KR100869895B1 - System and method for providing vod service of possible watching without delay - Google Patents

Abstract

A promptly watchable VOD providing service system without buffering and a service method thereof are provided to download VOD contents through prereservation and select the downloaded VOD contents, thereby enabling a user to watch the contents without buffering. If contents a user wants to watch are selected(a), a buffering waiting time while downloading data of an initial amount is generated(b). After that, if the data of the initial amount is downloaded, the selected contents are promptly reproduced(c). If continuous reproduction of contents is performed, the user needs to wait until reproduction is started because buffering waiting time is necessary before reproducing previous contents and next contents.

Description

System and method of providing VOD service for instant viewing without buffering {System and method for providing VOD service of possible watching Without delay}

The present invention relates to a VOD providing service system and a service method that enables a viewer to immediately view content without buffering when a viewer wants to watch content in an on-demand video system using a download & play method.

Video On Demand (VOD) is a term used to refer to the concept of allowing individuals to directly select the desired video content from a central server when requested via a television or computer screen.

The prior art VOD system downloads the video content requested to the central server according to the streaming method and simultaneously decodes and plays the video content. In other words, the video content is downloaded without being downloaded beforehand and played simultaneously.

However, in the conventional VOD system according to this method, since a large amount of data is transmitted / received through the network, a disconnection phenomenon frequently occurs due to an overload of the network.

In order to make up for this drawback, the present applicant applies a download and play method of receiving a predetermined amount in advance and continuously downloading the remaining amount while playing.

1 is a view for explaining a download and play (download & play) scheme in a conventional VOD service.

Assuming that the entire information data of the predetermined VOD content is Data, as shown, the VOD service according to the download & play method does not immediately play the VOD content at the time of downloading (A), but the initial part of the previous part. Playback is performed from the point in time B downloaded beforehand by the amount Data1. The remaining amount Data2 can be downloaded continuously while the initial amount Data1 is reproduced without interrupting the VOD content.

In general, the time point B at which content is reproduced is made based on the time point at which the initial amount Data1 of about 5 to 10% of the total information data Data is downloaded.

Therefore, in the VOD service using the conventional download and play method, when the content is played back, a buffering waiting time for the viewers to wait for the time for downloading the initial amount Data1 occurs.

2 is a diagram illustrating a problem caused by a buffering wait time in a VOD service according to a conventional download and play scheme.

As shown in FIG. 2, when (a) selecting content to be viewed first, (b) a buffering waiting time occurs while downloading an initial amount of data, and (c) thereafter, a predetermined initial amount of data is downloaded. As soon as the selected content is played back.

Similarly, when continuous playback of content is performed, each buffering waiting time (b, d) is passed before the previous content and the next content are played (c, e), so that playback is not performed immediately. There is a drawback to waiting.

In particular, if the download time is delayed due to the overload of the network, the buffering waiting time becomes long, which causes viewers to become bored or give up watching the contents.

The present invention was derived to solve this problem, the VOD system pre-download the VOD content in the download and play VOD system, and select the downloaded VOD content VOD that allows the viewer to watch immediately without buffering waiting time It is a technical problem to provide a provided service system and a service method.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a VOD service system capable of immediately watching a video, including: a VOD server providing various on-demand video contents (VOD contents), and a set-top box for downloading and playing desired VOD contents from the VOD server. In the VOD providing service system comprising: the VOD server extracts the head information of the VOD content organized in the reservation download list when the request for download from the set-top box for the VOD content organized in the reservation download list; The set-top box is provided in a box, and the head-top information of the VOD content provided by the VOD server is downloaded and stored in advance, and when the downloaded VOD content is selected, it is characterized in that the playback immediately without buffering waiting time.

According to an example of the present invention, the head information of the VOD content may be information data corresponding to an initial 5 to 10% of the entire information data of the VOD content.

