KR20100067977A - Method for efficient download contents files - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method for efficiently downloading a content file is provided to efficiently and rapidly use downloaded contents. CONSTITUTION: A user terminal selects a content file(402). The user terminal downloads the metadata about the selected contents(404). The user terminal produces the virtual contents file by using the metadata(406). The user terminal downloads the selected content file on the predetermined first synchronization time point(408). The user terminal merges the contents file with the virtual contents file.

Description

How to download content files efficiently {METHOD FOR EFFICIENT DOWNLOAD CONTENTS FILES}

The present invention relates to the download of a large amount of data on the Internet, and more particularly, to make it possible to quickly and efficiently use a content file (especially a large content file) to be downloaded, and to provide information (comment and evaluation) on the downloaded content. And the like), and a method for efficiently downloading a content file.

There are many file transfer programs on the Internet, and the representative one of them is the file transfer protocol (FTP), which performs only a function of simply transferring a file by a user's command. For this reason, since the processing by the user is required, it is complicated to use and difficult to automate file transfer.

On the other hand, HTTP-based file transfer program is easy to implement on a web server, but difficult to implement when transferring a large amount of data. In addition, in the case of a P2P program for the purpose of file sharing, there is a problem that cannot be used unless the transmission is completed because the file contents are not sequentially downloaded.

In short, under the conventional technology as described above, when a user receives and uses a large-capacity high-definition multimedia file through the Internet, there is a problem that the user cannot use the file until the file download is completed. There is a problem that causes inconvenience.

In addition, the current user participatory content (UCC) service is composed mostly of server-centric system, the download-type content is inconvenient because the user directly modify and transmit through a separate device, and also provides a UCC service There is a problem that is difficult. In particular, the participatory service is important for the ease of convergence of content production, distribution, and use.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, thereby making it possible to efficiently and quickly use a content file (especially a large content file) to be downloaded, and further, to evaluate information (comment, review, etc.) on the downloaded content. It is an object of the present invention to provide an efficient download method of a content file, which can be shared by a large number of people.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects and advantages of the present invention which are not mentioned can be understood by the following description, and will be more clearly understood by the embodiments of the present invention. Also, it will be readily appreciated that the objects and advantages of the present invention may be realized by the means and combinations thereof indicated in the claims.

In order to solve the above object, the present invention provides a method of downloading a content file from a user terminal, comprising: a selection step of accessing a content providing server and selecting a content file to be downloaded; A metadata download step of downloading metadata about the selected content file; A virtual file generation step of generating a virtual content file using the metadata; And a file download step of downloading the selected content file and combining the selected content file with the virtual content file at a first synchronization time point.

The present invention also provides a method for downloading a content file in a content providing server, comprising: a selection step of selecting a content file to be downloaded from a user terminal; A metadata transmission step of transmitting metadata for the selected content file; And a file transfer step of transmitting the selected content file at the time of synchronization.

As described above, the present invention has an effect of allowing a user to download and use a high-quality, large-capacity multimedia content file on the Internet quickly and easily.

In addition, the present invention, by providing a function that can be used first with only the content metadata when a large amount of content is delivered from the provider to the user, there is an effect that the distribution and use of the large amount of content can be made quickly.

In addition, the present invention has the effect that it is possible to reproduce the video or sound source while downloading immediately through the internal file playback unit for the transmission is not complete.

In addition, the present invention has an effect that can control the use of the content even after downloading the content in accordance with the rights request of the provider.

In addition, the present invention provides a function that enables a user to download a content, use, classify, add file information, edit, etc., and automatically record the result of the action and record the record. There is an effect that can be shared by transmitting to the server side, thereby developing from the content of the act of enjoying the user alone to the content to be used together through the production and sharing of additional information.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: There will be. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail. Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a content providing service system according to the present invention.

The content providing service system according to the present invention includes a content providing server 10 and a user terminal 12 as shown in FIG. 1.

The content providing server 10 is a service providing server such as providing a content file, and the user terminal 12 may download and store a file from the content providing server 10 or share the result of using the content among a plurality of users. It transmits to the content providing server 10 so that.

When a user downloads a file from the content providing server 10 remotely through his terminal 12, it is stored in the directory for synchronization of the file system in the user's computer operating system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the content download apparatus (client) of FIG. 1 according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the content download apparatus (client) according to the present invention includes a file control unit 201, a file state management unit 202, a file playback unit 203, a metadata processing unit 204, and a file synchronization unit ( 205, and a file receiving unit 206.

