KR20020008982A - Active image mailing service system in the internet and operating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A system and operation method for a moving picture e-mail service through the internet are provided to send the image data to a receiver together with the e-mail and to reduce the charge of receiving the moving picture data by streaming the moving picture. CONSTITUTION: The system comprises a main server(40), an e-mail server(50), a stream server(60), and a DB(70). The main server creates and outputs the selected e-mail data including an open path of the non-stream e-mail and stream moving picture. The e-mail server receives the selected e-mail data from a mail delivery processor and sends to an e-mail address of a receiver. The stream server streams the transfer data responding to the open path into a user computer(10) when the receiver opens the selected e-mail data through the receiver computer. The DB has a variety of data necessary to the additional services related to the e-mail.

Description

Video e-mail service system supported through the Internet and its operation method {Active image mailing service system in the internet and operating the same}

The present invention relates to a video e-mail service system and an operation method thereof supported through the Internet, and more particularly, to a video e-mail service system supporting the creation and sending of a video e-mail through a user computer connected through an Internet communication network; It is about how to operate.

With the spread of the Internet, the use of computer-based e-mail is becoming more common. Currently, the most widely used e-mail editors support mail services based on text characters, and additionally support file attachment. Therefore, the user sends a text message to be delivered using such an e-mail editor, and a text file or image file to be attached, and attaches it to the recipient address on the Internet.

However, since the conventional e-mail editor supports mailing of additional information by a file attachment function, a user who wants to send an e-mail of image information needs to send an image file to be sent before the e-mail is made by the e-mail editor. It must be stored in the computer's storage in advance.

In other words, such an e-mail editor is unable to attach a video of a subject in a mail writer or a writer's environment while writing a text mail in real time. Therefore, there is a disadvantage in that it cannot satisfy the user's desire to deliver the emotion and the situation at the time of writing the mail to the counterpart as multimedia information more realistically.

On the other hand, when the image data is sent by e-mail by the file attachment function, the entire mail data is transferred to the recipient's e-mail address at once. Therefore, when the amount of the image data is large, the data transfer time takes a lot. In view of the above, storing all the received data amount may be a burden in terms of storage capacity management.

The present invention was devised to improve the above-mentioned problems, and a video e-mail service system and its operation supported through the Internet, which can support delivering image information of a subject in a user's environment at the time of composing a mail to a receiver. The purpose is to provide a method.

According to still another object of the present invention, a video e-mail service system supporting temporary video information to be delivered to a recipient computer and transmitting the stored video information when a received mail is read from the recipient computer is temporarily stored. And a method of operation thereof.

1 is a block diagram showing a video e-mail service system according to the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a user computer of FIG. 1.

3 is a block diagram showing each part of the main server of FIG.

4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a display device of a user computer by the gate of FIG. 3;

5 is a functional block diagram of a video mail editor,

FIG. 6 is a view showing an execution screen of a video email editor displayed on a display device of a user computer by the video email writing support unit of FIG. 3;

7 is a flowchart illustrating a video e-mail service process by the video e-mail service system of FIG. 1.

<Description of Symbols for Major Parts of Drawings>

10: user computer 17: camera

25: Internet 30: Video Email Service System

40: main server 41: gate portion

42: Membership Management Department 43: Video E-mail Writing Support Department

43a: Video Email Editor 44: Mail Sending Process

50: email server 60: stream server

70: database device

In order to achieve the above object, the video e-mail service system supported by the Internet according to the present invention is provided by the operation of the input device of the user computer when the video mail service request signal is input from the user computer equipped with the camera via the Internet. Loading a video e-mail editor supporting the creation and sending of a video e-mail including the video information input from the camera to the user computer, and for transmitting the stream of the video e-mail information requested from the user computer. A main server which classifies video mail data and mail data for non-stream transmission, and generates and outputs e-mail extract information including the browse path address of the video transmission data for stream transmission in the non-stream transmission mail data; An e-mail server that processes the sending of the e-mail extract information to a recipient e-mail address; The video transmission data stored in the corresponding address is stored when the reading request signal for storing the stream transmission video mail data in the reading path address is generated when the reading is generated in the e-mail extract information from the recipient computer. And a stream server for transmitting to the receiver computer.

Preferably, the e-mail extract information includes viewing path address information of moving picture mail data created by the user computer and viewing path address information of additional service moving picture information provided by the service system.

In addition, it is preferable that an initial still picture or selected still picture information of the moving picture mail data is recorded in the e-mail extract information.

