KR20060133696A - Contents middleware system and its operating method for offering on-line contents using the set-top box, on-line contents service system and method using its - Google Patents

Abstract

A contents middleware system for providing online contents by using a STB and an operating method thereof, and an online contents service system, and the method thereof are provided to authenticate all systems, connected to the contents middleware system if a user once joins a contents middleware server, and unify authentication and charging of each contents providing company when the user uses a paid service so that a service provider can concentrated on only improving service quality. An online contents service system using an STB(Set-Top Box) comprises the followings: the STB(30); a contents middleware system(10) which receives authentication information, authenticates set-top account information in itself, transmits contents account information to the authentication server of a contents providing company(21) when achieving success in authentication, and transmits a first authentication result value about the authentication information to the STB(30) after log recording when achieving success in authentication by a second authentication result value; a contents system of the contents providing company(22) which provides the second authentication result value about the contents account information to the contents middleware system(10) and provides a corresponding online contents to contents applications(32) of the STB(30) which is connected on the basis of the contents account information.

Description

Content middleware system for providing online content using a set-top box and an operation method thereof, and an online content service system using the same and a method thereof for providing on-line contents using the set-top box, on- line contents service system and method using its}

1 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of playing a game using a medium in which a game program is stored according to a first conventional art;

2 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of playing an online game using a communication network according to a second prior art;

3 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a content (game) middleware system and an online content (game) service system using the same according to the present invention;

4 is a diagram illustrating an online content (game) service process in a content (game) middleware system and an online content (game) service system using the same according to the present invention;

5 is a detailed configuration diagram of an embodiment of a content (game) middleware system according to the present invention;

6 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a set-top account registration process for an online content (game) service according to the present invention;

7 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a content (game) account registration process for an online content (game) service according to the present invention;

8 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an online content (game) service method according to the present invention.

* Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawing

10: Game Middleware System 11: Game Middleware Server

12: authentication server 13: billing server

20: Game Company Game System 21: Game Server

22: Game company authentication server 30: Set-top box (STB)

31: Game Manager 32: Game Application

40: game users

The present invention provides a content middleware system performing an authentication and charging function between a content server and an content application providing an online content service using a set-top box (STB), a method of operating the same, and an online content service using the same. A system and method thereof, and a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for implementing the methods.

In the present invention, a game-based content is assumed as a preferred embodiment of the content service, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Currently, various programs are being developed due to the remarkable development of the software field.

In addition, a variety of games are being developed and supplied to the game market in accordance with the increase in game users and technology development.

Currently, as an example of how game consumers play a game, there is a method of playing a game by inserting a medium containing a game program into a game machine or a computer as shown in FIG. 1 (hereinafter, referred to as 'first conventional technology'). .

1 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of playing a game using a medium in which a game program is stored according to the first conventional technology.

Referring to FIG. 1, a user may play a game using the user terminal 1. That is, the user can execute the game by inserting the medium 2 in which the game program is stored in the user terminal 1 and executing the game program.

Here, the user terminal 1 may use a personal computer (PC), a game machine, or the like. In addition, the medium 2 in which the game program is stored may use a diskette, a CD-ROM, a game machine-only pack, or the like.

According to the first conventional technology, the user can insert the medium 2 in which the game program is stored in the user terminal 1 and execute the game program to play the game.

On the other hand, as another example of how the game consumers play the game, as shown in Figure 2, there is a method of playing an online game using a computer communication network (hereinafter referred to as "second prior art").

2 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of playing an online game using a communication network according to the second prior art.

Referring to FIG. 2, a user may play an online game through a communication network using the user terminal 3. That is, the user may access the Internet using the user terminal 3 and download the game program from the game provider server 4 to play a game or play an online game in a streaming manner.

Here, the user terminal 3 may use a PC, a laptop, a mobile phone (mobile communication terminal), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or the like, which can access the Internet.

