KR100939904B1 - Method and System for Providing Joint Viewing Service of Moving Picture - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for providing a video viewing service, the present invention comprising: (a) receiving a chat room establishment request information from a user to open a chat room; (B) receiving participation request information on the opened chat room from at least one other user; (C) receiving video content selection information from at least one of the users participating in the opened chat room and transmitting the selected content data to clients of all users participating in the chat room; (D) transmitting a playback start signal to clients of the user who participated in the opened chat room; (E) synchronizing content playback times of all user clients by monitoring playback time information and buffering of client's clients participating in the established chat room; And controlling (f) transmitting and receiving a chat message transmitted by users participating in the chat room while playing content. According to the present invention, users participating in a chat room or a theater can exchange opinions through a chat message while watching the same video content, and thus, there is an advantage of using the VOD service and having fun together.

Co, sync, VOD, video

Description

Method and System for Providing Joint Video Viewing Service of Moving Picture}             

1 is a view showing the configuration of a video joint viewing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a method for providing a joint video viewing service according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3a is a flow chart showing the flow of a method for providing a video viewing service according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3b is a flow chart showing the flow of a method for providing a joint video viewing service according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram showing the module configuration of a web server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a diagram showing the module configuration of the chat server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a diagram showing the module configuration of a video content player according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7A is a flowchart illustrating a playback time synchronization procedure when playback times do not match according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7B is a playback time synchronization when buffering occurs according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Flowchart showing the procedure.

8A is a flowchart illustrating a playback time synchronization procedure when playback times do not match according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8B is a playback time synchronization procedure when buffering occurs according to another embodiment of the present invention. A flow chart showing.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a screen configuration of a video content player capable of both chatting and content viewing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

10 is a diagram illustrating a screen configuration of a video content player according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a method and a system for providing a video viewing service, and more particularly, to allow a plurality of users to watch the same video at the same time, and to enable a chat between the users to watch the video together offline. It relates to a method and system that can provide the same realism.

In the past, moving image content such as movies and animations was generally provided through media such as TV broadcasting or video.

However, with the development of content transmission technology through the Internet, the provision of video content such as movies and animations in a video on demand (VOD) format is gradually increasing. Recently, not only VOD services but also services providing real-time broadcasting over the air are provided.

Internet VOD service can enjoy the desired content at the desired time, there is a more convenient advantage than watching the content through video or over-the-air broadcasting. However, due to the limitation of the speed of content transmission through the Internet, it is impossible to provide high definition content such as over-the-air broadcasting or video, and in most cases, it is not possible to provide fun to watch together because VOD is watched through a PC alone in the room. There is not much demand like airwaves or video yet.

In order to solve the above problems of the VOD service, research on content transmission technology is continuously conducted, and research on how to provide the VOD service in various ways beyond the method of transmitting content simply by requesting data. ought.

The present invention is to solve the problem that the above VOD service does not provide the fun to look together, netizens using the VOD service by passing each other's opinions through a chat message while watching the video as offline video content The present invention relates to a video content providing method that provides an effect such as watching.

In the present invention, to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, to provide a method and system for providing a joint video viewing service that users participating in chat rooms or theaters can exchange opinions through chat messages while watching the same video content. do.

Another object of the present invention is to propose a method and system for providing a shared video viewing service that can synchronize the playing time of content to be viewed jointly.

