KR20230112468A - Method and system for providing contents - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and system for providing content. A content providing method according to the present invention includes the steps of receiving a viewing request for specific content from an electronic device, and providing an episode list having a plurality of episodes included in the specific content to the electronic device in response to the reading request, wherein the episode list has episodes of different product types based on whether digital currency is paid for viewing, episodes in a specific range based on the latest episode are set to any one product type among the different product types, and the specific range is uploaded until the last episode of the plurality of episodes. The size may change depending on whether or not is completed.

Description

Method and system for providing content {METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING CONTENTS}

The present invention relates to a method and system for providing content.

As technology develops, utilization of digital devices is increasing. In particular, electronic devices (eg, smart phones, tablet PCs, etc.) have various functions such as web surfing using the Internet, listening to music, and viewing video content, as well as communication functions such as phone calls and text messages.

Thanks to the popularization of these electronic devices, the consumption of content is rapidly increasing, and as a representative example of such content, there is a webtoon (WEBTOON).

Here, webtoon is a cartoon serialized and distributed through an Internet communication network, and is a compound word of web and cartoon.

As the consumption of these webtoons steadily increases, various operators (or webtoon-related service providers) are developing various services so that users can use their services more conveniently.

For example, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2016-0069281 (Webtoon multilingual support system and method) determines the language used by a webtoon user and supports changing the webtoon booklet method and language according to the language used, thereby providing a method for users to use web contents without language restrictions.

In this way, in order to induce consumption and interest of consumers for content, various studies have been conducted. Furthermore, there is still a need to attract more consumers by improving consumers' purchase intention for content and at the same time to maintain continuous consumption of content.

The present invention relates to a content providing method and system for providing content so that a user can view the content through a right of use.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a content providing method and system for providing content so that a user can view the content for a predetermined period of time even for content that has been serialized.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method and system for providing content capable of intuitively providing information on content.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method and system for providing content that allows a user to more easily grasp the properties of content.

In addition, the present invention relates to a method and system for providing content that allows a user to more easily grasp information on available content by more intuitively providing information on a user's right to use.

In order to solve the problems described above, the content providing method according to the present invention includes the step of receiving a viewing request for specific content from an electronic device, and providing an episode list having a plurality of episodes included in the specific content to the electronic device in response to the reading request, the episode list has episodes of different product types based on whether or not digital currency for viewing is paid, episodes in a specific range based on the latest episode are set to any one product type among the different product types, and the specific range is set to the plurality of The size may change depending on whether uploading is completed until the last episode of the episode.

Furthermore, the content providing system includes a communication unit that receives a viewing request for specific content from an electronic device, a storage unit that stores a plurality of episodes included in the specific content, and a control unit that controls the communication unit to provide an episode list having the plurality of episodes to the electronic device in response to the viewing request. , and the size of the specific range can be changed depending on whether uploading is completed until the last episode of the plurality of episodes.

Furthermore, the program according to the present invention includes receiving a viewing request for specific content from an electronic device, and providing an episode list having a plurality of episodes included in the specific content to the electronic device in response to the reading request, wherein the episode list has episodes of different product types based on whether or not digital currency is paid for viewing, episodes in a specific range based on the latest episode are set to any one product type among the different product types, and the specific range is uploaded until the last episode of the plurality of episodes. It may include commands that execute so that the size is changed depending on whether or not is completed.

As described above, in the method and system for providing content according to the present invention, various product types of episodes can be set based on the latest episode according to the properties of the content. Accordingly, the user can browse the episodes using various means.

More specifically, the method and system for providing content according to the present invention may provide different product types of episodes constituting content for content that has been serialized and content that is being serialized. Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to induce users to steadily use the contents without losing interest in the contents, and to provide user convenience so that the users can use the contents without burden.

At this time, in the present invention, whenever the latest episode of the serialized content is serialized, the product type of the episode that was previously available for viewing through digital currency is changed to a product type that allows viewing through a voucher, so that the user can continuously view more episodes through the voucher.

Furthermore, in the present invention, for a predetermined period of time, for content that has been serialized, the product type of an episode that was previously available for viewing through digital currency is changed to a product type that allows viewing through a voucher, so that the user can view the episode to the end through the voucher even if the serialization is completed.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method and system for providing content according to the present invention.
2 is a flowchart illustrating a content providing method according to the present invention.
3A, 3B, and 4 are conceptual diagrams for explaining a user environment for providing an episode list in the content providing method and system according to the present invention.
5, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, and 6g are conceptual diagrams for explaining that a product type of an episode is switched in the content providing method and system according to the present invention.
7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a user environment for providing an episode list of a specific product type in the present invention.
8 and 9 are conceptual diagrams for explaining a method of guiding information related to content.
10, 11, and 12 are conceptual diagrams illustrating a method of inducing a user to consume more economically when purchasing an episode of a paid product type in the content providing method and system according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the same reference numerals will be assigned to the same or similar components regardless of reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions thereof will be omitted. The suffixes "module" and "unit" for components used in the following description are given or used together in consideration of ease of writing the specification, and do not have meanings or roles that are distinct from each other by themselves. In addition, in describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiment disclosed in this specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings are only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical idea disclosed in this specification is not limited by the accompanying drawings, and all changes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention It should be understood to include equivalents or substitutes.

Terms including ordinal numbers, such as first and second, may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. These terms are only used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

It should be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “connected” to another element, it may be directly connected or connected to the other element, but other elements may exist in the middle. On the other hand, when an element is referred to as “directly connected” or “directly connected” to another element, it should be understood that no other element exists in the middle.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In this application, the terms "comprise" or "have" are intended to designate that the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification exist, but it should be understood that the presence or addition of one or more other features or numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof is not excluded in advance.

The present invention relates to a method for providing content and a system for the same, and provides a method for enabling more users to use the content by enabling the use of the completed content through a right of use for a predetermined period even after the serialization of the content is completed.

The content providing system described in the present invention may include a system providing at least one of various types of content.

The types of content to which the present invention can be applied may be very diverse, and for example, at least one of contents such as webtoon, music, e-book, video, and image may be provided through the present invention.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, contents corresponding to webtoons will be described as an example. Here, webtoon is a compound word of web and cartoon, and means a cartoon or cartoon provided through an internet communication network.

Such content corresponding to webtoon (hereinafter, referred to as “webtoon content”) may be provided on an electronic device through the method and system for providing content according to the present invention. Accordingly, the user can use the webtoon content provided through the content providing method and system according to the present invention through the electronic device.

Here, the electronic device means an electronic device used by a user, and there is no particular limitation on the type as long as it is capable of outputting webtoon contents provided through the content providing system according to the present invention.

The webtoon content provided by the content providing method and system described in the present invention may provide a web page accessed through an electronic device.

In this case, the content displayed on the web page and control thereof may be performed by a content providing system communicating with the electronic device.

The content provided by the method and system for providing content described in the present invention may be provided through an application installed on an electronic device.

In this case, content may be provided through an execution screen of an application installed in the electronic device. At this time, the application may be a dedicated application for providing “webtoon contents”.

In this case, the content providing system according to the present invention may exist in the form of an application. That is, components of a content providing system described below and functions performed by the corresponding components may be components of an application and functions performed by the components of the application.

Furthermore, an application providing webtoon contents may not necessarily be limited to a dedicated application for providing “webtoon contents”. In this case, the application may provide other additional functions (eg, messenger, web surfing function, etc.) along with providing webtoon contents.

