing a client application using the digital content; And when the client application is executed, accesses a content relay system through a network to receive a digital content list, obtains usage right information of a specific digital content selected from the digital content list from the content relay system, and uses the usage right information. Including an open API (Open Application Programming Interface) module for receiving the specific digital content through the streaming service from the content relay system,

The open API module and the content relay system perform an authentication procedure for the streaming service of the digital content using an open API distributed by the content relay system.

In this case, the open API module transmits an authentication request including a user ID, a device ID, and a developer registration ID of the client application to the content relay system. When the authentication is successful, the open API module transmits the digital content from the content relay system. A ticket containing the usage rights may be received.

In addition, the developer registration ID of the client application,

The fee for use of the digital content may be used to distribute revenue to developers of the client application.

In addition, the open API module,

When the streaming service of the digital content is requested to the content relay system, the ticket may be transmitted together, and if the ticket is determined to be valid, the streaming service of the digital content may be provided from the content relay system.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, by providing an open API and settlement system that combines the billing system and the ability to play content on various IT devices, it is possible to effectively rescue a legitimate content supply chain for a variety of IT devices.

1 is a network configuration diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the user terminal of FIG. 1.
3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the content relay system of FIG.
4 is a flowchart illustrating a content relaying method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a content relaying method according to another embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a flowchart illustrating a relay process of live broadcast content according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of relaying VOD content according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a flowchart illustrating a viewing history inquiry process according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating a profit sharing process according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a schematic diagram of a content relay system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the present invention. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted in order to clearly describe the present invention, and like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, when an element is referred to as "comprising ", it means that it can include other elements as well, without excluding other elements unless specifically stated otherwise.

Also, the term "part" in the description means a unit for processing at least one function or operation, which may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

Hereinafter, a content relay system, a content relay server, a streaming server, and a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the client application 101 mounted on the user terminal 100 is connected to the content relay system 300 through the network 200.

Here, the content relay system 300 includes a content relay server 400, at least one streaming server 500, and a content relay server 600. That is, the client application 101 mounted on the user terminal 100 is connected to the content relay server 400 and one or more streaming servers 500 through the network 200. The content relay server 400 is connected to one or more streaming servers 500 through an internal network (not shown) or a dedicated network (not shown), and interoperates with each other. The content relay server 400 is connected to the content provider server 600 through an internet network (not shown), an internal network (not shown), a dedicated network (not shown), and the like, to provide data provided by the content provider server 600. Receive.

Here, the client application 101 is an application produced using an open API (Open Application Programming Interface). The client application 101 is produced and distributed by the content provider server 600 or an application developer (not shown), and refers to an application that utilizes digital content provided by the content provider server 600.

In this case, the digital content is multimedia content produced or processed in a digital format and may include a live video, VOD content, and the like.

In addition, the client application 101 may be software or combined with hardware.

In addition, the client application 101 includes a developer registration ID (ID) as a parameter in the authentication-related open API. The developer registration ID may be used again to control a plurality of users using digital content in the same time zone. In addition, the developer registration ID (ID) is registered in the content relay server 400 is used for user authentication and revenue distribution of the content fee.

The content provider server 600 may produce and supply digital content. For example, the content provider server 600 may be a broadcasting station, a video on demand (VOD) company, an outsourcing company, or the like. The content provider server 600 provides the produced digital content and additional information, where the additional information includes metadata of the content, to the content relay server 400. In this case, the providing path may be online, but may be offline.

Meanwhile, the network 200 may include both wired and wireless networks.

At this time, the content relay server 400 and one or more streaming server 500 may be operated by one operator. That is, the content relay server 400 and the one or more streaming servers 500 may be operated by the content collection distributor. Here, the content collection distributor sourcing and distributing digital content provided from the content provider server 600, providing an open API, operating authentication and billing, owning and directly operating a streaming server facility. do.

In addition, the content relay server 400 and the one or more streaming server 500 may be operated by different separate operators. At this time, the content relay server 400 is operated by the content collection distributor, one or more streaming server 500 is operated by a streaming server operator. Here, the content collection distributor sources and distributes the digital content provided from the content provider server 600, provides an open API, and operates authentication and billing. The streaming server operator may stream digital content distributed by the content collection distributor, and may be an internet data center (IDC) center, a contents delivery network (CDN) provider, a peer to peer server operator, or the like.

