KR20090042495A - System and method for providing contents using auction-based network - Google Patents

Abstract

A system and a method for providing contents using auction based network are provided to benefit both a contents provider and a user by securing a transfer rate in a network to supply a distinguishing quality of service. A plurality of contents servers(110) provides a contents service. A priority bidding server(170) gives a priority about a plurality of contents servers through an auction. A scheduling policy server(180) stores a priority about a plurality of contents servers. The priority is reversed through the priority bidding server. The scheduling policy server updates the changed priority as described above on a real time basis. The priority bidding server assigns a priority according to bidding money. The bidding money is imposed to the time slot when the contents service is offered as a fixed charge or a usage based charge mode.

Description

System for providing contents using auction based network and method thereof {System and method for providing contents using auction-based network}

The present invention relates to a content providing system and a method thereof. In particular, the content provider provides a content with a differentiated quality to the user by securing a fast transmission speed in the network, the traffic load of the network according to the priority given to each content provider The present invention relates to a content providing system and method using an auction-based network that can be distributed efficiently.

In general content services, content providers connect to a network provider's network (typically, the Internet) to provide content including various types of data such as text, voice, still images, video, flash, etc. This is done by the operator performing charging for users who use the network through the user terminal.

In the case of a wired network, users are licensed for the network by paying a fixed amount each month to the wired network operator. In the case of a wireless network, users are provided with a content service by accessing the wireless network, and a fee is charged to a wireless network operator by a flat fee or a pay-as-you-go.

In such a system, differentiation of service quality is possible only through the differentiation of fees paid by users, and if users want to use a content service at a higher speed, users must subscribe to a premium service that is more expensive.

On the other hand, the content provider needs a way to differentiate its unique content from the competition. The most differentiating factor that users directly connect to the network and use the content service is the transmission speed. Therefore, a content provider that can secure a fast transmission speed in a network can have a great advantage over other companies, and can provide content services of differentiated quality in users.

However, in the related art, only various proposals for different transmission speeds have been proposed according to the service quality of a service subscribed to each user, and there is no way to secure a better service quality from a content provider's point of view.

Accordingly, a technical problem of the present invention is to provide an auction-based network in which a content provider provides content with differentiated quality to a user by securing a fast transmission speed in a network, and thus, both a content provider and a user can obtain a benefit. The present invention provides a content providing system and a method thereof.

Another technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a content providing system and method using an auction-based network that can efficiently distribute the traffic load of the network according to the priority given to each content provider.

Technical problems to be achieved by the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned technical problems, and other technical problems not mentioned above may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. There will be.

A content providing system using an auction-based network according to the present invention for achieving the above object, a plurality of content server for providing a content service; A priority bid server for assigning priorities to the plurality of content servers through an auction; And a scheduling policy server that stores the priorities for the plurality of content servers and updates the changed priorities in real time when the priorities are changed through the priority bid server.

On the other hand, the content providing method using the auction-based network according to the present invention, the step of prioritizing a plurality of content services through the auction; Priorities of the plurality of content services are stored, and the changed priorities are updated in real time when the stored priorities are changed through the granting of the priorities; And scheduling the plurality of content services according to the updated priority.

According to the present invention, a content provider can provide a content with differentiated quality to a user by securing a fast transmission speed in a network, whereby both the content provider and the user can benefit.

In addition, the traffic load of the network can be efficiently distributed according to the priority given to each content provider.

Hereinafter, a content providing system using an auction based network according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a content providing system using an auction-based network according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of a priority bidding server shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, a content providing system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of content servers 110, a priority bidding server 170, and a scheduling policy server. ) 180, the scheduling nodes 120 to 150, and the user terminal 160.

The content server 110 is to provide a content service. In order to provide its own content service to the user terminal 160, the scheduling nodes 120 to 150, the priority bidding server 170, and the scheduling policy server are provided. Access the network of the network operator including 180.

The priority bid server 170 provides an auction service to the plurality of content servers 110, thereby giving priority to content services provided by each of the plurality of content servers 110. Here, the priority bid server 170 gives priority to each content server 110 according to the bid amount. The bid amount may be charged on a flat or pay-as-you-go basis for the time zone in which the content service is provided.