Furthermore, the application may perform at least some of the functions performed by the content providing system described below, and the other part may be performed by a separate content providing system communicating with the application.

Hereinafter, it will be described without distinguishing the subject that provides the content providing method according to the present invention. As reviewed above, the content providing method described below may be implemented by an execution screen of an application or implemented on a web page.

Meanwhile, in the present invention, webtoon content may be composed of a plurality of sub-contents. Such a plurality of sub-contents may constitute a series of webtoon contents.

Here, a series may mean a continuous project or content.

In the present invention, in order to avoid confusion of terms between webtoon content and sub-content, “sub-content” is named “episode”.

Hereinafter, a content providing method and system for providing content consisting of a plurality of episodes as described above will be described in more detail with accompanying drawings. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method and system for providing content according to the present invention. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a content providing method and system according to the present invention, FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4 are conceptual diagrams for explaining a user environment for providing an episode list in the content providing method and system according to the present invention, and FIGS. 7 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a user environment for providing an episode list of a specific product type in the present invention, FIGS. 8 and 9 are conceptual diagrams for explaining a method for guiding information related to content, and FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 are conceptual diagrams for explaining a method for inducing a user to consume more economically when purchasing an episode of a paid product type in the content providing method and system according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the content providing system 100 may include at least one of a communication unit 110 , a storage unit 120 and a control unit 130 .

Here, the communication unit 110 may serve to provide (or transmit) webtoon contents to the electronic device 200 through wired or wireless communication.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device 200 is not limited in its type, and includes a mobile phone, a smart phone, a notebook computer, a laptop computer, a slate PC, a tablet PC, an ultrabook, a desktop computer, a digital broadcast terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigation device, and a wearable device (eg, a wearable device). For example, it may be a watch type terminal (smartwatch), glass type terminal (smart glass), HMD (head mounted display), and the like.

Next, the storage unit 120 may be configured to store various information related to the provision of webtoon contents. The storage unit 120 may include at least one content server 100a or content DB (data base) containing a plurality of webtoon content.

Hereinafter, a content server and a content DB will not be distinguished, and will be collectively named as a content server. That is, of course, the content server described in the present invention can also be understood as a content DB.

Furthermore, the content server 100a for storing a plurality of webtoon content may exist in a separate configuration from the storage unit 120 . In this case, the content providing system 100 may control the content server 100a to provide the webtoon content stored in the content server 100a to the user electronic device 200 .

Furthermore, the storage unit 120 may store user information subscribed to a service (eg, a webtoon content providing system) provided by the content providing system according to the present invention. Such user information may include information about a user account (eg, ID (identification)). A user may use webtoon contents by logging in to a service provided by the contents providing system according to the present invention with a user account.

Next, the control unit 130 may perform a series of controls to provide webtoon content on electronic devices.

Hereinafter, a method of providing webtoon contents in the present invention together with the above configuration will be described.

First, in the present invention, a process of receiving a selection request for content may proceed (S210, see FIG. 2).

As shown in FIG. 3A , a content viewing request may be received from the electronic device 200 to the content providing system 100 based on an operation of selecting specific content 311 on the electronic device 200 .

The controller 130 may receive a selection request for specific content 311 (eg, specific webtoon content) from the electronic device 200 through the communication unit 110 .

Meanwhile, when the content providing system according to the present invention is an application, the communication unit 110 may serve as an interface unit for receiving a selection signal of the electronic device 200 . That is, when specific content 311 is selected by a user in the electronic device 200, the communication unit 110 may serve to receive a selection signal corresponding to the user's selection of the electronic device 200.

Next, in the present invention, in response to a reading request, a process of providing an episode list having a plurality of episodes included in specific content to an electronic device may proceed (S220, see FIG. 2).

When receiving a selection request for the specific content 311 as shown in FIG. 3A, the controller 130 may provide a list (see 320a in FIG. 3B) including a plurality of episode items corresponding to a plurality of episodes included in the specific content on the electronic device based on the selection request, as shown in FIG. 3B.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the episode list 320a may include a plurality of episode items (321 to 326 in FIG. 3B).

In this case, the plurality of episode items (321 to 326 in FIG. 3B) correspond to the plurality of episodes constituting the specific content (eg, the first episode to the sixth episode), respectively.

Meanwhile, the episodes provided in the present invention may be set to any one product type among different product types, and the episode list may be composed of episodes of different product types.

As shown in FIG. 4 , product type information (or graphic objects) of each episode may be output to the episode list 410 provided on the electronic device 200 .

An episode provided in the present invention may be composed of any one product type among “free product type” and “paid product type”.

"Episode having a free product type" may refer to an episode that a user can immediately use without paying a digital currency, coupon, or reading ticket (or ticket) in order to view (or use) the episode.

Conversely, "episode with a paid product type" means that the user can only use digital currency (electronic money), coupons or vouchers (or viewing tickets) to view (or use) the episode. It can mean an episode that can be used.

That is, the right to use (or right to read) described in the present invention can be used to view (rent or collect) an episode having a paid product type provided by the content providing system 100 without digital currency payment. The voucher may be used in combination with a (free) collection voucher, a (free) rental voucher, and a coupon.

Here, "digital currency" is a type of money that is used digitally (stored in a computer or used on a network), and may also be referred to as "cyber money." Such digital currency may refer to money in which monetary value is stored in an electronic form.

Furthermore, it may correspond to any one of "episodes of a paid product type", "episodes that can be viewed through payment of digital currency", and "episodes that can be viewed using a voucher".

"Episodes that can be viewed through digital currency payment" may be available only through digital currency payment, and may not be available through a subscription.

In addition, the “episode viewable using a ticket” may be an episode available only through a ticket or an episode available by paying any one of a ticket and digital currency. In the present invention, this may be referred to as "episode of a semi-paid product type".

Hereinafter, in order to avoid confusion of terms, episodes that can be viewed through payment of digital currency are named "episode of the first product type", episodes that can be viewed using vouchers are named "episode of the second product type", and episodes that can be viewed without payment of digital currency or use of free vouchers will be described interchangeably with "episode of the third product type".

On the other hand, in the present invention, the storage of information related to the use right in association with the user account can be understood as "payment (or issuance or allocation) of the use right".

Furthermore, digital currency stored in association with a user account may be stored in electronic form on the control unit 130 or a server linked thereto.

Such digital currency may be stored in association with a user account. That is, digital currency corresponding to the quantity purchased by the user may exist in conjunction with the user account.

Such digital currency is used for economic consumption activities, and may include social currency, Internet coupons, mobile coupons, game money, and the like as examples of digital currency.

On the other hand, based on the business operator in which the digital currency was issued, the places where it can be used may be different.

For example, digital currency issued by Company A can only be used on a service platform (eg, A shopping mall) provided by Company A. In addition, when there are a plurality of service platforms operated by company A, the digital currency issued by company A can be commonly used in a plurality of service platforms according to company A's policy.

In addition, such digital currency can be used in common even between service platforms of different operators, through partnerships between operators.

Furthermore, digital currency may be named in various terms, and the terms may be named by business operators. For example, digital currency may be named by any name such as bean, bean, acorn, or corn. In the description and drawings of the present invention, these digital currencies are named "cookies (or coins)". Therefore, in the present invention, the term "cookie" is used interchangeably with the term digital currency, and the term "cookie" will be understood as digital currency.

On the other hand, digital currency can be purchased by electronic settlement (payment).

The “electronics settlement (payment)” described in the present invention means that a user (or consumer) pays for the purchase of a product or service by using a user terminal 200 connected to a program or function capable of trading for currency having monetary value.