Of course, an Internet Data Center (IDC) center, a Contents Delivery Network (CDN) provider, and a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) server operator may serve as a content collection distributor. As such, the content aggregation distributor has conventionally only sourced and distributed the contents. In the embodiment of the present invention, an open API is provided, and authentication and billing are operated. Therefore, the content is provided to the end consumer through a path that is normally authenticated by the content collection and distribution operator responsible for sourcing content, billing, authentication, and revenue distribution from the copyright holder.

Then, the configuration of the user terminal 100, the content relay server 400 and at least one streaming server will be described in more detail.

First, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the user terminal of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 2, the user terminal 100 includes a client application 101, an open API module 103, and a media playback unit 105.

In this case, the client application 101 is stored in a memory (not shown) of the user terminal 100, and when executed, operates in conjunction with the open API module 103. The client application 101 in FIG. 2 corresponds to a part for implementing a function of providing a unique service using digital content, and is operated in conjunction with a content relay server 400 and one or more streaming servers 500. Is implemented in conjunction with the open API module 103. In other words, the client application 101 is designed to operate in conjunction with the open API module 103.

The open API module 103 implements a function of handling multimedia content in various multimedia devices, and includes an authentication and billing function that can legally use content provided by a content aggregation distributor.

The open API module 103 includes a commerce client 107, a user interface (UI) 109, a media player 111, an AD client 113, Channel (Service) Info (115), Data Manager (Enhanced Data Manager) 117, Authentication Client (119), VOD List Info Manager (121), Monitoring ( Monitoring (QoS…)) 123, a subscription unit 125, an event processing unit 127, and a caption processing unit 129.

The commerce client 107 is a commerce processing module linked to the video content and is an optional function. It is not an essential function and can be omitted for services that do not do commerce.

The user interface (UI) 109 is connected to an input device (not shown) and a display device (not shown) of the user terminal 100 to implement a user interface function.

The media player 111 is a module that plays a video content and controls the Android media player 131 or the DMB module 133 and the user terminal 100. ) Does not have a built-in media player, it may include its own media playback.

The media player 111 includes a self-playing function as a software module when the compatibility is inferior in order to be played in various types of user terminals 100.

The DMB module 133 is developed to operate in various user terminals 100 using an open API. Therefore, the media player 111 calls and plays the DMB module 133 through the unified interface.

In this case, the media player 111 operates through an authentication process when playing media.

The AD client 113 is a module that supports an advertisement service and does not run when the client application does not have an advertisement service.

The channel manager (Service (Channel) Info) 115 manages the information on the real-time channel provided from the content relay server 400, and manages a live channel list and EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information for each channel.

The enhanced data manager 117 manages additional data, eg, meta data, associated with the video content provided from the content relay server 400.

The authentication client 119 performs an authentication procedure in association with the content relay server 400.

The VOD list info manager 121 manages the VOD list provided from the content relay server 400. At this time, the broadcast service includes a group management function by broadcaster and genre.

The monitoring unit (Monitoring (QoS…)) 123 monitors the network state receiving the streaming service so as to automatically or manually select a network capable of stable reception. For example, if DMB service is provided, 3G, Wi-Fi, LTE, and Live will allow the user to find a stable network path in the current viewing environment and automatically or manually select it. In addition, when the network reception situation is unstable, the streaming source is switched to a streaming source that is transcoded to a low bandwidth for smooth reception.

Subscriber 125 is a user subscription related module, and implements a function of providing a user registration registration function or setting user information that has already been subscribed on the Internet.

The event processing unit (Event) 127 is a module for receiving event information, and receives and processes an event from a server (not shown) of the content relay server 400 or the content provider server 600. For example, an event such as an announcement, content-linked additional information (eg, quiz, poll, shopping, advertisement synchronization information), and emergency news is received and displayed on the screen, or a function according to the event is executed.

The caption processing unit 129 processes video captions in association with a media player 111.