In order to achieve the above object, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the step of receiving a chat room establishment request information from the user to open a chat room (a); (B) receiving participation request information on the opened chat room from at least one other user; (C) receiving video content selection information from at least one of the users participating in the opened chat room and transmitting the selected content data to clients of all users participating in the chat room; (D) transmitting a playback start signal to clients of the user who participated in the opened chat room; (E) synchronizing content playback times of all user clients by monitoring playback time information and buffering of client's clients participating in the established chat room; And controlling (f) transmitting and receiving a chat message transmitted by users participating in the chat room while playing content.
In order to achieve the above object, according to another embodiment of the present invention, providing a predetermined content data to a plurality of user clients participating in the virtual space created on the Internet; And transmitting the playback start signal of the content to the respective user clients so that when the content data is buffered above a threshold at each of the user clients, the content data can be simultaneously played back on the respective user clients. Provided is a method for providing a video viewing service.
In this case, the method for providing a video viewing service further includes receiving a ready to play the content signal from each of the user clients before the content playback start signal transmission step, in the content playback start signal transmission step. When the content reproduction ready signal is received, the corresponding user client determines that the content data is buffered more than a threshold value.
Here, the virtual space may be a chat room or an online theater generated by a user client request of the plurality of user clients, or a theater webpage where the plurality of user clients may access and simultaneously view the content data. It features.
On the other hand, the video viewing service providing method further comprises the step of synchronizing the content playback time of each of the user client by monitoring at least one of the content playback time information and buffering generation information of the respective user clients, In this case, the content playback time synchronization step may include receiving the content playback time information from a predetermined time interval from each of the user clients; Transmitting the information on the reference time to a user client whose difference between the received content reproduction time information and the reference time is greater than or equal to a threshold; And receiving information on a skip time of the content from a user client to which the reference time information is transmitted.
In another embodiment, the content playback time synchronization may include: receiving the buffering occurrence information from a user client in which buffering has occurred among the user clients; Transmitting information on a reference time to the user client where the buffering has occurred; And receiving information on a skip time of the content from a user client to which the reference time information is transmitted.
According to these embodiments, the content playback time synchronization step may further include transmitting a playback start signal to a user client to which the reference time information has been transmitted, after the skip time has elapsed. It is characterized by using the information of the delayed time compared to the reference time and the current content reception speed information of the user client.
In another embodiment, the content playback time synchronization may include: receiving the content playback time information from each of the user clients at predetermined time intervals; Transmitting a playback stop signal to a second user client other than the first user client whose difference between the received content presentation time information and the reference time is greater than or equal to a threshold value among the user clients; And transmitting a playback start signal to the second user client when a time corresponding to the difference between the reference time and the delayed playback time elapses.
According to another embodiment, the content playback time synchronization step, when the buffering generation information is received from the first user client of the buffering occurs among the user clients, the playback to the second user client except the first user client Transmitting a stop signal; And when a buffering release signal is received from the first user client, transmitting a playback start signal to the second user client.
Meanwhile, the method of providing a video viewing service may further include controlling the transmission and reception of a chat message transmitted and received between the respective user clients during the reproduction of the content.
In addition, the method for providing a shared video viewing service may further include determining whether a contention time of the content arrives before the content reproduction start signal transmission step. When the content data is determined to be buffered at a threshold value or more and the screening time of the content arrives, the user client may transmit the content reproduction start signal according to the buffering information of the content data.
In another exemplary embodiment, the method for providing a shared video viewing service may further include determining whether the number of the user clients participating in the virtual space is greater than or equal to a threshold before transmitting the content playback start signal. In the transmitting of the content reproduction start signal, when the content data is buffered at a threshold value or more in each of the user clients and the number of user clients participating in the virtual space is greater than or equal to a threshold value, the content according to the buffering information of the content data. And a reproduction start signal.
On the other hand, the video viewing service providing method further comprises the step of determining the reception speed of the content data of each of the user client, in the content playback start signal transmission step, the user client whose reception speed of the content data is greater than or equal to a threshold value; The content playback start signal is transmitted only to the user.
In order to achieve the above object, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the content data is buffered above a threshold in a plurality of user clients participating in a virtual space created on the Internet for joint viewing of the content data A joint viewing condition determination unit to determine whether or not; And when the content data is determined to be buffered above a threshold value in each of the user clients, start a video to transmit a playback start signal of the content to the respective user clients so that the content data can be simultaneously reproduced in the respective user clients. There is provided a system for jointly watching a video including a message transmitter.
In order to achieve the above object, still another embodiment of the present invention, a web server for processing content viewing request information transmitted from a plurality of user clients; A content server configured to transmit content data to a plurality of user clients that have transmitted the content joint viewing request information; And when the plurality of user clients that have transmitted the content viewing request information determine that the content data is buffered above a threshold, the content start signal of the content may be simultaneously reproduced by the plurality of user clients. Provided is a video viewing service providing system including a chat server transmitting to the plurality of user clients.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail a preferred embodiment of a method and system for providing a video viewing service according to the present invention.

1 is a view showing the configuration of a video joint viewing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the video viewing system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a web server 100, a chat server 102, a content server 104, a billing server 106, and a plurality of user clients ( 108, 110, 112, 114).

In FIG. 1, the web server 100 receives video joint viewing request information from user clients 108, 110, 112, and 114. The web server 100 may provide a web page through which the user may request a joint viewing of the video, and the user may request a joint viewing of the video by clicking a menu of the web page using an interface such as a mouse.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, a video joint viewing service is provided so that a user can watch a video while chatting with another user after opening a chat room. Here, the chat may be a 1: 1 chat, or two or more users may join a chat room and receive a video service.

According to the second embodiment of the present invention, a service may be provided to allow a plurality of users to watch a video starting at a specific time, such as in an offline theater. In this case, a video screening timetable is provided on the web page, and users can request to watch a desired video at a desired screening time through the web page, and when the screening time comes, the requested video service is provided. At this time, it is preferable that a chat service between the joint viewers is provided so that users can realize that the joint viewing is performed. In addition, since a plurality of users are provided at the same time at a predetermined time, it may be possible to provide a service at a lower cost than a general video on demand (VOD) service.