Such electronic payment may be understood as including all payments made online, such as card payment, point payment, account transfer, and the like.

Meanwhile, in the present invention, “purchasing digital currency through electronic payment” may be expressed as “charging digital currency”. That is, the user can “purchase” or “charge” digital currency by electronic payment. Digital currency purchased or charged in this way may exist in conjunction with a user account.

As shown in FIG. 3A , the control unit 130, upon receiving a request to view specific content, may check product types of episodes constituting the corresponding content.

Based on the product type confirmation result of the episodes, the controller 130 may output product type information (or graphic objects) of each episode to the episode list 410 provided on the electronic device 200, as shown in FIG. 4(a).

Looking at the method of outputting product type information in more detail, as shown in FIG. 3C, the controller 130 may output product type information of an episode to one area 410a of each of the episode items constituting the episode list 410. A specific episode item 420 will be described as an example.

First, as shown in (d) of FIG. 4, the control unit 130 is an episode of a paid product type and corresponds to an episode (episode of the first product type) for which a paid episode reading ticket cannot be used. In the episode item 423, first information (for example, “5coins”) including information on the amount of money (or electronic money information) that can purchase the corresponding paid episode can be output.

Next, as shown in (c) of FIG. 4, the control unit 130 is an episode of a paid product type and corresponds to an episode (second product type) for which a paid episode reading ticket can be used. In the episode item 422, second information 422a different from the first information (eg, “unlock” unlock) can be included.

Next, as shown in (b) of FIG. 4 , the controller 130 may output third information 412a (“#”) different from the first information and the second information to the item 421 corresponding to the episode of the free product type (or third product type). The third information may be information indicating that the corresponding episode is free. In the case of an episode having a free product type, the controller 130 may not determine whether the user account has the right to use the corresponding episode.

As such, in the present invention, an episode list including episodes having different product types may be provided on the user's electronic device 200, and the episode list may include product type information for each episode. The user may intuitively recognize a viewing means of a corresponding episode through product type information.

On the other hand, if a plurality of episodes constituting a specific content all fall under the free product type (third product type), the user can use the content for free, but it may be difficult for the operator to view the content to earn money.

In addition, if a plurality of episodes constituting a specific content are all of the paid product type (first product type) that can be viewed by paying digital currency, the user feels the burden of paying digital currency and uses the content. This may not be an effective service provision method from the business operator's point of view.

In the present invention, in order to promote content by enabling users to use content without burden of payment for digital currency, the product type of each of a plurality of episodes constituting specific content is set to correspond to any one of the first to third product types, and the product type of the episode can be flexibly changed according to the content type of the specific content.

Here, the content type may be classified into any one of the first content type and the second content type according to whether serialization of the content is completed.

For example, when serialization of content is completed, the serialized content may be defined as a first content type. In the present invention, “contents of the first content type” may be used interchangeably with “complete content”.

Also, when serialization of content is in progress, the content in progress may be defined as a second content type. In the present invention, “contents of the second content type” may be used interchangeably with “serial content”.

Here, “serialization of the content has been completed” may mean a state in which uploading of episodes constituting the content has been completed (or completed).

As an example, in content consisting of 32 episodes, when uploading up to the 32nd episode is completed, it may be expressed as “the content has been serialized”.

Conversely, “serialization of the content is in progress” may mean a state in which an episode constituting the content is being uploaded.

As an example, in content consisting of 32 episodes, when uploading up to the 30th episode is completed, it may be expressed as “the content is being serialized”.

Here, "serialization" may mean uploading an episode constituting content to the content server 100a or the like in a state in which it can be provided to users.

On the other hand, the episode may be serialized in a manner that is uploaded to the content server 100a or the like in a state that can be provided to users at predetermined intervals (eg, weekly). Alternatively, episodes may be serialized in such a way that they are uploaded to the content server 100a or the like at any time in a state that can be provided to users.

In the present invention, the order of serialization of episodes can be named "episode". “Episode” may be matched with an episode, and the first serialized episode may be a “1st episode” episode, and the second serialized episode may be a “second episode” episode.

In addition, in the present invention, the most recently serialized episode can be named the “latest episode” episode. For example, in content consisting of 32 episodes, when uploading up to the 30th episode is completed, the 30th uploaded episode may be expressed as the “latest episode”.

Further, in the present invention, when the content is changed from the second content type (serial content) to the first content type (complete content) by serializing a specific episode, the specific episode can be expressed as a “last episode” episode. For example, in content consisting of 32 episodes, the 32nd episode may be expressed as the “last episode” episode. In this case, the “last episode” episode may be expressed as a “latest episode” episode.

As such, the content provided by the present invention has one content type of the first content type and the second content type depending on whether it is serialized, and the control unit 130 may set the episodes in a specific range based on the latest episode as the first product type, the second product type, and the third product type.

Hereinafter, a method of setting and changing the product type of each of a plurality of episodes constituting specific content based on the content type of the content will be described in more detail.

The controller 130 may set a first range for the number of episodes and episodes with a first product type among a plurality of episodes included in specific content, a second range for the number of episodes and episodes with a second product type, and a range for the number of episodes and episode with a third product type.

Episodes belonging to the same range may be episodes having the same product type. For example, episodes belonging to the first range may all be episodes having a first product type that can be viewed by paying digital currency.

First, the controller 130 may set episodes within a specific range as episodes of the first product type based on the latest episode. That is, the controller 130 may set the episodes of the first range as episodes of the first product type based on the latest episode.

As shown in (a) of FIG. 5, the control unit 130 may set the product type of episodes 916, 917, and 918 as many as the first preset number, including the most recently serialized episode (e.g., “Episode 8”, 918) in reverse chronological order to be set as the first product type (viewing episodes by paying digital currency).

The control unit 130 may set the first range to episodes corresponding to the first preset number including the most recently serialized episode in reverse time order.

Here, the reverse order of time may be counted based on the serialization time (or publication time) of the most recently serialized episode among a plurality of episodes constituting specific content.

The control unit 130 controls the product types of the first preset number of episodes serialized at the latest time, including the latest episode, the 8th episode 918, to have a paid product type that can be viewed by paying digital currency.

Next, as shown in (a) of FIG. 5, the control unit 130 may control the episode (911, 912, 913) of the second preset number including the episode first serialized in chronological order (e.g., “episode 1”, 911) to correspond to the third product type (viewing episodes without paying for digital currency and vouchers).

The controller 130 may set the third range to episodes corresponding to the second preset number including the first serialized episode.

Here, the time order may be counted based on the time when the episodes constituting the content are serialized (or released) in a state in which the user can use them. More specifically, the time order may be counted based on the serialization time of the earliest serialized episode among the episodes constituting the content.

Furthermore, the controller 130 may set the product types of episodes that do not correspond to the first product type and the third product type among a plurality of episodes constituting specific content as the second product type (viewing episodes using a voucher).

The control unit 130 may set the second range to episodes corresponding to the first preset number including the most recent episodes serialized in reverse time order and episodes excluding the second preset number of episodes including episodes serialized first in chronological order (e.g., “episode 1”, 911).

As shown in FIG. 5(a), when the 8th episode is serialized, the product type of the 6th to 8th episodes (916, 917, 918) is set to the first product type, the product type of the 1st to 3rd episodes (911, 912, 913) is set to the third product type, and the remaining 4th and 5th episodes (914, 915) The product type may be set to the second product type.

The first preset number and the second preset number may be set by a system manager according to the present invention or based on history information matched to a user account.