3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the content relay system of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 3, the content relay server 400 may include a user manager 401, a user DB 403, an open API provider 405, a streaming server manager 407, an authentication unit 409, and a billing unit 411. And a revenue distribution unit 413, a content information management unit 415, an operation DB 417, a transcoding unit 419, and a history inquiry unit 421.

The user manager 401 manages service use member registration and subscription information provided by the content relay system 300, and manages an ID and password necessary for the authentication unit 409 to perform login authentication. In addition, the service subscriber information previously affiliated with the content relay system 300 may be obtained from an affiliate server (not shown), thereby enabling login authentication to be linked.

In addition, since the user information necessary for the effective distribution of the content is managed in the content provider server 600, the user management unit 401 is linked to the content provider server 600 when viewing the first content in the user terminal 100, the user information And login authentication is performed.

The user DB 403 stores service use member registration information and plan information subscribed by the user.

The open API provider 405 defines, develops, and distributes an open API. Content providers and application developers develop content and / or applications using open APIs provided by the open API provider 405.

The open API supply unit 405 produces and distributes an open API including an authentication and billing function that can legally use the content collected and supplied by the content collection distributor. In other words, in order to make legitimate contents available to a variety of IT devices by utilizing a plurality of independent content utilizing application developers, various application creators need a protocol for common implementation. Therefore, an Open API is provided for this purpose. This is necessary. In particular, the open API provided by the open API provider 405 is different from the conventional open API, including distribution of paid multimedia contents.

The streaming server manager 407 manages the information of the registered streaming server 500. The registered streaming server 500 may provide a streaming service to the user terminal 100.

The authenticator 409 performs an authentication procedure so that the streaming server 500 provides a streaming service to a user who has undergone an authentication procedure.

The authentication unit 409 performs login authentication of the user terminal 100 in cooperation with the user manager 401. In addition, the user terminal 100, which has succeeded in login authentication, performs a use authority authentication to determine whether there is a right to use digital content.

In this case, the authentication unit 409 generates information (hereinafter, referred to collectively as 'ticket') that confirms the right to receive the streaming service for the digital content to the user terminal 100, which has successfully authenticated the use right, send.

If the authorization fails, send a reject result and induce service subscription and / or payment.

The authenticator 409 may include a unique code of the digital content allowed to be used, information indicating authentication verification, an access address (URL) of the streaming server 500, and an expiration date. At this time, the access address of the streaming server 500 is selected from among the streaming server 500 registered in the streaming server manager 407.

In addition, the authenticator 409 interrupts the previous streaming service when the same user simultaneously watches at another user terminal 100. However, when the family plan multi-view usage policy is applied, the streaming service is stopped for the first requested terminal when the allowable number is exceeded compared to the allowed simultaneous viewing.

The billing unit 411 bills the content fee of the user terminal 100. At this time, the billing unit 411 may be newly constructed. Alternatively, when the content relay server 400 is established in the mobile communication company, billing may be performed in connection with a billing system (not shown) of the mobile communication company.

The revenue distribution unit 413 distributes revenue according to a predetermined principle to members of the value chain based on the authentication log, the streaming server usage log, the client application usage log, and the content usage log. Here, members of the value chain may be content providers, application developers, content collection distributors, streaming server operators, and the like. In the past, developers earn profits by developing and selling their own products, and they generally source and supply parts and contents necessary for supplying products. Although it was difficult to find an example of revenue transfer, according to an embodiment of the present invention, even if an application is developed and distributed using an open API, the revenue is divided.

The content information management unit 415 collects the copyright of the content and distributes the content.

The content information management unit 415 collects and manages the digital content and the developer registration ID of the digital content. The developer registration ID of the digital content is used for revenue distribution and may be used again to control the use of the digital content by a plurality of users at the same time.

The content information manager 415 receives and manages a content list from the content provider server 600. In this case, the real-time broadcast content is transmitted on-line from the broadcasting station that organizes and supplies the broadcast content, and receives additional information including streaming information and channel information (eg, EPG) of the broadcast content. In addition, the VOD content is transmitted online with content information from the VOD content provider, and receives the VOD content and the content list. VOD content is added from time to time as new VOD content is created, and the VOD content list is updated at the same time.

The content information manager 415 collects the content list and the content collected from the plurality of content provider servers 600, and transmits the received content to the plurality of streaming servers 500. The collected content list is transmitted to the user terminal 100.

