Content delivery method, content delivery system, and program

Abstract

To provide a method and a system for providing content with which users can easily access the content.SOLUTION: A method of providing content includes the steps of: providing preview content for content in a preset preview area corresponding to at least a portion of a display area; changing, on receipt of a scroll request for the preview area, an output range of the preview content output in the preview area; and providing, based on the output range of the preview content corresponding to a preset range, a graphic object related to viewing the specific content in the preview area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3F

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and system for providing content to a user, etc.

Background Art

[0002] With the development of technology, the utilization rate of digital devices has been increasing. In particular, user terminals (e.g., smartphones, tablet PCs, etc.) have various functions such as web search using the Internet, listening to music, and watching video content, in addition to communication functions such as phone calls and text messages.

[0003] Due to the spread of such user terminals, the content industry has been growing significantly. Content means various types of information and their contents provided through the Internet, computer communication, etc., and its types are very diverse. For example, content includes web comics, comics, web novels, music, e-books, articles, videos, videos of TV programs, images, etc.

[0004] Among them, a representative example of content with strong demand is web comics. Web comics are manga serialized and distributed via the Internet network, and are a compound word of "web" and "comics".

[0005] As the demand for such web comics has been steadily increasing, various providers (or service operators related to web comics) have developed various services so that many consumers are interested in and use their web comics. As an example, many operators (or service operators related to web comics) divide the content corresponding to the amount of one book into multiple episodes and provide it to users to encourage continuous use of the episodes.

[0006] As another example, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2015-0085195 (Method and System for Providing Webcomics with Animation Effects to a User Terminal, Patent Document 1) proposes a method to help users understand webcomics by providing them with webcomics to which animation effects have been applied.

[0007] In this way, various measures are being taken to promote user interest in and use of content. Furthermore, by increasing users' willingness to purchase content in this manner, it is necessary to attract more users and ensure their continued use of that content. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Republic of Korea Publication Patent No. 10-2015-0085195 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] The present invention relates to a content delivery method and a content delivery system that enable users to easily access content.

[0010] More specifically, the present invention relates to a content delivery method and a content delivery system capable of providing a preview of content.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a content delivery method and a content delivery system for providing a user interface that allows users to subsequently access content after reviewing a preview.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a content delivery method and a content delivery system that can encourage users to continue using the content. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The content provision method according to the present invention may include the steps of: providing preview content of the content to a pre-set preview area corresponding to at least a portion of the display area; changing the output range of the preview content output to the preview area in response to a scroll request being received in the preview area; and providing graphic objects related to viewing the content to the preview area in response to the output range of the preview content corresponding to a pre-set range.

[0014] On the other hand, the content provision system according to the present invention includes a control unit that provides preview content of the content to a preset preview area corresponding to at least a part of the display area, and the control unit may change the output range of the preview content output to the preview area in response to a scroll request being received in the preview area, and provide graphic objects related to viewing the content to the preview area in response to the output range of the preview content corresponding to a preset range.

[0015] Furthermore, the program according to the present invention is a program executed by one or more processors in a computer such as a personal computer or a smartphone, and may include instructions for the following steps: providing preview content of content to a preset preview area corresponding to at least a portion of the display area; changing the output range of the preview content output to the preview area in response to a scroll request being received in the preview area; and providing graphic objects related to viewing the content to the preview area in response to the output range of the preview content corresponding to a preset range. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] As described above, the content provision method and content provision system according to the present invention can provide preview content of content to a pre-set preview area corresponding to at least a portion of the display area. Users can check specific content in advance through the preview content and easily decide which content they want to use from the pre-checked content preview. This allows users to access new content more easily.

[0017] Furthermore, the content provision method and content provision system according to the present invention can change the output range of the preview content output to the preview area in response to a scroll request received in the preview area. Users can conveniently use the preview content with simple operations.

[0018] Furthermore, the content provision method and content provision system according to the present invention can provide graphic objects related to content viewing in the preview area, depending on whether the output range of the preview content corresponds to a preset range. This allows users to conveniently obtain information about new content and easily use content of interest without having to perform separate actions such as searching. Moreover, users can continue to use the content after checking the preview content. Furthermore, content providers can effectively promote content use by users and prevent user churn by ensuring continued use of the content by users. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the content provision system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating the content provision method according to the present invention. [Figure 3A]FIG. 3A is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of providing content through preview in the present invention. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of providing content through preview in the present invention. [Figure 3C] FIG. 3C is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of providing content through preview in the present invention. [Figure 3D] FIG. 3D is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of providing content through preview in the present invention. [Figure 3E] FIG. 3E is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of providing content through preview in the present invention. [Figure 3F] FIG. 3F is a conceptual diagram illustrating a method of providing content through preview in the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a procedure for activating a tab that meets the conditions according to whether content has been viewed in a user account. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a conceptual diagram illustrating a procedure for activating a tab that meets the conditions according to whether content has been viewed in a user account. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a conceptual diagram illustrating a procedure for activating a tab that meets the conditions according to whether content has been viewed in a user account. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a procedure for activating a tab that meets the conditions according to whether content has been viewed in a user account. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a user interface where a content preview function is provided. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a user interface where a content preview function is provided. [Figure 9A] FIG. 9A is a conceptual diagram illustrating a user interface where a content preview function is provided. [Figure 9B]Figure 9B is a conceptual diagram illustrating the user interface that provides the content preview function. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] The embodiments disclosed herein will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, but identical or similar components will be given the same reference numerals regardless of the reference numerals in the drawings, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. The suffixes “module” and “part” used for components in the following description are merely added or mixed for the sake of ease of writing the specification and do not have any distinguishing meaning or role in themselves. Furthermore, when describing the embodiments disclosed herein, if it is determined that a specific description of the relevant prior art would obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein, such detailed description will be omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings are for the purpose of facilitating the understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein and should not be understood as limiting the technical ideas disclosed herein, but rather as including all modifications, equivalents or substitutions that fall within the concept and technical scope of the present invention.