According to an example of the present invention, the VOD server may include a subscriber manager that registers and manages a viewer who subscribes to a service; A reservation pattern analysis unit which receives a reservation download request for the VOD content from a viewer registered in the subscriber management unit, and analyzes the requested VOD content to detect whether there is content for the next reservation download; A content providing unit which detects the VOD content and provides it to the set-top box when there is a download request from the viewer regarding the VOD content organized in the reserved download list; And a control unit for enabling communication with the set-top box through the Internet network, and receiving and processing an order request from the viewer through the set-top box.

According to an example of the present invention, the set-top box includes: a download manager which performs a reservation download request for VOD content and downloads head information of a reserved VOD content from the VOD server; An idle time determination unit configured to detect an operation state of the set top box to determine an idle state; A content storage unit for storing head information of the VOD content downloaded by the download manager; A reservation list storage unit for storing a reservation download list of the VOD content; A playback unit for reproducing head information of VOD content stored in the content storage unit; And a control unit for the set-top box, when the idle time detection unit detects that the set-top box is in an idle state, requests the VOD server to download the reserved VOD content, and receives and processes an operation request from the viewer. Can be.

Here, the download manager compares the list of VOD contents stored in the reservation list storage unit with the list of VOD contents stored in the content storage unit, and stores the VOD contents not included in the reservation list storage unit among the VOD contents stored in the content storage unit. The content may perform a function of deleting.

The VOD content organized in the reservation download list may be a series or a popular item.

In this case, when the VOD content is a series, the set-top box sequentially downloads head information of the VOD content, which is the series, during the idle time of the set-top box, or downloads 100% of information data about the first VOD content. During the playback of the first VOD content, the head information of the second VOD contents may be sequentially downloaded.

Alternatively, when the VOD content is popular, the set-top box may sequentially download head information of the VOD content that is popular at idle time of the set-top box.

According to an example of the present invention, the reservation download list may be directly created by the viewer.

According to another example of the present invention, the reservation download list may be created by a service provider in the VOD server.

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On the other hand, the VOD providing service method that can be immediately watched according to the present invention for achieving the technical problem, (a) displaying a reservation download notification list of the content through the set-top box; (b) if the first VOD content organized in the reservation download notification list is selected, determining whether head information of the first VOD content is downloaded from the set-top box; (c) immediately playing the first VOD content when the head information of the first VOD content has been downloaded; (d) downloading the remaining information of the first VOD content from the set-top box while playing the first VOD content, and determining whether the second VOD content exists; and (e) if the second VOD content exists, downloading head information of the second VOD content and determining whether the next VOD content exists.

In this case, in the step (c), if the head information of the first content has not been downloaded, the method may further include performing buffering while downloading the head information.

And (f) after the step (e), determining whether there is termination by the user's request; and (g) if there is no termination at the request of the user, downloading the head information of the next VOD content while continuously playing the content.

In this case, as a result of the determination in the step (f), it may further include the step of terminating if there is termination by the request of the user.

In the step (g), the step of continuously playing the content may include determining whether to display the continuous playback confirmation window to notify the user of continuous playback.

According to the present invention described above, when the viewer watches the desired content, there is an effect that can be immediately viewed without being affected by the communication line.

In particular, there is an effect of maximizing ease of use by enabling immediate viewing without a buffering waiting time at first.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail a VOD providing service system that can be immediately viewed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the reservation download list of the VOD content to be immediately viewed is created, and the set-top box checks the reservation download list and downloads the VOD content to be downloaded in advance in consideration of network conditions, thereby allowing the viewer to download the VOD content to be viewed. If you choose, it will run the pre-downloaded file to provide a way to watch immediately.

In this case, if the entire information data of the VOD content is downloaded in advance in the set-top box, it is limited by the internal hard capacity, and thus, only the initial amount of the VOD content that enables immediate viewing is downloaded.

3 is a block diagram showing the overall VOD providing service system according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is a detailed view of a VOD providing service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a VOD providing service system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a VOD server 100 and a set-top box 300 connected to the VOD server 100 through a network such as the Internet 200. do.

Set-top box 300 is a device that can send and receive data through the network, is installed on the viewer side subscribed to the VOD service, and is connected to the computer system 400 and the display device 500, respectively.