The operation DB 417 manages operation information including a viewing history for each user terminal 100 based on the logs collected from the log management unit 501.

The transcoding unit 419 converts the digital content received from the content provider server 600 to suit various formats of the user terminal 100. That is, transcoding for changing the format of digital content is performed for reasons such as transmission efficiency or playback performance of the user terminal 100. The converted digital content is transmitted to the streaming server 500. At this time, the interface for providing the transcoded digital content to the streaming server 500 online is defined in advance, the transmission is made through this interface.

The transcoding unit 419 is illustrated as being included in the content relay server 400, but may be included in the streaming server 500. In this case, the streaming server 500 receives digital content from the content relay server 400 to perform transcoding, and then streams.

In addition, the transcoding unit 419 is included in the role of the content collection distributor, but can be operated by a separate organization after the scope of responsibility is clearly defined by the contract. When the content transformation distribution role is operated in a separate organization, transcoding may be delivered to the streaming server 500 by the content aggregation distributor or transcoded on the streaming server 500 side.

Meanwhile, the content information management unit 415 and the transcoding unit 419 receive the digital content and the digital content list through an interface defined for data transmission and reception with the content provider server 600.

The detail inquiry unit 421 provides a function of inquiring online viewing history or usage history of digital content in association with the operation DB 417. For example, content producers, streaming server operators, and content application program developers can query the usage history of content online in order to prove fair settlement details. Through this, even if service operation is decentralized and integrated operation information is concentrated on content collection distributors, it is possible to satisfy the need for an interface to view important information due to the characteristics of each operating entity operating roles and allocating revenue. .

The history inquiry unit 421 first checks the validity of the access to the requested viewing history inquiry request, and inquires the corresponding information from the operation DB 417 and transmits the information to the requested subject. Each operator can view the information received from the remote site.

Meanwhile, the streaming server 500 includes a log management unit 501, a log DB 503, a live streaming unit 505, and a VOD streaming unit 507.

The log management unit 501 collects an authentication log, a streaming server use log, a client application use log, and a content use log to form a DB to store the log in the log DB 503.

The live streaming unit 505 receives the transcoded real-time broadcast content from the transcoding unit 419 and streams it to the user terminal 100.

The VOD streaming unit 507 receives the transcoded VOD content from the transcoding unit 419 and streams it to the user terminal 100.

At this time, the live streaming unit 505 or the VOD streaming unit 507 checks whether the streaming server 500 makes a legitimate user's streaming request before providing the streaming service to the user terminal 100. When the user terminal 100 requests a streaming service while connecting to the access address of the streaming server 500 included in the ticket and transmitting a ticket, the live streaming unit 505 or the VOD streaming unit 507 may authenticate the unit 409. Check the validity of the ticket. If it is verified as a valid ticket, the streaming service is started. As such, the validity of the ticket is confirmed through communication between the authenticator 409 and the streaming server 500, but the validity of the ticket may be verified by using a public key authentication method without communicating with the authenticator 409.

In addition, although the storage for storing the original of the VOD content is for each service provider, the VOD streaming unit 507 may be provided with content storage to provide a streaming service to the end user.

Meanwhile, the content provider server 600 includes an information provider 601, a live service unit 603, and a VOD service unit 605.

The information provider 601 transmits the information (including the meta data) of the digital content to the content relay server 400.

The live service unit 603 transmits the real time broadcast content to the content relay server 400.

The VOD service unit 605 transmits the VOD content to the content relay server 400.

Now, the content relay method will be described. In this case, the same parts as the components described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 will be described using the same reference numerals.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a content relaying method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the client application 101 is executed, the user terminal 100 accesses the content relay server 400 to the authentication client 119 to perform login authentication (S101). At this time, the user management unit 401 of the content relay server 400 inquires the user DB 403 or in conjunction with the content provider server 600 ID, password and device transmitted from the Authentication Client (119) Check if the ID is valid to see if you are a registered member. The ID and password are input by the authentication client 119 from the user.

Next, when the login authentication is successful in step S101, the content information management unit 415 of the content relay server 400 transmits the content information provided from the content provider server 600 to the user terminal 100 (S103). Here, the content information may be channel information (eg, EPG) of live broadcast content and / or a list of VOD content.

