WO2015093653A1

WO2015093653A1 - Content service system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2015093653A1
Application number: PCT/KR2013/011868
Authority: WO
Inventors: 이성업
Original assignee: 주식회사 레진엔터테인먼트
Priority date: 2013-12-19
Filing date: 2013-12-19
Publication date: 2015-06-25

Abstract

The present invention relates to a content service system and method, the system comprising: a content service server for partitioning each image included in content into a predetermined number of tile images when a registration for the content is requested, generating and storing copies having different qualities from each other with respect to the tile images of each image, and providing the tile images having different qualities according to a current network state when the provision of the content is requested by a terminal device; and the terminal device for generating one image by combining the tile images transmitted from the content service server, and displaying the generated image.

Description

Content service system and method

The present invention relates to a content service system and method, and more particularly, when content registration is requested, each image included in the content is divided into a predetermined number of tile images, and different quality for tile images of each image. The present invention relates to a content service system and a method for generating and storing a copy having the same, and providing a tile image having a different quality according to a current network state when a content providing is requested from a terminal device.

The basic method of transmitting content on the Internet is to request and download the entire file of the content from the client to the server having the content. This method has a problem that it is difficult to predict the time required to download the entire file according to the network situation because the dependency on the network between the server and the client interval, and it takes a long time to download the entire file. In order to solve this problem, a technology that improves the download efficiency by storing the same content in multiple servers, and allowing the client to share content from multiple servers at the same time has emerged.

As such, the CDN (Contents Delivery Network) system has emerged as an alternative that can dramatically improve the performance of the Internet by improving the connection quality and speed problems of the Internet. The CDN system is a service that distributes content by using a plurality of cache servers and traffic management technologies installed at major points of the network in order to solve bottlenecks frequently occurring in the content delivery process. Internet business operators such as content providers can efficiently accommodate Internet users through the CDN system, and the Internet users can quickly receive content by using the most appropriate server (eg, a close and spare server).

However, in the conventional CDN system, although the content is distributed and stored in several nodes in order to increase the efficiency of the network and to easily download the content, when the traffic is concentrated on a specific part of the content, the transmission speed is slowed for a considerable period of time. There is a problem that the quality of service is reduced, and the efficient use of the network is impossible.

An object of the present invention is to provide a content service system and method for dividing a registration request image into a tile image, and replicating the tile image in various qualities to provide tile images of different qualities according to network conditions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a content service system and method capable of displaying a combination of different quality tile images received by a terminal device according to network conditions.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a content service system and method capable of efficiently servicing content at an optimal transmission speed while efficiently controlling limited network resources.

According to an aspect of the present invention in order to achieve the above object, when content registration is requested, each image included in the content is divided into a predetermined number of tile images, each having a different quality for the tile image of each image Creates and stores a copy and generates a single image by combining a tile image transmitted from the content service server and a content service server providing a tile image of a different quality according to the current network state when the content is requested from the terminal device. And, a content service system including a terminal device for displaying the generated image is provided.

The content service server generates and stores tile images of different qualities corresponding to network state values, determines a network state that changes in real time when content is requested from a terminal device, and determines a quality corresponding to the determined network state. It provides a tile image of, and if the network state is changed by monitoring the network state in real time, it is possible to provide a tile image of a quality corresponding to the changed network state.

According to another aspect of the present invention, when a content registration request signal is received from a content database and a terminal device in which information on content is received, each image included in the corresponding content is divided into a predetermined number of tile images, and each image tile Content registration processing unit for generating a copy having a different quality for the image to store in the content database, when a content providing request signal is received from the terminal device, determines the current network state, the quality corresponding to the determined network state There is provided a content service server including a content providing processor for obtaining a tile image of the content database and transmitting the same to the terminal device.

The content database stores at least one of content identification information, images included in each content, an original image in relation to each image, and images of different quality from the original image.

When the content providing request signal including content identification information is received, the content providing processing unit determines a current network state, and obtains a tile image of a quality corresponding to the determined network state and the content identification information from the content database. When the network state is changed by monitoring the network state in real time, a tile image of a quality corresponding to the changed network state may be transmitted to the terminal device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a content providing request signal including a communication unit, an output unit, content identification information for communication with a content service server through a communication network to the content service server via the communication unit, and the content Receiving a tile image of a quality corresponding to the network state from the service server, a terminal device including a content viewer processing unit for generating a single image by combining the received tile image, and displaying the generated image on the output unit Is provided.