According to the first conventional technology, when a user wants to play a game, there is a need to insert a separate game program storage medium 2 directly into the user terminal 1 for each game. In addition, the cost of the user is large in that a separate program storage medium 2 must be purchased or rented for each game, and there is a problem that users can illegally copy a game program due to easy program duplication.

In addition, according to the first and second prior arts, there is a limit on the size, image quality, sound quality, etc. of the screen, since the game is played based on the user terminals 1, 3, and a game such as a mobile game, an arcade game, or a video game. If the platform to run is different, there is a problem that is not compatible between games.

In order to solve the problems of the conventional game method, by using a set-top box (STB), the screen size, image quality, sound quality, etc. can be improved through a digital TV without using a medium in which game programs are stored. Can support games on the platform.

However, in online games through the set-top box, between the game server and the game application, the user calculates and charges the fee by analyzing the authentication function for each game company necessary to use the service of the game company and the logs left by the user. There is an urgent need for the development of game middleware systems that can perform functions. The game middleware acts as a bridge between the online game server (for example, lineage, etc.) and the game application, and the game middleware can perform a server authentication process and a charging process.

The present invention has been proposed to meet the above-mentioned requirements, and a content middleware system for performing authentication and billing functions between a content server providing an online content service using a set-top box (STB) and a content application, and an operation thereof, and It is an object of the present invention to provide an on-line content service system and method thereof, and a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for implementing the methods.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood by the following description, and will be more clearly understood by the embodiments of the present invention. Also, it will be readily appreciated that the objects and advantages of the present invention may be realized by the means and combinations thereof indicated in the claims.

The present invention for achieving the above object, in the online content service system using a set-top box, by transmitting the authentication information consisting of the set-top account for billing and the content account information for the content execution to the content middleware system for the authentication query, The set-top box that stores (/ updates) account information upon successful authentication according to a first authentication result value and then executes a content application to access a content server of a content provider based on the content account information; The authentication information is received, the set-top account information is self-authenticated, and when the authentication is successful, the content account information is transmitted to the authentication server of the content provider, and the authentication information is recorded after successful authentication according to a second authentication result value. A content middleware system for delivering the first authentication result value to the set-top box; And a content system of the content provider that provides a second authentication result of the content account information to the content middleware system and provides the corresponding online content to the content application of the set-top box connected based on the content account information. Characterized in that consisting of.

On the other hand, the present invention, a content middleware system for performing the authentication and billing function between a plurality of content servers and a plurality of content applications, the authentication means for storing and managing set-top account information; A billing means for analyzing a log of content middleware means left by a user or a content provider's authentication server and a content account to calculate and charge a usage fee as the set-top account information; And when the authentication information consisting of the set-top account information for the charge and the content account information for the content execution from the set-top box in conjunction with the authentication means and the charging means, and authenticates the set-top account information, if the authentication is successful The content middleware means for transmitting the content account information to the authentication server of the content provider, and after the log of the authentication success according to the authentication result value of the content account information, and transmits the authentication result value for the authentication information to the set-top box. Characterized in that consisting of.

On the other hand, the present invention, in the online content service method using a set-top box, the set-top box delivers the authentication information consisting of the set-top account information for billing and the content account information for content execution to the content middleware system for the authentication query Making; Receiving, by the content middleware system, the authentication information, authenticating the set-top account information, and when the authentication is successful, delivering the content account information to the authentication server of the content provider; Providing, by the authentication server of the content provider, an authentication result value for the content account information to the content middleware system; When the authentication is successful according to the authentication result value for the content account information, the content middleware system recording a log and transferring the authentication result value for the authentication information to the set-top box; When authentication is successful according to the authentication result of the authentication information, the set-top box stores (/ updates) account information (set-top account information and content account information) on its own, and then executes a content application to execute the content account information. Accessing a content server of the content provider based on the content; And providing, by the content server of the content provider, the online content to the content application of the set-top box connected based on the content account information.