[0021] Terms including ordinal numbers such as "1st," "2nd," etc., can be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0022] When it is mentioned that one component is “linked” or “connected” to another component, it should be understood that this may mean that the other component is directly linked or connected, but that other components may also exist between them. On the other hand, when it is mentioned that one component is “directly linked” or “directly connected” to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components between them.

[0023] A singular expression includes plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0024] In this application, terms such as “includes” or “having” are intended to indicate the presence of features, figures, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof as described herein, and should be understood not to preemptively exclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof. The present invention relates to a content delivery method and system, and can provide users with a preview of the content in order to effectively guide users to consume the content.

[0025] Here, "preview" can refer to information or media provided to allow users to review a product or service before purchasing it. Examples of previews include movie trailers, demo games, application screenshots, video (or book) previews, and one-minute music previews.

[0026] Furthermore, the present invention provides a user interface that allows users to more easily access new content and continue using content by activating tabs that meet certain conditions according to the user's content viewing history in their user account.

[0027] As a result, the present invention can prevent user churn by attracting users' interest in content and ensuring their continued consumption of that content. Thus, the content provision service of the present invention can provide not only content provision but also a service that provides a user-customized interface for using the content.

[0028] Here, "content provision service" can be understood as a comprehensive term referring to the services provided by the content provision system 100 according to the present invention. The content provision service can be understood as providing not only the service of providing content to the user terminal 200, but also information related to the content and various functions incidentally necessary for the use of the content.

[0029] On the other hand, the content provision system 100 described in the present invention may consist of a system that provides at least one of various types of content. The types of content to which this invention can be applied can be very diverse. For example, at least one of the following types of content may be included in the content provided by this invention: web comics, web novels, music, e-books, videos, images, etc.

[0030] Such content may consist of multiple sub-contents. These multiple sub-contents can constitute a series of content. Here, "series" can refer to a continuous series of projects or content.

[0031] In this invention, to avoid confusion between the terms "content" and "sub-content," "sub-content" may be referred to as "episode." In other words, in this invention, "sub-content" and "episode" may be used interchangeably.

[0032] Furthermore, in this invention, "using (consuming or viewing) content" can be understood as using (consuming or viewing) an episode (or sub-content).

[0033] The following describes in more detail how to provide content to users, with reference to the attached drawings. Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the content provision system 100 according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating the content provision method according to the present invention. Figures 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, and 3F are conceptual diagrams illustrating how to provide content through preview in the present invention, Figures 4, 5A, 5B, and 6 are conceptual diagrams illustrating how to activate tabs that meet conditions depending on whether or not the user account has viewed content, and Figures 7, 8, 9A, and 9B are conceptual diagrams illustrating the user interface in which the content preview function is provided.

[0034] As shown in Figure 1, the content provision system 100 according to the present invention may include at least one of a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a control unit 130.

[0035] The communication unit 110 can provide (or transmit) content or content-related content to the user terminal 200 via wired or wireless communication with the user terminal 200. Here, the user terminal 200 may include at least one of the following: mobile phone, smartphone, notebook computer, laptop computer, slate PC, tablet PC, ultrabook, desktop computer, digital broadcasting terminal, PDA (personal digital assistant), PMP (portable multimedia player), navigation, and wearable device (e.g., smartwatch, smart glasses, HMD (head mounted display)).

[0036] Although not shown in the figures, the user terminal 200 may include at least one of a display unit that outputs information and an input unit that receives information from the user.

[0037] The display unit and input unit of the user terminal 200 may exist independently of each other, or they may exist as a single unit, such as a touchscreen. When the display unit and input unit exist as a single unit, such as a touchscreen, the input unit is a detection unit that detects input via the display unit (e.g., touch input, scroll input, etc.) and can be understood as a component of the display unit.

[0038] In the following, we will not distinguish whether the display unit and input unit of the user terminal 200 exist independently or as a single unit. The configuration that performs the function of outputting information will be referred to as the display unit, and the configuration that performs the function of receiving information will be referred to as the input unit. Next, the storage unit 120 may be configured to store various information related to content usage. Such a storage unit 120 may include a content server 100a that contains information about multiple contents.

[0039] Information related to the content provision service of the present invention can be stored in at least a portion of the content server 100a, and the present invention does not impose any special restrictions on such a method. Therefore, in the following, the storage unit 120 and the content server 100a will not be distinguished separately and will be referred to as the storage unit 120.

[0040] Furthermore, in the following, the content server 100a and the content DB will not be distinguished separately and will be referred to simply as content server 100a. In other words, the content server 100a described in this invention can of course be understood as a content DB as well.

[0041] Furthermore, the content server 100a, which stores multiple content items, can exist as a separate configuration from the storage unit 120. In this case, the content provision system 100 according to the present invention can control the content server 100a and provide the information stored in the content server 100a to the user terminal 200.

[0042] For example, the control unit 130 can control the content server 100a to provide the content stored in the content server 100a to the user terminal 200.

[0043] On the other hand, the storage unit 120 may store user information of users who have subscribed to a service (for example, a content provision service) provided by the content provision system (or content provision system) 100 according to the present invention.

[0044] Such user information may include information about the user account (e.g., ID (identification)). Users can access the web comic content provided by the present invention by logging into the content provision system 100 according to the present invention using their user account.

[0045] Furthermore, the storage unit 120 may also contain history information linked to the user account.

[0046] The history information may include various information about user accounts related to the services provided by the content provision system 100.

[0047] Specifically, the history information may include at least one of the following: i) history information of content (or episodes) used (or viewed) by the user account (or the user terminal 200 to which the user account is logged) (e.g., title of viewed content, episode number of viewed episode, viewing date and time information, etc.); and ii) user account feedback information for specific content (e.g., review information, comment information, rating information, response information to content recommendations (history of selection of exit style icons for pop-up windows related to specific content)).

