KR100772411B1 - Method and apparatus for using service - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for using a service are provided to prevent a failure of a network device in using a service provided through a network. A method for using a service includes the steps of: requesting the service through a menu provided from a second device(202); receiving a notification indicating termination of the service from the second device while using the service as a response to the request; and updating the menu according to the notification(209). In step 201, a predetermined service among services is provided through a network by a user. In the step 202, another device(22) is requested to start the service by a device(21) receiving the service. In step 203, the device(22) receiving the service provides the device with the service. In step 204, a cause of the termination of the available service used by the device occurs through the step 203. In step 206, the device(22) providing the service notifies the device receiving the service of the termination of the service In the step 209, a menu provided to the user is updated.

Description

Method and apparatus for using service

1 shows an example of a user interface that includes a menu for controlling another device on a network associated with a service.

2 is a flowchart of a method of using a service according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flowchart of a method of using a service according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

4A-4B illustrate a service description representing information about a service according to the present invention.

5 is a flowchart of a method of using a service according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart of a method of using a service according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a flowchart of a method of using a service according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a flowchart of a method of using a service according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

9 illustrates an apparatus for using a service in a device receiving a service according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

10 illustrates a service using apparatus in a device providing a service according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for using a service provided through a network, and to a method and apparatus for synchronizing a menu displayed on network devices associated with a service upon termination of the service.

With the development of network communication, various types of network devices frequently communicate with each other through a network to use services provided by other devices on the network. In a conventional network consisting of a server providing a service and a client receiving the service from the server, the user uses the service through the client. At this time, the user controls the service using a menu provided by the server displayed on the client display device or a menu already built in the client. Information about the service usage status between the server and the client is exchanged through a menu used by the user, and the menu is updated according to the service usage status. However, as described below, when the menu displayed to the user includes not only a menu for a device directly operated by the user, but also a menu for other devices related to the service, the service may be properly applied between the two devices related to the service. It is necessary to synchronize the menu so that it can be performed.

1 illustrates an example of a menu that includes menu items for other devices on a network associated with a service. FIG. 1 assumes a case of controlling a camcorder that provides a video reproduction service to a DTV through a menu displayed on a DTV (Digital).

When the DTV is connected to the network, the DTV shows a camcorder 111 and a printer 112, which are devices capable of providing a service to the DTV via the network. When the user selects the camcorder 111 of the menu screen, the video playback 121 and the music playback 122 which are services that the camcorder can provide are displayed. The movie playback 121 and music playback 122 menus are provided by the camcorder.

When the user selects the video play 121 item, the file selection 131 item and the screen position 132 item are displayed on the DTV. The file selection 131 is a menu item provided by the camcorder 111, and the screen position 132 is a menu item provided by the DTV. The DTV compares the service description document containing the information about the service of the DTV with the service description document containing the information of the service of the camcorder, so that the file selection 131 of the camcorder and the screen position 132 Display on the same screen at the same time.

When the user selects a predetermined video file, designates a screen position, and then selects confirmation 133, the next screen displays items of a still 141, a screen position 142, and a volume 143. The stop 141 is a menu item provided by the camcorder, and the screen position 142 and the volume 143 are menu items provided by the DTV. Like the previous menu 12, it is assumed that the service description document of the DTV and the camcorder is defined such that the menu items 142, screen position 142, and volume 143 are displayed together.

The problem of synchronization of the service menu is when the user selects the stop 141 item. If the video playback 121 service is terminated by selecting stop 141, the camcorder may return to the state 12 where the video playback 121 and music playback 122 items are displayed, but wait for user input, but the DTV menu Since an item corresponding to the screen 12 is not defined, the screen position 142 and the volume 143 are stopped in the state 14 in which the items are displayed. Accordingly, there is a need for a method of synchronizing the menus of the DTV and the camcorder to return to the initial menu at the same time as the service is terminated.

Accordingly, a technical object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for synchronizing menus for use of a service provided through a network, which can be read by a computer recording a program for executing the method on a computer. The present invention provides a recording medium.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of using a service provided from a second device by a first device; requesting the service through a menu provided from the second device; Receiving notification of termination of the service from the second device while using the service provided in response to the request; Updating the menu according to the notification.