In addition, in order to achieve the above object in the operating method of the video e-mail service system according to the present invention, when the video e-mail creation service request signal is input from the user computer equipped with a camera via the Internet input device of the user computer Loading a video e-mail editor to the user's computer, the video e-mail editor supporting the creation and sending of the video e-mail including the image information input from the camera by the operation of; If there is a request for sending a video e-mail created using the loaded video e-mail editor, the video e-mail information requested for shipment is classified into video mail data for stream transmission and mail data for non-stream transmission, and the video mail for stream transmission. Storing data; And generating e-mail extract information including the browse path address of the non-stream transmission mail data and the stored stream transmission video mail data and transmitting the extracted e-mail information to a recipient e-mail address.

And transmitting the stored stream transmission data to the receiver computer in a stream manner when a read request signal of the stream transmission data recorded in the e-mail extract information is received from the recipient computer.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in more detail the video e-mail transmission support system according to the present invention.

1 is a block diagram showing a video email transmission support system according to the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, the video e-mail service system 30 includes a main server 40, an e-mail server 50, a stream server 50, and a database device (DB) 70 connected through the Internet 25. Equipped.

In order to receive a video e-mail service by the video e-mail service system 30 according to the present invention through a user computer 10 connected through the Internet 25, that is, an image pickup means capable of capturing image information of a user environment. The camera must be installed on the user computer 10.

The structure of a user computer capable of supporting a video e-mail service according to the present invention is shown in FIG.

Referring to the drawings, the user computer 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, an input device 14, a display device 15, and a memory. A device 16, a camera 17, a microphone 18, a communication device 19, and an auxiliary device 20 are provided. The auxiliary device 20 includes a sound card (not shown), a video card (not shown), a speaker (not shown) and the like that support processing of a voice signal. Reference numeral 21 is a bus that relays data transmission between devices.

The storage device 16 is provided with an operating system (O / S) 16a such as Windows 98 or Windows 2000 and an application 16b such as a web browser, for example, an Explorer.

The camera 17 is connected to a USB port for a computer and to an input terminal of a capture card (not shown) which is an auxiliary device for an analog.

In the video e-mail service system 30 of the present invention that supports the video e-mail service for the user computer 10, each server 40, 50, 60 is a processing efficiency when a plurality of users simultaneously use It is preferable that the Internet 25 be connected to different Internet addresses in order to increase the number. In order to support the video e-mail service of the present invention for a limited number of users, the system can handle each function of the main server 40, the e-mail server 50, and the stream server 60 in one server. May be constructed.

The main server 40 provides a user guide page for supporting a video e-mail service to the user computer 10, and an image input from the camera 17 by an operation of the input device 14 of the user computer 10. Process of loading into the user computer 10 a video e-mail editor that supports the creation and sending of video e-mails with information.

In addition, the main server 40 classifies the video e-mail information sent from the user computer 10 into video mail data for stream transmission and mail data for non-stream transmission. The main server 40 generates and outputs e-mail extract information including the classified non-stream transmission mail data and the viewing path address of the stream transmission video mail data. In the e-mail extract information, information is recorded so that a signal requesting to view the data for stream transmission is automatically transmitted to the service system 30 when a received e-mail is viewed without a subsequent user's key input operation. The browsing path address on the Internet 25 is recorded. In addition, the e-mail extract information may include additional address information provided by the service system 30, for example, reading address information on the video advertisement information, in addition to the video mail information prepared by the sender.

Referring to FIG. 3, in which each functional block according to a preferred embodiment of the main server 40 is illustrated, the main server 40 includes a gate part 41, a member management part 42, a video e-mail writing support part 43, A mail sending processing section 44 is provided.

The gate unit 41 provides an initial user guide page for guiding the user to use the service to the user computer 10 when the user who wants to receive the video e-mail service accesses the Internet address of the main server 40 using the computer 10. to provide. Referring to FIG. 4, an example is shown, a news field 41a for recording announcements regarding the use of a video e-mail service in the center portion of the display device 15 of the user computer 10, and a video e-mail on the right side. There is a registration menu window that supports member registration to use the service, and an input window 41b for inputting a user ID and password to log in to check the authenticity of the registered member. Reference numeral 41c denotes an internet address display window of the main server 41a provided by the web browser of the user computer 10. As shown in FIG.