According to the third embodiment of the present invention, the joint viewing service may be provided in the form of joint purchase. For example, when more than a predetermined number of joint viewing users are gathered, a video VOD service is provided to a plurality of users at a lower cost than a general video VOD service. In the third embodiment, the service may be provided in the same manner as in the second embodiment except that the show time is not set in advance, and in the case of the third embodiment, the user may realize that the viewing is a joint viewing. It is desirable to provide a chat service between the joint viewing users.

The video may include movies, animations, dramas, and the like. In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the case of the VOD service is limitedly described, but the joint viewing service according to the present invention may be applied to the real time broadcasting rather than the VOD service.

According to the present invention, even if you watch a video alone, there is an advantage that can double the interest when watching a video because it can send and receive messages with other co-viewing users through chat.

The chat server 102 functions to relay chat messages of the joint viewing users and manage users who are viewing the joint viewing. Messages that users send during video viewing are transmitted to other co-viewing users via the chat server 102. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the chat server 102 may connect only the sessions of the joint viewing users and the chat message may be transmitted in a P2P manner.

In addition, the chat server 102 has a function of controlling the play time synchronization of the jointly watched video. In order for the joint viewing to be practically implemented, all users participating in the joint viewing must see the same screen at the same time. If the playing time of the video does not match, the contents of the video may be known in advance through chat or the contents of the videos that users talk about may not match. Therefore, the chat server 102 continuously checks the playing time of each joint viewer and whether or not buffering occurs and synchronizes the video playing time of all the joint viewers. A detailed method of synchronizing the video playback time by the chat server 102 will be described later with reference to a separate drawing.

The user clients 108, 110, 112, and 114 are provided with a video content player equipped with a chat module for transmitting a chat message between co-viewers. The video content player installed in the user clients 108, 110, 112, and 114 may include a window for displaying a video being played as well as a window for displaying a chat message and a window for inputting a chat message. In addition, the installed video player transmits the play time information of the video to the chat server 102 at a predetermined time interval for synchronizing the play time of the video, and if the buffering occurs, the information on the buffering occurrence to the chat server 102. send.

The content server 104 stores video content and provides the corresponding content at the request of the joint viewing user client. When a joint viewing user requests content using a web page provided by the web server 100, the web server 100 provides address information of a content server storing the corresponding content, and a player installed in the user client provides the information. The content data is requested to the content server corresponding to the received address information and downloaded.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a web server or a database coupled to the web server may store content.

In addition, although one content server is illustrated in FIG. 1, a plurality of content servers may be provided so that a user client may receive content data in a parallel / distributed manner from the plurality of servers. In addition, the content server does not necessarily need to be a server provided by a service provider, but may be another user client storing the content, and the client requesting the content may download the content in a P2P manner from another user client. will be.

The billing server 106 performs billing processing on the video content. The billing server 106 operates in conjunction with the web server 100, and when a user requests payment for content through a web server, the billing server 106 performs payment processing for the user's request.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a method for providing a joint video viewing service according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figure 2, the user first creates a chat room. Here, the chat room may be a dedicated chat room for joint viewing. Alternatively, a menu for requesting a joint video viewing in a general chat room may be provided.

 The user who opened the chat room invites the user to view the joint (S202). Even if you do not receive the invitation message, other users will be able to participate in the control of the opened chat room.

When the invited user participates in the chat room in response to the invitation message (S204), when the video content to be jointly viewed is selected, the charging process for the selected content is performed (S206). 2 illustrates a case where content selection and billing are performed after opening a chat room, but selection and charging of content may be performed while opening a chat room.

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When the selection and billing of the content is completed, users in the chat room enjoy the selected content together (S208). Users can send and receive chat messages through the chat server while watching the content. In addition, the chat server continuously checks the content playback time of users watching the same chat room and controls the playback time to be synchronized.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, playback of content is started when content data of a predetermined size or more is buffered in a client of a user who views the video. If the content receiving speed of the specific client is less than or equal to a preset threshold in the buffering of the content data, the joint viewing of the content of the corresponding user client may be disallowed. This is because if one client's content receiving speed drops significantly due to network conditions or hardware specifications, it may affect the joint viewing of other clients' contents.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a screen configuration of a video content player capable of chatting and content viewing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 9, the screen of the content player may include a video playback screen 900, an avatar screen 902, a chat screen 904, a dialog input box 906, and an input interface screen 908. .

Unlike a general video content player, the video content player according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes an avatar screen 902, a chat screen 904, and a dialog input box 906.

A user watching a video may enter a message to be sent to another user who is having a joint viewing in the dialog input box 906, and the transmitted message is displayed on the chat screen 904.