Next, the service manager (Service (channel) Info) 115 or the VOD list manager (VoD List Info Manager) 121 of the user terminal 100 displays the content information received in step S103 on the screen (S105) and the user The specific content is selected from (S107).

Next, the authentication client 119 of the user terminal 100 includes a user ID, a device ID, a device kind, and a developer registration ID of the executed client application. The authentication request is transmitted to the content relay server 400 (S109).

Next, the authentication unit 409 of the content relay server 400 inquires whether the user is a valid user based on a user ID, a device ID, a device kind, and a developer registration ID of the executed client application. After the operation S111, if it is not a valid user, a rejection response is returned (S115). In this case, when returning a rejection response, a service subscription and payment may be requested.

On the other hand, if a valid user, a ticket is generated (S117) and transmitted to the user terminal 100 (S119). For example, after confirming whether the monthly subscription is based on the phone number or device ID of the user terminal 100, a ticket may be issued. Or you can check it based on your site member ID.

Next, the media player 111 of the user terminal 100 connects to the streaming server 500 using the access address included in the ticket and requests streaming (S121).

Next, the live streaming unit 505 or the VOD streaming unit 507 of the streaming server 500 requests the content relay server 400 for authentication to confirm whether the ticket received in step S121 is valid (S123). . Then, the authentication unit 409 of the content relay server 400 checks whether the requested ticket is a ticket issued by itself, and returns a ticket approval or ticket rejection response (S125). And the viewing history is stored (S127).

Here, the access address included in the ticket includes the access address of the live streaming unit 505 when the content selected by the user terminal 100 in step S107 is live broadcast content, and the VOD streaming unit 507 when the content is VOD content. ) Is included.

Next, when the live streaming unit 505 or the VOD streaming unit 507 of the streaming server 500 receives the ticket approval response in step S125 (S129), it provides a streaming service to the user terminal 100 (S131). . The streaming service history (log) is generated and stored (S133). On the other hand, when the ticket rejection response is received (S129), the streaming service rejection is returned to the user terminal 100 (S135).

Thereafter, when the user selects the end button (S137), the media player 111 of the user terminal 100 transmits a normal termination notification to the streaming server 500 and the content relay server 400, respectively ( S139, S141).

5 is a flowchart illustrating a content relaying method according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 may be added after step S127 of FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 5, after the content information management unit 415 of the content relay server 400 stores the viewing history (S201), the authenticator 409 determines whether simultaneous viewing is simultaneously performed (S203).

That is, it is determined whether the same user requests streaming service through a plurality of different user terminals 100 based on the user ID and the device ID.

At this time, if it is not simultaneous overlapping viewing, the step ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined that simultaneous simultaneous viewing, the user's plan to look up (S205) to check whether the subscription to a family plan that can be viewed at the same time (S207).

If the dual view is possible, the number of the dual viewable terminals is inquired (S209) and the streaming server 500 requests the streaming server 500 to stop the streaming service from the user terminal 100 that was previously streaming service within the terminal number range (S211). If the terminal that is being viewed in duplicate is within the number of terminals, step S211 is not performed.

On the other hand, if the dual view is not possible, the streaming server 500 requests the streaming service of the user terminal 100 that has requested the current streaming service or the user terminal 100 that was in the previous streaming service (S213).

6 is a flowchart illustrating a relay process of live broadcast content according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the information provider 601 of the content provider server 600 transmits channel information EPG (S301).

Next, the content information management unit 415 of the content relay server 400 stores the channel information received in step S301 (S303), and transmits the information to the user terminal 100 that has successfully logged in (S305).

Next, the authentication unit 409 of the content relay server 400 performs authentication according to an authentication request of the user terminal 100 that selects a specific channel (S307) (S309). Here, step S309 includes steps S111 to S119 of FIG. 4.

Next, the transcoding unit 419 of the content relay server 400 transcodes (S313) the live broadcast content received from the live service unit 603 of the content provider server 600 (S313) and the streaming server 500. Transfer to (S315).