The member management unit 42 supports the user to perform the joining procedure as a new member and manages personal information on the subscribed member. In addition, the member management unit 42 compares the data input through the login input window 41b of FIG. 4 with the data recorded in the database device 70 when the video mail service is provided only to the registered members. Determine authenticity. The member manager 42 provides a member page (not shown) that displays information to be provided to the member, such as a list of letters received by the member who has normally passed the authentication confirmation procedure. The member page is provided with a service page movement selection window (not shown) for selecting movement to other service pages provided, for example, moving to a video mail writing page supported by the video email writing support unit 42.

The video e-mail creation support unit 43 supports to create a video e-mail using the user computer 10. When the mail creation service is supported for the subscribed member, when the user who has passed through the member page through the login process clicks the video mail creation page selection window displayed on the member page, the video email creation support unit 43 is executed.

The video e-mail creation support unit 43 downloads the video e-mail editor 43a to the user computer 10 to support mail creation through the screen of the user computer 10. The video e-mail editor 43a supports the processing of the recording and mail sending request of the real-time video information input from the camera 17 together with the text message using the input device 14 of the user computer 10. Preferably, the video mail editor 43a is applied with a plug-in function of processing the display to immediately display an image input to the camera 17.

As shown in FIG. 5, the video email editor 43a includes a key input unit 43b for providing a plurality of keys on the screen to set the processing of the image input from the camera 17 and the mail creation and sending process; The video inputted from the camera 17 and the video mail processing unit 43c and the video mail processing unit 43c which process the sending of the created mail information and the image input in response to the key input signal are inputted from the camera 17 or recorded. A display portion 43d for processing screen display of image information is provided.

The video e-mail editor 43a controls each device with the support of the operating system of the user computer 10 to generate mail information corresponding to the key input signal provided on the screen.

An example of the main screen of the video e-mail editor 43a provided by the video e-mail creation support unit 43 through the screen of the user computer 10 is shown in FIG. 5.

In the drawing, a service page movement selection window is provided on the left side of the scroll bar in the center, and a main screen of the video e-mail editor 43a is displayed on the right side.

On the main screen of the video e-mail editor, a window for inputting a recipient address is provided on the upper side, and a window for inputting a text message and a window for selecting a file attachment is provided at the bottom.

A video display window 43d1 displayed by the display portion 43d in the center portion of the main screen and a plurality of input keys 43b are provided around the video display window 43d1. Reference numeral 43b1 denotes a reset key instructing to display an image currently input from the camera 17, 43b4 denotes a recording key instructing the recording of an image input from the camera 17, and 43b5 denotes a reproduction of the recorded image. 43b2 is a storage key for instructing to store the recorded image to the user computer 10, 43b3 is a key for selecting adjustment of brightness, color tone, etc. of the image input from the camera 17, and 43b6. Is a key for adjusting the volume of the voice input from the microphone 18. The recording key 43b4 is a recording key instructing to perform recording whenever it is clicked-> a stop key instructing to stop recording-> a recording key instructing to execute recording and the video mail processing unit 43c to switch the function repeatedly. Is processed by.

Reference numeral 43b7 denotes an e-mail sending key which is used when a user who judges that a mail writing is completed requests a mail sending. Reference numeral 43d2 is a window for displaying the recording time, and 43d3 is a scale window for displaying the recording progress.

On the other hand, when the moving picture e-mail editor 43a instructs to stop recording by manipulating the recording key 43b4 during the recording process, the moving picture e-mail editor 43a converts the moving picture mail data recorded in the storage device of the user computer 10 into a standardized data compression method. It is compressed and saved in MPEG 4 format.

Returning to Fig. 3, the mail sending processing section 44 generates a moving picture e-mail when a request for sending a moving picture e-mail created using the moving picture e-mail editor 43a, that is, a sending key (see Fig. 6; 43b7) signal is input. Only part of the data is first generated mail data, that is, email extract information, to be sent to the recipient email address. For the remaining mail information that is not transmitted first, the reading path address in the e-mail extract information, that is, the Internet address of the stream server 60, so that the e-mail extract information can be automatically processed by the service system 30 when the e-mail extract information is read. And reading address information including an address in which the remaining mail information is stored in a storage device (not shown) of the stream server 60.

For the generation of the e-mail extract information, the text information of the video e-mail information requested from the user is processed to be included in the e-mail extract information, and the video information including the voice information is stored in the stream server 60, and the It is possible to apply a method of inserting the browse path address into the e-mail extract information.