In another aspect, the present invention, the content middleware system further comprises the step of analyzing the log and the content account left by the user or the authentication server of the content provider, calculating and charging the usage fee as the set-top account information do.

In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the content middleware system further comprises the step of storing and managing the set-top account information and the content account information (account mapping information) stored in the authentication server itself.

In addition, the present invention, if the set-top account authentication and content account authentication is normally completed, the content middleware system is confirmed by the authentication server of the content provider, so that the content provider can utilize as data for additional authentication by the content provider itself when executing the content. Providing information (set-top account, content account information), characterized in that it further comprises the step of storing and managing the authentication confirmation information by the authentication server of the content provider.

In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the set-top box further comprises the step of automatically accessing the content middleware system based on the authenticated account information.

On the other hand, the present invention, in the method of operating a content middleware system for providing online content using a set-top box, the authentication information consisting of the set-top account information for billing and the content account information for executing content from the set-top box is input When the content middleware system receives the authentication information, and authenticating the set-top account information; When the self authentication result is successful, transferring the content account information to the authentication server of the content provider, and receiving an authentication result value for the content account information from the authentication server of the content provider; And upon successful authentication according to the authentication result value for the content account information, log the log and transmit the authentication result value for the authentication information to the set-top box so that the set-top box executes a content application to base the content account information. It characterized in that it comprises a step to connect to the content server of the content provider.

In addition, the present invention, when the authentication is successful according to the authentication result value for the authentication information, the set-top box stores (/ updates) the account information (set-top account information, content account information), and then run the content application When the content server of the content provider is connected to the content server based on the content account information, providing the online content to the content application of the set-top box accessed by the content server of the content provider based on the content account information. Characterized in that the made up.

In another aspect, the present invention, the content middleware system further comprises the step of analyzing the log and the content account left by the user or the authentication server of the content provider, calculating and charging the usage fee as the set-top account information do.

In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the content middleware system further comprises the step of storing and managing the set-top account information and the content account information (account mapping information) stored in the authentication server itself.

In addition, the present invention, if the set-top account authentication and content account authentication is normally completed, the content middleware system is confirmed by the authentication server of the content provider, so that the content provider can utilize as data for additional authentication by the content provider itself when executing the content. Providing information (set-top account, content account information), characterized in that it further comprises the step of storing and managing the authentication confirmation information by the authentication server of the content provider.

On the other hand, the present invention, for the online content service using a set-top box, in the online content service system having a processor, the set-top box authentication information consisting of set-top account information for billing and content account information for content execution Transmitting the information to the content middleware system for the authentication query; A content middleware system receiving the authentication information, authenticating the set-top account information by itself, and delivering the content account information to the authentication server of the content provider when authentication is successful; Providing, by the authentication server of the content provider, an authentication result value for the content account information to the content middleware system; A function of transmitting the authentication result value for the authentication information to the set-top box after log recording by the content middleware system upon successful authentication according to the authentication result value for the content account information; When the authentication is successful according to the authentication result value for the authentication information, the set-top box stores (/ updates) account information (set-top account information, content account information) on its own, and executes a content application to execute the content account information. Accessing a content server of the content provider based on the content; And a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for realizing a function of providing the online content to the content application of the set-top box accessed by the content server of the content provider based on the content account information.

In addition, the present invention, if the authentication information consisting of the set-top account information for billing and the content account information for content execution from the set-top box to the content middleware system having a processor for the online content service using the set-top box Receiving the authentication information from the content middleware system and authenticating the set-top account information; A function of receiving the authentication result value for the content account information from the authentication server of the content provider by transmitting the content account information to the authentication server of the content provider when the self authentication result is successful; And upon successful authentication according to the authentication result value for the content account information, log the log and transmit the authentication result value for the authentication information to the set-top box so that the set-top box executes a content application to base the content account information. A computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for realizing a function of accessing a content server of a content provider is provided.