According to a more preferred embodiment according to the invention, the step of being informed comprises the steps of: sending a message to the second device requesting that the service be terminated; And receiving a message indicating that the service has ended from the second device in response to the message.

An apparatus using a service provided from a second device by a first device according to the present invention for solving the technical problem includes a service request unit requesting the service through a menu provided from the second device; A service termination notice receiving unit which is notified of the termination of the service from the second device while using the service provided in response to the request; And a menu updater for updating the menu according to the notification.

In order to solve the above technical problem, the present invention provides a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the method on a computer.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using a service according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, it is assumed that a menu for service control is displayed on the device 21 receiving a service, and the user controls the device 22 providing a service through the menu displayed on the device 21 receiving the service. do.

Referring to FIG. 2, in step 201, a user selects a predetermined service from among services that a device 22 providing a service may provide through a network. For example, the video playback 121 is selected from the service selection menu 12 of FIG. 1.

In operation 202, the device 21 receiving the service requests another device 22 on the network to start the service. In FIG. 1, the DTV requests the video playback 121 from the camcorder.

In operation 203, the device 22 providing the service is provided to the device 21 according to the request of operation 202. In the case of the video playback 121, this corresponds to streaming a video.

In step 204, a cause in which the service being used by the device 21 may be terminated in step 203. The service may be terminated due to various reasons such as the user selecting the stop 141 item shown in FIG. 1 through the device 21 receiving the service, or an error occurs in the devices 21 to 22 on the network. . Of course, if the service currently being provided is the video playback 121, even if the streaming of all the video will end if the cause of the service termination.

Step 205 is an optional step and is included only when a cause of service termination occurs in the device 21 receiving the service. If the cause of service termination occurs in the device 22 providing the service, the process immediately proceeds to step 206. Since the device for terminating the service through step 206 is limited to the device 22 for providing the service, the device 22 for providing the service for the service termination when the cause of service termination occurs in the device 21 for receiving the service. ), You need to request termination of the service. The service termination request may be made in various forms. For example, if the user selects the stop 141 item on the device 21 receiving the service, the service termination request may be provided. This can be done by calling on device 22. In addition, in the case of termination of service due to a sudden malfunction of the device 21, an event message notifying the occurrence of the malfunction is transmitted to the device 22 providing the service.

In operation 206, the device 22 providing the service notifies the device 21 receiving the service of the service termination.

Steps 207 to 208 are also optional steps as in step 205, which are necessary only when it is necessary to call a menu to be displayed to the user again from the device 22 providing the service upon termination of the service. If a menu relating to the device 22 providing the service is already defined among the menus to be displayed to the user in the device 21 receiving the service according to the termination of the service, the steps 207 to 208 need not be performed. Steps 207 to 208 are cases in which a device 22 providing a service in order to provide an initial menu at the same time as a connection on a network is predefined in a service description provided to a device 21 receiving a service. It may not be the case.

In step 209, the menu provided to the user is updated. In addition to the menu for the device 21 receiving the service, the menu for the device 22 providing the service is also updated at the same time to achieve synchronization.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using a service according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, it is assumed that a menu for service control is displayed on the device 32 providing a service, and the user controls the device 31 receiving the service through the menu displayed on the device 32 providing the service. do.

Referring to FIG. 3, in step 301, the user selects a predetermined service to be provided to the device 31 receiving the service. For example, the video playback 121 is selected from the service selection menu 12 of FIG. 1.

In step 302 the device 32 requests the other device 31 on the network to start the service. The service 31 is requested to start the service in the sense of requesting the device 31 receiving the service to prepare to receive the service provided by the device 32.

In operation 303, the device 32 providing a service provides a service to another device 31. In the case of the video playback 121, this corresponds to streaming a video.

In step 304, the service provided by the device 32 may be terminated through step 303. The service may be terminated due to various reasons such as the user selecting the stop 141 item shown in FIG. 1 through the device 32 providing the service, or an error occurs in the devices 31 to 32 on the network. . Of course, if the service currently being provided is the video playback 121, even if the streaming of all the video will end if the cause of the service termination.