The file control unit 201 controls the restriction / permission of the use, deletion, and movement of the file, and the file state management unit 202 detects whether or not the file has been changed and, if control is required, such as whether the file is processed or not, the file control unit ( 201).

The file reproducing unit 203 provides a function of reproducing a content file (media file), and additionally, provides a function of reproducing an image or a sound source even when the file is incomplete or during download.

The metadata processing unit 204 is based on metadata (record file information, file name, file size, creation date, date of use, storage location, etc.), file distribution information, and synchronization information about the content file. Provides a function to inform about file consignment processing.

The file synchronization unit 205 exchanges and compares metadata through communication with the content providing server 10 located at a remote location to perform synchronization processing.

The file receiving unit 206 receives a file in the background according to metadata at a time when the user does not use his terminal or at the request of the user.

When the user selects a content file provided by the content providing server 10, the content providing server 10 transmits metadata of the selected content file to the file synchronizer 205.

Then, the file synchronization unit 205 transfers the received metadata to the metadata processing unit 204 to request confirmation, and accordingly, the metadata processing unit 204 based on the file information metadata among the analyzed metadata. The creation date and the file path (file location) are checked and the result of verification is provided to the file control unit 201. Then, the file control unit 201 checks whether the actual file exists.

As a result of the file existence check, if the actual file does not exist, the state of the synchronization metadata is changed among the metadata received by the metadata processing unit 204. Here, the metadata includes file information metadata, synchronization information metadata, and usage information metadata.

The file whose metadata is changed is registered in the synchronization queue by the file synchronization unit 205 and records the synchronization state in the synchronization information metadata. Thereafter, synchronization is sequentially performed at the time when synchronization is possible. The synchronization is performed by a synchronization period set by the file control unit 201.

Here, the synchronization period is subdivided into the synchronization period set in the content providing server 10, the default (Default) synchronization period, the synchronization period for each file type. The type of synchronization includes a manual setting, a synchronization setting by another system, a content type setting by a service provider, and a preset setting by a provider.

And, the timing of synchronization is determined according to the type of instant synchronization, synchronization setting time interval type, computer idle mode, user manual mode, which is set in advance.

The timer inside the file receiving unit 206 operates by the set synchronization period to receive a file based on the synchronization information in the synchronization queue. Before the reception starts, the metadata processing unit 204 puts the file information metadata into a "prepared state" (Prepared), and the file control unit 201 creates a file in the corresponding directory by the metadata and secures an empty space corresponding to the file size.

When the reception is started and progressed, the metadata processing unit 204 sets the file information metadata to "progression state" (prepared 50%), and the file control unit 201 receives the data received from the file receiving unit 206 and the empty space of the file. Record (store) sequentially. By changing the file access information of the metadata while recording (saving), the part where the recording (saving) is completed is allowed. When the file reception is completed, the file control unit 201 inspects the file, and if there is no problem, the file control unit 201 makes the file information metadata "Completed" and releases the file access information.

If the file controller 201 checks the existence of the actual file and the file already exists, the file controller 201 inquires the metadata of the existing file and then converts the file information metadata into the file synchronizer 205. To).

Then, the file synchronization unit 205 checks whether the file is changed by comparing the file information metadata received from the file control unit 201 with metadata about the file received from the content providing server 10. In order to receive only when the server-side metadata is the latest of the two, the reception synchronization state is recorded in the synchronization information metadata. Thereafter, synchronization is sequentially performed at a time point at which synchronization is possible.

A case where a change to a file stored in the content providing server 10 occurs will be described below.

The file synchronizer 205 of the user terminal 12 periodically requests the file providing confirmation to the content providing server 10. The file change confirmation request period is set / changed by the content providing server 10.

The file synchronizer 205 attempts to access the content providing server 10 and transmits the synchronization connection information when the connection is successful, and includes the server information and the synchronization period.

In response to the file change confirmation request, the content providing server 10 transmits a change list to the file synchronization unit 205 when there is a change.

The file synchronizer 205 sequentially processes the changes in the change list, where the changes include file addition, file change, and file deletion.

First, when a file 'addition' is required, when receiving a file by the user's selection (when receiving a file from the content providing server 10 by the user's selection), the file is local (user terminal) Same as if it does not exist.

Second, in the case of a file 'change', when a file is received by a user's selection, the processing method is the same as when a file exists locally.

Third, in the case of file 'delete', when the file is deleted from the content providing server 10, the content providing server 10 transmits metadata of the deleted file to the file synchronizer 205.