9 is only an example of a screen configuration, and the arrangement of each screen may be variously changed, and additional screens may be provided.

3A is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a method for providing a joint video viewing service according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In the second embodiment, the concept of an offline theater is introduced online. As shown in FIG. 3A, a user first accesses a web page that provides an online theater service (S300).

The online theater web page displays the video content and the show time screened in each theater, and the user selects the theater with reference to the displayed information (S302). If the user selects the theater, the charging procedure for this proceeds (S304).

When the billing is completed, the user accesses a web page corresponding to the selected theater (S306). It is preferable that the theater webpage provides a chat service so that users who enter the theater before the playback of the video content can exchange messages.

Subsequently, it is determined whether the preset video time is reached (S308), and when the video screening time is not reached, the users who enter the theater are in a waiting state (S310). On the other hand, when the video screening time, the content players of users entering the theater play the video content at the same time (S312). As in the case of the first embodiment, it is preferable that a service is provided so that users who enter the theater can exchange chat messages with other users.

10 is a diagram illustrating a screen configuration of a video content player according to another embodiment of the present invention.

When the concept of a theater as in the second embodiment is introduced, a video content player having a screen configuration as shown in FIG. 10 different from FIG. 9 may be used.

Referring to FIG. 10, avatars of users who perform a joint viewing may appear at the bottom of the content player, and messages exchanged by the joint viewers may be provided in the form of a speech bubble.

In addition, the user may adjust the facial expression and motion of the avatar, thereby adjusting the facial expression and motion of the avatar in a funny scene or a sad scene, thereby increasing the realism of watching the video offline.

3B is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a method for providing a joint video viewing service according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3B, the user opens a theater to be jointly watched (S320), and selects video content to be jointly watched (S322). The selection of the video content may be performed together with the opening of the video theater.

The third embodiment introduces the concept of a joint purchase, which is a case where the joint viewing starts when a predetermined number of people are gathered.

Therefore, it is determined whether more than a predetermined number of participants participate in the opened common theater (S326), and when more than a predetermined number of people participate, the users who participate in the common theater are in a waiting state (S324).

When participating in the joint theater opened by a predetermined number of people, the charging process for the video content is performed (S328).

When the charging process is completed, the content players of the users who participated in the theater starts playing the content at the same time (S330). As in the second embodiment, it is preferable that a service is provided to enable chatting between participating users, and the content player may have a screen configuration as shown in FIG. 9 or 10.

Even in the case of the second and third embodiments, the reproduction of the content is started when content data of a predetermined size or more is buffered in the client of the users who view the joint. If the content receiving speed of the specific client is less than or equal to a preset threshold in the buffering of the content data, the joint viewing of the content of the corresponding user client may be disallowed.

4 is a diagram showing the module configuration of a web server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the web server according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a web page providing module 400, a joint viewing participation request processing module 402, a content request processing module 404, and a charging processing module 406. The web server may be connected to the joint viewing user database 410.

In FIG. 4, the webpage providing module 400 provides a webpage where users can obtain information about the joint viewing and request the joint viewing.

In the case of the first embodiment, the webpage providing module 400 may provide a webpage having a menu for opening or joining a chat room for watching a movie.

In the second embodiment, the webpage providing module 400 may provide a webpage including a menu for requesting admission to the theater, including content information provided by each theater and information on the screening time.

In the third embodiment, the webpage providing module 400 may open a joint viewing theater and provide a webpage having a menu for participating in the opened theater.

The joint viewing participation request processing module 402 functions to process requests of users for the joint viewing. In the first embodiment, when the user requests to join the chat room, the joint viewing participation request processing module 402 provides information on the currently opened chat room by using the information stored in the joint viewing user database 410.

In the second or third embodiment, when the user requests entry to the theater, the joint viewing participation request processing module 402 switches the user's state to the common viewing standby state and chats that the user entered the theater. Send to server

The content request processing module 404 provides the client who requested the content with the address of the content server storing the content and the identification number of the requested content when the user requests the content to be jointly viewed. Clients receiving the information access the corresponding content server and download the content.

As described above, a separate content server is not provided and the web server may directly provide the content.

The billing processing module 406 processes the payment for the content through communication with the billing server.

The co-viewing user database 410 stores information about users who are in the co-viewing or waiting to co-watch. Users can directly access the database 410 to receive information or receive information stored in the database 410 via a web server to view information about the opened chat room or theater.

5 is a diagram illustrating a module configuration of a chat server according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the chat server according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a message relay module 500, a joint viewing user management module 502, a joint viewing condition determination module 504, and a video start message transmission module ( 506, a play time monitoring module 508, and a play time synchronization module 510, the chat server is also connected to the shared viewing user database 410 like a web server.