Step 305 is an optional step and is included only when the cause of service termination occurs in the device 31 receiving the service. If the cause of service termination occurs in the device 32 providing the service, the process immediately proceeds to step 306. Since the device terminating the service in step 306 is limited to the device 32 providing the service, the device 32 providing the service separately for the service termination when the cause of the service termination occurs in the device 31 receiving the service. ), You need to request termination of the service. The notification of the occurrence of the service termination cause may be in various forms. In the case of termination of the service due to a sudden malfunction of the device 31, an event message notifying the occurrence of the malfunction is transmitted to the device 22 providing the service. .

In operation 306, the device 32 providing the service notifies the device 31 receiving the service of the service termination.

Steps 307 to 308 are also optional steps similar to step 205, and are necessary only when a menu to be displayed to the user needs to be called again from the device 331 provided with the service upon termination of the service. If a menu relating to the device 31 receiving the service is already defined among the menus to be displayed to the user in the device 32 providing the service according to the termination of the service, the steps 307 to 308 need not be performed. Steps 207 to 208 may be defined in advance in a service description provided by the device 31 receiving the service to the device 32 providing the service in order to provide the initial menu at the same time as the connection on the network. It may not be the case.

In step 309, the menu provided to the user is updated. In addition to the menu for the device 31 receiving the service, the menu for the device 32 providing the service is also updated at the same time to achieve synchronization.

4A-4B show a service description representing information about a service according to the present invention.

The service description document is shared between the network devices at the same time as the network connection to provide a menu item 11 indicating the devices providing services in the network. Each device that receives a service description document provided by another device on the network parses the service description document to extract information about devices existing on the network and services provided by each device, and a menu. Provided to the user through.

4A to 4B, the service description document includes a device tag including information about a device and a FunctionDescription tag including information about a service provided by each device. The Topmenu tag defines the initial menu item 12 that is displayed when the device is selected.

Referring to FIG. 4A, when the video playback 121 menu is selected, a file selection 131 menu is provided as a submenu thereof, and when the file selection is finished in the file selection, the menu identifier 3 defined in the nextmenu attribute is stopped (141). ) A menu is provided.

When the stop 141 menu is selected, the termination of the service occurs, and the terminal returns to the initial menu according to EOS (End Of Stream) information indicating the termination of the service in the nextmenu attribute.

If a sequential menu is provided as shown in FIG. 4A, a menu to be displayed to the user is already determined according to the termination of the service, and the network devices are known at the same time as the network connection. Therefore, steps 207 to 208 and steps 307 to 308 are provided. There is no need to request a transfer of the menu at.

However, if a menu to be displayed to the user is to be provided again according to the termination of the service as shown in the nextmenu attribute update in FIG. 4B, requesting a menu from another device on the network upon termination of the service is performed. 307 steps are required. In other words, in order for the menu to be displayed on the device 21 receiving the service again after the service is terminated, it is necessary to request and receive the menu again from the device 22 providing the service in step 207. Likewise, in step 307, the device 32 providing the service should request and receive a menu for controlling the device 31 provided with the service.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using a service according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The camcorder 51 provides a service for streaming a video to the DTV 52, that is, the device receiving the service as a device providing a service, and for this purpose, a menu for controlling the camcorder 51 and the DTV 52 is provided. Assume that the case is provided to the user via the display device of 51.

In step 501, the camcorder 51 informs the DTV 52 that it is about to start a service. For example, the service start request of step 501 is generated by selecting the video playback in the menu item 12. The service start request includes information for identifying which of the functions provided by the camcorder 51 is requesting service. Information about an identifier and a video codec assigned to each function is provided. May be included.

In step 502, the DTV 52 transmits a service start response to the camcorder 51 indicating that it is ready to perform a service provided by the camcorder 51.

Steps 503 to 504 are steps for sending and receiving requests and responses to start a playback service for a specific video file. If steps 501 to 502 are for service start request and response for the video playback service, steps 503 to 504 are steps for request and response for the playback service for a specific video file. The video playback service may play back a plurality of video files, in which case the playback service for each video file is defined as a job. Therefore, the information exchanged by network devices through steps 503 to 504 may also include the format and name of a specific video file.