The controller 130 may set a first preset number and a second preset number to induce the user to use the content, based on the characteristics of the content and the history information matched to the user account.

As an example, the controller 130 may set the first preset number related to product types that can be viewed through payment with digital currency to be relatively large for a first user account with a large history of episode viewing using digital currency, compared to a second user account with a large history of viewing episodes using vouchers.

As another example, the controller 130 may allow users to enter the content by setting the second predetermined number related to the free product type to be relatively larger than content with a relatively high number of views for content with a low number of views.

On the other hand, if the content type of the content is the second content type (serial content), the episode of the latest episode can be set as the first product type (viewing the episode by paying digital currency) and uploading it.

When an episode of the latest episode is uploaded, at least one of the episodes of the first product type (viewing the episode by paying digital currency) is linked to the upload of the episode of the latest episode, and the second product type (viewing the episode using a voucher, the product type can be changed (or converted) to a “semi-paid product type” (hereinafter, the first episode product type conversion process).

When an episode of the latest episode is uploaded, the controller 130 changes (or converts) at least one of the episodes of the first product type in the first range to the second product type (viewing an episode using a voucher, “semi-paid product type”) to control the size of the first range to be maintained constant. That is, the controller 130 may change the product types of the episodes so that the number of episodes having the first product type corresponds to the first preset number.

Here, the episode in which the product type is switched in conjunction with the upload of the latest episode may be the first serialized episode among the plurality of episodes corresponding to the first product type, and may be the episode of the earliest episode.

When a recent episode is uploaded, the controller 130 may control the product type of the earliest episode among episodes of the first product type to be changed (or converted) to the second product type.

For example, as shown in (b) of FIG. 5 , the control unit 130 sets the product type of the episode (“sixth episode”, 916, 426) of the earliest episode among the episodes (6th, 7th, and 8th episodes, 916, 917, 918, see FIG. 5(a)) having the first product type, based on the serialization of the new latest episode (“9th episode”, 429). may be changed from the first product type to the second product type.

Based on data processing for the first episode product type conversion process by the controller 130, the number of episodes of the second product type may increase and the size of the second range may be changed.

For example, as shown in (b) of FIG. 5, when the latest episode (“9th episode” 429) is uploaded and the product type of the episode (“6th episode” 426) is changed from the first product type to the second product type, the second range may include “4th episode”, “5th episode”, and “6th episode” episodes 924, 925, and 926.

In contrast, the controller 130 may control the third range corresponding to an episode having a third product type (free product type) to be fixed even if the first episode product type conversion process is performed.

More specifically, even if the latest episode is serialized, the control unit 130 controls only the episodes corresponding to the second predetermined number including the first serialized episode to have the third product type, so that the size of the third range is maintained.

For example, as shown in (b) of FIG. 5, even if the latest episode ("9th episode", 429) is uploaded, as shown in (b) of FIG.

On the other hand, when the content type of the specific content includes the second content type (serial content), the controller 130 may sequentially upload new episodes of the first product type based on a preset period (or arbitrary point in time).

The controller 130 may repeatedly perform a process of sequentially uploading each episode until serialization is completed by uploading all of the plurality of episodes constituting the specific content.

Further, the controller 130 may repeatedly change (convert) an episode of the first product type to a second product type based on sequentially uploading new episodes of the first product type.

For example, as shown in (c) of FIG. 5, until the last episode ("episode 10", 933) is uploaded and the content type of the content is switched from the second content type (serial content) to the first content type (complete content), the latest episode can be uploaded as the first product type, and the most recent episode among the episodes of the first product type can be changed to the second product type.

As such, in the present invention, as the latest episodes are published serially, by increasing the range of episodes that can be viewed using a right of use, it is possible to induce users to continuously use the content without losing interest in the serialized content.

Meanwhile, the controller 130 may control the size of the first range to be changed according to whether uploading is completed until the last episode of a plurality of episodes constituting the content.

The control unit 130 may change (or switch) the product type of an episode having the first product type corresponding to the first range so that the size of the first range is changed when a predetermined period elapses after the serialization of the content is completed.

More specifically, the control unit 130 may change (or convert) an episode corresponding to the earliest episode among episodes having the first product type to the second product type when a predetermined period of time has elapsed based on a point in time when the content type of the content is switched from the second content type (serial content) to the first content type (complete content) (hereinafter, a second episode switching process).

For example, as shown in (d) of FIG. 5 , the control unit 130 may switch the product type of the first serialized episode (“8th episode”, 932, 944) among episodes (931, 932, 933, FIG. 5(c)) having the first product type when a predetermined period (N days) has elapsed from the time when the serialization of the content is completed, from the first product type to the second product type. .

Furthermore, the controller 130 may sequentially deduct the first range by repeatedly performing a second episode conversion process of changing an episode corresponding to the earliest episode among episodes having the first product type to a second product type.

For example, as shown in (e) of FIG. 5 , the controller 130 may switch an episode (“9th episode”, 951) corresponding to the earliest episode among episodes having the first product type from the first product type to the second product type at each point in time (after N days or after 2N days) when a predetermined period of time repeatedly passes.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5(f), by sequentially deducting the first range, the controller 130 may change the episode of the last episode among the plurality of episodes from the first product type to the second product type so that there is no episode of the first product type among a plurality of episodes constituting specific content based on a specific time point.

Here, the "specific point in time" may be a point in time at which the episode of the last episode is repeated a second preset number of times, which is a preset period from the serialized (uploaded) point of time, or later.

More specifically, the control unit 130 may change all episodes of the first product type, including the last episode (for example, the 10th episode), to the second product type by repeating the process of converting episodes having the first product type into episodes having the second product type a number of times (for example, “three times)” corresponding to the first preset number (for example, “three)”.

Unlike this, the controller 130 may control the third range corresponding to an episode having a third product type (free product type) to be fixed even if the second episode product type conversion process is performed.

When the serialization of the content is completed, the control unit 130 sequentially decreases the range of episodes having the first product type and sequentially increases the range of episodes having the second product type, while controlling the range of episodes having the third product type to be fixed.

As such, in the present invention, by having a service period in which a user can view an episode included in the content for free or through a license for a predetermined period after the serialization of the content is completed, even if the serialization of the content is completed, the user can use the episode to the end through the license during the service period.

On the other hand, the control unit 130, if a specific period elapses after the last episode of the first product type to the second product type, the episode of the first range based on the last episode can be converted to the first product type again. (Hereinafter, the third episode conversion process)

More specifically, the control unit 130 may control the product type of the first predetermined number of episodes, including the last episode, to have the first product type (viewing episodes by paying digital currency) in the second product type (viewing episodes using a voucher) when a specific period elapses from the time when the episode of the last episode is changed to the second product type.

For example, as shown in (g) of FIG. 5 , the controller 130 may change a first predetermined number of episodes (978, 979, 980) including the last episode (e.g., “10th episode” 980) from the second product type to have the first product type again in reverse time order.

As described above, the reverse time order may be counted based on the serialization time (or publication time) of the most recently serialized episode 980 among a plurality of episodes (971, 972, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, 978, 979, 980) constituting specific content.

Furthermore, the controller 130 may control the product types of the episodes 971, 972, and 973 having the third product type not to be switched.

The controller 130 performs data processing for the third episode conversion process, so that specific content corresponds to i) the first preset number of episodes (971, 972, 973) of the free product type (F), ii) the second preset number of episodes (978, 979, 980) of the paid product type (U) for which vouchers cannot be used, and iii) the total number of episodes minus the first preset number and the second preset number It can be controlled to be composed of episodes 974, 975, 976, and 977 of the paid product type (A) in which the use of the voucher cannot be used.