In FIG. 5, the message relay module 500 transmits messages input to the other users while viewing the video or in the standby state before viewing the video. The message relay module 500 may relay chat messages in the same manner as a general chat service. As described above, the chat message may be transmitted in a P2P manner, and in this case, the message relay module 500 may not be provided.

The joint viewing user management module 502 functions to manage information about users participating in the joint viewing. The joint viewing user management module 502 receives the joint viewing participation request information directly from the user client or through a web server, or updates the information in the joint viewing user database when the joint viewing of a specific user is completed.

The joint viewing condition determination module 504 functions to determine whether the joint viewing condition can be started. In the first embodiment, the joint viewing condition determination module 504 determines whether the client of the users who participated in the chat room has buffered the content data more than a preset size.

In the second embodiment, the joint viewing condition determination module 504 determines whether a preset screening time has come and whether or not the users who participated in the theater buffered the content data beyond the preset size.

In the third embodiment, the joint viewing condition determining module 506 determines whether a predetermined number or more of the participants have participated in the auditorium and whether the participating users have buffered the content data beyond the preset size.

In addition, the joint viewing condition determination module 506 determines whether the content receiving speed of a specific client is less than or equal to a preset threshold during the buffering process of the content data, and permits the joint viewing only for clients having a receiving speed equal to or greater than the preset threshold. .

The video start message transmission module 506 simultaneously transmits a video start message to clients of all users who participate in the same chat room or theater when the joint viewing condition determination module 504 determines that the joint viewing condition determination module 504 is in a state of being able to view the joint viewing. . The video content player installed in the client starts playing the content in response to the start message, and the plurality of user clients can start playing the content at the same time by the start message.

The playback time monitoring module 508 receives information about a current content playback time at a predetermined time interval from the video content player installed in the user client. Although all user clients simultaneously start content playback by the video start message transmission module, the content playback time may be different because the network connection state and data processing speed of each client are different. Accordingly, the playback time monitoring module 508 continuously checks the content playback time of the user clients, and plays back the playback time synchronization module 510 when the playback time of a specific client differs by more than a preset threshold from the normal playback time. Request time synchronization.

The reproduction time synchronization module 510 synchronizes the reproduction time when the reproduction time of a specific client among the clients receiving the joint viewing content is different from the normal reproduction time or when the buffering generation information is received from the specific client.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the playing time is delayed due to buffering or data processing delay, the playing time synchronization module 510 skips a part of the video by the corresponding playing time by the client, thereby viewing the joint viewing. Synchronize the playback time of all clients in progress.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the play time synchronization module 510 temporarily stops playing content of other clients when the play time of a specific client is delayed due to buffering or data processing delay. Synchronize the playback time of clients. A more detailed playback synchronization procedure will be described later with a separate drawing.

6 is a diagram illustrating a module configuration of a video content player according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, the video content player according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a content decoding module 600, a cache control module 602, a user interface module 604, a joint viewing user display module 604, The reproduction preparation message transmission module 608, the reproduction time transmission module 610, and the message transmission / reception processing module 612 may be included.

The content decoding module 600 decodes video content data transmitted from a content server. The meta information of the video content data includes information on content encoding, and the content decoding module 600 decodes the received content data according to a decoding algorithm corresponding to an encoding scheme.

The cache control module 602 functions to control the storage of the received content data. The content data is previously stored in the cache and then decoded, and the cache control module 602 controls the storage of the previously received content data.

The user interface module 604 functions to recognize a user's request when the user clicks on a button provided in the video content player. For example, the content player includes a button for adjusting a screen size, a volume size, and the like, and the user interface module 604 recognizes information requested by a user and performs a corresponding process. A general content player is provided with buttons such as quick view, stop playback, skip, etc., but since the present invention relates to the joint viewing, it is preferable to disable these buttons.

The co-viewing user display module 606 receives information from the co-watching user database and displays user information participating in a chat room or theater currently being opened.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when a user requests a joint viewing, the client directly receives information on a chat room or a theater from the joint viewing user database.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a web server provides information about a chat room or a theater through a web page.

If the number of co-viewing users is not large, even if the information on the chat room or the theater through the web page is not a big burden on the web server, in this case, the co-viewing user display module 604 need not be provided.

However, if the number of co-viewers is large, displaying all the information on a web page can be a burden on the web server. Therefore, the client directly accesses the co-viewers database to receive information about the chat room or theater and participants. It is desirable to. In this case, the joint viewing user display module 606 displays the information received from the joint viewing user database in a form that the user can recognize.

Using the displayed information, when a user requests to join a specific chat room or theater, the request information of the user is transmitted to a web server or a chat server.

The play preparation message transmission module 608 transmits a message to the chat server that the play preparation is complete when the content data having a predetermined size or more is buffered before playing the content. The video start message transmission module of the above-described chat server transmits a video play start message only after receiving a play preparation message from clients of all users participating in the joint viewing.