Looking at the detailed configuration of the priority bidding server 170 with reference to Figure 2 as follows.

The priority bid server 170 includes an account manager 171, a bid status manager 172, and a payer 173, and gives priority to the content servers 110 through an auction service in real time. .

The account manager 171 stores account information for the plurality of content servers 110. Account information includes a domain name and an IP address.

The bidding status management unit 172 provides an auction service to the plurality of content servers 110, and gives priority to content services provided by each content server 110 according to a bid amount bidding through the auction service. .

The payment unit 173 provides a payment service to the plurality of content servers 110 to pay the bid price in the auction process through the auction.

The priority given through the auction is transmitted to the scheduling policy server 180, and the scheduling policy server 180 updates the transmitted priority in real time to be reflected in the scheduling.

The scheduling policy server 180 stores the priorities of the plurality of content servers 110 and changes the priorities of the content servers 110 through the auction service provided by the priority bidding server 170. Update rankings in real time.

The network includes scheduling nodes 120 to 150 for connecting the content server 110 and the user terminal 160 by wire or wirelessly.

The scheduling nodes 120 to 150 may be routers or switches 120 in the case of a wired network, and a gateway 130 and a base station 140 for wireless connection in the case of a wireless network. ) Or an access point 150.

Information about the priority of each content determined by the priority bidding server 170 is transmitted from the scheduling policy server 180 to the scheduling nodes 120 to 150 that need to be updated, and the scheduling nodes 120 to 150 that receive the information are sent. Update the priority for each content. Here, the priority of each content may be sorted based on a specific item such as a time zone, a location, a network, a content category, and the like.

The scheduling nodes 120 to 150 that have received the priority information from the scheduling policy server 180, that is, the router or switch 120, the gateway 130, the base station 140, and the access point 150, respectively, have priority. Prioritize traffic through a scheduling scheme that matches the priority.

In addition, each scheduling node 120 to 150 measures the expected quality of service for each end user, IP address, or web page using the received priority and transmits the estimated quality of service to the scheduling policy server 180.

The scheduling policy server 180 which has received the expected quality of service from the scheduling nodes 120 to 150 updates the received expected quality of service on the web page 190 in real time and displays it on the screen, and the user requests the estimated quality of service. When you make a query with priority.

Each content server 110 connects to a network of a network operator (Internet / Intranet, etc.) in order to provide its own content service to the user terminal 160. In order to provide a content service to the user terminal 160, it is necessary to transmit traffic through a wired / wireless network to which the content server 110 is connected.

The user terminal 160 connects to the scheduling policy server 180 according to a user request, and includes a mobile phone 161, a personal digital assistant (PDA) 162, and a notebook computer 163. All types of terminals that can access the content server 110 through wired / wireless communication, such as a desktop computer and a workstation.

In order to provide a content service to the user terminal 160, it is necessary to transmit traffic through a network (Internet / Intranet, etc.) to which the content server 110 is connected.

In order to receive a specific content service, when traffic is requested from the user terminal 160, the requested traffic is transmitted from the content server 110 to the router or switch 120, the gateway 130, the base station 140, the access point. It is delivered to the user terminal 160 through the scheduling nodes 120 to 150 such as 150.

Such a content providing system is for differentiating a transmission speed of data based on auction in a wired / wireless network including a server storing content and a user terminal using the same. It is widely applicable to networks where bottlenecks can occur.

According to the above-described content providing system, scheduling is performed based on the domain name or IP address of the content server 110 registered by the content provider, thereby providing a better quality of service when the user uses the content service of a specific content provider. Can be provided.

A network operator operating a network provides a content provider with an auction service that can provide bid rankings by item such as current time zone, location, network, and content category, and raise bid amounts to obtain better priorities.

To this end, the priority bidding server 170 constructs an auction service divided by items such as time zone, location (region), network, and content category.