That is, the control unit 130 may control the product type of each of a plurality of episodes included in the specific content to have the same product type as when serialization of the specific content is completed (or when the content is changed from the second content type to the first content type, see FIG. 5(c)).

In this way, in the present invention, after the serialization of the content is completed, a service period (a service period during which all episodes included in the content are available for free or through a viewing right) is provided, and after a predetermined period, some episodes are paid for digital currency to be viewed again, thereby reducing the user's burden for using digital currency and at the same time generating revenue through viewing episodes.

By having a service period that allows users to view the episodes included in the content for a certain period of time for free or through a subscription,

In this way, in the present invention, even if the serialization of the content is completed, a service that allows the user to browse through the right to use up to the last episode for a predetermined period of time can be provided.

As described above, the reverse order of time may be counted based on the serialization time (or release time) of the most recent serialized episode among a plurality of episodes constituting specific content.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 6 , the episode list 1010 output on the electronic device 200 in the present invention includes a first range 1010c in which episode items 1011, 1012, and 1013 corresponding to episodes of the first product type are aligned, a second range 1012b in which episode items 1014 and 1015 corresponding to episodes of the second product type are aligned, and episodes of the third product type. It may include at least one of the third range 1012a in which corresponding episode items 1016, 1017, and 1018 are aligned.

One area of the episode items 1016, 1017, and 1018 arranged in the first range 1010c may include first information (eg, “5 Coins”, 1016a, 1017a, and 1018a). As described above, the first information may include price information (or electronic money information) for purchasing the corresponding paid episode.

In one area of the episode items 1014 and 1015 aligned in the second range 1010b, second information different from the first information (eg, “unlock”, “unlock”, 1014a, 1015a) may be included. As described above, the second information may include information informing that the paid episode is an episode for which a paid episode reading right can be used.

One area of the episode items 1011, 1012, and 1013 arranged in the third range 1010a may include third information (eg, “#”, 1011a, 1011a, and 1011a) different from the first information and the second information. As described above, the third information may be information indicating that the corresponding episode is free.

When the product type of an episode is changed, the controller 130 controls the first range, the second range, and the third range of the episode list 1010 to be changed and outputted on the electronic device 200, so that the user can immediately recognize and use the product type of the changed episode.

Hereinafter, episode lists (1020, 1030, 1040, 1050, 1060, 1070) having different ranges on the electronic device 200 according to serial serialization along with FIGS. 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F, and 6G will be described.

First, when the content type of specific content is the second content type (serial content), the controller 130 can upload the latest episode (“9th episode, 929, see FIG. 5(b)) having the first product type.

As shown in FIG. 6B, when the latest episode is uploaded, the controller 130 may control the episode list 1020 having a range different from the episode list (1010, see FIG. 6A) before the latest episode is uploaded to be output on the electronic device 200.

The controller 130 may control the first to third ranges 1020a, 1020b, and 1020c to be aligned so that the episode list 1020 having different ranges corresponds to the changed episode product type.

More specifically, the control unit 130 updates the item 1023 corresponding to the latest episode uploaded on the episode list 1020, and controls the first information 1023a (“5coins”) to be included in one area of the item 1023 corresponding to the latest episode. In addition, the item 1022 corresponding to the “6th” episode in which the product type was switched can be controlled to output new second information (1021a, “unlock”) instead of the previously output first information (1016a, “5coins”, see FIG. 6A).

Furthermore, the control unit 130 updates the item corresponding to the latest episode uploaded on the episode list based on the upload of the latest episode until the serialization of the content is completed, and the item corresponding to the episode in which the product type is switched can be controlled so that new second information, not the previously output first information, is output.

For example, the serialization of the content may be completed by uploading the last episode ("Episode 10", 935) (see (c) of FIG. 5).

As shown in FIG. 6C , the controller 130 may control the first to third ranges 1030a, 1030b, and 1030c set based on the episode of the last episode to be aligned in the episode list 1030.

More specifically, the controller 130 updates the item 1033 corresponding to the last episode on the episode list 1020, and controls the first information 1033a (“5coins”) to be included in one area of the item 1033 corresponding to the latest episode. And, in the item 1031 corresponding to the “7th episode” in which the product type was switched, the new second information (1031a, “unlock”), instead of the previously output first information (1022a, “5coins”, see FIG. 6B), can be controlled to be output.

Furthermore, the control unit 130 controls to include the second information instead of the first information in any one of the episode items arranged in the first range when a predetermined period (N days) has elapsed from the time when the serialization of the content is completed.

For example, when a predetermined period of time (N days) elapses from the time when the serialization of the content is completed, the product type of the earliest episode (“8th episode”, 944, see FIG. 5(d)) among a plurality of episodes (“8th episode”, “9th episode”, “10th episode”, 931, 931, 933, see FIG. 5(c)) having the first product type is converted from the first product type to the second product type. It can be.

That is, when a predetermined period of time (N days) has elapsed from the time when the serialization of the content is completed, the number of episodes (or the size of the first range) having the first product type decreases, and the second product type. The number of episodes (or the size of the second range) may increase. The number of episodes having the third product type (or the size of the third range) may not change.

As shown in FIG. 6D , the controller 130 can control the episode list 1040 so that the first range 1040c whose size is reduced, the second range 1040b whose size is increased, and the third range 1040a whose size are fixed are aligned and output.

More specifically, when a predetermined period of time (N days) has elapsed since the serialization of the content was completed, the control unit 130 displays new second information (1041a, “unlock”) instead of the previously output first information (1032a, “5coins”, see FIG. 6c) in the item 1041 corresponding to the “8th” episode in which the product type was switched on the episode list 1040, based on the product type conversion of the episode. can be controlled to be output.

Furthermore, the control unit 130 may control any one of the episode items arranged in the first range to include the second information instead of the first information, until an episode having the first product type does not exist every predetermined cycle (N days, 2N days, and 3N days) from the time when the serialization of the content is completed.

For example, the control unit 130 may change the product type of the earliest episode among a plurality of episodes having the first product type (“9th episode” 951, see FIG. 5(e)) from the first product type to the second product type at predetermined intervals (N days, 2N days, 3N days) until the last episode (the 10th episode) is changed from the first product type to the second product type.

That is, for each predetermined period, the number of episodes (or size of the first range) with the first product type sequentially decreases, and the number of episodes (or size of the second range) with the second product type is sequentially increased. The number of episodes having the third product type (or the size of the third range) may not change.

As shown in FIG. 6E, the controller 130 can control the episode list 1050 so that a first range 1050c whose size has been reduced, a second range 1050b whose size has been increased, and a third range 1050a whose size is fixed are aligned and output.

More specifically, the control unit 130 can control so that new second information (1051a, “unlock” unlock), instead of the previously output first information (1042a, “5coins”, see FIG. 6D), is output to the item 1051 corresponding to the “ninth” episode in which the product type was switched on the episode list 1040, based on the product type change of the episode, at a predetermined period.

Furthermore, the controller 130 may control not to include the first range on the episode list based on a specific time point. That is, the controller 130 may control the second range and the third range to be included on the episode list based on a specific point in time.

For example, the controller 130 may change the last episode of a specific content from a first product type to a second product type based on a specific time point (see FIG. 5F ).