Alternatively, a slight delay may occur until the remaining video mail information stored from the stream server 60, which is automatically linked when the e-mail extract information arrives at the receiver computer 10, is received by the receiver computer 10. Some of the video mail data classified as data for stream transmission, taking into account the possibility of being present, for example, the still picture of the first screen or the still picture selected by the user (in this case, the user plays the recorded video before selecting the sending key 43b7). The input key (not shown) for selecting a still picture to be inserted into the mail extract information may be inserted into the email extract information. In this case, when the recipient clicks on the reading of the e-mail extract information received through the recipient computer 10, the recipient is classified into the mail data for non-stream transmission so that the received text message and the still picture mail information can be viewed first. The remaining premise video mail information stored in the stream server 60 linked by the reading path address can be provided.

Alternatively, the mail sending processing unit 44 automatically adds additional service information, such as video advertisement information, when the e-mail extract information arrives from the recipient computer 10, in addition to the video mail data created by the sender, the video automatically created by the sender. E-mail excerpt information can be created to receive along with the mail information. In this case, the reading path address information of the video advertisement information, which is additional service information, is inserted in the e-mail extract information. The video advertisement information is created by the sender, and the electronic mail extract information may be prepared so that the video advertisement information may be attached to or displayed in front of or behind the video mail data to be transmitted and processed on the stream.

Here, the method of attaching the additional advertisement service to the video mail information prepared by the sender is performed when the recipient is a member who is subscribed to the service system 30 and receives the additional advertisement service together with the mail every time the mail arrives. Can be applied.

On the other hand, the e-mail server 50 receives the e-mail extract information output from the mail sending processing section 44 to send to the recipient e-mail address.

The e-mail extract information is processed by the mail sending processing section 44 to be stored together with the database device 70.

The stream server 60 stores the stream transmission data instructed by the mail sending processing section 60 in a storage device (not shown), and the storage location information is provided to the mail sending processing section 44. The storage address information provided is finally inserted into the email extract information.

When the stream server 60 reads the e-mail excerpt information from the recipient computer 10 that has received the e-mail excerpt information sent by the e-mail server 50, the stream server 60 designates a reading path address which is automatically transmitted. When a signal is input, the corresponding stream transmission data is transmitted to the receiver computer 10 in a stream manner.

The received video stream data is displayed via the display device in support of a multimedia player (not shown) installed in the receiver computer 10.

The database device 70 controls and stores various data necessary for providing an additional service such as storing member information and electronic mail received by the member in the main server 40.

Hereinafter, a video e-mail service process according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 7.

First, when a user connects the user's computer 10 to the video e-mail service system 30 through the Internet 25 in order to use the video e-mail service, a guide page is provided by the gate portion 41, and the user When the member login process is successful, the member page is provided.

In step 100, it is determined whether a video e-mail composition menu is selected. The video e-mail composition menu selection window is provided on the member page in the above embodiment.

If it is determined that the video e-mail composition menu is selected, the video e-mail editor 43a is loaded (step 110).

The image input from the camera 17 of the user computer 10 is displayed on the screen by the execution of the loaded video email editor 43a.

When the recording key 43b4 is clicked by the user who wants to send a video mail containing the image of the user displayed on the main screen by the video email editor 43a or a subject in the user environment in real time, The video input from the camera 17 is stored until this click is clicked or during the set recording time. Therefore, while recording is in progress, the user can enter a recipient's e-mail address and write a text message to be delivered.

If it is determined that the user who has been determined to have been completed after this process has clicked on the sending key 43b7 (step 120), the created video e-mail information is processed by the mail sending processor 44. The mail sending processing unit 44 classifies some information including text data among the created video e-mail information into the non-stream transmission mail data and the remaining video information into the stream mail video mail data, and the stream transmission data is the stream server. In step 60 (step 130). In this case, it is preferable that the non-stream transmission mail data of the moving picture mail data includes, for example, text data and / or text data and selected still picture data. Next, a reading path address including a storage location of video mail data is generated (step 140). The view route address may include a view route address of additional service video advertisement information additionally provided by the service system 30 in addition to the stream transmission video mail data prepared by the sender. After generating the e-mail extract information including the generated reading path address and the non-stream transmission mail data, the e-mail server 50 transmits the received e-mail address to the recipient e-mail address (step 150).

Therefore, the e-mail extract information is first transmitted to the computer 10 of the recipient e-mail address.