The above objects, features and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, whereby those skilled in the art may easily implement the technical idea of the present invention. There will be. In addition, in describing the present invention, when it is determined that the detailed description of the known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a content (game) middleware system and an online content (game) service system using the same according to the present invention.

As shown in Figure 3, the online content (game) service system using the set-top box according to the present invention, the game middleware system for querying authentication information consisting of the set-top account for billing and game account information for game execution (10), and stores (/ updates) account information (set-top account information, game account information) upon successful authentication according to the first authentication result value, and executes the game application 32 to execute game account information. Based on the authentication information received from the set-top box 30 and the set-top box 30 connected to the game server 22 of the game company based on the self-authentication of the set-top account information, if the authentication is successful game server authentication server authentication server And the game middleware system 10 for transmitting the first authentication result value for the authentication information to the set-top box 30 after the log is recorded upon authentication success according to the second authentication result value, and the game account information. versus The game system 20 of the game company that provides the second authentication result value to the game middleware system 10 and provides the online game to the game application 32 of the set-top box 30 connected based on the game account information. It includes.

Here, the set-top box 30 receives an input from a game user, or requests authentication to the game middleware system 10 having previously stored game account and set-top account information, updates the game account when the authentication related information is changed, and the game account. If there is no change, the account information (game account, set-top account information) is used to automatically access the game.

In addition, the game middleware system 10 performs an authentication and charging function between the game server 22 and the game application 32 that provides an online game service using the set-top box (STB) 30, wherein the game middleware system (10) provides the user with one-time billing by providing a specialized linkage function between the plurality of game companies 22 and the plurality of user game applications 32 for the use of services and set-top accounts for billing. After checking the account for payment, various game services can be conveniently used only by connecting to the accounts of the various games.

To this end, the game middleware server 11 is connected between the game company authentication server 21 and the game manager 31 in the set-top box 30, and the game middleware server 11 is an authentication server 12 and a charging server ( 13, the game middleware server 11 is connected to the authentication and billing server (12, 13) when the authentication and billing request from the game company authentication server 21 and the game manager 31, the consistent billing system To play a role. As a result, game companies can concentrate on game development, and maximize the efficiency of game system development with an integrated authentication / billing system.

Then, with reference to Figure 4 will be described in more detail the operation of the online content (game) service system using the set-top box 30 according to the present invention.

First, when the game manager 31 of the set-top box 30 connects to the game middleware server 11 of the game middleware system 10 for user authentication (401), the game middleware server 11 establishes a connection and application information. After recording, wait until authentication information comes.

Then, when receiving the authentication information consisting of the set-top account information for billing and game account information for game execution from the game manager 31 (402), the game middleware server 11 is authenticated to the authentication server 12 with the set-top account information Inquiry (403), and the result value (set-top account inquiry result value) is returned (404).

As a result of the set-top account inquiry, when authentication is successful (when the set-top account is correct), the game middleware server 11 opens the game company authentication server 21 (405), and if it fails, closes the connection and deletes the information.

Then, after the connection with the game company authentication server 21 is completed (405), the game middleware server 11 makes an authentication query with the game account information with the game company authentication server 21 (406), and the result value (game Account inquiry result value) is returned (407).

When the game account inquiry result is successful authentication (when the game account is correct), the game middleware server 11 logs to the charging server 13 (408), and notifies the game manager 31 of the authentication result. (409).

Next, when both the set-top account and the game account are authenticated, the game manager 31 stores the account information and executes the game application 32 (410). After that, when the game application 32 connects to the game company game server 22 with the game account information (411), the online game is executed.

After the connection, the automatic authentication function is performed using the account information stored in the game manager 31.