As shown in FIG. 6F , the controller 130 may control the episode list 1060 so that only the second range 1060b and the third range 1060b are sorted and output. That is, the controller 130 may control the episode list 1060 not to include an episode of the first product type included in the first range.

More specifically, the control unit 130 can control so that new second information (1063a, “unlock”) is output instead of the previously output first information (1052a, “5coins”, see FIG. 6E) to the item 1063 corresponding to the last episode (“Episode 10”) of the output episode list 1060 at a specific time point.

Furthermore, the controller 130 may control the first range to be arranged again on the episode list when a specific period elapses after the episode of the last episode is changed from the first product type to the second product type.

For example, if a specific period elapses after the last episode is changed from the first product type to the second product type, the product type of the first set number of episodes (“8th episode”, “9th episode”, “10th episode”, 978, 979, 980) including the last episode (“10th episode”, 980) can be controlled to be re-converted to the second product type (FIG. 5(g)). see).

As shown in FIG. 6G , the controller 130 may control episodes corresponding to the first range 1070c, the second range 1070b, and the third range 1070a to be aligned in the episode list 1070.

More specifically, the controller 130 adds second information (1071a, 1072a, 1073a, “unlock”, see FIG. 6f) to episode items (1071, 1072, 1073) corresponding to the first set number of episodes (“8th episode”, “9th episode”, “10th episode”) including the last episode (“10th episode”) in reverse order of time. Instead, the first information (1071a, 1072a, 1073a, “5coins”) may be output.

In this way, in the present invention, by providing the episode list corresponding to the product type of the changed episode on the electronic device 200, the user can immediately recognize and use the product type of the changed episode.

Meanwhile, in the present invention, the episode list output on the electronic device 200 is controlled to include episode state information, so that the user can intuitively recognize the episode state.

Hereinafter, a method of intuitively providing status information of an episode in an episode list will be described in more detail together with FIG. 4 attached.

Here, the episode status information includes at least one of i) product type information of the episode, ii) information on the expiration date of the paid episode if a pass (or paid episode viewing ticket) was used, iii) information on the sales price of the paid episode, iv) information on whether there is a history of using the paid episode viewing ticket, v) information indicating that the paid episode has already been purchased, vi) information on the expiration date, and vii) information indicating whether an episode of a paid product type that can be used with a pass is activated. You can.

Here, the status information of the episode may be determined based on at least one of whether or not the user account logged into the electronic device has the right to use for the episode, product type information of the episode, and user history information for the episode.

Here, the usage authority means whether a user account logged in to an electronic device has authority to use a specific episode. The right to use may be determined according to the product type of the episode and whether or not the user account has the right to use.

The controller 130 may output status information (or a graphic object) on whether an episode is available in one area of an episode item according to the product type of the episode and the right to use the user account.

Looking at the method of outputting state information in more detail, as shown in (a) of FIG. 3C, the control unit 130 may output state information of an episode to one region 410a of each of the episode items constituting the episode list 410. A specific episode item 420 will be described as an example.

First, as shown in (b) of FIG. 4 , the controller 130 may include third information 412a (“#”) indicating that the corresponding episode is free in the item 421 corresponding to the episode of the free product type. In the case of an episode having a free product type, the controller 130 may not determine whether the user account has the right to use the corresponding episode.

Next, the controller 130 may include second information 422a different from the third information (eg, “unlock”) in the episode item 422 corresponding to an episode of a paid product type and for which a paid episode reading ticket is available.

In this way, the controller 130 may include a graphic object informing that the paid episode reading right assigned to the specific user account is usable in one area of the item corresponding to the paid episode.

Furthermore, as shown in (c) of FIG. 4, the controller 130 may include first information 423a different from the second and third information in the episode item 423 corresponding to an episode of a paid product type and for which a paid episode reading ticket cannot be used. Here, the third information may include price information (or electronic money information, for example, 5coins) for purchasing the corresponding paid episode.

Furthermore, the controller 130 may output history information together with respect to episodes having a history of having been purchased in the past or rented through paid episode viewing rights in the user account. For example, as shown in (e) of FIG. 4 , “used” 424a may be displayed as history information in one area of the episode item 424 corresponding to an episode having a past purchase or rental history. This history information may be modified in various ways, and for example, “purchased” 425a may be displayed as history information in the episode item 425 corresponding to an episode in which a purchase history exists through electronic money. Meanwhile, the controller 130 may control the provision of content for a user account so that episodes purchased through electronic money in the past can be viewed again at any time without repurchase.

Meanwhile, for an episode purchased in at least one of the above methods in a user account, even if the content type of the purchased episode is switched, the user account can use the corresponding episode for free. It can control the provision of content for the user account.

For example, the controller 130 may control the provision of content to the user account that purchased the specific episode so that a specific episode purchased through electronic money or paid episode viewing rights in the second content type (serialized) can be used without a separate purchase, even if the specific episode type is switched from the second content type to the first content type (serialization completed).

On the other hand, paid episode viewing rights according to the present invention can be understood as a concept of renting paid episodes. For example, the controller 130 may make the paid episodes viewed through the paid episode viewing rights available only for a certain period of time (or a predetermined period, for example, 15 days) in the user account using the paid episode viewing rights. That is, the user account can use the paid episode at any time during the predetermined period for the paid episode rented through the paid episode reading ticket.

This can also be understood as a set usage period (or subscription period) for paid episodes.

On the other hand, if, after the predetermined period of time, the user account wants to use the paid episode used as the paid episode reading ticket again, the controller 130 may perform a payment process so that electronic money, coupons, reading rights, etc. are paid.

Through this, in the method and system for providing content according to the present invention, it is possible to substantially subscribe to paid episodes within a certain period of time.

In the present invention, information on a usage period (or rental period) of a paid episode rented through a paid episode reading ticket may be displayed together with an item for the corresponding paid episode.

For example, as shown in (g) and (h) of FIG. 4, the episode items 426 and 427 corresponding to the paid episodes rented through the paid episode viewing ticket may include the corresponding episode through the paid episode viewing ticket. Time information (426a, 427a) about the available time may be included.

For example, as shown in (g) of FIG. 4, when the expiration date of the paid episode viewing ticket is 1 day left, information 426a of “1day(s) left” may be output to the corresponding episode item 426. And, as shown in (h) of FIG. 4, when the expiration date of the paid episode viewing ticket remains 23 hours and 59 minutes, information 427a of “23:59 left” may be output to the corresponding episode item 427.

Meanwhile, the controller 130 may display time information in different ways according to the remaining time corresponding to the expiration date of the paid episode viewing rights.

For example, the controller 130 may provide “information on the number of remaining days” as information on the expiration date of the paid episode viewing ticket when the expiration date of the paid episode viewing ticket remains for 24 hours or more. In this case, as shown in (g) of FIG. 4, in the episode item 426 corresponding to the episode using the paid episode viewing ticket, as information about the number of remaining days, “1day(s) left (1 day remaining, 426a)” information can be output.

In addition, the control unit 130 may provide "information on remaining time" as information on the usage period of the paid episode viewing ticket when less than 24 hours remain until the usage period of the paid episode viewing ticket. In this case, as shown in (h) of FIG. 4, in the episode item 427 corresponding to the episode using the paid episode viewing ticket, as information about the remaining time, “23:59 left (23 hours and 59 minutes left, 427a)” information can be output.

Furthermore, if the user account does not have a right to view an episode, the control unit 130 may include notification information 2 information 428a for guiding deactivation of an episode in the episode item 428 corresponding to an episode for which a paid episode viewing ticket is available.