The play time transmission module 610 transmits a play time of content being played at a predetermined time interval to the chat server. In addition, when the buffering occurs, the play time transmitting module 610 transmits the buffering generation information to the chat server regardless of a preset time interval.

The message transceiving processing module 612 functions to transmit a message input by a collaborative user in a dialog input box to another collaborator, or to receive and display a message transmitted by another collaborator. As described above, the message may be relayed through the chat server or transmitted and received in a P2P manner.

7A is a flowchart illustrating a playback time synchronization procedure when playback times do not match according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7B is a playback time synchronization when buffering occurs according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A flowchart showing the procedure.

7A and 7B illustrate a case in which playback time is synchronized by skipping a portion of a video when a playback time of a specific client is delayed or buffering occurs.

Referring to FIG. 7A, the playing time transmission module of the content player transmits the playing time of the current content to the chat server at a preset time interval (S700).

After receiving the transmitted play time information, the chat server determines whether there is a difference between the reference time and a preset threshold (S702). If the playback time is different from the reference time and the preset threshold, the chat server transmits a playback time mismatch signal to the client (S704). The reproduction time mismatch signal includes information on the current reference time.

When a play time mismatch signal is received from the chat server, the content player calculates a video skip time (S706). The content player may calculate the skip time in consideration of the reference time and the current data reception speed.

In calculating the skip time, a table of data sizes according to reproduction time may be used, and a preset skip time calculation algorithm may be used that uses the reference time and the current data reception speed as variables. The calculation of the skip time may be calculated in various ways using the delayed time information compared to the data reception speed and the reference time.

Although FIG. 7A illustrates a case where the content player calculates a skip time, the skip time may be calculated by a chat server or another server.

The calculated skip time is transmitted to the chat server (S708), and the content player requests and buffers data corresponding to the playback start time (reference time + calculated skip time) from the content server (S710).

After the skip time elapses from the time when the information on the skip time is received, the chat server transmits a playback start signal to the content player of the corresponding client (S712). It resumes (S714).

FIG. 7A illustrates a case where the chat server receiving the skip time transmits a playback start signal. However, after calculating the skip time, playback may be automatically resumed at the playback start time using a timer provided in the user client without receiving separate information from the chat server.

Referring to FIG. 7B, the content player determines whether buffering occurs (S750), and if buffering occurs, transmits the buffering generation information to the chat server (S752). As described above, the detection of whether or not buffering occurs may be performed regardless of the time interval for transmitting the reproduction time.

Having received the buffering occurrence information, the chat server transmits information on the current reference playback time to the content player (S754).

The content player calculates a video skip time using the received reference time information and the current data reception speed information (S756). The skip time can be calculated in the same manner as described above. In addition, as described above, the skip time may be calculated in a chat server or another server.

The content player transmits the calculated skip time to the chat server (S758), and requests and buffers data corresponding to the playback start time (reference time + calculated skip time) to the content server (S760).

The chat server transmits a playback start signal to the content player of the corresponding client after the skip time has elapsed from receiving the information on the skip time (S762). Resume (S764). In the case of synchronization due to buffering, as described above, playback may be resumed by using a timer of the user client without receiving a playback start signal from the chat server.

8A is a flowchart illustrating a playback time synchronization procedure when playback times do not match according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8B is a playback time synchronization procedure when buffering occurs according to another embodiment of the present invention. Is a flow chart showing.

8A and 8B illustrate a case in which the playback time is synchronized by temporarily stopping content playback of other clients when the playback time of one or more of the user clients who are jointly watching is delayed or buffering occurs.

Referring to FIG. 8A, the content player transmits information on a current playback time to a chat server at a predetermined time interval (S800).

Upon receiving the play time information, the chat server determines whether the play time of the client is different from the reference play time by more than a preset threshold (S802).

If the play time is different from the preset time compared to the reference time, the chat server transmits a play stop signal to the clients of other joint viewing users (S804). At this time, the chat server sets a value obtained by subtracting the play time of the client whose play time is delayed from the reference time as the play stop time. The client, which receives the playback stop signal from the chat server, stops playing the content.

When the set playback stop time elapses from the time when the playback stop signal is transmitted, the playback start signal is transmitted to the clients that have received the playback stop signal (S806).

Referring to FIG. 8B, the content player determines whether buffering occurs while playing the content (S850). As described above, whether or not buffering occurs is preferably determined irrespective of a time interval for transmitting a reproduction time.

If buffering occurs due to network degradation, the content player transmits information indicating that buffering has occurred to the chat server (S852).

