Content delivering method

• US 7,043,556 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2001
• Issued: 05/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Akashi, Tatsuya, Kurihara, Junichi, Ozaki, Junko, Munenaka, Mika
• Primary Examiner(s): Wiley, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lezak, Arrienne M.
• Application Number:
  US09/858,043
• Publication Number:
  US 20020023167A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,820 Days
• Field of Search: 709/206, 709201-253, 370464-469, 715/752
• US Class Current: 709/231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]

Abstract

A content delivering method for transmitting a content file from a server to a user terminal unit through a network and causing the user terminal unit to stream-reproduce the content file is disclosed. The method includes designating a non-skip area that represents an important portion of a content file. The method further includes transmitting information from the non-skip area from the server to the user terminal unit along with the content file. According to the inventive method, the user terminal unit is caused to determine whether or not the non-skip area has been skipped and when the non-skip area has been skipped, transmits information that indicates that the non-skip area has been skipped to the server. Finally, the method includes causing the server to transmit information corresponding to the non-skip area to the user by another transmitting means when the server has received the information that indicates that the non-skip area has been skipped.

Claims

1. A content delivering method for transmitting a content file from a server managed by a content management company to a user terminal unit through a network, and for causing the user terminal unit to stream-produce the content file, the method comprising the steps of:

the content management company entering into a contract with a user to provide the user with the content file,

including a designated skip area that represents an important portion to the content file that an information provider desires the user to view,

and which designated non-skip area is managed and stored within a content library database,

and wherein, upon execution of the contract, the content management company assigns a user ID and password to the user;

the user connecting the user terminal to the network;

the content management company transmitting means by which authentication can be performed via the assigned user ID and password,

and wherein, upon authentication, the user is permitted to download the content file on a real-time streaming basis;

the content management company transmitting information of the non-skip area from the server to the user terminal unit along with the content file;

the data stream transmission causing the user terminal unit to determine whether or not the non-skip area has been skipped,

wherein when a determination is made that the non-skip area has been skipped, the user unit transmits information indicating that the non-skip area has been skipped to the server at the content management company;

wherein when the server receives the information from the user terminal unit indicating that the non-skip area has been skipped, the server at the content management company transmits to the user terminal via email, information corresponding to the non-skip area;

wherein the content library comprises a content creator information database, which database stores information representing a file of information that is delivered to the user in the event that a non-skip area has been skipped; and

wherein the non-skip information comprises user information, file ID, non-skip area and content creator information for each content information provider.