On the other hand, when the expiration date of the paid episode reading ticket expires, in the episode item corresponding to the paid episode, as shown in (c), (d), and (e) of FIG. 4, at least one of i) information informing that the paid episode reading ticket is available, ii) sales price of the paid episode, and iii) history information notifying that there is a history of using the paid episode reading ticket in the past. The controller 130 may display appropriate state information according to the current state of the corresponding paid episode (eg, availability of paid episode reading rights, etc.).

Furthermore, as shown in (i) of FIG. 4, if the user account does not have a right to view an episode, the controller 130 may include notification information 428a for guiding deactivation of the episode in the episode item 428 corresponding to an episode for which a paid episode viewing ticket is available. Although not shown, if there is a user input to an area (icon or graphic object) corresponding to the notification information 428a for inactivating the episode, the control unit 130 provides information related to ticket payment (for example, "You do not have a ticket. Try participating in a ticket payment event to view episodes" or "You do not have a ticket. The ticket is issued every day at 10:00") along with information notifying that the user account does not hold the ticket. ) or guidance information to induce electronic money charging (for example, "You do not have a subscription. Do you want to charge cookies to view episodes?") can be output.

As described above, in the method and system for providing content according to the present invention, status information for a corresponding episode may be displayed in each item corresponding to the episode. Accordingly, the user can intuitively predict what use conditions or use rights are required when trying to use a corresponding episode only with the information included in the episode list.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a content entry screen (or can be named “screen”) including an episode list will be reviewed together with the accompanying drawings.

First, the controller 130 may provide a function of separately collecting and accessing episodes having the same product type among a plurality of episodes constituting specific content.

As shown in (a) of FIG. 7, in one area of the page on which the episode list 1220 is output (e.g., “content entry page”), at least one episode having a specific product type is separately collected and accessed. In order to provide a function, one area 1210 may be allocated.

As shown in (b) of FIG. 7 , when a user input for the region 1210 is received, the control unit 130 can control the episode list 1230 for a specific product type to be output to the region where the episode list 1220 has been output. For example, the controller 130 can control an episode list 1230 having a first product type (viewing an episode by paying digital currency) to be displayed on the page based on a user input for the region 1210.

Furthermore, in a state where the episode list 1230 for a specific product type is being output, the control unit 130 can control the previously output episode list 1220 to be displayed on the page again, when a user input for the region 1210 is applied again.

On the other hand, if the number of episodes with a specific product type is less than or equal to a preset number (for example, “three”), the controller 130 may control thumbnails 1211, 1222, and 1223 of each episode with a specific product type to be output on the one region 1210.

Through this, the user can intuitively recognize brief information (the number of episodes and a thumbnail of the episode) on an episode having a specific product type.

In contrast, when the number of episodes having a specific product type exceeds a preset number (eg, “3”), the controller 130 may control information on the number of episodes having a specific product type (eg, “6 previews”) to be displayed on the area 1210.

Meanwhile, as described above with reference to FIG. 2A, when a request for selection of specific content is received at the request of a user, the control unit 130 may provide a content entry screen (or page) for receiving a selection of at least one of a plurality of episodes constituting specific content, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the content entry screens 510 and 540 may include areas including information related to the corresponding content (e.g., first areas 520 and 550) and areas including an episode list (e.g., second areas 530 and 560).

At this time, the first areas 520 and 550 may be provided with information related to specific content and a specific user account logged into the electronic device and at least one of them. In the present invention, these first areas 520 and 550 may also be referred to as “known areas”.

The controller 130 may output guide information related to the specific content or guide information on a user account related to the specific content to the first regions 520 and 550 .

For example, as shown in FIG. 8 , when an episode of a specific content is not uploaded, the control unit 130 may output guide information such as “Notice of cessation: Today's episode serialization is taking a break” to the first area 520.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9 , the control unit 130, when it is possible to use paid episode reading rights possessed by a user account for an episode included in specific content, can output information about paid episode reading rights to the first region 540.

Here, the information on the paid episode viewing rights may include at least one of i) the number of paid episode viewing rights (or the number of available paid episode viewing rights) information held by the user account, ii) information on the properties of the paid episode viewing rights, and iii) information on the availability status of the current paid episode viewing rights (for example, if available, displayed as “available”).

The information on the properties of the paid episode viewing rights may include at least one of i) information on the remaining number of paid episode viewing rights (or information on the remaining number of times the paid episode reading rights can be used) and ii) predetermined periodicity (eg, every day (24 hours), information on how many paid episode viewing rights are paid).

Meanwhile, when a request to view a paid episode is received from the electronic device, the controller 130 may determine whether a paid episode viewing right exists in the user account. In addition, when a paid episode reading right exists in the user account, the controller 130 may use the paid episode reading right held in the user account and provide the paid episode to the electronic device.

Based on the provision of paid episodes, the control unit 130 may deduct the number of times of use of the paid episode reading rights allocated to the user account. In this case, the control unit 130 may update the notification information displayed on the first area 540 based on the deduction of the number of times that the paid episode reading right can be used.

That is, information related to the paid episode viewing rights possessed by the user account may be updated based on the deduction of the number of times the paid episode reading rights can be used. In addition, information included in the first area 540 where notification information related to paid episode reading rights is output may be updated in association with the use of paid episode reading rights.

Meanwhile, the arrangement of the first regions 510 and 540 and the second regions 520 and 50 is merely an example and can be modified in various ways. Regardless of whether the list of the second areas 520 or 540 is scrolled, the first areas 510 and 530 may be fixed and output on the electronic device. That is, the controller 130 can scroll the list included in the second areas 520 and 540 without changing the output positions of the first areas 510 and 530 .

As described above, in the present invention, by providing information related to content together with an episode list to the user through a public area, the user can intuitively understand various information about the content before using the episode.

On the other hand, in the present invention, when a user uses a paid episode reading ticket or pays electronic money for an episode having a paid product type, information about a time point of free conversion of an episode having a corresponding paid product type can be provided.

When a selection request for an episode having a paid product type is received from the electronic device, the control unit 130 may check the time point at which the product type of the episode having the paid product type is converted to the free product type before deducting the number of times the paid episode reading ticket can be used or processing electronic money as payment. In addition, when the time point at which the product type of an episode having a paid product type is converted to a free product type is within a predetermined period, the control unit 130 may provide notification information (or guide information) about the time of conversion of the product type of the specific episode to the electronic device.

That is, in the present invention, notification information may be provided so as not to unnecessaryly consume an episode having a paid product type by the user.

For example, as shown in (a) of FIG. 10 , when an episode item 611 having a paid product type for which “paid episode viewing ticket” is available is selected from an electronic device, the controller 130, as shown in (b) of FIG. 10 , notification information (e.g., “This episode, It will go free in 14 days. Would you like to read it now?”).

Furthermore, when a request to view an episode having a paid product type is received from a user account (or from an electronic device) (for example, an “unlock” icon is selected on the electronic device), the controller 130 may deduct the available number of paid episode viewing rights assigned to the user account and provide a paid episode.

Furthermore, as shown in (b) of FIG. 10 , the controller 130 may additionally provide information on a method for viewing the remaining episodes on the notification information 621 . For example, as shown in the figure, the controller 130 may additionally provide information notifying that payment using electronic money is required to use the remaining episodes, such as “all remaining episodes can be unlocked by coin payment”.

Even when an episode having a paid product type is purchased using electronic money, the controller 130 may provide information about a free conversion time for an episode having a paid product type in a manner similar to the method described above.

