KR20170102851A - Apparatus and method for providing streaming music service - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for sharing social-based contents by members of a social network. In this case, the method for sharing contents comprises: a step of transmitting corresponding contents to a first terminal when the first terminal requests the use of the contents; a step of transmitting contents use information for the first terminal to a second terminal through the social network; and a step of transmitting the same contents as contents, which is transmitted to the first terminal, to the second terminal when the second terminal requests the use of the same contents as the first terminal.

Description

[0001] APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING STREAMING MUSIC SERVICE [0002]

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for providing a streaming music service, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for sharing contents provided on a social basis by members of a social network.

Social-based music services not only provide music but also support various social activities such as making friends and sharing music. For example, a social-based music service may display songs that members of a social network have recently listened to, or display a list of music that each member likes. In addition, the social-based music service may display music currently being listened to by each member.

As described above, the social-based music service provides a function of displaying the music of members of the social network and the favorite music. That is, the social-based music service does not provide the music contents that the members of the social network listen to, but merely provides the log of each member.

Accordingly, there is a need for a method for content sharing of members of a social network in the social-based music service.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for members of a social network to share contents provided on a social basis.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for members of a social network to share multimedia contents provided on a social basis.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for members of a social network to share music contents provided through a social-based music service.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for members of a social network to share music contents that a specific user provides through a social-based music service.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for transmitting music content information provided by a specific user through a social-based music service to members of a social network.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating a server for providing content, the method comprising: in response to receiving a streaming service request from a first terminal, In response to receipt of a streaming service request synchronized with the first terminal from the second terminal during transmission of the streaming data to the first terminal, transmitting the first streaming data associated with the second terminal, And transmitting second streaming data synchronized with the first streaming data to the second terminal, wherein the step of transmitting the second streaming data synchronized with the first streaming data to the second terminal comprises: When a control signal for controlling the transmission of the first streaming data is detected, When the signal indicating that the transmission of a part of the first streaming data is interrupted is detected by the first terminal, the transmission of the second streaming data to the first terminal, And transmitting a part of the streaming data to the second terminal.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server apparatus for providing content, the server apparatus comprising: a storage unit for storing at least one content; a server for providing the streaming service request to the first terminal in response to receiving a streaming service request from the first terminal; In response to receipt of a streaming service request synchronized with the first terminal from the second terminal during transmission of the streaming data to the first terminal, transmitting the first streaming data associated with the first streaming data to the second terminal, A transmission module for transmitting second streaming data synchronized with the first streaming data, and a transmission module for transmitting the second streaming data synchronized with the first streaming data, when a control signal for controlling the transmission of the first streaming data is detected, And a control unit for controlling transmission of the first streaming data to the first terminal, When the transmission signal is detected indicating the interrupted, characterized in that, regardless of the signal, transmitting the second part of the streaming data corresponding to the portion of the first stream data to the second terminal.

As described above, by sharing the contents provided by the social network with the members of the social network, it is possible to form a consensus with the user by sharing the contents used by the specific users, and by sharing music with famous people, Can be increased.

1 is a diagram illustrating a procedure for sharing music contents provided through a social-based music service according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a procedure for sharing music contents provided through a social-based music service according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG.
3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for sharing music contents provided through a social-based music service according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates a procedure for transmitting music content from a server to a social network member according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.
FIG. 5 illustrates a procedure for transmitting music content from a server to a social network member according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG.
FIG. 6 illustrates a procedure for transmitting music content from a server to a social network member according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG.
7 is a diagram showing a block configuration of a server according to the present invention, and Fig.
Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the synchronization of music content shared by social network members according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear. The following terms are defined in consideration of the functions of the present invention, and these may be changed according to the intention of the user, the operator, or the like. Therefore, the definition should be based on the contents throughout this specification.

Hereinafter, the present invention describes a technique for sharing contents provided on a social basis by members of a social network.

In the following description, the term collectively refers to services provided on a social basis, and includes music, movies, moving pictures, electronic books, games, and the like. In the following description, it is assumed that music contents are provided among the contents. However, when contents such as movies, moving pictures, e-books and games are used, the members of the social networks can share the same manner.

In the following description, a terminal generally refers to a device used by a user to access a social network, and includes a mobile communication terminal, a PDA (Personal Data Assistant), a portable computer, a personal computer, and the like.

FIG. 1 illustrates a procedure for sharing music contents provided through a social-based music service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the social network includes a first terminal 110 and a second terminal 120.