In addition, the operation of the set-top box 300 may be performed using a user operation means (not shown) such as a remote controller or a keypad.

The Internet 200 collectively refers to a wired and wireless communication network that enables a network, and is not limited to a specific form as long as the network enables the network.

The VOD server 100 may store video content. In particular, the VOD server 100 may store video content in the content supply servers 600 that are connected to the VOD server 100 by a network. Can be prevented. According to this configuration, the VOD server 100 is responsible for managing the content supply server 600 and the list of contents stored therein collectively.

The content supply servers 600 convert the content into a format suitable for a VOD service, for example, MPEG-2 or MPEG4, and the list of stored contents is stored in the VOD server 100. Provide and register.

Referring to these components in detail with reference to Figure 4, the VOD server 100 applied to an embodiment of the present invention is a subscriber management unit 110, reservation pattern analysis unit 120, content provider 130, control unit 140 may be included.

The subscriber manager 110 receives a subscriber who has subscribed to the service and manages subscriber information.

The reservation pattern analyzer 120 receives a reservation download request for VOD content from a viewer or a service provider registered in the subscriber management unit 110, and analyzes a reservation pattern of the received VOD content.

The VOD content received from the viewer or the service provider for reservation is created and managed by creating a notification list and stored in a separate database.

For example, when a viewer requests a reservation download for VOD content, the reservation pattern analyzer 120 receives and manages content usage information such as subscriber information, frequency of use of content, or user payment method, and manages VOD content. Analyze if there is content for the next scheduled download. In general, since the EPG (Electrical Program Guide) of the first content can be sent with information that the next second content, it is possible to accurately know the reservation pattern through this.

The content providing unit 130 extracts the location of the content supply server (600 of FIG. 1) in which the reserved VOD content is stored and receives the VOD content from the corresponding content supply server (600 of FIG. 1). The provided VOD content is transmitted to the set-top box (300).

The controller 140 controls the respective components, and controls the respective components to communicate with the set-top box 300 through the Internet 200. And, through the set-top box 300 receives an order request from the viewer and processes it.

On the other hand, the set-top box 300 applied to the embodiment of the present invention is a download management unit 310 and playback unit 320, idle time determination unit 330, the set-top box control unit 340, the content as shown The storage unit 350 may include a reservation list storage unit 360.

The download manager 310 requests a reservation download for the VOD content according to a viewer's request, and downloads the reserved VOD content. At this time, the VOD content is downloaded only the amount of the head information of the total information.

In the present embodiment, the head information means information data corresponding to the initial 5 to 10% of the entire information data of the VOD content.

The reservation download notification list created by the viewer or the service provider in the download manager 310 is stored in the reservation list storage 360, and based on this, the download manager 310 stores the VOD content stored in the reservation list storage 360. The list is compared with the list of VOD contents stored in the content storage 350. After the comparison, the VOD contents not included in the reservation list storage unit 360 among the VOD contents stored in the content storage unit 350 are managed to be deleted.

The idle time determination unit 330 detects whether the set-top box 300 operates to determine an idle state in which the set-top box 300 does not operate. Then, the idle state of the set-top box is transmitted to the VOD server 100 through the control unit 340 for the set-top box to notify the VOD server 100. As a result, the set-top box 300 may automatically download the VOD content organized in the reserved download list at idle time.

The idle time here means the time until the set-top box 300 enters the idle state until the set-top box 300 starts to operate, which is when the set-top box becomes idle and the idle state ends. It can be easily implemented by generating each time signal.

The content storage unit 350 stores the head information of the VOD content downloaded through the download manager 310.

The playback unit 330 plays the VOD content stored in the content storage unit 350. At this time, the playback unit 330 is to play the head information of the VOD content, when playing the remaining information of the VOD content is downloaded from the VOD server 100 to play.

When the set-top box 330 detects that the set-top box 330 is in the idle state, the set-top box control unit 340 requests the download of the reserved VOD content by transmitting it to the VOD server 100 and manipulates the viewer. Handle in accordance with.