The content viewer processor may combine tile images using coordinate values or tile image numbers of the tile image.

According to another aspect of the present invention, when a content registration request signal is received, the content service server divides each image included in the content into a predetermined number of tile images, and provides different quality for tile images of each image. Generating and storing a copy having the content, the content service server determines a current network state when a content providing request signal including content identification information is received from a terminal device, and determines the current network state. And transmitting a tile image of a corresponding quality to the terminal device, wherein the terminal device combines and displays a tile image transmitted from the content service server.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in a method for a content service, the content service server divides each image included in the corresponding content into a predetermined number of tile images when a content registration request signal is received. Creating and storing a copy having a different quality for the tile image in a content database; determining a current network state when a content providing request signal including content identification information is received from a terminal device; A content service method comprising the step of obtaining a tile image of the quality corresponding to the network status and the content identification information from the content database and transmitting to the terminal device.

The content service method may further include monitoring a network state in real time and transmitting a tile image of a quality corresponding to the changed network state to the terminal device when the network state changes.

According to the present invention, by dividing the image requested to be registered into a tile image, by replicating the tile image in various quality to provide a tile image of a different quality according to the network state, the most suitable image transmission effect according to the state of the network There is.

In addition, the terminal device may combine and display tile images of different qualities received according to network conditions.

In addition, it is possible to efficiently control the limited network resources to service the content at the optimum transmission speed while maintaining a constant quality of service.

1 is a view showing a content service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a terminal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a content service server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is an exemplary view for explaining a method for registering an image in a content database according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a view showing a content service method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is an exemplary view for explaining a method of generating a single image by combining tile images according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Details of the above-described objects and technical configurations of the present invention and the effects thereof according to the present invention will be more clearly understood by the following detailed description based on the accompanying drawings.

Each functional unit represented herein is merely an example of an implementation of the present invention. Accordingly, other implementations may be used in other implementations of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, each functional unit may be implemented in purely hardware or software configurations, but may be implemented in a combination of various hardware and software configurations that perform the same functions.

Contents described below include all moving images, still images, images, and the like, but for convenience of description, the description will be made by way of examples.

Referring to FIG. 1, the content service system includes a terminal device 100 and a content service server 200.

The terminal device 100 transmits a content providing request signal including content identification information to the content service server 200, receives a tile image of a quality corresponding to a current network state from the content service server 200, and receives the received image. The tile image is combined to generate one image, and the generated image is output.

The terminal device 100 is a device capable of communicating with the content service server 200 through a communication network, for example, a navigation device, a notebook computer, a mobile communication terminal, a smart phone, a portable media player (PMP), The device may be a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet PC, a set-top box, or a smart TV.

A detailed description of the terminal device 100 will be made with reference to FIG. 2.

When content registration is requested from the terminal device 100, the content service server 200 divides each image included in the content into a predetermined number of tile images, and creates a copy having a different quality for each tile image. And store.

When the content service request signal is received from the terminal device 100, the content service server 200 provides a tile image having a different quality according to the current network state.

A detailed description of the content service server 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a terminal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2, the terminal device 100 includes a communication unit 110, an input unit 120, an output unit 130, a storage unit 140, a content viewer processing unit 150, and a control unit 160.

The communication unit 110 is a communication means for connecting the terminal device 100 and the content service server through a communication network. For example, a wireless communication module such as mobile communication or satellite communication, a wired communication module such as the Internet, and a local area such as Wi-Fi, etc. It may include a wireless communication module.

The input unit 120 is a means for receiving a user request for controlling the operation of the terminal device 100, and converts the user's request into an electric signal according to a user's manipulation. The input unit 120 is an input means for receiving letters, numbers, text, voice, movement, tactile sense, time, etc. from the user. For example, the input means is a keyboard, a keypad, a touch screen, a visual sensing means, a tactile sensing means, a movement detecting means. It may be implemented in various forms such as a voice input means.

The output unit 130 may be implemented as a display means for displaying screen information according to driving of an application, for example, a small flat panel display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or organic light emitting diodes (OLED).

The output unit 130 displays the image processed by the content viewer processor 150 on the screen.

The storage unit 140 stores a program necessary for controlling the operation of the terminal device 100 and data generated while executing the program.

The storage unit 140 stores contents composed of images received from the content service server through the communication unit 110.

The content viewer processor 150 transmits a content providing request signal including content identification information to the content service server through the communication unit 110 and receives a tile image of a quality corresponding to a network state from the content service server.