When the service provided in step 505 is completed by the completion of the transmission of the video stream, information for informing that the playback of the specific video file is finished is transmitted from the camcorder 51 to the DTV 52 in steps 506 to 507. do. The process of notifying that the service is terminated must be performed so that the synchronization between the network devices 51 to 52 is terminated.

Step 508 is an optional step, even though the video transmission of the camcorder 51 is finished, the DTV 52 may not have finished playing the video transmission yet. It's a step that tells you it's done. Since the DTV 52 has a buffer for video playback, the transfer of the camcorder 51 and playback of the DTV 52 are performed as in the case of temporarily storing a video file in the transferred buffer and reading and playing back the video file from the buffer. This step is optionally included when a time gap (gap) occurs between.

Steps 509 to 510 finish the service provision for all jobs and finally terminate the service itself. It is the stage that finishes the service itself called video playback.

Through the processes of steps 501 to 510, the network devices can all know the information about the end of the service, and as a result, the menu for controlling the service provided through the network can be updated.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using a service according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. As in FIG. 5, the camcorder 61 provides a service for streaming a video to the DTV 62, that is, a device receiving the service, as a device providing a service, and for this purpose, to control the camcorder 61 and the DTV 62. It is assumed that a menu is provided to the user through the display device of the camcorder 61.

The difference from the method of controlling the service shown in FIG. 5 is that the user has forcibly terminated video playback by selecting a still item in the camcorder 61. Accordingly, the messages of steps 606 to 607, which are messages transmitted to finish the job, are distinguished from steps 506 to 507 of FIG. In addition, since the moving picture reproduction service is stopped by both the camcorder 61 and the DTV 62 according to the user's stop request, the DTV 62 does not need to separately notify the completion of the job as in step 508 of FIG. 5.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using a service according to a third embodiment of the present invention. As in FIGS. 5 to 6, the camcorder 71 provides a service for streaming a video to the DTV 72, that is, a device provided with the service. The camcorder 71 and the DTV 72 are provided for this purpose. It is assumed that a menu for controlling is provided to the user through the display device of the camcorder 71.

FIG. 7 illustrates a case in which the service is terminated by the service termination cause generated by the DTV 72 rather than the service termination cause generated by the camcorder 71 controlling the service. Therefore, the difference from FIG. 6 is that the step of notifying the camcorder 71 of the occurrence of the cause of service termination caused by the DTV malfunction as shown in step 705 is further included.

The camcorder 71 notified that the cause of termination of the service has occurred in the DTV 72 determines whether the cause of termination of the service in the DTV 72 corresponds to a case in which the termination of the service must be terminated. End the job via 707

FIG. 7 illustrates a case in which the service is terminated by the service termination cause generated by the DTV 72 rather than the service termination cause generated by the camcorder 71 controlling the service. Therefore, the difference from FIG. 6 is that the step of notifying the camcorder 71 of the occurrence of the cause of service termination caused by the DTV malfunction as shown in step 705 is further included.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of using a service according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 5 to 7, the camcorder 81 provides a service for streaming a video to the DTV 82, that is, a device provided with the service as a device providing a service. However, it is different from FIGS. 5 to 7 in the case where a menu for controlling the camcorder 81 and the DTV 82 is provided to the user via the DTV 82.

Accordingly, the devices requesting and responding to the service in steps 801 to 802 are opposite to those of FIGS. However, the device requesting and responding to the termination of the service of steps 810 to 811 is the same as that of FIGS. In addition, the device requesting and responding to the job of steps 803 to 804 and 808 to 809 is the same as that of FIGS. .

In operation 805, the user selects a stop of the moving image through the user interface displayed on the DTV 82 in the DTV 82 provided with the camcorder 81. Since the DTV 82 does not request termination of the job, the camcorder 81 requests the camcorder 81 to perform the stop function through step 806 and the camcorder 81 sends a response to the request to the DTV 82 through step 807. Transmit and terminate the job through steps 808 to 809.

In FIG. 8, an example in which the camcorder 81, that is, a device providing a service, is requested to perform a specific function of stop is illustrated. However, when the cause of termination of the service occurs in the DTV 82 due to a malfunction of the DTV, the camcorder 81 notifies the camcorder 81, and accordingly, the camcorder 81 terminates the job and the entire service (steps 810 to 811) is terminated. The control of the service in a manner that can be easily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.