Then, the detailed configuration of the game middleware system 10 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 5, the configuration of the game middleware system 10 will be described in more detail. In performing authentication and billing functions between the plurality of game servers 22 and the plurality of game applications 32, set-top account information may be used. The billing server 13 which analyzes the logs and game accounts of the authentication server 12 storing and managing the game and the game middleware server 11 left by the user or the game company's authentication server 21, and calculates and charges a usage fee as set-top account information. And, in connection with the authentication server 12 and the billing server 13, when receiving the authentication information consisting of the set-top account for billing and game account information for game execution from the set-top box 30, authentication of the set-top account information When the authentication is successful, the game account information is transmitted to the authentication server 21 of the game company, and the authentication result value for the authentication information is recorded after logging the authentication success according to the authentication result value for the game account information. It includes a game middleware server 11 to deliver.

In this case, the authentication server 12 may store and manage the set-top account information and the game account information (account mapping information) in the set-top game account setting DB 123. In this case, the game middleware server 11 may be an authentication server. In addition to the set-top account authentication through linkage with the set-top account authentication and the game account associated with the set-top account, and if the set-top account authentication and game account authentication is completed normally, the authentication confirmation information (set-top account, And the game server's authentication server 21 may store and manage the authentication confirmation information, so that the game company itself may be used as data for additional authentication.

In addition, the authentication server 12 is composed of an authentication interface 121, a set-top account DB 122, a set-top-game account setting DB (123). Here, the authentication interface unit 121 provides various interworking functions for the external system, and when the interworking with the external authentication system is required, the authentication interface unit 121 is performed.

In addition, the billing server 13 is composed of a billing processing unit 133, billing information DB 132, billing DB 134, billing interface unit 131. Here, the billing interface unit 131 provides various interworking functions for the external system, and takes the billing information recorded in the billing DB 134 through the billing interface unit 131 in a separate billing system and processes it. .

In addition, the game middleware server 11 includes a connection manager 115, a set-top account processing unit 111, an account setting unit 112, a log generating unit 113, and a log DB 114.

In the above, the game middleware server 11 stores the usage log in the log DB 114 in association with the authentication server 12 when the user accesses the system to use the service (log generating unit 113), the billing server 13, the log data stored in the game middleware server 11 is accessed remotely, the usage log is analyzed and recorded in the billing DB 134 (billing processing unit 133).

Now, a set-top account registration process for an online content (game) service according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the process of registering a set-top account for game charging, the game manager 40 first logs on to the set-top account through the game manager console 311 in the game manager 31 (601). The communication unit 312 of 31 connects to the access manager 115 in the game middleware server 11 (set-top account login processing with ID & password) 602, and the connection manager 115 sets-top account processing unit 111. Data (set-top account information) is passed (603).

Thereafter, the set-top account processing unit 111 checks the set-top account with the data (set-top account information) stored in the set-top account DB 122 (604), and determines whether it is normal or abnormal, and if it is normal, it is used as a future billing check and a full logon key. do. After confirming the set-top account authentication as described above, by requesting the generation of the master key (Master Key) based on the set-top account for charging to the master key (Master Key) generation encryption unit 116 (605), the master key generation encryption unit 116 After generating the master key based on the set-top account, and stores it in the set-top-game account setting DB (123) (606), the access manager 115 through the set-top account authentication results including the encrypted master key game manager communication unit And transmits to 312 (607, 608).

Next, the communication unit 312 of the game manager 31 transmits the encrypted master key and the set-top account information to the set-top account generator 313 (609), the set-top account generator 313 is the authentication result is correct The encrypted master key and account information (set-top account information) are recorded in the set-top account information DB 314 (610) and used in the next automatic logon function.

As such, important account information (set-top account information) is encrypted and stored for data security, and protected with a master key.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 7, a process of registering a content (game) account for an online content (game) service according to the present invention is as follows.

As shown in FIG. 7, the game account registration process, when the game user 40 first selects a game in the game manager console 311 and inputs a game account & game password (711), the game manager communication unit 312 In communication with the access manager 115 of the game middleware server 11 (set-top account + game account transmission) (702) after confirming the account through the communication waiting unit 211 of the game company authentication server 21 (The access manager 115 transmits the game account and the game password to the communication waiting unit 211) (703) The authentication information (game account information) is transmitted to the game authentication processing unit 212 (704), the game account DB ( Based on the information of 213), the game company's game account information is authenticated. That is, the game authentication processing unit 212 of the game company authentication server 21 inquires the game account based on the game account DB 213 (705), and the game account authentication result through the communication waiting unit 211 game middleware. The data is transmitted to the connection manager 115 of the server 11 (706, 707).