[0048] On the other hand, the control unit 130 can perform a series of processes related to the present invention and can play a role in controlling the overall operation of the content provision system 100.

[0049] The control unit 130 can process signals, data, information, etc. that are input or output through the components discussed above, or provide or process information and functions suitable for the user.

[0050] The following section provides a more detailed explanation of how to effectively encourage users to consume content by providing them with preview content.

[0051] On the other hand, in the present invention, a process may be performed to provide preview content of the content to a preset preview area corresponding to at least a part of the display area (S210, see Figure 2).

[0052] As shown in Figure 3A, the control unit 130 can provide preview content 310 to the user terminal 200 such that preview content 310 having a preset length is output to at least a portion of the display area 300 of the user terminal 200, area 301. Here, preview content can be understood as advance preview or teaser content that shows at least a portion of the content beforehand.

[0053] More specifically, in this invention, "content" may consist of multiple episodes. Furthermore, an episode may consist of multiple cut images (cut images, or scene images).

[0054] The preview content described in the present invention may be configured to include at least one of a plurality of cut images that constitute a specific numbered episode (e.g., episode 1) among the plurality of episodes.

[0055] For example, suppose an episode of a particular number consists of 10 cut images. The preview content 310 may be configured to include a consecutive first cut image (see reference numeral "311" in Figure 3A), a second cut image (reference numeral "312" in Figure 3B), and a third cut image (see reference numeral "313" in Figure 3C) from among the 10 cut images.

[0056] The preview content 310 may be configured to have a length corresponding to the cut images 311 to 313 included in the preview content 310. The control unit 130 may output a portion 311 of the preview content 310 having a preset length to the display area 300.

[0057] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3A, in the present invention, the display area 300 of the user terminal 200 may be divided into multiple areas depending on whether or not it is an area where preview content is provided. Specifically, a portion of the display area 300 of the user terminal 200, specifically area 301 where the preview content 310 is provided, may be referred to as the "first area" or "preview area" and described using the same reference numeral "301". The remaining area where the preview content 310 is not provided may be referred to as the "second area 302".

[0058] The positions of the first area (or preview area) 301 and the second area 302 within the display area 300 may be predetermined and exist by the content provision system 100.

[0059] As shown in Figure 3A, the control unit 130 may control the display unit of the user terminal 200 so that preview content 310 is provided to a preset first area 301, but not to a second area 302 excluding the first area 301. In this case, the control unit 130 may also control the second area 302 so that various information about the content (for example, the title of the content, the author's name, the rating, etc.) is displayed (output).

[0060] Thus, the control unit 130 may perform a first data processing operation to control the display unit of the user terminal 200 so that preview content 310 is provided to the first area 301 of the display area 300 of the user terminal 200, and a second data processing operation to control the display unit of the user terminal 200 so that information related to the content is provided to the second area 302, which excludes the first area 301.

[0061] On the other hand, in the present invention, in response to a scroll request being received in the preview area, the output range of the preview content output to the preview area can be changed (S220, see Figure 2).

[0062] The output range of the preview content 310 output to the first area 301 may be configured to change in response to a scroll request in the first area 301. As mentioned above, the preview content may be configured to have a predetermined length. Furthermore, a portion of the preview content having the predetermined length may be output to the first region 301 of the display region 300.

[0063] The control unit 130 may change the output range of the preview content so that a portion of the preview content that is different from the portion of the preview content output to the first region 301 is output to the first region 301 in response to the receipt of a scroll request in the first region 301.

[0064] For example, as shown in Figure 3A, the control unit 130 can receive a scroll request for the first region 301 while a first cut image 311 corresponding to the first range is provided on the first region 301. As shown in Figure 3B, the control unit 130 can control the output of a second cut image 312 corresponding to a second range different from the first range to the first region 301 in response to the scroll request. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3C, the control unit 130 can control the output of a portion of the preview content corresponding to a third range different from the second range (for example, a portion of the second cut image "312" and the third cut image "313") to the first region 301 in response to the continued reception of scroll requests in the first region 301. In this invention, depending on whether the output range of the preview content corresponds to a preset range, a process can be performed to provide graphic objects related to viewing the content in the preview area (see S230, Figure 2).

[0065] As shown in Figure 3D, the control unit 130 can control the output of a graphic object 320 associated with a request to view an episode of a specific number in the display area 300, in conjunction with the output of preview content 310 corresponding to a preset range in the first area 301.

[0066] Here, the pre-set range can be understood as the range within the preview content 310, which has a certain length, that is pre-set so that the graphic object 320 is output.

[0067] For example, a pre-defined range may exist as a range corresponding to the last cut image 313 among the multiple cut images that make up the preview content 310. As another example, the pre-defined range may be a fixed range including the bottom edge of the last cut image 313 of the preview content 310 (for example, a range corresponding to 150 pixels from the bottom edge of the last cut). As yet another example, the pre-defined range may be a fixed range including the central area (or part) of the last cut image 313 of the preview content 310 (for example, a range corresponding to 150 pixels above the central area). However, the ranges described above are merely examples, and the ranges set to provide graphic objects related to viewing the content are not limited to these.

[0068] The control unit 130 can change the output range of the preview content 310 output to the first area 301 in response to a scroll request in the first area 301. The control unit 130 can also monitor (or confirm) whether the changed output range corresponds to a preset range. Based on the monitoring result, the control unit 130 can decide whether or not to output a graphic object 320 to the display area 300.

[0069] For example, suppose that among the multiple cut images 311 to 313 that make up the preview content 310, a certain range including the bottom edge of the last cut image 313 is pre-configured to be linked to the output of the graphic object 320.