When the user of the terminal 1 (110) wants to listen to music, the terminal 1 (110) requests music to the server 100 (operation 131). Here, the server 100 provides a function of a social network server for exchanging information of users and a streaming music service.

The server 100 streams the music content requested by the first terminal 110 to the first terminal 110 (step 133). At this time, the terminal 1 (110) reproduces music contents streamed from the server (100).

When the server 100 requests the status information of the first terminal 110 during the streaming of the music content to the first terminal 110 in step 135, And transmits the status information of the first terminal 110 to the second terminal 120 (Step 137). For example, the server 100 transmits information on music contents streamed to the terminal 1 (110) to the terminal 2 (120).

When the user of the terminal 2 (120) requests the "listen" service for listening to the music the user of the terminal 1 (110) is listening to, the terminal 2 (120) Listening "service (step 139).

In step 141, the server 100 streams the same music content as the music content streamed to the first terminal 110 to the second terminal 120 in response to a request from the terminal 120. FIG. For example, the server 100 streams the same music content as the music content streamed to the terminal 1 (110) to the terminal 2 (120) separately from the terminal 1 (110). In this case, the terminal 2 (120) can reproduce the music content from the beginning. For example, the server 100 streams the same music content to the terminal 1 110 and the terminal 2 120 simultaneously. In this case, the terminal 2 (120) can reproduce music synchronized with the music that the terminal 1 (110) is listening to. Accordingly, the terminal 2 (120) may reproduce music content from the middle of the music content according to the music playback time of the terminal (110).

FIG. 2 illustrates a procedure for sharing music contents provided through a social-based music service according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the social network includes a first terminal 210 and a second terminal 220.

When the user of the first terminal 210 wants to listen to music, the first terminal 210 requests music from the server 200 (step 231). Here, the server 200 provides a function of a social network server for exchanging information of users and a streaming music service.

The server 200 streams the music content requested by the first terminal 210 to the first terminal 210 (step 233). At this time, the terminal 1 (210) reproduces music contents streamed from the server (200).

When the server 200 requests music service information from the terminal 220 in step 235 while streaming music content to the terminal 210 in step 235, The second terminal 220 transmits a terminal list providing the current music service to the second terminal 220 (step 237).

When the user of the second terminal 220 selects the first terminal 210 from the terminal list provided from the server 200, the second terminal 220 transmits the first terminal 210 to the server 200, (Step 239). ≪ / RTI >

In step 241, the server 200 streams the same music content as the music content streamed to the first terminal 210 to the second terminal 220 according to a request from the terminal 220. For example, the server 200 streams the same music content as the music content streamed to the first terminal 210 to the second terminal 220 separately from the first terminal 210. In this case, the terminal 2 (220) can reproduce the music content from the beginning. In another example, the server 200 streams the same music content to the terminal 1 210 and the terminal 2 220 simultaneously. In this case, the terminal 2 (220) can reproduce music synchronized with the music that the terminal (1) 210 is listening to. Accordingly, the terminal 2 220 may reproduce music content from the middle of the music content according to the music playback time of the terminal 210.

FIG. 3 illustrates a procedure for sharing music contents provided through a social-based music service according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the social network, the second terminal 320 registers the first terminal 310 as a FAN (Step 331). Here, the FAN indicates a terminal that the second terminal 320 registers to share music contents.

If the user of the terminal 1 310 wants to listen to music, the terminal 1 310 requests music to the server 300 (step 333). Here, the server 300 provides a function of a social network server and streaming music service for information exchange of users.

The server 300 streams the music content requested by the first terminal 310 to the first terminal 310 (step 335). At this time, the terminal 1 510 reproduces music contents streamed from the server 500.

Also, when streaming music contents to the first terminal 310, the server 300 determines whether there is a terminal registered as a FAN with the first terminal 310 in the FAN registration information. If the terminal 2 320 registers the terminal 1 310 as a FAN, the server 300 transmits the music list information of the terminal 1 310 to the terminal 2 320 (step 337) ). At this time, the terminal 2 (320) informs the user of the music listening information of the terminal 1 (310) using at least one of a popup window, sound and vibration. Here, the FAN registration information indicates a list of terminals registered by the terminal 2 (320) to share music contents.

When the user of the terminal 2 320 requests the 'listen to' service to listen to the music being heard by the user of the terminal 1 310, the terminal 2 320 transmits the ' 1 " 310 (step 339).