Therefore, when the VOD server 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above requests a download from the set-top box 300 for the VOD content organized in the reservation download notification list, the VOD content organized in the reservation download list. Extract the head information of the provided to the set-top box 300. In addition, the set-top box 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention downloads and stores head information of the VOD content provided by the VOD server 100, and selects a desired VOD content from the downloaded VOD content without a buffering waiting time. Will be played immediately.

In this case, the reservation download notification list may be created by a viewer or a service provider as described above, and the VOD content organized in the reservation download notification list may be configured in a pattern such as a series or a popular item.

5 is a list table showing an example of a reservation download notification list according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5 as an example, the reservation download notification list according to an embodiment of the present invention may be managed by dividing items into a VOD content reservation list, a content pattern, and whether to download.

The VOD content reservation list is a list of VOD contents that have been applied for reservation download. The shown Prison Break Season 1-1, Prison Break Season 1-2, Prison Break Season 1-3, Prison Break Season 1-3 and Golden It can be written in the name of VOD content, such as Jean or Reproductive Soldier.

The content pattern is used to determine whether the VOD content is a series or a popular item. Prison break seasons 1 to 4 are series items, and golden fisheries and young soldiers can be classified as popular items.

In the present embodiment, the series means a content in which a series of one or more pieces of VOD content are continuously connected, and may be a drama, or a document, a movie, an entertainment program, or the like may be applied.

Popular items generally mean a high frequency of viewing of VOD content, but are not limited thereto and may refer to VOD content that viewers want to watch. Popular items can be selected by the service provider on a weekly or monthly basis through statistics, or by viewers through statistics provided by the service provider, or by selectively specifying the VOD content that the viewer wants to watch. Can be determined.

Whether to download is an item for determining whether the download of the VOD content has been completed, and may be indicated by ○ or X as shown, but is not limited thereto.

6 and 7 are exemplary screens sequentially showing a screen for continuously playing according to the reservation download notification list in the VOD providing service according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a case where the continuous playback checking function is turned off. 7 shows a case where the continuous playback confirmation function is turned on.

Referring to FIG. 6, when the continuous playback check function is turned off in the setting menu, and the content organized in the scheduled download notification list as shown in FIG. 5 is selected (a), the set-top box is previously set according to the scheduled download notification list. The first downloaded content can be directly played (b), and after watching the first content, the second content can be played directly from the set-top box to immediately play the second content without waiting for buffering (c). .

Referring to FIG. 7, when the continuous playback check function is set to an on state in the setting menu and continuous contents are selected by selecting the contents organized in the scheduled download notification list (a), the first content previously downloaded from the set-top box is displayed. Execution is immediately performed without buffering waiting time (b), and after the completion of the playback of the first content thereafter, the continuous playback is confirmed by displaying a pop-up window for viewing the next content (c). Thereafter, the second content downloaded from the set-top box may be executed to immediately play the second content without buffering (d).

Here, the content may be a series or a popular item as shown in the reservation download notification list of FIG. 5.

8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating an operation of reservation download by the VOD providing service system according to an embodiment of the present invention divided into series and popular items.

Referring to FIG. 8A, a case in which VOD content organized in a reservation download list is a popular item will be described.

In this embodiment, the popular item is automatically downloaded and downloaded at the idle time of the set-top box.

In FIG. 8A, Ta shows the idle time of the set-top box, and t1 completes the download of the head information I-head1 for the popular item 1 and at the same time obtains the head information I-head2 of the popular item 2. At the time of downloading, t2 is the point of completing the download of the head information I-head2 for the popular item 2 and at the same time downloading the head information I-head3 of the popular item 3, and t3 is the head for the popular item 3 The time point at which the download of the information I-head3 is completed is shown.

Here, the idle time Ta of the set-top box is displayed only as a time enough to download the head information I-head1, I-head2, and I-head3 of the popular items 1, 2, and 3. If (Ta) is longer than this, the head information (not shown) of the popular item 4 can also be downloaded. Alternatively, if the idle time Ta is shorter than the time for downloading the head information I-head1, I-head2, I-head3 of the popular items 1,2,3, the head of the popular item 1,2 is You can also download only the information (I-head1, I-head2).