The content viewer processor 150 generates a single image by combining the received tile images and displays the generated image on the output unit 130. In this case, the content viewer processor 150 combines the tile images by using the tile value or the tile image number of the tile image.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the content viewer processor 150 may determine the current network state, and transmit a content providing request signal including the determined network state, content identification information, etc. to the content service server. Then, the content service server may provide the terminal device with the tile image corresponding to the network state without determining the network state.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the content viewer processor 150 may transmit a content providing request signal including the resolution information of the terminal device to the content service server. Then, the content service server may provide a tile image corresponding to a range not exceeding the resolution of the terminal device.

The controller 160 controls operations of each unit, such as the communication unit 110, the input unit 120, the output unit 130, the storage 140, and the content viewer processor 150.

3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a content service server according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram for describing a method of registering an image to a content database according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the content service server 200 includes a content database 210, a content registration processor 220, a content providing processor 230, and a controller 240.

The content database 210 stores information about the content. That is, the content database 210 stores content identification information, images included in each content, original images in relation to each image, images of different quality from the original images, and the like.

When the content registration request signal is received from the terminal device, the content registration processing unit 220 divides each image included in the corresponding content into a predetermined number of tile images, and copies copies having different qualities for tile images of each image. It generates and stores in the content database 210. Here, the content registration request signal may include content consisting of at least one image, content identification information, description of content, terminal device identification information, and the like. In this case, the content registration processor 220 may generate tile images having different qualities by adjusting the bit rate, the number of pixels, and the like of the tile image.

A method of registering the image in the content database by the content registration processor 220 will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 4, when a registration of an image such as (a) is requested, the content registration processing unit 220 divides the image (a) into a tile image having a tile-like format as shown in (b). That is, the content registration processing unit 220 divides the image (a) into a plurality of tile images, such as A1, B1, C1, D1, and A2. Thereafter, the content registration processing unit 220 generates and stores a copy of the tile image according to the quality level (for example, high, mid, and low) as shown in (c). Here, the quality may be a value based on the resolution, the number of pixels, and the like.

When the content providing request signal is received from the terminal device, the content providing processor 230 determines a current network state, obtains a tile image of a quality corresponding to the determined network state, from the content database 210 and transmits it to the terminal device. do.

That is, the content providing processor 230 determines a current network state when a content providing request signal including content identification information is received. At this time, the content providing processor 230 determines the current network state by measuring the up / down link speed. The content providing processor 230 measures its own link speed while sending and receiving data for measuring the link speed. Here, the specific measurement method is to check while increasing the packet transmission rate per second until a packet error occurs. In addition, the content providing processor 230 may transmit a signal for measuring a link speed to the terminal device through the communication unit 210, and determine a network state based on a response signal received from the terminal device.

Thereafter, the content providing processor 230 obtains a tile image of a quality corresponding to the determined network state and content identification information from the content database 210 and transmits the tile image to the terminal device. At this time, the content providing processing unit 230 monitors the network state in real time, and when the network state is changed, transmits a tile image of a quality corresponding to the changed network state to the terminal device.

For example, an image of quality corresponding to a network condition of more than a first reference value, an image of quality corresponding to a value of more than a second reference value and less than a first reference value, and of a quality of being of more than a third reference value and less than a second reference value. The case where the image of the is stored in the content database will be described.

As a result of measuring the network state, the content providing processor 230 transmits a tile image of a quality corresponding to the first reference value from the first image of the corresponding content to the terminal device. When the network state becomes the third reference value while transmitting the tile image of the quality corresponding to the first reference value, the content providing processor 230 transmits the tile image of the quality corresponding to the third reference value to the terminal device.

As such, the content providing processor 230 may transmit an original image having a resolution of 1080p or an image having a resolution of 720p or an image having a resolution of 480p according to a network state.

The controller 240 controls operations of each unit, such as the content database 210, the content registration processor 220, and the content providing processor 230.

5 is a view showing a content service method according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 is an exemplary view for explaining a method of generating a single image by combining a tile image according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, when a content registration request signal including content consisting of at least one image is received (S502), the content service server divides each image included in the content into a predetermined number of tile images (S504).

Thereafter, the content service server generates a copy having a different quality for the tile image of each image and stores it in the content database (S506).

When the content service server receives the content providing request signal from the terminal device (S508), it determines the current network state (S510).