[0070] As shown in Figure 3C, if the monitoring results show that a portion of the last cut image 313 of the preview content 310 is output to the first region 301, but a preset range (for example, a certain range including the bottom edge of the last cut image 313) is not output to the first region 301, the control unit 130 may control the system so that only the preview content 310 continues to be output to the display region 300, and the graphic object 320 is not output.

[0071] In contrast, as shown in Figure 3D, if the monitoring results indicate that a preset range of the preview content 310 (for example, a certain range including the bottom edge of the last cut image 313) is output on the first region 301, the control unit 130 may control the display region 300 to provide a graphic object 320 related to content viewing.

[0072] In this case, the graphic object 320 may contain various information about the content. For example, as shown in Figure 3E, the graphic object 320 may include at least one of the following: guidance information to encourage viewing of the content (e.g., "Don't miss this interesting story"), a thumbnail 321 for a specific episode number, and descriptive information for a specific episode number (e.g., "Sam's Life" 322, "Episode 1" 323).

[0073] In this way, the control unit 130 can perform different data processing on the output of the graphic object 320 depending on the output range of the preview content 310, while the preview content 310 is provided to the preview area 301.

[0074] Specifically, the control unit 130 can perform a first data processing that controls the provision of graphic objects 320 related to content viewing in conjunction with the output of preview content 310 corresponding to a preset range to the first area 301.

[0075] On the other hand, if preview content 310 that does not correspond to a preset range is output to the first area 301, the control unit 130 can perform a second data processing that controls the output of the preview content 310 to the first area 301 without providing a graphic object 320 related to viewing the content.

[0076] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3D and 3E, a predetermined range of the last cut image 313 of the preview content 310 may be subjected to a predetermined method of visual effects processing.

[0077] Visual effects can refer to visual effects used to combine frames in videos (or images) or photographs to process (or express) them visually. Such visual effects are used in various fields (for example, movies, games, advertisements, television and other visual media) to provide a spectacular visual experience or enhance realism.

[0078] For example, pre-configured methods for visual effect processing may include at least one of the following: gradation, color gradient, blending, morphing, alpha blending, and texture mapping. However, the methods described above are merely examples, and the methods for visual effect processing are not limited to these.

[0079] The control unit 130 can control the system so that a pre-set visual effect processing method is applied to a pre-set area of ​​the last cut image 313 of the preview content 310 in conjunction with the output of that area. For example, the control unit 130 may perform visual effect processing on the lower part of the last cut image 313 of the preview content (an area corresponding to 150 pixels from the bottom edge).

[0080] On the other hand, the graphic object 320 related to content viewing may exist in association with a specific numbered episode among the multiple episodes that make up the content. Here, a specific episode number may refer to the first episode among several episodes that make up the content.

[0081] As shown in Figure 3E, when a selection is made for the graphic object 320 from the user terminal 200, the control unit 130 may process the selection for the graphic object 320 as a request to view the first episode among the multiple episodes that make up the content.

[0082] In other words, when a graphic object 320 is selected from the user terminal 200, the control unit 130 can process this as if it has received a request to view a specific numbered (first) episode among a group of episodes that make up the content.

[0083] The control unit 130 can control the user terminal 200 to provide the user terminal 200 with the episode of a specific number in response to a request to view the episode of a specific number.

[0084] In this case, the control unit 130 can use an episode viewer to provide an episode with a specific number corresponding to the received viewing request.

[0085] Specifically, as shown in Figure 3F, the control unit 130 can control the display area 300 of the user terminal 200 so that, in response to a request to view an episode of a specific number, the display area 300 of the user terminal 200 on which the preview content 310 is output switches to a viewer screen (or viewer page) 350 corresponding to the episode viewer. The control unit 130 can control the user terminal so that, in response to a request to view an episode of a specific number, the episode viewer for providing the episode of a specific number is executed, and the viewer screen of the episode viewer can be provided to the display area.

[0086] An episode viewer refers to a software interface or application module for visually displaying specific episode content through the user's terminal's display unit. This viewer improves the user experience by managing a seamless transition from preview content to main episode content and continuing to display portions of previously viewed preview content while the viewer is running. The episode viewer switches the display area from the preview content area to the main episode content area upon user request, using an algorithm to control the display unit for a smooth transition. It also processes user input signals such as touch, scroll, and button clicks to recognize content viewing requests and load the appropriate episode. Furthermore, the episode viewer converts specific episode data into a viewable format using a graphics rendering engine, providing it as a combination of text, images, animations, or multimedia data. The viewer saves and manages the user's viewing position, allowing them to continue viewing from their previous position even after screen changes. It also synchronizes episode data based on network connectivity and supports offline viewing through local caching. In addition, the episode viewer supports multiple episodes and various content formats, ensuring platform and device-independent compatibility. Furthermore, by integrating with the content delivery server, data can be dynamically loaded and content updated in real time. Through these features, the episode viewer can provide a smooth and intuitive content viewing experience while meeting technical and structural content management requirements.

[0087] The control unit 130 can continue to provide the viewer screen with at least a portion of the preview content that was output in the preview area before the episode viewer was executed. In this case, the switched viewer screen may be provided with an episode of a specific number following the preview content 310.

[0088] As shown in Figure 3F, the control unit 130 can provide the viewer screen with a cut image 361, which includes the lower portion of the preview content 310, and another cut image 362, which is placed after the cut image, for a specific numbered episode. The cut image 361 provided on the first area 360 of the viewer screen is the last cut image (see reference numeral "313" in Figure 3E) among a plurality of cut images 311 to 313 that constitute the preview content 310, and the cut image 362 provided on the second area 370 of the viewer screen may be a cut image that is placed after the last cut image 361 among a plurality of cut images that constitute a specific numbered episode.