As another embodiment, a case in which the VOD content organized in the reservation download list is a series is described with reference to FIG. 8B.

The scheduled download of the series may be performed when the set-top box is idle, such as a popular item, or may be downloaded immediately upon user's request.

When the set-top box is in the idle state, only the head information is downloaded in advance as described in FIG. 8A and the entire information data of the series.

Alternatively, when downloading at the user's request, 100% of the entire information data for the first series, that is, series 1, is downloaded, and then the head information of the next series, series 2, series 3, and series 4, while series 1 is being played. Will be downloaded sequentially.

Tb shown in FIG. 8B shows the time when the series 1 is reproduced. The time t4 when the entire information data for the series 1 has been downloaded is completed, and the head information (S-head2) for the series 2 is completed. Time t5 to download the head information, the head information (S-head3) for the series 3 is downloaded and at the same time time t6, the head information (S-head4) of the series 4 is downloaded. It can include one hour t7.

Series 1, 2, 3, and 4 are not limited to the order shown, and are arranged in the scheduled download notification list. If the scheduled download notification list is configured as series 2, 5, 6, and 8, After 100% of the entire information data has been downloaded, the head information of each of series 5, 6 and 8 can be downloaded in the manner described above.

Therefore, the VOD providing service system according to the embodiment of the present invention can immediately reproduce the buffering waiting time caused by downloading initial information data when selecting the pre-downloaded VOD content.

If playback of series 1 is completed and playback of series 2 is started, the remaining information data (not shown) of series 2 not previously downloaded is reproduced while being downloaded from the VOD server.

A method of serving using the VOD providing service system according to the embodiment of the present invention described above will be described in detail.

9 is a flowchart illustrating a VOD providing service method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and illustrates a process of providing a service according to a service provider's designation.

That is, in an embodiment of the present invention, the idle state of the set-top box is automatically detected so as to download the VOD content that is pre-booked at the idle time.

First, a viewer or a service provider who subscribes to a VOD system to receive a VOD service creates a reservation download list for a VOD content that is a series (S110).

The reserved download list records a list of VOD contents to be downloaded, and includes information on names and patterns of the VOD contents.

Thereafter, the set-top box accesses the VOD server and makes a service request (S120).

Then, the reservation download list created by the viewer through the set-top box is stored in the reservation list storage in the set-top box, and then transmitted to the VOD server to provide a reservation download notification list (S130).

Alternatively, in the case of a reserved download list created by the service provider on the VOD server side, the reservation download list is transmitted to the set top box and provided to the viewer.

Thereafter, the operation of the set-top box is detected to determine whether the set-top box is in an idle state (S140).

As a result of the determination, the set-top box is notified to the VOD server when it is in an idle state, and the VOD server receives the information and determines the location of the server storing the VOD content of the reservation request (S150).

Thereafter, the reservation request VOD content is provided as a set-top box (S160). At this time, not all of the VOD contents requested for reservation are provided, but only the head information of the front portion of the entire information data is provided.

In the present embodiment, the head information means information data corresponding to the initial 5 to 10% of the entire information data of the VOD content.

Then, the set-top box downloads the head information of the VOD content transmitted from the VOD server and stores it in the content storage unit (S170).

After storage, if the set-top box is still in the idle state, the above operation is repeated, and if not, the download stops and ends (S180).

In this service method, the VOD content may be a popular item or a series item, and in the case of the popular item, the selection criteria of the popular item may be made according to the viewing frequency of the VOD content.

For example, a viewer or a service provider may select a VOD content having a viewing frequency greater than a certain threshold as a popular item, or select a VOD content that the viewer wants to watch as a popular item.

10 is a flowchart illustrating a VOD providing service method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Another embodiment of the present invention illustrates a service process performed at the request of a user.

First, a viewer or a service provider who subscribes to a VOD system to receive a VOD service creates a reservation download list for VOD content (S210).

