System for providing video-on-demand services in wireless network environment and method therefor

• US 20010056578A1
• Filed: 01/30/2001
• Published: 12/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kim, Young-keun, Hwang, Jae-sik
• Granted Patent: US 7,003,793 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/98
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/765 intermediate
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/565 Conversion or adaptation of application format or content adding application control or application functional data H04L67/561
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234336 by media transcoding, e.g. video is transformed into a slideshow of still pictures or audio is converted into text
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4828 for searching program descriptors retrieval of video data G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6131 involving transmission via a mobile phone network wireless downlink channel access H04W74/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/816 involving special video data, e.g 3D video
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 Handling of requests in head-ends
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/14 Backbone network devices

Abstract

A system for providing video-on-demand (VOD) services and Internet services in a wireless network environment. A VOD terminal displays predetermined video information. A wireless telecommunications server provides a wireless telecommunications service menu for selection by the VOD terminal. A VOD server provides service information related to the VOD which was selected from the service menu provided by the wireless telecommunications server, by the VOD terminal. An encoder encodes predetermined content input from the outside into a predetermined format to be stored in the VOD server. A converter coverts predetermined content input through the Internet into a predetermined format to be stored in the VOD server. According to the system, a VOD terminal user can receive VOD services and Internet services through a WAP in a wireless telecommunications environment so that information usage and satisfaction can be maximized.

Claims

1. A system for providing video-on-demand (VOD) services in a wireless network environment, the system comprising:

a VOD terminal which displays predetermined video information;

a wireless telecommunications server which provides predetermined wireless telecommunications service menu for selection by the VOD terminal;

a VOD server which provides service information related to a VOD item, selected by the VOD terminal from the service menu provided by the wireless telecommunications server;

an encoder which encodes predetermined content, input from outside the VOD server, into a predetermined format to be stored in the VOD server; and

a converter which converts predetermined content, input through a network connection, into a predetermined format to be stored in the VOD server.

2. The system of

claim 1

, wherein the VOD server further comprises:

a first storage unit which stores predetermined VOD information input from outside the VOD server or through the network connection;

a common gateway interface which converts the predetermined VOD information stored in the first storage unit into information for wireless telecommunications; and

a second storage unit which stores wireless telecommunications information output from the common gateway interface.

3. The system of

claim 2

, wherein the VOD server is formed by a plurality of simultaneously-operating servers so that VOD information providers provide information through the encoder and the converter, and predetermined VOD information providers can access the VOD server.

4. A method for providing VOD services in a wireless network environment including a VOD terminal, a wireless telecommunication service support server for providing wireless telecommunications services, a VOD server for providing predetermined video and voice services to the VOD terminal, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting in the VOD terminal a VOD service menu, after connected to the wireless telecommunications service support server;

(b) providing predetermined information related to a VOD item provided by the VOD server, to the VOD terminal in response to the selection; and

(c) receiving a VOD service in the VOD terminal using the predetermined information.

5. The method of

claim 4

, wherein when the VOD terminal sends a stop command when the VOD terminal uses the VOD service, the VOD server stops providing the VOD service.