In step 341, the server 300 streams the same music content as the music content streamed to the first terminal 310 to the second terminal 320 at the request of the second terminal 320. For example, the server 300 streams the same music content as the music content streamed to the first terminal 310 to the second terminal 320 separately from the first terminal 310. In this case, the terminal 2 320 can reproduce the music content from the beginning. For example, the server 300 simultaneously streams the same music content to the terminal 1 (310) and the terminal 2 (320). In this case, the terminal 2 (320) can reproduce music synchronized with the music that the terminal (1) 310 is listening to. Accordingly, the terminal 2 320 may reproduce music content from the middle of the music content according to the music playback time of the first terminal 310.

A method for streaming music contents identical to the music contents streamed from the server to the terminal 1 to the terminal 2 will be described below.

FIG. 4 illustrates a procedure for transmitting music contents from a server to a social network member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the server determines in step 401 whether to provide a " listen through "service. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the server 100 determines that the second terminal 120 provides a " listen through "

If the "listen on" service is not provided, the server terminates the algorithm.

On the other hand, in the case of providing the "listen through" service, that is, when the terminal 2 requests the terminal 1 to "listen ", the server proceeds to step 403 to check the music content streamed to the terminal 1. [

After confirming the music contents to be streamed to the terminal 1, the server proceeds to step 405 and streams the same music contents as the streaming music contents to the terminal 1 to the terminal 2. At this time, the server streams music contents to the terminal 2 separately from the terminal 1. For example, the server may stream music contents to the first terminal 800 as shown in FIG. 8 (a). If the terminal 2 810 requests the "listen through" service for the terminal 1 800, the server transmits the same music content as the music content streamed to the terminal 1 800 to the terminal 1 800, To the terminal 2 (810) separately (831). Accordingly, the terminal 2 810 can reproduce the music contents without being influenced by the music content control (for example, pause, skip) 833 of the terminal 1 800. In addition, the terminal 2 810 may reproduce music contents without being affected by a situation (835) in which streaming is interrupted by the network disconnection of the terminal 1 (800).

Thereafter, the server proceeds to step 407 and checks whether the music service provided to the terminal 1 is terminated.

If the music service provided to the terminal 1 is not terminated, the server proceeds to step 403 and checks the music content streamed to the terminal 1.

On the other hand, when the music service provided to the terminal 1 is terminated, the server ends the algorithm. That is, when the music service for the terminal 1 is terminated, the server ends with the "listen through" service for the terminal 2.

In the above-described embodiment, the server streams music contents to the terminal 2 separately from the terminal 1.

In another embodiment, the server may stream the same music content to both the terminal 1 and the terminal 2 simultaneously as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 5 illustrates a procedure for transmitting music contents from a server to a social network member according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the server determines in step 501 whether to provide a " listen through "service. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the server 100 determines that the second terminal 120 provides a " listen through "

If the "listen on" service is not provided, the server terminates the algorithm.

On the other hand, when providing the "listen to listen" service, that is, when the terminal 2 requests to listen to the terminal 1, the server proceeds to step 503 to transmit music contents streamed only to the terminal 1, And simultaneously streams to the terminal 2. For example, the server 820 streams music contents to the first terminal 800 as shown in FIG. 8B. If the terminal 2 810 requests the "listen through" service for the terminal 1 800, the server transmits the music content streamed only to the terminal 1 800 to the terminal 1 800, (Step 841). In this case, the terminal 2 (810) can reproduce the same music at the same time as the terminal 1 (800). Accordingly, the terminal 2 (810) may reproduce music content from the middle of the music content according to the music reproduction time point of the terminal (800). Since the terminal 2 810 simultaneously receives the same music content as that of the terminal 1 800, the terminal 2 810 controls the music content according to the music content control (e.g., pause, skip) 843 of the terminal 1 800 The reproduction of the music contents may be changed. In addition, the server may stream music contents such as a broadcast service. Accordingly, the terminal 2 (810) may reproduce the music contents without being influenced by the situation (845) in which the streaming is interrupted by the network disconnection of the terminal 1 (800).

Thereafter, the server proceeds to step 505 and checks whether the music service provided to the terminal 1 is terminated.

If the music service provided to the terminal 1 is not terminated, the server proceeds to step 503 and simultaneously streams the same music content to the terminal 1 and the terminal 2. [

On the other hand, when the music service provided to the terminal 1 is terminated, the server ends the algorithm. That is, when the music service for the terminal 1 is terminated, the server ends with the "listen through" service for the terminal 2.