Thereafter, the content service server obtains a tile image of a quality corresponding to the determined network state from the content database (S512) and transmits the tile image to the terminal device (S514). At this time, the content service server monitors the network state in real time and, when the network state changes, transmits a tile image of a quality corresponding to the changed network state to the terminal device.

The terminal device combines the tile images received from the content service server to generate one image (S516), and displays the generated image on the output unit (S518).

A method in which the terminal device generates one image by combining the tile images generated as shown in FIG. 4C will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

If the network condition is good, the content service server transmits a tile image (A1H to B3H) having a high quality grade to the terminal device. If the network state changes to a slow state, the tile image having a quality grade of 'MID' ( C3M ~ B7M) is transmitted to the terminal device, and if the network state is changed to very slow, the tile image (C7L ~ C8L) of quality level 'LOW' is transmitted to the terminal device.

Then, the terminal device renders a tile image of A1H to B3H as shown in (a), renders a tile image of C3M to B7M as shown in (b), and renders a tile image of C7L to C8L as shown in (c). 1 Display the image on the output.

Meanwhile, the content service method may be written as a program, and codes and code segments constituting the program may be easily inferred by a programmer in the art.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. Therefore, the above-described embodiments are to be understood as illustrative in all respects and not as restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the following claims rather than the detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention. do.

The present invention divides an image requested to be registered into a tile image, duplicates the tile image with various qualities, and provides a tile image having a different quality according to the network state, thereby enabling a content service to transmit the most suitable image according to the state of the network. Applicable to the system and method.

Claims

When content registration is requested, each image included in the content is divided into a predetermined number of tile images, a copy having a different quality is generated and stored for the tile image of each image, and content provision is requested from the terminal device. A content service server providing a tile image having a different quality according to the current network state if the image is present; And

A terminal device generating one image by combining tile images transmitted from the content service server and displaying the generated image;

Content service system comprising a.
The method of claim 1,

The content service server generates and stores tile images of different qualities corresponding to network state values, determines a network state that changes in real time when content is requested from a terminal device, and determines a quality corresponding to the determined network state. And providing a tile image of the network and monitoring the network state in real time to provide a tile image of a quality corresponding to the changed network state.
A content database storing information about the content;

When the content registration request signal is received from the terminal device, each image included in the corresponding content is divided into a predetermined number of tile images, and a copy having a different quality for each tile image of each image is generated and stored in the content database. A content registration processing unit; And

A content providing processor configured to determine a current network state and to receive a tile image of a quality corresponding to the determined network state from the content database and to transmit to the terminal device when a content providing request signal is received from the terminal device;

Content service server comprising a.
The method of claim 3,

And at least one of content identification information, images included in each content, an original image, and an image having a different quality from the original image in the content database.
The method of claim 3,

When the content providing request signal including content identification information is received, the content providing processing unit determines a current network state, and obtains a tile image of a quality corresponding to the determined network state and the content identification information from the content database. And transmitting to the terminal device, and when the network state is changed by monitoring the network state in real time, transmitting a tile image of a quality corresponding to the changed network state to the terminal device.
A communication unit for communicating with a content service server through a communication network;

An output unit;

Transmits a content providing request signal including content identification information to the content service server through the communication unit, receives a tile image of a quality corresponding to a network state from the content service server, and combines the received tile images A content viewer processor configured to generate an image of the image and to display the generated image on the output unit;

Terminal device, including
The method of claim 6,

And the content viewer processor combines tile images using coordinate values or tile image numbers of the tile image.
When the content service request signal is received, splitting each image included in the content into a predetermined number of tile images, and generating and storing copies having different qualities for tile images of each image;

When the content service server receives a content providing request signal including content identification information from a terminal device, the content service server determines a current network state, and outputs a tile image of a quality corresponding to the determined network state and the content identification information. Transmitting to the device; And

Displaying, by the terminal device, a combination of tile images transmitted from the content service server;

Content service method comprising a.
In the method for the content service server for the content service,

When the content registration request signal is received, dividing each image included in the corresponding content into a predetermined number of tile images, and generating copies having different qualities for the tile images of each image and storing them in the content database;

Determining a current network state when a content providing request signal including content identification information is received from a terminal device; And

Obtaining a tile image of a quality corresponding to the determined current network state and the content identification information from the content database and transmitting the tile image to the terminal device;

Content service method comprising a.
The method of claim 9,

And monitoring a network state in real time and transmitting a tile image of a quality corresponding to the changed network state to the terminal device when the network state changes.