Thereafter, the access manager 115 transmits the set-top account information to the account setting unit 112 (708), and the account setting unit 112 confirms the set-top account.

If both the set-top account and the game account are authenticated, the account setting unit 112 performs account linking / synchronization operation, and then generates a game key for each game key as a master key with a game key generation encryption unit 117. Request (Game Key) generation (709), the game key generation encryption unit 117 generates a game key (Game Key) for each game as a master key, the game dependent on the master key (Master Key) After storing the game key in the set-top game account setting DB 123 (710), the game account authentication result including the encrypted game key is transmitted to the game manager communication unit 312 through the access manager 115. (711,712).

Next, the communication unit 312 of the game manager 31 transmits the encrypted game key and the game account information to the game account registration unit 315 (713), the game account registration unit 315 in the set-top if the authentication result is correct The encrypted game key and account information (game account information) are recorded in the account information DB 314 (714) and used in the next automatic logon function.

As such, important account information (game account information) is encrypted and stored for data security, and protected by a game key.

Now, the online content (game) service method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 8.

First, the game manager console 311 takes the recorded account information and executes it immediately after the game user 40 selects a game (801) and retrieves the relevant information with the game code from the account information DB 314 in the set-top. (802).

At this time, if there is no set-top account information, set the set-top account information by inputting the set-top account information as shown in FIG. 6, and if there is no game account information of the designated game code, the game account as shown in FIG. The game account information is set by inputting the information (803).

Thereafter, the game manager communication unit 312 receives an input from the game user 40 or makes an authentication request to the game middleware server 11 with the previously stored game account and set-top account information stored in the set-top box 30 (806), and the game. The middleware server 11 performs authentication of the game account associated with the set-top account in the set-top-account account setting DB 123 when the authentication based on the set-top account information of the set-top account DB 122 is confirmed through the authentication server 120. (808).

Next, when the set-top account and game account authentication is completed normally, the game middleware server 11 provides the authentication information (set-top account, game account information) of the game user 40 to the game company authentication server 21 ( 809). In contrast, the game company authentication server 21 records and stores this authentication information in the game account DB 213 through the game authentication processing unit 212 (811). It can be used as data for.

And, the game middleware server 11 transmits the authentication results for the set-top account and the game account to the game manager communication unit 312 (812), the game manager communication unit 312 in accordance with the authentication result received from the middleware server authentication information If is changed, the game manager stores the game account (804).

Thereafter, as long as there is no change of the game account, game automatic connection can be realized by using the account information stored by the game manager 31. The flow chart for this case is the same as the flow at the time of user input, and confirms with the account mapping information stored in the set-top-game account setting DB 123 of the authentication server 12.

When running the game, the game runner 316 is in charge of the function, the account information necessary for running the game is possible only with game account information.

That is, when the game is executed, the game manager communication unit 312 transmits a game account (/ game ID) to the game runner 316 (813), and the game runner 316 is a game application (/ game ID) as the game application (/ game ID). 32). Then, when the game application 32 accesses the game server 22 with game account (/ game ID) information (815), the game server 22 checks the game account through the game account DB (213) ( 816, upon successful authentication, the game application 32 provides an online game (817).

As described above, the method of the present invention may be implemented as a program and stored in a recording medium (CD-ROM, RAM, ROM, floppy disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, etc.) in a computer-readable form. Since this process can be easily implemented by those skilled in the art will not be described in more detail.

The present invention described above is capable of various substitutions, modifications, and changes without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention for those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is not limited by the drawings.