When receiving buffering occurrence information from at least one client among the clients who are watching the video, the chat server transmits a reproduction stop signal to the clients of other users who watch the video (S854). Clients that receive the playback stop signal stop playback of the content until a playback start signal is delivered.

The content player continuously determines whether buffering is released (S856), and when the buffering is released, transmits a buffering release signal to the chat server (S858).

Upon receiving the buffering release signal, the chat server transmits a playback start signal to the clients that have received the playback stop signal (S860).

As described above, according to the method of providing a video viewing service according to the present invention, users participating in a chat room or a theater can exchange opinions through a chat message while watching the same video content, so that they can be viewed together while using a VOD service. It has the advantage of having fun.                     

In addition, by synchronizing the content playback time by continuously checking the content playback time and whether or not the buffering occurs in the user client during the joint viewing, there is an advantage that can increase the reality as if watching a video together.

Claims (34)

Providing predetermined content data to a plurality of user clients participating in a virtual space created on the Internet; If the content data is buffered above a threshold at each of the user clients, transmitting a playback start signal of the content to each of the user clients so that the content data can be simultaneously reproduced at the respective user clients; And Monitoring content playback time of each of the user clients by monitoring at least one of content playback time information and buffering occurrence information of the respective user clients; Video joint viewing service providing method comprising a. The method of claim 1, Receiving a reproduction ready signal of the content from the respective user client before the step of transmitting the content playback start signal, In the step of transmitting the content playback start signal, when the content playback ready signal is received, the corresponding user client determines that the content data is buffered more than a threshold value, characterized in that the video viewing service providing method. The method of claim 1, And the virtual space is a chat room or an online theater generated by a user client request of any one of the plurality of user clients. The method of claim 1, And the virtual space is a theater web page to which the plurality of user clients access and simultaneously view the content data. delete The method of claim 1, wherein synchronizing the content playback time comprises: Receiving the content reproduction time information at predetermined time intervals from the respective user clients; Transmitting the information on the reference time to a user client whose difference between the received content reproduction time information and the reference time is greater than or equal to a threshold; And And receiving information on a skip time of the content from a user client to which the reference time information has been transmitted. The method of claim 1, wherein synchronizing the content playback time comprises: Receiving the buffering occurrence information from the user client of which the buffering has occurred among the user clients; Transmitting information on a reference time to the user client where the buffering has occurred; And And receiving information on a skip time of the content from a user client to which the reference time information has been transmitted. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein synchronizing the content playback time comprises: And after the skip time elapses, transmitting a playback start signal to a user client to which the reference time information has been transmitted. The method according to claim 6 or 7, The skip time is calculated using the information of the delayed time compared to the reference time and the current content receiving speed information of the user client, characterized in that the joint viewing service providing method. The method of claim 1, wherein synchronizing the content playback time comprises: Receiving the content reproduction time information at predetermined time intervals from the respective user clients; Transmitting a playback stop signal to a second user client other than the first user client whose difference between the received content presentation time information and the reference time is greater than or equal to a threshold value among the user clients; And And transmitting a playback start signal to the second user client when a time corresponding to the difference between the reference time and the delayed playback time elapses. The method of claim 1, wherein synchronizing the content playback time comprises: Transmitting a stop playback signal to a second user client except the first user client when the buffering occurrence information is received from the first user client in which the buffering occurs among the user clients; And And if a buffering release signal is received from the first user client, transmitting a playback start signal to the second user client. The method of claim 1, And controlling the transmission and reception of chat messages transmitted and received between the respective user clients during the reproduction of the contents. The method of claim 1, Before the step of transmitting the content reproduction start signal, determining whether the display time of the content has arrived; In the step of transmitting the content playback start signal, if it is determined that the content data is buffered above a threshold value and the screening time of the content has arrived at the respective user clients, the content playback start signal is transmitted according to the buffering information of the content data. Video joint viewing service providing method, characterized in that. The method of claim 1, And before the transmitting of the content playback start signal, determining whether the number of the user clients participating in the virtual space is greater than or equal to a threshold value. In the transmitting of the content reproduction start signal, if the content data is buffered at a threshold value or more at each user client and the number of user clients participating in the virtual space is at least a threshold value, the content reproduction is performed according to the buffering information of the content data. Method for providing a video viewing service, characterized in that for transmitting a start signal. The method of claim 1, Determining the reception speed of the content data of each user client; In the content playback start signal transmission step, the content playback start signal providing method, characterized in that for transmitting only the content playback start signal to the user client that the reception speed of the content data is greater than the threshold. A recording medium having recorded thereon a program for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 6, 7, and 10 to 15. A joint viewing condition determination unit that determines whether the content data is buffered above a threshold in a plurality of user clients participating in a virtual space created on the Internet for joint viewing of content data; If it is determined that the content data is buffered above a