Each content provider can select his / her desired time zone (for example, 6 pm to 9 pm), location (for example, Seoul, Daejeon, Daegu, Busan, etc.), network (for example, WiBro, HSDPA, 1xEV-DO). , xDSL, etc.) and content categories (eg, portals, news, communities, shopping malls, etc.) may propose their own bid amounts. Of course, each item may be integrated.

In addition, the network operator sets the priority for each content based on the bid amount, and enables scheduling based on the priority in the scheduling nodes 120 to 150 where traffic congestion occurs.

Hereinafter, a method for providing contents using an auction-based network according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

3 is a data flowchart of a content providing method using an auction-based network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 3, the content providing method according to an embodiment of the present invention step S111 to step S114 to give a large priority, step S121 to perform the scheduling according to the updated priority after updating the changed priority From step S139, to step S141 and S142 to provide a content service with a quality of service according to the scheduling.

In steps S111 to S114, the priority bidding server 170 gives priority to the plurality of content servers 110 through an auction.

First, in step S111, the priority bidding server 170 stores account information for the plurality of content servers 110 each providing a specific content service, and priorities (default) of the corresponding content services. do.

The account information includes a domain name or IP address of each content server 110, and priorities are stored for each item based on items such as content category, location, time zone, and network.

Next, in step S112, the priority bidding server 170 provides an auction service to the content server 110, so that the content provider operating the content server 110 proposes an appropriate bid amount for better priority. This allows for higher priorities. The bid amount may be charged in a flat or pay-as-you-go manner for the time slots in which each of the plurality of content services is provided.

As such, priorities of the plurality of content services may be given according to the bid amount through the auction service.

Next, in step S113, the priority bidding server 170 provides a payment service interoperating with the auction service to the content server 110. The content provider provides a bid amount to a network operator operating a network including a priority bid server 170, a scheduling policy server 180, and scheduling nodes 120 to 150 through a payment service provided to the content server 110. You can pay When the bid amount is paid, the auction result is confirmed, and the priority of the corresponding content service is determined according to the auction result.

The bid amount may be a flat rate set in a certain amount of time, or may be a pay-as-you-go system based on the amount of data of the service used by the actual user during the time.

In step S114, the priority bid server 170 stores the auction result and the priority for each content service given according to the auction result.

Content providers can differentiate their service quality, such as transmission speed, from other content providers through an auction service in order to promote their content consumption. The auction is based on the domain name or IP address of the content server 110 operated by the content provider.

In steps S121 to S139, the priority bidding server 170 updates the changed priorities in real time when the priorities for the content services are changed through the steps S111 to S114, and schedules them according to the updated priorities. To perform.

Specifically, first, in steps S121 and S122, the network operator updates the priority of each item by reflecting the priorities of the stored content services, and changes to priorities stored in advance after the update operation. Check whether there is.

If there is a change in the priority, the priority bid server 170 proceeds to step S123 and transmits the information about the changed priority to the scheduling policy server 180.

In steps S131 and S132, the scheduling policy server 180 updates the changed priority received from the priority bid server 170, and then transfers the corresponding information to the scheduling nodes 120 to 150.

In operation S134, the scheduling nodes 120 to 150 perform scheduling on the content services provided by the content server 110 according to the changed priority, and prioritize the traffic provided from the content server 110 when the traffic is congested. Allow ranking.

As such, the priority bid server 170 updates the priority for each content stored in the scheduling policy server 180 based on the auction result, and transmits the corresponding information to each scheduling node 120 to 150, and the scheduling node. In operation 120 through 150, scheduling is performed according to the delivered priority.

Scheduling may include a method of absolutely guaranteeing priority and a method of guaranteeing relatively priority.

The absolute priority guarantee scheme means a method in which traffic with higher priority is always transmitted first when traffic with higher priority comes in when traffic congestion occurs.

The relative priority guarantee scheme may be applied to the scheduling nodes 130 to 150 of the wireless network. In order to efficiently utilize radio resources, scheduling is performed in consideration of priority and performance of the radio link.

In operation S135, the scheduling nodes 120 to 150 may use the priority to measure the expected quality of service for each of the plurality of content services.