[0089] The control unit 130 may control the initial viewer screen to include the lower portion of the preview content when the episode viewer is executed. When the episode viewer is executed, the initial viewer screen may display at least a portion 361 of the preview content that was output in the preview area before the episode viewer was executed, along with an episode of a specific number. In this case, one area of ​​the initial screen corresponding to a preset percentage (for example, 50%) may include the lower portion (end area) of the preview content.

[0090] When the lower portion of the preview content is displayed on the viewer screen and a scroll request is received from the user terminal, the control unit 130 can provide the user terminal with cut images included in a specific numbered episode following the lower portion of the preview content. As described above, the preview content in the present invention can be understood as content included in an episode of a specific number. The preview content 310 may be configured to include a plurality of cut images 311 to 313. The plurality of cut images 311 to 313 included in the preview content 310 can correspond to a portion of a plurality of cut images that constitute an episode of a specific number. For example, suppose an episode of a specific number consists of 10 cut images. The preview content may consist of the first cut image 311 to the third cut image 313 from among the 10 cut images. The control unit 130 can provide an interface that allows a user who has been using the preview content to use the content continuously by displaying the fourth cut image following the third cut image on the viewer screen. On the other hand, the control unit 130 can provide the viewer screen with a cut image from the preview content and a cut image from the specific episode in response to a request to view an episode of a specific number. The cut images provided together in response to the viewing request may be the last cut image from among multiple cut images of the preview content and the first cut image from among multiple cut images of the specific episode.

[0091] On the other hand, the pre-set range of the preview content may correspond to the end region of the last cut image of the preview content. The control unit 130 may provide the viewer screen with the end region of the cut image corresponding to the last cut image of the preview content from among multiple cut images of an episode of a specific number. The control unit 130 may control the scrolling of the episode of the specific number to the end region of the cut image in conjunction with the user terminal 200 switching to the viewer screen. When the end region of the cut image is output to the viewer screen and a scroll request is received for the viewer screen, the control unit 130 may change the output range of the episode of the specific number output to the viewer screen. The user can immediately view an episode of a specific number (e.g., episode 1) from the scene corresponding to the end region of the preview content simply by selecting a graphic object while viewing the preview content. The user can also view the previous part (the cut image corresponding to the preview content) or the next part (the next cut image of the preview content) through scrolling for the episode of the specific number. In this way, the control unit 130 controls the display unit of the user terminal 200 by performing data processing to control the display unit so that the last cut image among the multiple cut images of the preview content 310 and the cut image (or the first cut image) that is placed after the last cut image among the multiple cut images of a specific numbered episode are provided together on a single area of ​​the viewer screen that has been switched in response to the viewing request. This allows the control unit 130 to guide the user who has used the preview content to continue using the content.

[0092] On the other hand, the present invention can provide different user interfaces related to content usage depending on the content viewing history of a user account that has subscribed to a content provision service. The control unit 130 can receive a selection signal from the user terminal 200 for at least one piece of content provided by the content delivery service.

[0093] Upon receiving a selection signal for content, the control unit 130 can check whether or not there is a browsing history of viewing the content with the user account logged into the user terminal 200.

[0094] As shown in Figure 4, the storage unit 120 may contain history information 400, including content viewing history, associated with each of the multiple user accounts that have subscribed to the content provision service. For example, the history information 400 may contain at least two matching pieces of information for the content: work information (e.g., "title"), author information (e.g., "author name"), viewing history information (e.g., "viewing history"), and viewing number information (e.g., "viewing number"). The control unit 130 can provide the user terminal 200 with a content page 500 to provide information about the content, in response to receiving a selection signal for content from the user terminal 200.

[0095] A single area 520 of the content page 500 may display multiple tab icons 521, 522 for switching between different information display areas.

[0096] As shown in Figure 5A, among the multiple tab icons 521 and 522 included in the content page 500, the first tab icon 521 may be configured to be associated with a control command for providing a preview area in which the preview content 310 is output to at least one area 520 of the content page 500.

[0097] As shown in Figure 5B, among the multiple tab icons 521 and 522 included in the content page 500, the second tab icon 522 may be configured to be associated with a control command for providing a list of multiple episodes constituting the content in at least one area 520 of the content page 500.

[0098] The control unit 130 can control whether or not a user account has a browsing history of the content, so that one of the multiple tab icons 521, 522 included in the content page 500 is activated.

[0099] To this end, when the control unit 130 receives a selection signal for content from the user terminal 200, it can refer to the history information 400 to check the content viewing history for the user account logged into the user terminal 200.

[0100] The control unit 130 can control the activation of one of the multiple tab icons 521 and 522 included in the content page 500, depending on the confirmation result. Furthermore, the control unit 130 can provide the user terminal 200 with different information about the content (preview content or list) depending on which tab icon 521 or 522 is activated.

[0101] For example, suppose a selection signal for the first work (e.g., "Sam's Life") is received from a user terminal 200 logged in with the first user account U1. As shown in Figure 4, the control unit 130 can confirm that there is no history of viewing the first work with the first user account U1.

[0102] As shown in Figure 5A, the control unit 130 can activate the first tab icon 521 among the multiple tab icons 521 and 522 included in the content page 500, based on the fact that there is no history of viewing the first work with the first user account U1. Furthermore, in conjunction with the activation of the first tab icon 521, the control unit 130 can control the display area 300 of the user terminal 200 to provide a preview area containing the preview content 310. In other words, the control unit 130 can perform a first data processing that controls the provision of preview content corresponding to the selection signal in the preview area.

[0103] On the other hand, suppose a selection signal for the first work (for example, "Sam's Life") is received from user terminal 200 logged in with the second user account U2. As shown in Figure 4, the control unit 130 can confirm that there is a history of viewing the first work with the second user account U2.