For example, as shown in (a) of FIG. 11 , when an episode item 711 having a paid product type that requires electronic money payment is selected from the electronic device, the controller 130 displays notification information notifying that the episode item 711 having the corresponding paid product type is converted to a free product type after a certain time (eg, after 6 p.m. is possible!”) can be output.

Furthermore, when a request to purchase an episode having a paid product type is received from the user account (or from the electronic device) (for example, a “purchase” icon is selected on the electronic device), the controller 130 may deduct the electronic money held in the user account and provide an episode having a paid product type.

That is, electronic money held in the user account can be paid for the purchase of an episode having the paid product type. Meanwhile, although not shown, the controller 130 may proceed with an additional process for purchasing or charging electronic money when the amount of electronic money held in the user account is insufficient to purchase an episode having the paid product type.

Furthermore, as shown in (a) of FIG. 12, when a request to repurchase or view an episode having a history of being purchased or rented in the past through an episode reading ticket having a paid product type is received from a user account, the control unit 130 can inform the user that there is a history of past purchase or rental through notification information 812, as shown in (b) of FIG. 12.

As shown in (a) of FIG. 12, when an episode item 811 corresponding to an episode having a history of purchase or rental in the past is selected on the electronic device, the controller 130 may provide notification information 812 as shown in (b) of FIG. 12.

The notification information 812 may include information notifying that an episode corresponding to the selected episode item 811 has a history of purchase or rental in the past (eg, “You have already watched on April 11, 2019. Would you like to watch it anyway?”).

Although not shown, the controller 130 may perform an additional process for purchasing or charging electronic money when the amount of electronic money held in the user account is insufficient to purchase an episode having the paid product type.

As another example, the controller 130 may output, from the electronic device, notification information notifying that the episode (or another episode) is converted to a free product type after a predetermined time (for example, after 7 days) when a conversion request is made from the electronic device to a paid product type (for example, “It will be converted to free after 7 days”).

Furthermore, when a request to purchase an episode having a paid product type is received from the user account (or from the electronic device) (for example, a “purchase” icon is selected on the electronic device), the controller 130 may deduct electronic money held in the user account, deduct the right to view a paid episode, and provide a paid episode. Meanwhile, although not shown, the controller 130 may proceed with an additional process for purchasing or charging electronic money when the amount of electronic money held in the user account is insufficient to purchase an episode having the paid product type.

As described above, the method and system for providing content according to the present invention, when a user wants to purchase paid content, provides information about when the paid content is converted to free, thereby preventing the user from consuming unnecessary goods for content purchase.

As described above, in the method and system for providing content according to the present invention, various product types of episodes can be set based on the latest episode according to the properties of the content. Accordingly, the user can browse the episodes using various means.

More specifically, the method and system for providing content according to the present invention may provide different product types of episodes constituting content for content that has been serialized and content that is being serialized. Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to induce users to steadily use the contents without losing interest in the contents, and to provide user convenience so that the users can use the contents without burden.

At this time, in the present invention, whenever the latest episode of the serialized content is serialized, the product type of the episode that was previously available for viewing through digital currency is changed to a product type that allows viewing through a voucher, so that the user can continuously view more episodes through the voucher.

Furthermore, in the present invention, for a predetermined period of time, for content that has been serialized, the product type of an episode that was previously available for viewing through digital currency is changed to a product type that allows viewing through a voucher, so that the user can view the episode to the end through the voucher even if the serialization is completed.

At this time, in the present invention, by arranging the list according to the chronological order for the content that has been serialized, it is possible to induce the user to use the content sequentially from the first time. Furthermore, according to the present invention, by arranging the list of content in progress in serialization in reverse chronological order, user convenience can be provided so that the user can immediately use the most recently updated content.

Furthermore, in the present invention, for each episode item included in the above list, information on the user's right to use the corresponding episode item may be provided. Therefore, the user can intuitively grasp information on availability of the corresponding episode through the information displayed on each episode item.

Claims (13)

Receiving a request to read specific content from an electronic device; and
In response to the reading request, providing an episode list having a plurality of episodes included in the specific content to the electronic device;
The episode list has episodes of different product types based on whether digital currency is paid for viewing,
Episodes in a specific range based on the latest episode are set to any one product type among the different product types,
The content providing method, characterized in that the size of the specific range is changed according to whether uploading is completed until the last episode of the plurality of episodes. According to claim 1,
Episodes in the specific range are set as paid product types that can be viewed through payment of digital currency,
At least one of the episodes of the paid product type is changed to a semi-paid product type that can be viewed using a free ticket in conjunction with the upload of the latest episode. According to claim 2,
The episode of the latest episode is set as the paid product type and uploaded,
When an episode of the latest episode is uploaded, at least one of the episodes of the paid product type within the specific range is changed to the semi-paid product type so that the size within the specific range is maintained. According to claim 3,
Uploading each episode sequentially until all of the plurality of episodes are uploaded and serialization is completed; and
The content providing method further comprising changing the size of the specific range when a predetermined period elapses after the serialization is completed. According to claim 4,
In the changing step,
and changing any one of the episodes of the paid product type to a semi-paid product type and sequentially deducting the specific range. According to claim 5,
The content providing method characterized by changing an episode of the last episode among the plurality of episodes from the paid product type episode to the semi-paid product type so that no episode of the paid product type exists in the episode list based on a specific time point by the sequential deduction. According to claim 6,
When a specific period of time elapses after the episode of the last episode is changed from the episode of the paid product type to the semi-paid product type, episodes within the specific range based on the episode of the last episode are converted to the paid product type. According to claim 4,
In the sequentially uploading, each episode is sequentially uploaded to the episode list based on a predetermined cycle, and the episode with the earliest episode among the episodes of the paid product type is changed to the semi-paid product type;
In the step of changing the size of the specific range, an episode of the earliest episode among episodes of the paid product type is changed to the semi-paid product type based on the predetermined cycle without uploading a new episode. Content providing method. According to claim 1,
The different product types are
A content providing method characterized by having a paid product type that can be viewed through payment of digital currency, a semi-paid product type that can be viewed using a free ticket, and a free product type that can be viewed without paying digital currency or using a free ticket. According to claim 9,
The episode list has a first range in which episodes of the paid product type are sorted, a second range in which episodes of the semi-paid product type are sorted, and a third range in which episodes of the free product type are sorted,
Wherein the first range corresponds to the specific range. According to claim 10,
Wherein the size of the second range changes as the size of the first range changes, and the third range is fixed. Communication unit for receiving a reading request for specific content from the electronic device;
a storage unit for storing a plurality of episodes included in the specific content; and
In response to the reading request, including a control unit for controlling the communication unit to provide an episode list having a plurality of episodes on the electronic device,
The episode list has episodes of different product types based on whether digital currency is paid for viewing,
The control unit,
Based on the latest episode, an episode in a specific range is set as one of the different product types, and the size of the specific range is changed depending on whether or not uploading is completed until the last episode of the plurality of episodes. A content providing system characterized in that. A program that is executed by one or more processes in an electronic device and stored in a computer-readable recording medium,
said program,
Receiving a request to read specific content from an electronic device; and
In response to the reading request, providing an episode list having a plurality of episodes included in the specific content to the electronic device;
The episode list has episodes of different product types based on whether digital currency is paid for viewing,
Episodes in a specific range based on the latest episode are set to any one product type among the different product types,
The program stored in a computer-readable recording medium according to claim 1 , wherein the size of the specific range is changed according to whether or not uploading of the plurality of episodes is completed until the last episode of the plurality of episodes.

Images