Next, when the streaming service is requested from the user terminal 100 (S317), the live streaming unit 505 of the streaming server 500 performs ticket authentication with the authentication unit 409 of the content relay server 400 (S319). ). Here, step S319 includes S123, S125, and S129 of FIG. 4.

Next, if the live streaming unit 505 of the streaming server 500 succeeds in S319 authentication, the live broadcast content requested in step S317 is streamed to the user terminal 100 (S321). Then, the media player 111 of the user terminal 100 plays back the live broadcast content streamed in step S321 (S323).

7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of relaying VOD content according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the information provider 601 of the content provider server 600 transmits content information (S401).

Next, the content information management unit 415 of the content relay server 400 stores the content information received in step S401 (S403).

In addition, the VOD service unit 605 of the content provider server 600 transmits the VOD content (S405). Then, the content information management unit 415 of the content relay server 400 stores the content received in step S405 (S407). And it transmits to the streaming server 500 (S409).

In this case, it has been described that the VOD streaming unit 507 of the streaming server 500 transcodes and stores the VOD content received in step S409 (S411). Of course, the transcoding unit 419 of the content relay server 400 may transmit the transcoding to the streaming server 500 after transcoding.

Next, the content information management unit 415 of the content relay server 400 transmits the content information registered in step S403 to the user terminal 100 that has successfully logged in (S413).

Next, the authentication unit 409 of the content relay server 400 performs authentication according to an authentication request of the user terminal 100 that selects specific content (S415) (S417). Here, step S417 includes steps S111 to S119 of FIG. 4.

Next, when the streaming service is requested from the user terminal 100 (S419), the VOD streaming unit 507 of the streaming server 500 performs ticket authentication with the authentication unit 409 of the content relay server 400 (S421). ). Here, step S421 includes S123, S125, and S129 of FIG. 4.

Next, if the VOD streaming unit 507 of the streaming server 500 succeeds in S421 authentication, the VOD content streamed in step S419 is streamed to the user terminal 100 (S423). Then, the media player 111 of the user terminal 100 plays the VOD content streamed in step S423 (S425).

8 is a flowchart illustrating a viewing history inquiry process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, the history inquiry unit 421 of the content relay server 400 configures an operation DB 417 including a viewing history for each user terminal 100 based on logs collected from the log management unit 501 ( S501).

Thereafter, when the viewing history inquiry is received (S503), the operation DB 417 configured in step S501 is inquired (S505) and the viewing history information is returned (S507).

Here, S503 to S507 may be provided through a web page. Or it can be provided through the company's ERP system.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a profit sharing process according to an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, FIG.

Referring to FIG. 9, the profit sharing unit 413 adds monthly usage revenue (S601).

Next, the total amount for each R / S is calculated (S603). In other words, each sector's total amount is the developer's total, and the sum of each provider's total such as content provider's total, content distributor, and streaming server's operator is calculated by dividing the total by R / S ratio.

Next, R / S calculation for each content provider is calculated according to a predetermined ratio (S605).

Next, the R / S of the application developer used for each pay user account is settled (S607).

Next, the R / S of the streaming service provider for each pay user account is settled (S609).

In addition, the R / S settled in S605, S607, and S609 is distributed to each operator account (S611).

Here, in S605, S607, and S609, if a user uses two or more devices to watch content and the subject of developing an application program is different for each user terminal 100, the user-distributed amount is divided according to the corresponding rate. Calculate. In addition, when a user receives a service from a plurality of streaming server operators, it is distributed according to the corresponding rate.

10 is a schematic diagram of a content relay system according to another embodiment of the present invention. The user management unit 401, the user DB 403, the open API supply unit 405, and the streaming server manager described with reference to FIG. 407, authentication unit 409, billing unit 411, revenue sharing unit 413, content information management unit 415, operation DB 417, transcoding unit 419, history inquiry unit 421, A system that can be used to perform at least some of the functions of the log management unit 501, the log DB 503, the live streaming unit 505, and the VOD streaming unit 507 is shown.

Referring to FIG. 10, the content relay system 700 may include a processor 701, a memory 703, at least one storage device 705, an input / output (I / O) interface 707, and a network interface ( 709).