The reserved download list records a list of VOD contents to be downloaded, and includes information on names and patterns of the VOD contents.

Thereafter, the set-top box accesses the VOD server and makes a service request (S220).

Then, the reservation download list created by the viewer through the set-top box is stored in the reservation list storage in the set-top box, and then transmitted to the VOD server to provide the reservation download notification list.

Alternatively, in the case of a reserved download list created by the service provider on the VOD server side, the reservation download list is transmitted to the set top box and provided to the viewer.

Thereafter, when the viewer selects the VOD content organized in the reserved download list, the viewer requests a download from the set-top box to the VOD server (S230 and S240).

Thereafter, the VOD server receives the reservation download request from the set-top box, and extracts the corresponding VOD content to be downloaded by identifying the location of the server where the VOD content is stored (S250).

Thereafter, the extracted VOD content is transmitted to the set-top box (S260).

In transmission, only the head information is transmitted from the entire information data of the extracted VOD content.

Thereafter, the set-top box downloads VOD content transmitted from the VOD server and stores the VOD content in the internal content storage unit (S270).

Thereafter, the process ends according to the end request from the viewer.

That is, if there is an end request from the viewer, the end is terminated accordingly, and if there is no end request, the download operation is continued.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method of playing content downloaded by the method of FIGS. 9 and 10.

Referring to FIG. 11, in the VOD providing service method according to an embodiment of the present invention, as a method of playing content, it is first determined whether to display a reservation download notification list of content through a set-top box (S310).

If it is set to display the scheduled download notification list, and displays the notification list, if not set to process the next step without displaying the notification list (S320).

Thereafter, when the first content organized in the reservation download notification list is selected and played without advertisement, the set-top box determines whether the head information of the first content has been downloaded before playing (S330).

If the scheduled download has not been performed, buffering is performed while downloading the head information of the first content (S340).

If the scheduled download is made, the head information of the first content is executed and immediately reproduced (S350).

Thereafter, while playing the first content, the remaining information of the first content is downloaded from the set-top box, and it is determined whether the second content exists (S360).

As a result of the determination, if the second content exists, the head information of the second content is downloaded, and if the second content does not exist, the process proceeds to the next step (S370).

Thereafter, it is determined whether there is termination by the user's request in the set-top box itself (S380).

As a result of the determination, if there is termination by the request of the user, the termination is made accordingly. If there is no termination by the request of the user, the content is continuously played.

To this end, it is determined whether the set top box displays the continuous playback confirmation window (S390).

After that, when asked to display the continuous playback confirmation window, "Would you like to see the next episode?" After popping up a pop-up window such as, and is returned to the playback step (S330).

If the continuous playback confirmation window is not displayed, the process returns to the playback step S330 and continuously plays back.

In the above method, all of the series or popular items of the content can be applied. Details of the head information and the reservation download method which are not described below are the same as described above, and thus will be omitted.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may implement the present invention in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. I can understand that.

Therefore, since the embodiments described above are provided to completely inform the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, it should be understood that they are exemplary in all respects and not limited. The invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

1 is a view for explaining a download and play (download & play) scheme in a conventional VOD service.

2 is a diagram illustrating a problem caused by a buffering wait time in a VOD service according to a conventional download and play scheme.

3 is a block diagram showing the overall VOD providing service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a detailed view of a VOD providing service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a list table showing an example of a reservation download notification list according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating an operation downloaded and reserved by the VOD providing service system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention over time, divided into popular items and series.

9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of pre-downloading content from a VOD providing service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of pre-downloading content from a VOD providing service according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method of playing content downloaded by the method of FIGS. 9 and 10.