As described above, the present invention can be authenticated to all connected systems by only subscribing to the content (game) middleware server once, and when a user uses a paid service, the authentication and billing for each content provider (game company) can be unified. Therefore, there is an effect that the service provider can be sold out to improve the service quality.

In addition, the present invention does not require modification of the content (game) application and the content (game) server, significantly reducing the development efficiency and the frequency of occurrence of the failure, and the role division between the service provider and the content provider (game company) is clear. Afterwards, it has a favorable effect on management and maintenance.

In addition, the content (game) middleware server of the present invention is responsible for the relay of the content (game) server and the content (game) application, and serves to perform a consistent billing system in conjunction with the authentication and billing system, the content provider (Game company) can focus on the development of content (game) as a content provider (game company), it has the effect of maximizing the efficiency of the content (game) system with an integrated authentication / billing system.

Claims (25)

In the online content service system using a set-top box, After passing authentication information consisting of set-top account for billing and content account information for content execution to the content middleware system for authentication query, the account information is stored (/ renewed) upon successful authentication according to the first authentication result value. The set-top box executing a content application to access a content server of a content provider based on the content account information; The authentication information is received, the set-top account information is self-authenticated, and when the authentication is successful, the content account information is transmitted to the authentication server of the content provider, and the authentication information is recorded after successful authentication according to a second authentication result value. A content middleware system for delivering the first authentication result value to the set-top box; And A content system of the content provider that provides a second authentication result value for the content account information to the content middleware system and provides the online content to the content application of the set-top box connected based on the content account information. Online content service system using a set-top box including a. The method of claim 1, The set top box, Receives an input from a content user or requests authentication to the content middleware system with the previously stored content account information and the set-top account information, updates the content account information when the authentication-related information is changed, and does not change the content account information. In the case of using the account information (content account, set-top account information) online content service system using a set-top box, characterized in that the automatic execution of content. The method of claim 2, The set top box, And encrypting the authenticated set-top account information with a master key, and encrypting the authenticated content account information with a contents key. The method of claim 2, The content middleware system, Store and manage the set-top account information and the content account information (account mapping information) to a self-authentication server, If the set-top account authentication and content account authentication associated with the set-top account is performed through the self-authentication server, and the set-top account authentication and the content account authentication are normally completed, the content provider may utilize the data for additional authentication by itself. To provide the authentication confirmation information (set-top account, content account information) to the authentication server of the content provider, so that the authentication server of the content provider stores and manages the authentication confirmation information. Service system. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, The content middleware system, The set-top account for accounting and the content account for executing contents are automatically logged in using a master key and a contents key, and compared with the account mapping information of the self authentication server. Online content service system using a set-top box, characterized in that for performing authentication. In a content middleware system that performs authentication and billing functions between a plurality of content servers and a plurality of content applications, Authentication means for storing and managing set-top account information; A billing means for analyzing a log and a content account of the content middleware means left by a user or a content provider's authentication server to calculate and charge a usage fee as the set-top account information; And In connection with the authentication means and the charging means, when receiving the authentication information consisting of the set-top account information for charging and the content account information for executing the content from the set-top box, and authenticates the set-top account information, if the authentication is successful The content middleware means for transferring the account information to the authentication server of the content provider, and to log the authentication result value according to the authentication result value of the content account information and to transmit the authentication result value for the authentication information to the set-top box. Content middleware system for providing online content using a set-top box including a. The method of claim 6, The authentication means further includes a function of mapping and storing the set-top account information and the content account information (account mapping information), The content middleware means performs the set-top account authentication and the content account authentication associated with the set-top account through interworking with the authentication means, and when the set-top account authentication and the content account authentication are completed normally, the content provider itself adds when executing the content. In order to be utilized as data for authentication, by providing authentication confirmation information (set-top account, content account information) to the authentication server of the content provider, characterized in that the authentication server of the content provider to store and manage the authentication confirmation information. Content middleware system for providing online content using a set-top box. The method