[0104] As shown in Figure 5B, the control unit 130 can activate the second tab icon 522 among the multiple tab icons 521 and 522 included in the content page 500, based on the existence of a history of viewing the first work with the second user account U2. In addition, the control unit 130 can perform a second data processing in conjunction with the activation of the second tab icon 522, which controls the output of a list of multiple episodes constituting the first work to the display area 300 of the user terminal 200.

[0105] Thus, when the control unit 130 receives a selection signal for content, it can perform different data processing to provide different information about the content (preview content or list) depending on whether or not there is a browsing history for the content in the user account.

[0106] On the other hand, the control unit 130 can respond to receiving a selection signal from the user terminal 200 for either the first tab icon 521 or the second tab icon 522, and control the system so that the selected tab icon is activated.

[0107] The control unit 130 can control the system so that the second tab icon 522 is activated when the first tab icon 521 is activated and the second tab icon 522 is selected from among the multiple tab icons 521 and 522. In addition, the control unit 130 can control the system so that the preview content 310 disappears from the display area 300 of the user terminal 200 and an episode list for the specific content is output in conjunction with the activation of the second tab icon 522. In this case, based on the fact that there is no history of viewing the content in the user account, the control unit 130 can provide a graphic object (see reference numeral 530 in Figure 5B) associated with the request to view the first episode among the multiple episodes that make up the content.

[0108] The control unit 130 can receive a viewing request for the first episode associated with the graphic object 530 when the graphic object 530 is selected from the user terminal 200. In response to receiving the viewing request, the control unit 130 can use the episode viewer to provide the user terminal 200 with the first episode corresponding to the viewing request.

[0109] Furthermore, the control unit 130 can control the output of preview content 310 to the display area 300 when the first tab icon 521 is selected while the second tab icon 522 is activated among the multiple tab icons 521 and 522.

[0110] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6, when the second tab icon 612 is activated, the control unit 130 can control the movement of the list (or scroll anchor) so that when the episode list 621 is output to the display area 300 based on the information of the latest episode (e.g., episode 100 "Episode 100"), the episode list 621 is output based on the recently viewed episode information of the user account (e.g., episode 96 "Episode 96") and the information of the episode following the recently viewed episode (e.g., episode 97 "Episode 97"). In other words, the control unit 130 can rearrange the episode list 621 so that the display area 300 includes information of episodes that followed a specific numbered episode viewed by the user account among the multiple episodes that make up the content.

[0111] Specifically, when the second tab icon 612 is activated for a user account that has a browsing history for content, the control unit 130 can refer to the user account's history information and control the display unit of the user terminal 200 to which the user account is logged, so that the list 621 for multiple episodes output on a certain area 620 of the content page 600 is moved (or scrolled to) the user account's recently viewed episode.

[0112] Here, the activation of the second tab icon 612 can be understood as at least one of the following: when the control unit 130 controls the activation to occur based on the user account's specific content browsing history, or when the activation is requested (or selected) by the user to activate the second tab icon 612.

[0113] For example, as shown in Figure 6, suppose the most recently viewed episode for a user account is episode 96 ("Episode 96"). Based on the activation of the second tab icon 612 in the user account, the control unit 130 can control the list 621 for multiple episodes output on the second area 620 to move to episode 96 ("Episode 96"), which is the most recently viewed episode for the user account.

[0114] Furthermore, the control unit 130 can control the display unit of the user terminal 200 to which the user account is logged, so that the list 621 for multiple episodes is sorted sequentially (for example, in ascending or descending order) as information of episodes that followed the user account's most recently viewed episode.

[0115] At this time, the control unit 130 can control the display unit of the user terminal 200 so that even if scrolling input is performed on the second area 620 which contains a list 621 for multiple episodes, the multiple tab icons 611 and 612 displayed on the first area 610 are provided in a fixed state.

[0116] In other words, when the control unit 130 receives a selection signal from a user account that has a history of viewing content, it can perform a second data processing to control the display unit of the user terminal 200 based on the received selection signal, so that a list of multiple episodes constituting a specific content is provided in a certain area of ​​the content page.

[0117] In this way, the control unit 130 can provide a user interface that allows users to more easily access new content and continue to use content by performing different data processing according to the content viewing history that exists for each of the multiple user accounts.

[0118] On the other hand, there can be various methods for providing preview content in the present invention. The present invention can provide a user interface that allows users to explore preview content of multiple contents provided by a content provision service.

[0119] For example, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the control unit 130 can provide content information (e.g., thumbnail, content title, author name, etc.) for at least one piece of content provided by the content provision service to the service pages 700 and 800. The control unit 130 can receive a selection signal for content when content information corresponding to the content is selected. In response to the selection signal for content, the control unit 130 can control the output of a preview of the content to the display area 300 of the user terminal 200. In this case, the control unit 130 can check whether the user account logged into the user terminal 200 has a history of viewing the content and can provide the preview content or an episode list of the specific content.

[0120] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9A, the control unit 130 can provide multiple thumbnail objects 921, 931, 941, 951 and preview content 922 corresponding to the thumbnail objects together in the display area 300. The control unit 130 can control the display area of ​​the user terminal 200 so that it consists of a preview area (or first area) 910 where the preview content is provided, and a thumbnail area (or second area) 920 containing thumbnails for the content.

[0121] The thumbnail area 920 may contain multiple thumbnail objects 921, 931, 941, and 951, each corresponding to a different piece of content.

[0122] When a specific thumbnail object corresponding to a particular piece of content is selected from among a plurality of thumbnail objects 921, 931, 941, and 951, the control unit 130 can perform data processing to control the display unit of the user terminal 200 so that a preview of the selected specific content is provided to the preview area 910 of the display area 900 of the user terminal 200.

[0123] For example, as shown in Figure 9A, the control unit 130 can control the display unit of the user terminal 200 so that when a first thumbnail object 921 corresponding to the first content is selected from among a plurality of thumbnail objects 921, 931, 941, and 951 in the thumbnail area 920, a first preview content 922 for the first content is provided.