In operation S137, the scheduling nodes 120 to 150 transmit the estimated service quality for each priority measured through operation S135 to the scheduling policy server 180 to register with the web page 190.

In step S138, the scheduling policy server 180 reflects the estimated service quality received from the scheduling nodes 120 to 150 on the web page 190 and displays the priority with the priority.

That is, the scheduling policy server 180 linked with the priority bidding server 170 discloses the priority given through the bid amount through the web page 190 so that users can receive the quality that they can receive when using the content service. Make sure to check.

The user may inquire the priority and the expected service quality of the content service to be provided through the web page 190. In this case, the user may access the web page 190 of the scheduling policy server 180 using the user terminal 160 to check the current priority information and the expected service quality of the plurality of content servers 110.

In step S141 and step S142, the content server 110 transmits its content to the user terminal 160 with a quality of service that matches the priority. That is, when a user transmits a traffic request to the content server 110 through the scheduling nodes 120 to 150, the content service from the content server 110 to the user terminal 160 via the network in response to the scheduled expected quality of service. Is provided.

In this case, since the scheduling nodes 120 to 150 control the traffic transmission speeds of the plurality of content servers 110 according to the scheduled expected quality of service, the higher priority content server 110 may have a faster traffic transmission speed. .

4 and 5 illustrate screens for explaining some of the steps of FIG. 3.

4 is a screen that a user who accesses the web page 190 of the scheduling policy server 180 using the user terminal 160 can view through the web browser on the user terminal 160 in step S138.

The scheduling policy server 180 updates the web page 190 in real time by reflecting the auction result of the priority bidding server 170. The user accesses the web page 190 to obtain a service quality of content services that can be provided in the network to which he is currently connected.

The user may set a content category through the web page 190. 4 shows the user '1. The result of selecting the Potal 'menu (S210) is illustrated.

'Priority' menu (S211) shows the auction results through the priority bid server 170, the 'site' menu (S212), such as the title, address and description of the web page built in each content server 110 Can be provided. 'Expected quality' menu (S213) presents the expected service quality that can be provided to the user terminal 160. The number of priorities displayed may be changed, and a plurality of content servers 110 may be selected and displayed for the same priority.

FIG. 5 illustrates a screen when the content provider accesses the priority bidding server 170 to obtain a priority for the own content server 110 in step S112. When each content provider logs in to the web page of the priority bidding server 170 in order to receive an auction service, his or her IP address may be confirmed through the 'IP' menu S220 of FIG. 5.

In FIG. 5, an auction is performed using an IP address, but an auction may be performed using a domain name. If the auction is made using a domain name, the content provider may register a certain number of IP addresses under one domain name. A description of the IP address or domain name registered by the content provider may be added below the 'site' menu (S221), and the information entered in the corresponding menu (S221) is registered in the 'site' menu (S212) of FIG. do.

Priority bid server 170 shows the current priority of the registered IP address or domain name through the 'current priority' menu (S222), the bid amount required to obtain the highest priority 'First Bid' menu (S223) ), And displays the current bid amount in the 'My Bid' menu (S224) and makes it possible to enter the update possible.

Finally, if the content provider changes the priority of his or her content server 110 through the 'apply' menu (S225), the changed auction result is stored.

Here, the bid amount may be set in a fixed amount for the time zone by the flat rate, or may be set based on the amount of traffic actually generated in the time zone by the pay-as-you-go system.

If the bid amount is set to a flat rate, if the content provider bids at $ 100 / hour ($ 100 / 1Hour) per hour, $ 300 ($ 100 × 3Hour) will be charged to the content provider for traffic usage during the time zone from 6:00 to 9:00. will be. If the bid amount is based on a pay-as-you-go system, if the content user bids at $ 3 per MB for the time zone between 6 and 9 o'clock, the actual amount of traffic generated between 6 and 9 o'clock is 100 MB ($ 3 *). 100 will be charged to the content provider.

The scheduling policy server 180 provides a web page 190 showing the highest priority bid amounts in order so that the content provider can grasp the overall bidding status in real time.