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

100: VOD server 200: Internet

300: set-top box (STB) 400: computer system

500: display device 600: content supply servers

110: subscriber management unit 120: reservation pattern analysis unit

130: content providing unit 140: control unit

310: download management unit 320: playback unit

330: idle time determination unit 340: control unit for the set-top box

350: content provider 360: reservation list storage

Claims (24)

In a VOD server providing a video-on-demand (VOD content), and a set-top box for playing while downloading the desired VOD content from the VOD server, The VOD server receives a reservation download request for the VOD content from a subscriber management unit that registers and manages viewers who subscribe to the service, and viewers registered with the subscriber management unit, and analyzes the applied VOD content to determine whether there is content to be reserved next. A reservation pattern analysis unit for detecting a; and a content providing unit for detecting head information of the VOD content and providing the set top box to the set top box when the viewer requests a download of the VOD content organized in a reservation download list. It is possible to communicate with the set-top box through, and comprises a control unit for receiving the order request from the viewer through the set-top box and processes it, And the set-top box downloads and stores head information of the VOD content provided from the VOD server in advance, and immediately plays the downloaded VOD content without a buffering waiting time when the downloaded VOD content is selected. The method of claim 1, Head information of the VOD content, VOD providing service system, characterized in that the information data corresponding to the initial 5 to 10% of the total information data of the VOD content. delete The method of claim 1, The set top box, A download manager which performs a reservation download request for VOD content and downloads head information of a reserved VOD content from the VOD server; An idle time determination unit configured to detect an operation state of the set top box to determine an idle state; A content storage unit for storing head information of the VOD content downloaded by the download manager; A reservation list storage unit for storing a reservation download list of the VOD content; A playback unit for reproducing head information of VOD content stored in the content storage unit; And When the idle time detection unit detects that the set-top box is idle, the set-top box control unit requests the VOD server to download the reserved VOD content, and receives and processes an operation request from the viewer. VOD service service system comprising a. The method of claim 4, wherein The download management unit, The list of VOD contents stored in the reservation list storage unit and the list of VOD contents stored in the content storage unit are compared to delete the VOD contents not included in the reservation list storage unit among the VOD contents stored in the content storage unit. VOD offer service system. The method of claim 1, VOD content organized in the reservation download list is a VOD service system, characterized in that the series or popular. The method of claim 6, If the VOD content is a series, The set-top box sequentially downloads head information of the VOD content, which is the series, during the idle time of the set-top box, or downloads 100% of information data on the first VOD content, and then plays the first VOD content. In the meantime, the VOD providing service system, characterized in that to download the head information of the second VOD contents sequentially. The method of claim 6, If the VOD content is popular, The set-top box is a VOD service system, characterized in that for sequentially downloading the head information of the VOD content that is popular during the idle time of the set-top box. The method of claim 1, The reservation download list is a VOD providing service system, characterized in that directly written by the viewer. The method of claim 1, And the reserved download list is created by a service provider in the VOD server. delete delete delete delete delete delete (a) displaying a list of scheduled download notifications of content through the set-top box; (b) if the first VOD content organized in the reservation download notification list is selected, determining whether head information of the first VOD content is downloaded from the set-top box; (c) immediately playing the first VOD content when the head information of the first VOD content has been downloaded; (d) downloading the remaining information of the first VOD content from the set-top box while playing the first VOD content, and determining whether the second VOD content exists; (e) if the second VOD content exists, downloading head information of the second VOD content and determining whether the next VOD content exists. VOD providing service method comprising a. The method of claim 17, In the step (c), If the head information of the first content has not been downloaded, undergoing buffering while downloading the head information VOD providing service method further comprising. The method of claim 17, (f) determining whether there is termination at the request of the user; (g) downloading head information of the next VOD content while continuously playing the content if there is no termination by the user's request as a result of the determination; VOD providing service method comprising a. The method of claim 19, In the step (f), Terminating if there is an end upon request of the user as a result of the determination VOD providing service method further comprising. The method of claim 19, Continuously playing the content in the step (g), And determining whether to display the continuous playback confirmation window to notify the user of continuous playback. The method of claim 17, And the head information is information data corresponding to an initial 5 to 10% of all information data of the VOD content. The method of claim 17, The VOD content is a VOD providing service method characterized in that the popular or series. The method of claim 17, If the VOD content is popular, The criterion of the popular item can be selected according to the viewing frequency of the VOD content.

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