[0124] Of the display area 900 of the user terminal 200, the preview area 910 on which the first preview content 922 is output may be configured to scroll on the display area 900 of the user terminal 200 so that the output range of the pre-output first preview content 922 is changed in response to user input received from the user terminal 200.

[0125] In other words, the control unit 130 can control the display unit of the user terminal 200 so that the first preview content 922 output to the preview area 910 is scrolled up and down (or left and right) (or moved) in response to a scroll input (or request) to the preview area 910 received from the user terminal 200.

[0126] As shown in Figure 9A, the control unit 130 can control the display unit of the user terminal 200 so that, in response to a scroll input in a specific direction (up or down), a portion of the last cut image 923 of the first preview content 922 is output on the preview area 910, and when it is determined that the outputted range corresponds to a preset range, a graphic object 925 related to viewing specific content is provided.

[0127] On the other hand, when the control unit 130 receives a touch input request from the user terminal 200 for the preview area 910 in a preset direction, it can control the display unit of the user terminal 200 so that a preview content different from the first preview content 922 output to the preview area 910 is provided.

[0128] For example, as shown in Figure 9B, the control unit 130 can perform data processing to control the display unit of the user terminal 200 so that, in response to a preset touch input (or swipe) in the direction (left or right) of the preview area 910 received from the user terminal 200, a second preview content 932 is provided for a second content that is different from the first preview content 922 output to the preview area 910.

[0129] In this case, it is clear that changing to other preview content can also be done by touching the thumbnail area 920 in a pre-set direction (left or right), or by selecting the thumbnail object you wish to change in the thumbnail area 920.

[0130] Furthermore, the thumbnail area 920 may display thumbnail objects of the preview content provided in the preview area 910 with emphasis.

[0131] For example, suppose that a first preview content 922 for the first content is provided in the preview area 910, as shown in Figure 9A. The control unit 130 can control the display unit of the user terminal 200 so that the thumbnail object 921 for the first preview content 922 provided in the preview area 910 is highlighted. In this case, if preview content of other content is provided to the preview area 910, the thumbnail object highlighted in the thumbnail area 920 may be changed to the thumbnail object of the other content.

[0132] For example, as shown in Figures 9A and 9B, the control unit 130 can control the display unit of the user terminal 200 so that, when the preview area 910 is provided with first preview content 922 for first content, and the user input changes it to second preview content 932 for second content different from first preview content 922, the first thumbnail object 921 highlighted in the thumbnail area 920 is changed to the second thumbnail object 931 of the changed second preview content 932.

[0133] As discussed above, the content delivery method and system according to the present invention can provide preview content of specific content to a pre-configured preview area corresponding to at least a portion of the display area. Users can pre-confirm specific content through the preview content and easily decide which content they want to use based on the pre-confirmed content preview. This allows users to access new content more easily.

[0134] Furthermore, the content delivery method and system according to the present invention can change the output range of the preview content displayed in the preview area in response to a scroll request for the preview area. Users can conveniently use the preview content with even simple operations.

[0135] Furthermore, the content provision method and system according to the present invention can provide graphic objects related to viewing specific content in the preview area, depending on whether the output range of the preview content corresponds to a preset range. This allows users to conveniently obtain information about new content and easily use content of interest without having to perform other actions such as searching. Moreover, users can continue to use content after viewing the preview content. Furthermore, content providers can effectively guide users to use content and ensure their continued use of content, thereby preventing user churn.

[0136] Each step of the content provision method according to the present invention may be performed, for example, by the control unit of the content provision system described above.

[0137] On the other hand, the present invention described above can be embodied as a program that is executed by one or more processors in a computer and can be stored on a medium (or recording medium) that is readable by such a computer.

[0138] Furthermore, the present invention discussed above can be embodied as computer-readable code or instruction words on a medium on which a program is recorded. In other words, the present invention can be provided in the form of a program.

[0139] On the other hand, computer-readable media include all types of recording devices that store data readable by a computer system. Examples of computer-readable media include HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), SSDs (Solid State Disks), SSDs (Silicon Disk Drives), ROMs, RAMs, CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, and optical data storage devices.

[0140] Furthermore, the computer-readable medium may include storage and may be a server or cloud storage accessible by electronic devices via communication. In this case, the computer can download the program according to the present invention from the server or cloud storage via wired or wireless communication.

[0141] Furthermore, in the present invention, the computer is an electronic device equipped with a processor, i.e., a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and its type is not particularly limited.

[0142] On the other hand, the above detailed description should not be interpreted restrictively in any respect, but should be considered illustrative. The scope of the invention should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the scope of the equivalents of the invention are included within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for providing content to a user terminal including a display area, content consisting of multiple episodes, each consisting of multiple cut images, The control unit of the content delivery system, The steps include providing preview content of the content to a pre-configured preview area corresponding to at least a portion of the aforementioned display area, The steps include: changing the output range of the preview content output to the preview area in response to a scroll request being received in the preview area; Depending on whether the output range of the preview content corresponds to a predetermined range, the step of providing a graphic object in the preview area relating to viewing a specific numbered episode among the multiple episodes, The step of providing the episode of a specific number using the episode viewer on the user terminal in response to a request to view the episode of a specific number, which is made by selecting the graphic object from the user terminal, In the step of providing the aforementioned specific numbered episode, The initial screen of the viewer screen of the episode viewer provided in the display area includes the lower portion of the preview content that was output in the preview area before the episode viewer was executed. The aforementioned preview content is content included in the episode of the aforementioned specific number, A content delivery method wherein, in response to a scroll input on the user terminal, the viewer screen is provided with a cut image of the episode of a specific number, following the lower portion of the preview content.

2. The content provision method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the viewer screen is provided with a cut image that includes the lower portion of the preview content, followed by a cut image positioned after the cut image, in the episode of the specific number.