The web page 190 built in the scheduling policy server 180 currently bids according to the selection of Category / Location / Time / Network even if the content provider does not log in with his or her ID. Display the ranking and bid amount. The content provider may know the amount for securing the priority of his content through the web page.

The selection of categories / locations / time zones / networks for bidding can be integrated. That is, the category division, location division, time zone division, and network division may be added for each item or deleted.

For example, if only the division of the category and time zone can be selected, and the rest is integrated without selection, the content provider can select only the division of the category and time zone on the web page 190, and the rest cannot be selected.

The unit of division for bidding such as category / location / time zone / network can be arbitrarily selected by the network operator. In other words, the network operator can select whether the bidding target time is 1 hour or 3 hours.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may implement the present invention in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. I can understand that.

Therefore, since the embodiments described above are provided to completely inform the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, it should be understood that they are exemplary in all respects and not limited. The invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

According to the content providing method and system of the present invention, a content provider can provide a content with differentiated quality to a user by securing a fast transmission speed in a network, and the traffic load of the network according to the priority given to each content provider is increased. It can be distributed efficiently.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a content providing system using an auction-based network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the priority bidding server shown in FIG. 1.

3 is a data flow diagram of a content providing method using an auction-based network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 and 5 are screen examples for explaining some of the steps of FIG.

*** Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawing ***

110: content server 120 to 150: scheduling node

160: user terminal 170: priority bid server

180: Scheduling Policy Server

Claims (14)

A plurality of content servers providing content services; A priority bid server for assigning priorities to the plurality of content servers through an auction; And A scheduling policy server that stores priorities for the plurality of content servers and updates the changed priorities in real time when the priorities are changed through the priority bid server. Content providing system using an auction-based network comprising a. The method of claim 1, wherein the priority bid server, A content providing system using an auction-based network characterized in that the priority is given according to the bid amount. The method of claim 2, wherein the bid amount is Content providing system using an auction-based network, characterized in that the charge is charged in a flat or pay-as-you-go method for the time zone in which the content service is provided. The method of claim 1, wherein the priority bid server, An account manager which stores account information for the plurality of content servers; A bidding status management unit providing an auction service to the plurality of content servers and assigning priorities according to bid amounts through the auction service; And Payment unit for providing a payment service to the plurality of content servers for payment of the bid price in the auction process through auction Content providing system using an auction-based network comprising a. The method of claim 1, A scheduling node that receives the priorities of the plurality of content servers from the scheduling policy server and differentiates transmission rates of traffic provided from the plurality of content servers according to the priorities. Content providing system using an auction-based network further comprising. The method of claim 5, wherein the scheduling node, A content providing system using an auction-based network, characterized in that at least one of a router, a switch, a gateway, a base station, and an access point. The method of claim 5, wherein the scheduling node, The content providing system using the auction-based network, characterized in that for measuring the estimated service quality for the plurality of content servers using the priority and transmits to the scheduling policy server. The method of claim 7, wherein A user terminal receiving the priority and the expected quality of service by accessing the scheduling policy server according to a user request Content providing system using an auction-based network further comprising. Prioritizing a plurality of content services through an auction; Priorities of the plurality of content services are stored, and the changed priorities are updated in real time when the stored priorities are changed through the granting of the priorities; And Scheduling the plurality of content services according to the updated priority; Content providing method using an auction-based network comprising a. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the assigning priority is And providing priority according to the bid amount. The method of claim 10, wherein the assigning of the priority level comprises: And charging the bid amount by a subscription or a pay-as-you-go method for the time slots in which each of the plurality of content services is provided. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the assigning priority is Storing account information for the plurality of content services; Performing an auction service to give priority to the plurality of content services according to a bid amount; And The bidding amount is paid through a payment service, and the assigned priority is determined. Content providing method using an auction-based network comprising a. The method of claim 9, wherein after the performing of the scheduling: Measuring an estimated service quality for the plurality of content services using the priority; Content providing method using an auction-based network comprising a. The method of claim 13, wherein after the measurement of the expected quality of service, Providing the priority and the expected quality of service for the plurality of content services according to a user request. Content providing method using an auction-based network comprising a.

Images