If the metadata processing unit 204 compares the metadata received from the file synchronization 205 with the pre-stored metadata, and transmits the metadata to the file control unit 10, the metadata exists in the file path. Check whether the file is deleted. If the deletion of the file fails, the failure result is recorded in the synchronization file metadata and registered in the synchronization queue. Thereafter, synchronization is sequentially performed at the time when synchronization is possible. At this time, a failure result is notified to the content providing server 10. If the file deletion succeeds, the metadata processing unit 204 also deletes the metadata stored therein.

The file state manager 202 monitors the access state of the file and then deletes or changes the local file, and checks whether there is a delete right or a change right in the file information metadata of the file. If there is a right, delete or change is allowed, and if there is no right, the file control unit 201 disables the change and change.

In addition, the file status management unit 202 has a file configuration map (File Map) indicating whether or not the status information and the actual file content in the file information metadata when the file is before or in the download state, the file access for each section in the file A possible indication and a file access indication are indicated. After that, when the file is opened by another program and accessed, the file controller 201 may block access by checking the authority for each section. Information that can be displayed on a file map includes file access / non-display and file permission / non-display.

The file player 203 has a general multimedia file player function that can play a video or a sound source.

The playback function for the file in progress of file reception is determined by comparing the file playback position with the file configuration map by using the file status information of the file information metadata and the file configuration map in the file status management unit 202. do. If the content of the file longer than the buffering time specified exists in the playback position on the file configuration map, playback is proceeded. At this time, if the file download is not in progress and waiting in the queue, it is possible to immediately change to the setting for download so as not to inconvenience the user.

When the user downloads the content, the file receiving unit 206 generates the download recording metadata and transmits the downloaded recording metadata to the metadata processing unit 204 to be recorded as the metadata of the corresponding content.

When the user uses the content, the file reproducing unit 203 generates the usage record metadata and transmits it to the metadata processing unit 204 to be recorded as the metadata of the corresponding content.

When the user adds or edits file information of the content, the file state management unit 202 detects a file change event, adds, modifies, and transmits file information metadata to the metadata processing unit 204 as metadata of the corresponding content. Let it be recorded.

In addition, the file state management unit 202 provides an additional function (comment, recommendation, etc.) for the corresponding content, generates the corresponding metadata, passes it to the metadata processing unit 204, and records it as metadata of the corresponding content. To be.

On the other hand, the file control unit 201 provides a processing function for the classification, filter, and search for the content, if the user implements such a function, the metadata processing unit by generating the history metadata for the classification, filtering, and search behavior By passing to 204, it is recorded as metadata of the corresponding content.

In addition, the file control unit 201 monitors the copy of the file existing in the synchronization directory 21 and automatically copies the parent-child information meta-data between the original file and the copy file when the copy proceeds. The data is generated and transferred to the metadata processing unit 204 to be recorded as relation metadata of the corresponding content.

The ownership information metadata of the copy file records the original owner information and prevents it from being modified, and generates derivative ownership information metadata for the copy file to prove partial ownership of the modified part. Relationship information is used for tracking and navigation, and as a function for DRM (Digital Right Management).

The usage history and information metadata generated and collected as described above may be transmitted to the content providing server 10 through the file synchronization unit 205 and may also receive information metadata about the same content of another system. Information can be shared throughout the process.

The file controller 201 provides a user interface that can comprehensively express various metadata about content. That is, it provides a content list providing function, content detailed information providing function, content information (comment, etc.) bulletin board function, and content preview function. In addition, it provides a recommendation function and a notification function through a file information metadata sharing function, and provides a recommendation content viewing function using file information metadata and a popular content viewing function using usage history metadata.

3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of downloading a content file and accessing a file according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of downloading a content file in a user terminal according to the present invention. 3 will be described together with reference to FIG. 4.

When the user terminal 12 connects to the content providing server 10 (400) and selects a content file to be downloaded (402), the content providing server 10 transmits metadata (eg, for example) to the selected content file. , File name, file size, etc.).

That is, the user terminal 12 downloads the metadata from the content providing server 10 (404) (see "30" in FIG. 3), and generates a virtual content file using the downloaded metadata ( 406). Here, the virtual content file does not have the actual content of the content file, but looks like a complete file, in particular, the download status information (downloading degree, etc.) and / or synchronization status information (synchronization status, synchronization time, synchronization cycle, etc.) Include as information.