The recipient can check via the receiving mail list whether there is a mail received by the execution of a conventional e-mail editor such as Outlook Express, and the received mail list is sent by the system 30 of the present invention. Clicking on a video email item with the subject of the message displays non-streamed mail data, or text messages (and still images) recorded in the email excerpt, along with retrieval of resources on the recipient's computer without additional key manipulation. With support, a signal for requesting reading to the reading path address for the remaining mail recorded in the email extract information is automatically transmitted via the Internet 25.

If it is determined in step 160 that the read request signal has been received by this process, the stream server 60 transmits the stream data for stream transmission, which is recorded at an address corresponding to the read request signal, to be transmitted on a stream. (Step 170). The video data transmitted on the stream in step 170 may include additional service video advertisement information in addition to the remaining video mail data.

The transmitted stream data is reproduced by the multimedia player installed in the receiver computer 10. That is, the video mail recorded and created by the sender can be viewed as a video through the player of the receiver computer 10, and when the video advertisement service attachment information is recorded in the e-mail excerpt information, the video mail is displayed in front of or behind the video mail in time. You can also watch video ad information.

According to the video e-mail service system and its operation method supported through the Internet according to the present invention as described so far, it is possible to generate the video information of the subject in the user environment as a mail information in real time and send it to the recipient address By displaying the moving picture data created by the sender on the stream when the receiving mail is viewed by the receiving computer, the burden of receiving the moving picture data of the receiving computer can be reduced.

Claims (9)

When a video mail service request signal is input from the user computer equipped with the camera through the Internet, the video e-mail supports the creation and sending of the video e-mail including the video information input from the camera by the operation of the input device of the user computer. Processing the loading of the editor into the user's computer, classifying the video e-mail information sent from the user's computer into the video mail data for stream transmission and the mail data for non-stream transmission, and the mail data for non-stream transmission. A main server for generating and outputting e-mail extract information including a view path address of the stream transmission video mail data; An e-mail server that processes the sending of the e-mail extract information to a recipient e-mail address; The video transmission data stored in the corresponding address is stored when the reading request signal for storing the stream transmission video mail data in the reading path address is generated when the reading is generated in the e-mail extract information from the recipient computer. And a stream server for transmitting and receiving to a recipient computer. The video e-mail service system of claim 1, further comprising a database device controlled by the main server to store the e-mail extract information. The method of claim 1, wherein the e-mail extract information includes not only the reading address information of the video mail data but also the viewing path address information of the additional service video information provided by the service system. The e-mail extract information is created so that the additional service video information is displayed before or after the video mail data when the e-mail extract information is viewed on the recipient computer. system. 2. The moving picture e-mail service system of claim 1, wherein an initial still picture or a selected still picture data of the moving picture mail data is recorded in the e-mail extract information. The method of claim 1, wherein the video mail editor A key input unit for providing a plurality of keys on the screen to set up processing of an image input from the camera and mail creation and sending processing; A video mail processing unit for processing the transmission of the image inputted from the camera and the created mail information according to the signal input from the key input unit; And And a display unit which is controlled by the video mail processing unit and processes a screen display of the image input or recorded image information input from the camera. In a method of operating a video e-mail service system that supports the creation and sending of video e-mails through a user computer connected through the Internet, When a video e-mail creation service request signal is input from a user computer equipped with a camera through the Internet, a video supporting the creation and sending of a video e-mail including image information input from the camera by an operation of an input device of the user computer. Loading an email editor into the user computer; If there is a request for sending a video e-mail created using the loaded video e-mail editor, the video e-mail information requested for shipment is classified into video mail data for stream transmission and mail data for non-stream transmission, and the video mail for stream transmission. Storing data; And generating e-mail extract information including the browse path address of the non-stream transmission mail data and the stored stream transmission video mail data and transmitting the extracted e-mail information to a recipient e-mail address. How the system works. The method of claim 6, further comprising: transmitting the stored stream transmission data to the receiver computer in a stream manner when a request for reading the stream transmission data recorded in the e-mail extract information is received from the recipient computer. A method of operating a video e-mail service system through the Internet. The method of claim 6, wherein the e-mail extract information includes a view path address of the video mail data created by the user computer and view route information of the additional service video information. The e-mail extract information is created so that the additional service video information is displayed before or after the video mail data when the e-mail extract information is viewed on the recipient computer. How the system works. The method according to claim 5, wherein the e-mail extract information includes an initial still image or a selected still image information of the moving image mail data.