The processor 701 may be implemented as a central processing unit (CPU) or other chipset, microprocessor, etc., and the memory 703 may be a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a Rambus DRAM DRAM, RDRAM), synchronous DRAM (synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), static RAM (SRAM), and the like.

The storage device 705 may be a hard disk, a compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), a compact disk rewritable (CD-RW), a digital video disk ROM, , An optical disk such as a blue-ray disk, a flash memory, various types of RAM, or a permanent or volatile storage device.

In addition, I / O interface 707 allows processor 701 and / or memory 703 to access storage 705, and network interface 709 provides processor 701 and / or memory 703. To access the network 200.

In this case, the processor 701 may include a user manager 401, an open API supplier 405, a streaming server manager 407, an authentication unit 409, a billing unit 411, a revenue sharing unit 413, and a content information management unit. 415, a program instruction for implementing at least some of the functions of the transcoding unit 419, the history inquiry unit 421, the log management unit 501, the live streaming unit 505, and the VOD streaming unit 507. The memory 703 may be loaded and controlled to perform the operation described with reference to FIG. 3.

In addition, the memory 703 or the storage device 705 may be linked with the processor 701 to perform the functions of the user DB 403, the operation DB 417, and the log DB 503.

The processor 701, the memory 703, the storage 705, the I / O interface 707, and the network interface 709 illustrated in FIG. 10 may be implemented in one computer or distributed in a plurality of computers. It may be implemented.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, It belongs to the scope of right.

Claims (27)