3. A method for providing content consisting of multiple episodes to a user terminal including a display area, The control unit of the content delivery system, The steps include providing preview content of the content to a pre-configured preview area corresponding to at least a portion of the aforementioned display area, The steps include: changing the output range of the preview content output to the preview area in response to a scroll request being received in the preview area; Depending on whether the output range of the preview content corresponds to a predetermined range, the step of providing a graphic object in the preview area relating to viewing a specific numbered episode among the multiple episodes, The step of providing the episode of a specific number using the episode viewer on the user terminal in response to a request to view the episode of a specific number, which is made by selecting the graphic object from the user terminal, In the step of providing the aforementioned specific numbered episode, The initial screen of the viewer screen of the episode viewer provided in the display area includes, together with at least a portion of the preview content that was output in the preview area before the episode viewer was executed, and the episode of the specific number. A content delivery method characterized in that at least a portion of the preview content disappears from the viewer screen in response to a scroll input on the user terminal.

4. The content provision method according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower portion of the preview content is included in one area of ​​the initial screen corresponding to a predetermined proportion.

5. The aforementioned episode of a specific number consists of multiple cut images, The aforementioned preview content consists of some of the cut images from the plurality of cut images, The aforementioned viewer screen displays: The content provision method according to claim 1, characterized in that, following the last cut image among the cut images of the preview content, other cut images included in the episode of the specific number are provided.

6. The content provision method according to claim 1, characterized in that the episode with the specific number is the first episode among a plurality of episodes constituting the content.

7. The control unit, The steps include receiving a selection signal related to the content from the user terminal, Based on the selection signal, the step is to check whether there is a history of viewing the content in the user account logged into the user terminal, The method further includes the step of providing the user terminal with different information regarding the content in accordance with the results of the verification, The content provision method according to claim 1, characterized in that the preview content is provided to the user terminal in response to the selection signal when there is no history of the user account viewing the content.

8. The content provision method according to claim 7, characterized in that, as a result of the above verification, if there is a history of viewing the content in the user account, a list of multiple episodes constituting the content is provided to the user terminal.

9. The content provision method according to claim 8, characterized in that the list is rearranged so that it includes information on episodes that were serialized after the episode viewed in the user account.

10. When a selection signal relating to the aforementioned content is received, the user terminal is provided with a content page to provide information about the aforementioned content. The aforementioned content page is Multiple tab icons are displayed to switch between different information display areas. Of the aforementioned multiple tab icons, the first tab icon is: A control command for providing the preview area to at least a portion of the content page is associated with the following: Of the aforementioned tab icons, the second tab icon is: The content provision method according to claim 8, characterized in that at least a portion of the content page is associated with a control command for providing the list.

11. In the step of providing the aforementioned different information, If, as a result of the above check, there is no history of the user account viewing the content, the first tab icon is activated and the preview area is provided to at least a portion of the content page. The content provision method according to claim 10, characterized in that, as a result of the above confirmation, if there is a history of viewing the content in the user account, the second tab icon is activated and the list is provided on at least a part of the content page.

12. The aforementioned display area further includes a thumbnail area, The aforementioned thumbnail area contains thumbnail objects corresponding to each of the different contents, The content provision method according to claim 1, characterized in that when a specific thumbnail object corresponding to the content is selected from among the thumbnail objects, a preview of the content is provided to the preview area.

13. The content provision method according to claim 12, characterized in that, in response to receiving a request from the user terminal for touch input to the preview area in a preset direction, preview content of content different from the content is provided to the preview area.

14. The thumbnail area displays the thumbnail object of the preview content provided in the preview area with emphasis. The content provision method according to claim 13, characterized in that when preview content of other content is provided in the preview area, the thumbnail object highlighted in the thumbnail area is changed to the thumbnail object of the other content.

15. A system that provides content to a user terminal including a display area, content consisting of multiple episodes, each consisting of multiple cut images, The control unit includes a pre-configured preview area that corresponds to at least a portion of the display area and provides preview content of the content, The control unit, In response to a scroll request being received in the preview area, the output range of the preview content output to the preview area is changed. Depending on whether the output range of the preview content corresponds to a predetermined range, the preview area is provided with a graphic object relating to viewing a specific numbered episode among the multiple episodes. In response to a request to view an episode of a specific number, based on the selection of the graphic object from the user terminal, the episode of the specific number is provided using the episode viewer on the user terminal. The initial screen of the viewer screen of the episode viewer provided in the display area includes the lower portion of the preview content that was output in the preview area before the episode viewer was executed. The aforementioned preview content is content included in the episode of the aforementioned specific number, The control unit, A content provision system characterized by providing, in response to a scroll input to the user terminal, a cut image of the episode of a specific number on the viewer screen, following the lower portion of the preview content.

16. A program that is executed by one or more processors in a computer, The aforementioned program, To the aforementioned computer, The steps include providing preview content of content consisting of multiple episodes, each consisting of multiple cut images, to a pre-configured preview area corresponding to at least a portion of the display area, The steps include: changing the output range of the preview content output to the preview area in response to a scroll request being received in the preview area; Depending on whether the output range of the preview content corresponds to a predetermined range, the step of providing a graphic object in the preview area relating to viewing a specific numbered episode among the multiple episodes, The command includes the step of providing the episode of a specific number using the episode viewer on the user terminal in response to a request to view the episode of a specific number, which is made by selecting the graphic object from the user terminal, In the step of providing the aforementioned specific numbered episode, The initial screen of the viewer screen of the episode viewer provided in the display area includes the lower portion of the preview content that was output in the preview area before the episode viewer was executed. The aforementioned preview content is content included in the episode of the aforementioned specific number, A program characterized in that, in response to a scroll input to the user terminal, the viewer screen is provided with a cut image of the episode of a specific number, following the lower portion of the preview content.

Images