5 to 8 have assumed that the device controlling the service does not need to request a menu separately to display a menu for controlling the other device related to the service. However, if it is necessary to request and receive the menu again in accordance with the termination of the service as shown in the next_menu attribute of FIG. 4B, the other device associated with the service before the start of each service and the start of the job of FIGS. Requesting a menu to control the menu (not shown) should be included. Also, after the service is terminated, a step of requesting and receiving a menu to update the menu for controlling the service should be included.

9 illustrates an apparatus for using a service in a device receiving a service according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, a service control device 91 in a device receiving a service may include a service request unit 911, a service end request unit 912, a service end notification receiver 913, and a menu update unit 914. Include.

The service request unit 911 requests a predetermined service from the device 92 providing the service.

The service termination request unit 912 may terminate the service when a cause of service termination occurred while using the service requested by the device 92 providing the service from the service request unit 911. ). Since the service can be terminated only by the device 92 providing the service, when the cause of service termination occurs in the device receiving the service, it is necessary to request the service termination from the device 92 providing the service separately. Therefore, when the cause of service termination occurs in the device 92 providing the service, the service termination request unit 912 does not need to request termination of the service separately.

The service end notification receiving unit 913 receives the end notice of the service transmitted by the device 92 providing the service. Upon receiving the service end notification, the device receiving the service may also know the end of the service from the device receiving the service.

The menu update unit 914 updates the menu to be displayed to the user for the control of the service as the service end notification receiver 913 receives the termination of the service. If necessary, a request for a menu for updating is requested from the device 92 providing a service, and the menu is updated by receiving a menu in response to the request.

10 illustrates a service using apparatus in a device providing a service according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, a service using apparatus 101 in a device providing a service includes a service start request unit 1011, a service end request receiver 1012, and a service end notification unit 1013.

The service start request unit 1011 requests the device 102 receiving the service to start the service. The message is transmitted in the sense of requesting the device 102 receiving the service to prepare to receive the service.

The service termination request receiver 1012 receives a request for terminating a service transmitted by the device 102 receiving the service. Since the only device capable of terminating the service is a device providing the service, when the cause of termination of the service generated by the device 102 receiving the service occurs, the service is requested to be terminated separately, and the request is terminated by the service termination request receiver 1012. Is received from. Therefore, when the cause of termination of the service occurs in the device providing the service, the service is terminated without receiving a message from the service termination request receiver 1012.

The service termination notification unit 103 notifies the device 102 receiving the service of the termination of the service being provided according to the termination reasons of the service occurring on the network. The device 102 receiving the service receives the service end notification so that the network devices share information about the end of the service.

The menu update unit 1014 updates the menu displayed to the user for the control of the service as the service end notification unit 1013 notifies the device 102 receiving the service of the termination of the service. If necessary, a request for a menu for updating is requested from the device 102 receiving a service, and the menu is updated by receiving a menu in response to the request.

As described above, although the present invention has been described by way of limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, which can be variously modified and modified by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Modifications are possible. Accordingly, the spirit of the invention should be understood only by the claims set forth below, and all equivalent or equivalent modifications will fall within the scope of the invention. In addition, the system according to the present invention can be embodied as computer readable codes on a computer readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Examples of the recording medium include a ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, and the like, and also include a carrier wave (for example, transmission through the Internet). The computer readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

According to the present invention, in using the service provided through the network, the menu for controlling the service can be synchronized, thereby preventing malfunction of the network device.

Claims (4)

A method in which a first device uses a service provided from a second device, the method comprising: Requesting the service through a menu provided from the second device; Receiving notification of termination of the service from the second device while using the service provided in response to the request; And updating the menu according to the notification. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving notification is Sending a message to the second device requesting termination of the service; Receiving a message indicating that the service has ended from the second device in response to the message. An apparatus in which a first device uses a service provided from a second device, the apparatus comprising: A service request unit requesting the service through a menu provided from the second device; A service termination notice receiving unit which is notified of the termination of the service from the second device while using the service provided in response to the request; And a menu updater for updating the menu according to the notification. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the method of claim 1 on a computer.

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