When the use of the digital content from the open API (Open Application Programming Interface) module of the user terminal is requested, the authentication unit for confirming whether the user is a valid user, and transmits the use authority information of the digital content; And
A streaming server providing digital content distributed by a content provider to the user terminal through a streaming service,
The streaming server,
A content relay system for providing the streaming service after confirming through the authentication unit whether the usage right information received from the user terminal is legitimate. The method of claim 1,
The authentication unit,
And generating a ticket including a unique code of the digital content to which the use right is allowed, information indicating authentication confirmation, an access address for receiving the digital content from the streaming service, and an expiration date, and transmitting the ticket to the user terminal. The method of claim 2,
The user terminal accesses the access address included in the ticket and requests a streaming service.
The streaming server,
A content relay system for streaming the digital content if the ticket received from the user terminal is confirmed by the authentication unit and then valid. The method of claim 2,
Further comprising a streaming server management unit for managing access information of one or more streaming servers,
The authentication unit,
And a connection address of a streaming server capable of streaming the digital content from the streaming server manager and included in the ticket. The method of claim 2,
The authentication unit,
And if the user terminal that has requested the digital content is a duplicate viewer, requesting the streaming server to stop the streaming service of the user terminal that has previously been provided with the streaming service. The method of claim 2,
The authentication unit,
If it is determined that the user terminal requesting the digital content is a duplicate viewer, the plan information is checked to determine whether the multi-view usage policy is applied. The content relay system for requesting the streaming server to stop the streaming service from the first requested user terminal when exceeding. The method of claim 1,
Transcoding unit for transcoding the digital content provided from the digital content provider to the streaming server
Content relay system further comprising. The method of claim 1,
A content information management unit that manages digital content provided from a digital content provider and provides a list of the digital content to the user terminal that has successfully logged in authentication.
Content relay system further comprising. The method of claim 1,
Billing unit for charging the fee for use of the digital content for each user terminal
Content relay system further comprising. 10. The method of claim 9,
A log manager for managing an authentication log, a streaming server use log, a client application use log, and a content use log; And
Revenue distribution unit for distributing the fee for the digital content to the content provider, application developer, content collection distributor, and streaming server operator based on the authentication log, streaming server usage log, client application usage log, and content usage log
Content relay system further comprising. The method of claim 10,
An operation DB for storing a viewing history generated based on the authentication log, a streaming server use log, a client application use log, and a content use log; And
History inquiry unit that provides the viewing history by querying the operation DB in response to the viewing history inquiry request
Content relay system further comprising. A content relay server operated by a content collection distributor and connected to a streaming server through a network.
A content information management unit which manages digital content provided from a digital content provider and provides a list of the digital content to the user terminal that has successfully logged in authentication; And
When the use of the digital content is requested from the Open API (Open Application Programming Interface) module of the user terminal, after confirming whether the user is a valid, and includes an authentication unit for transmitting the use rights information of the digital content,
The usage right information is a content relay server that is used by the user terminal to receive the digital content through a streaming service. The method of claim 12,
The authentication unit,
A content relay server for generating a ticket including a unique code of the digital content allowed to use permission, information indicating authentication confirmation, an access address for receiving a streaming service, and an expiration date, and transmitting the digital content to the user terminal. The method of claim 13,
Further comprising a streaming server management unit for managing access information of one or more streaming servers,
The authentication unit,
A content relay server obtaining an access address of a streaming server capable of streaming the digital content from the streaming server manager to include in the ticket. The method of claim 13,
The authentication unit,
If it is determined that the user terminal requesting the digital content is a duplicate viewer, the content relay server requesting the streaming server to stop the streaming service of the user terminal that is previously provided with the streaming service. The method of claim 13,
The authentication unit,
If it is determined that the user terminal requesting the digital content is a duplicate viewer, the plan information is checked to determine whether the multi-view usage policy is applied. The content relay server requesting the streaming server to stop the streaming service from the first requesting user terminal when exceeding. The method of claim 12,
A billing unit configured to charge the fee for using the digital content for each user terminal; And
Revenue distribution unit that distributes the fee of digital content to content providers, application developers, content collection distributors, and streaming server operators based on authentication logs, streaming server usage logs, client application usage logs, and content usage logs.
Content relay server further comprising. 18. The method of claim 17,
An operation DB for storing a viewing history generated based on the authentication log, a streaming server use log, a client application use log, and a content use log; And
History inquiry unit that provides the viewing history by querying the operation DB in response to the viewing history inquiry request
Content relay server further comprising. The method of claim 12,
Transcoding unit for transcoding the digital content provided from the digital content provider to the streaming server
Content relay server further comprising. One or more streaming servers operated by a streaming service provider and connected to a content relay server through a network.
A live streaming unit receiving real-time digital content from the content relay server and providing the user terminal through a streaming service; And
Receiving a VOD digital content from the content relay server and comprises a VOD streaming unit for providing a user terminal through a streaming service,
The live streaming unit and the VOD streaming unit,
When the streaming service is requested from the user terminal, after checking from the content relay server whether there is a use authority, and if justified, the streaming server providing a streaming service. 21. The method of claim 20,
The live streaming unit and the VOD streaming unit,
When a streaming service is requested from the user terminal, a ticket from the user terminal-the ticket is a unique code of digital content allowed to use, information indicating authentication confirmation, an access address for receiving the streaming service of the digital content, and validity. A streaming server for receiving a deadline; and if the ticket is validated in cooperation with the content relay server, if the ticket is valid, streaming the digital content. 21. The method of claim 20,
Transcoding unit for transcoding the digital content received from the content relay server to the live streaming unit or the VOD streaming unit
Streaming server further comprising. 21. The method of claim 20,
Receives the streaming service history from the live streaming unit and the VOD streaming unit, and receives the digital content usage information of the user terminal from the content relay server, authentication log, streaming server usage log, client application usage log, content usage log Log management unit to create and manage
Streaming server further comprising. A memory in which a client application using digital content is stored; And
When the client application is executed, the client accesses a content relay system through a network to receive a digital content list, obtains usage right information of a specific digital content selected from the digital content list from the content relay system, and obtains the usage right information. It includes an open API (Open Application Programming Interface) module that receives the specific digital content by using a streaming service from the content relay system,
The open API module and the content relay system,
A user terminal performing an authentication procedure for the streaming service of the digital content using an open API distributed in the content relay system. 25. The method of claim 24,
The open API module,
Sending an authentication request including a user ID, a device ID, and a developer registration ID of the client application to the content relay system, and if the authentication is successful, receiving a ticket containing the authority to use the digital content from the content relay system. User terminal. 26. The method of claim 25,
Developer registration ID of the client application,
A user terminal used to distribute revenue of the digital content to a developer of the client application. 26. The method of claim 25,
The open API module,
When the streaming service for the digital content is requested to the content relay system, the ticket is transmitted together, and if the ticket is determined to be valid, the user terminal receiving the streaming service of the digital content from the content relay system.

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