FIG. 6 illustrates a procedure for transmitting music contents from a server to a social network member according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, in step 601, the server determines whether to provide a "listen through" service. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the server 100 determines that the second terminal 120 provides a " listen through "

If the "listen on" service is not provided, the server terminates the algorithm.

On the other hand, when providing the "listen to listen" service, that is, when the terminal 2 requests the terminal 1 to listen to the terminal 1, the server proceeds to step 603 to transmit the music content streamed only to the terminal 1, And simultaneously streams to the terminal 2. For example, the server 820 may stream music contents to the first terminal 800 as shown in (c) of FIG. If the terminal 2 810 requests the "listen through" service for the terminal 1 800, the server transmits the music content streamed only to the terminal 1 800 to the terminal 1 800, (810) simultaneously (851). In this case, the terminal 2 (810) can reproduce the same music at the same time as the terminal 1 (800). Accordingly, the terminal 2 (810) may reproduce music content from the middle of the music content according to the music reproduction time point of the terminal (800). In addition, since the terminal 2 (810) receives the same music content as the terminal 1 800 simultaneously, the terminal 2 810 controls the music content according to the music content control (e.g., pause, skip) 853 of the terminal 1 800 The reproduction of the music contents may be changed.

Thereafter, the server proceeds to step 605 and determines whether a communication delay with the terminal 1 occurs.

If there is no communication delay with the terminal 1, the server proceeds to step 603 and streams the same music content to the terminal 1 and the terminal 2 simultaneously.

On the other hand, if there is a communication delay with the terminal 1, the server proceeds to step 607 and stops streaming to the terminals 1 and 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 8 (c), when the streaming is interrupted by the network disconnection of the terminal 1 800 (855), the server also stops streaming to the terminal 2.

Thereafter, the server proceeds to step 609 and checks whether communication with the terminal 1 is resumed.

If the communication with the terminal 1 is resumed, the server proceeds to step 611 and resumes the streaming that was interrupted at step 607. That is, the server simultaneously streams the same music content to the terminal 1 and the terminal 2.

Thereafter, the server proceeds to step 613 and determines whether the music service provided to the terminal 1 is terminated.

If the music service provided to the terminal 1 is not terminated, the server proceeds to step 603 and streams the same music content to the terminal 1 and the terminal 2 simultaneously.

On the other hand, when the music service provided to the terminal 1 is terminated, the server ends the algorithm. That is, when the music service for the terminal 1 is terminated, the server ends with the "listen through" service for the terminal 2.

The following description explains the functions of the social network server and the configuration of the server for providing the streaming music service.

FIG. 7 shows a block configuration of a server according to the present invention.

7, the server includes a control unit 700, a streaming module 710, a storage unit 720, a user management module 730, and a communication module 740.

The controller 700 controls the overall operation of the server. For example, the control unit 700 controls the users to share and exchange information through a social network. In addition, the controller 700 controls the streaming module 710 to provide a music service to a user requesting music through the communication module 740. The control unit 700 controls the streaming module 710 to stream the same content to the terminal 1 and the terminal 2 when the terminal 2 requests the "listen" service for the terminal 1. At this time, the controller 700 controls the streaming module 710 to stream the same content to the terminal 1 and the terminal 2 by any of the methods shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6.

The streaming module 710 streams the music contents to the corresponding terminal under the control of the controller 700. [ For example, when the terminal 2 requests the "listen through" service for the terminal 1, the streaming module 710 streams the same music content as the music content streamed to the terminal 1 to the terminal 2. At this time, the streaming module 710 streams music contents to the terminal 2 separately from the terminal 1. For example, when the terminal 2 requests the "listen through" service for the terminal 1, the streaming module 710 streams the same music content to the terminal 1 and the terminal 2 at the same time.

The storage unit 720 may include a program storage unit for storing a program for controlling the operation of the server and a data storage unit for storing data generated during program execution. For example, the storage unit 720 stores music information for streaming and member information for configuring a social network.

The user management module 730 determines whether there is a partner terminal registered as a FAN by the controller 700 considering the FAN registration information stored in the storage unit 720. [ If there is a partner terminal registered as a FAN by the terminal requesting music reproduction, the user management module 730 provides the partner terminal information to the controller 700. At this time, the controller 700 transmits the music reproduction information of the terminal registered as the FAN to the counterpart terminal.

The communication module 740 transmits / receives signals to / from user terminals via wire / wireless.