Thereafter, the user terminal 12 downloads the selected content file at a predetermined first synchronization time point and combines the virtual content file to generate a complete content file (see “32” in FIG. 3). Here, the user terminal 12 operates at a first synchronization time point and downloads the selected content file according to a background file transmission method. The first and second synchronization points are set by the content providing server or the user.

If there is a user's playback command before the download of the content file is completed, the user terminal 12 does not provide an error message even if the file has no substantial content, and requests the content providing server 10 to request the content file. The content is played while being progressively downloaded (see "31" in FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 3, by allowing access to the previously transmitted part, the user terminal can reproduce the same.

In addition, according to an embodiment, when the user inserts content evaluation metadata (eg, a comment, a review, and the like) with respect to the downloaded content file through the file download process, the user terminal 12 performs a second synchronization time point. The evaluation metadata may be transmitted to the content providing server 10.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of downloading a content file in a content providing server according to the present invention.

When the content providing server 10 receives the content file to be downloaded from the user terminal 12 (500), the content providing server 10 transmits metadata about the selected content file to the user terminal 12 (502).

Thereafter, the content providing server 10 transmits the selected content file at the time of synchronization (504). That is, the content providing server 10 transmits the selected content file according to the background file transmission method at the time of synchronization in cooperation with the user terminal 12.

If there is a download request for the selected content file from the user terminal 12 before the synchronization time point (before the actual content of the content file is downloaded), the content of the content file is transmitted step by step. As a result, the user terminal 12 plays the file transmitted step by step.

In addition, according to the embodiment, if the content evaluation metadata (for example, comments, reviews, etc.) for the content file transmitted through the file transfer process from the user terminal 12, the content providing server 10 is Managed with metadata for the content file. In addition, the content evaluation metadata may be provided at the request of a third party. As a result, a variety of evaluation information is accumulated for a specific content, which can be shared by many people.

On the other hand, the method of the present invention as described above can be written in a computer program. And the code and code segments constituting the program can be easily inferred by a computer programmer in the art. In addition, the written program is stored in a computer-readable recording medium (information storage medium), and read and executed by a computer to implement the method of the present invention. The recording medium may include any type of recording medium that can be read by a computer.

The present invention described above is capable of various substitutions, modifications, and changes without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention for those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is not limited by the drawings.

1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a content providing service system according to the present invention;

2 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the content download apparatus (client) of FIG. 1 according to the present invention;

3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of downloading a content file and accessing a file according to the present invention;

4 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method for downloading a content file in a user terminal according to the present invention;

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of downloading a content file in a content providing server according to the present invention.

* Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

10: content providing server 12: user terminal

20: content download device 21: directory for synchronization

Claims (12)

In the content file download method in a user terminal, Selecting a content file to be downloaded by accessing a content providing server; A metadata download step of downloading metadata about the selected content file; A virtual file generation step of generating a virtual content file using the metadata; And A file download step of downloading the selected content file at a first synchronization point and combining the selected content file with the virtual content file; Content file download method comprising a. The method of claim 1, If there is a user's playback command before the download of the content file is completed, playing the content file by downloading the content file step by step from the content providing server without providing a file error message; Content file download method further comprising. The method according to claim 1 or 2, When the content evaluation metadata is inserted into the downloaded content file through the file downloading step, transmitting the evaluation metadata to the content providing server at a second synchronization time point. Content file download method further comprising. The method of claim 1, The file download step, A user terminal operating at the first synchronization time point to download the selected content file according to a background file transmission method. The method of claim 1, The synchronization time point, Content file download method set by the content providing server or the user. The method of claim 1, The file download step, Content file download method, characterized in that to create a complete content file by combining the virtual content file and the downloaded content file. The method of claim 1, The virtual content file, A content file download method comprising at least one of download status information or synchronization status information as attribute information. In the content file download method from the content providing server, A selection step of selecting a content file to be downloaded from a user terminal; A metadata transmission step of transmitting metadata for the selected content file; And File transfer step of transmitting the selected content file at the time of synchronization Content file download method comprising a. The method of claim 8, The file transfer step, The content providing server is a content file download method for transmitting the selected content file in accordance with the background file transmission method at the synchronization time in conjunction with the user terminal. The method of claim 8, If there is a download request for the selected content file from the user terminal before the synchronization time, content file download method for transmitting the content of the content file in stages. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, If the content evaluation metadata for the content file transmitted through the file transmission step from the user terminal is received, managing as the metadata for the content file Content file download method further comprising. The method of claim 11, Providing the content rating metadata at the request of a third party Content file download method further comprising.

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