threshold in each of the user clients, a video start message is transmitted to the respective user clients to start playback of the content so that the content data can be simultaneously reproduced in the respective user clients. A transmission unit; A playback time monitoring unit configured to receive content reproduction time information from the user clients at predetermined time intervals or to receive buffering generation information from the user client where the user clients have been buffered; And A playback time synchronization unit for synchronizing the content playback time of each of the user clients according to the received content playback time information or the buffering occurrence information; Video viewing service providing system comprising a. The method of claim 17, And the joint viewing condition determining unit determines that the content data is buffered more than a threshold value at the corresponding user client when a signal for preparing to play the content is received from the respective user clients. The method of claim 17, The virtual space may be a chat room or an online theater generated by a request of any one of the plurality of user clients, or a theater webpage to which the plurality of user clients may access and simultaneously view the content data. Video joint viewing service providing system. delete The method of claim 17, The content reproduction time synchronization unit transmits the information about the reference time to a user client that has a difference between the received content reproduction time information and the reference time more than a threshold value, or the user client that has transmitted the buffering occurrence information. Receiving information on the skip time of the content from the transmitted user client, by synchronizing the content playback time of each of the user client by causing the content to be skipped during the skip time in the user client to which the reference time information is transmitted Video joint viewing service providing system. The method of claim 21, And the content reproduction time synchronization unit transmits a content reproduction start signal to a user client to which the reference time information is transmitted after the skip time elapses. The method of claim 21, And the skip time is calculated using information of a delayed time compared to the reference time and current content reception speed information of the corresponding user client. The method of claim 17, The content reproduction time synchronization unit transmits a reproduction stop signal to a second user client other than the first user client whose difference between the received content reproduction time information and the reference time is greater than or equal to a threshold value among the user clients, and delays the reproduction with the reference time. And transmitting a playback start signal to the second user client when a time corresponding to the difference in the playback time elapses, thereby synchronizing the content playback time of the respective user clients. The method of claim 17, The content reproduction time synchronization unit transmits a reproduction stop signal to a second user client other than the first user client that has transmitted the buffering occurrence information among the user clients, and receives a buffering release signal from the first user client. And a content playback time of each of said user clients by transmitting a playback start signal to a second user client. The method of claim 17, And a message relay unit configured to control transmission and reception of a chat message transmitted and received between the respective user clients during the reproduction of the content. The method of claim 17, The joint viewing condition determination unit further determines whether the presentation time of the content has arrived, and if it is determined that the presentation time of the content has arrived and the content data is determined to be buffered above a threshold value in each of the user clients, the content. Video viewing service providing system, characterized in that for transmitting a playback start signal. The method of claim 17, The joint viewing condition determination unit may further determine whether the number of the user clients participating in the virtual space is greater than or equal to a threshold value, and thus determine that the number of the user clients participating in the virtual space is greater than or equal to a threshold value and the content data is determined. If the user client is determined to be buffered more than the threshold value, the video viewing service providing system, characterized in that for transmitting the content playback start signal. The method of claim 17, The joint viewing condition determination unit further determines the content data reception speed at each user client, and transmits the content reproduction start signal only to a user client whose reception speed of the content data is greater than or equal to a threshold. Visiting service provision system. The method of claim 17, And a joint viewing user manager configured to receive the participation request information on the virtual space on the Internet, directly from the plurality of user clients or via a web server. A web server processing content joint viewing request information transmitted from a plurality of user clients; A content server configured to transmit content data to a plurality of user clients that have transmitted the content joint viewing request information; And When the plurality of user clients that transmit the content viewing request information determine that the content data is buffered above a threshold, the content initiation signal of the content is reproduced so that the content data can be simultaneously reproduced by the plurality of user clients. A chat server for sending to multiple user clients, The chat server continuously checks the playing time of the plurality of user clients and whether or not buffering occurs, and synchronizes the content data playing time of all the user clients. The method of claim 31, wherein The chat server monitors at least one of content playback time information transmitted from the plurality of user clients at predetermined time intervals and buffering occurrence information transmitted from the user client from which the buffering is generated during playback of the plurality of users. Video viewing service providing system, characterized in that for synchronizing the playback time of the content of the clients. 33. The method of claim 32, The chat server transmits reference time information to a user client determined that the content reproduction time is delayed or a user client that has transmitted the buffering information, and skips the content from the user client to which the reference time information has been transmitted. And synchronizing the content reproduction time of the plurality of user clients by allowing the content to be skipped during the skipping time in the user client to which the reference time information is transmitted. 33. The method of claim 32, The chat server requests a user client other than a user client determined to be delayed in playing the content or a user client that has transmitted the buffering information to stop playing the content for a delayed time or until buffering is released. And a content reproduction time of the plurality of user clients by transmitting a reproduction stop signal.

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