In the above-described embodiment, the server includes a streaming module 710 for streaming music contents. At this time, although the streaming module 710 is not shown, the streaming module 710 is included in a transmission module for transmitting contents.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited by the illustrated embodiments, but should be determined by the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

110: terminal 1
120: Terminal 2
100: Server

Claims (16)

A method of operating a server for providing content,
Transmitting first streaming data associated with the streaming service request to the first terminal in response to receiving a streaming service request from the first terminal,
Wherein the first streaming data is synchronized with the first streaming data to the second terminal in response to receipt of a streaming service request synchronized with the first terminal from the second terminal during the transmission of the streaming data to the first terminal, And transmitting the data,
And transmitting the second streaming data synchronized with the first streaming data to the second terminal,
And controlling transmission of the second streaming data according to the control signal when a control signal for controlling the transmission of the first streaming data is detected from the first terminal,
Wherein when a signal indicating that the transmission of a part of the first streaming data is stopped is detected by the first terminal, a part of the second streaming data corresponding to a part of the first streaming data, To the terminal.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first streaming data and the second streaming data are different streaming data for the same content,
Wherein the content comprises at least one of music, movies, moving pictures, electronic books and games.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the step of transmitting the first streaming data to the first terminal comprises:
And streaming the music content to the first terminal when playback of the music content is requested from the first terminal.
The method according to claim 1,
And transmitting second streaming data synchronized with the first streaming data to the second terminal,
Confirming at least one other terminal that has registered the first terminal as a content sharing terminal in response to detection of start of transmission of the first streaming data to the first terminal; The second terminal,
And transmitting content usage information for the first terminal to the at least one other terminal.
The method according to claim 1,
And transmitting second streaming data synchronized with the first streaming data to the second terminal,
And transmitting the terminal list including content usage information for the first terminal to the second terminal through a social network,
Wherein the terminal list includes content usage information of at least one other terminal that receives content from the server.
3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the control signal for controlling the transmission of the first streaming data is at least one of a signal for suspending reproduction of the first streaming data or a signal for skipping the reproduction of the first streaming data.
The method according to claim 6,
And controlling transmission of the second streaming data according to the control signal when the control signal is detected from the first terminal,
And controlling transmission of the second streaming data in the same manner as controlling the transmission of the first streaming data based on the control signal.
8. The method of claim 7,
When a signal for requesting resumption of transmission of the first streaming data to the first terminal is detected, based on a period of the second streaming data transmitted to the second terminal at a time when the signal is detected, And resuming transmission of the data.
A server apparatus for providing content, comprising:
A storage unit for storing at least one content,
In response to receiving a streaming service request from a first terminal, transmitting first streaming data associated with the streaming service request to the first terminal,
Wherein the first streaming data is synchronized with the first streaming data to the second terminal in response to receipt of a streaming service request synchronized with the first terminal from the second terminal during the transmission of the streaming data to the first terminal, A transmission module for transmitting data,
And a control unit for controlling transmission of the second streaming data according to the control signal when a control signal for controlling transmission of the first streaming data is detected from the first terminal,
Wherein the transmission module is configured to transmit the second streaming data corresponding to a part of the first streaming data to the first terminal when the signal indicating that the transmission of a part of the first streaming data is stopped is detected, And transmits a part of the data to the second terminal.
10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the first streaming data and the second streaming data are different streaming data for the same content,
Wherein the content comprises at least one of music, movies, moving pictures, electronic books and games.
10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the transmission module streams the music content to the first terminal when playback of the music content is requested from the first terminal.
10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the controller identifies at least one other terminal that has registered the first terminal as a content sharing terminal in response to the detection of the start of transmission of the first streaming data to the first terminal, The terminal includes the second terminal,
Wherein the transmission module transmits content usage information for the first terminal to the at least one other terminal.
10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the transmission module transmits the terminal list including the content usage information for the first terminal to the second terminal through the social network,
Wherein the terminal list includes content usage information of at least one other terminal that receives content from the server.
11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the control signal for controlling the transmission of the first streaming data is at least one of a signal for suspending the reproduction of the first streaming data or a signal for skipping the reproduction of the first streaming data.
15. The method of claim 14,
Wherein the control unit controls the transmission of the second streaming data in the same manner as the control of the transmission of the first streaming data based on the control signal.
16. The method of claim 15,
Wherein the transmission module is configured to transmit the first streaming data to the second terminal based on a period of the second streaming data transmitted to the second terminal at a time when the signal is detected, And resuming transmission of the first streaming data.

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