of claim 7, wherein The set top box, Receives an input from a content user or requests authentication to the content middleware system with the previously stored content account information and the set-top account information, updates the content account information when the authentication-related information is changed, and does not change the content account information. Content middleware system for providing online content using a set-top box, characterized in that the automatic execution of content using the account information (content account, set-top account information). The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, The content middleware means, Content middleware system for mediating the content server and the content application, and providing online content using a set-top box characterized in that the authentication and billing for each content provider is unified and managed in conjunction with the authentication means and the charging means. . The method according to claim 6 or 7, The content middleware means, When the automatic login using the Master Key and the Contents Key as the set-top account for billing and the content account for executing the contents, the set-top box has the automatic verification by comparing with the account mapping information of the authentication means. Content middleware system for providing online content using a set-top box, characterized in that for performing. The method of claim 9, The content middleware means stores a usage log in a log DB in association with the authentication means when a user accesses a system and uses a service. The charging means, the content middleware system for providing online content using a set-top box, characterized in that to access the log data stored in the content middleware means to remotely analyze the usage log and to record in the charging DB. In the online content service method using a set-top box, Transmitting, by the set-top box, authentication information including set-top account information for billing and content account information for content execution to a content middleware system for an authentication query; Receiving, by the content middleware system, the authentication information, authenticating the set-top account information, and when the authentication is successful, delivering the content account information to the authentication server of the content provider; Providing, by the authentication server of the content provider, an authentication result value for the content account information to the content middleware system; When the authentication succeeds according to the authentication result value for the content account information, the content middleware system transferring the authentication result value for the authentication information to the set-top box after log recording; When authentication is successful according to the authentication result value for the authentication information, the set-top box stores (/ updates) account information (set-top account information, content account information) on its own, and executes a content application based on the content account information. Accessing a content server of the content provider; And Providing the online content to the content application of the set-top box accessed by the content server of the content provider based on the content account information; Online content service method using a set-top box comprising a. The method of claim 12, Calculating and imposing a usage fee as the set-top account information by analyzing a log and a content account left by an authentication server of a user or the content provider by the content middleware system; Online content service method using a set-top box further comprising. The method of claim 12, Storing, by the content middleware system by mapping the set-top account information and the content account information authenticated to a self-authentication server (account mapping information) Online content service method using a set-top box further comprising. The method of claim 14, When the set-top account authentication and the content account authentication is completed normally, the content middleware system to the authentication server of the content provider to verify the authentication information (set-top account, content, so that the content provider can be used as data for additional authentication by the content provider itself when the content is executed. Storing and managing the authentication confirmation information by an authentication server of the content provider by providing account information) Online content service method using a set-top box further comprising. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, Automatically accessing the content middleware system based on the authenticated account information by the set-top box Online content service method using a set-top box further comprising. The method of claim 16, The set-top box encrypts the authenticated set-top account information by protecting it with a master key, encrypts the authenticated content account information by protecting it by a contents key, and stores the account information (contents). Account and set-top account information) to automatically access the content to the content middleware system, The content middleware system maps the account of the self-authentication server upon automatic login using a master key and a content key as a set-top account for accounting and a content account for executing contents. On-line content service method using a set-top box characterized in that the automatic verification by comparing with the information performed. In a method of operating a content middleware system for providing online content using a set-top box, When the authentication information including set-top account information for billing and content account information for content execution is input from the set-top box, the content middleware system receives the authentication information and authenticates the set-top account information by itself; When the self authentication result is successful, transferring the content account information to the authentication server of the content provider, and receiving an authentication result value for the content account information from the authentication server of the content provider; And When the authentication is successful according to the authentication result value for the content account information, after logging, the authentication result value for the authentication information is transmitted to the set-top box, and the set-top box executes a content application based on the content account information. Accessing a content server of the content provider Method of operating a content middleware system for providing online content using a set-top box comprising a. The method of claim 18, When authentication is successful according to the authentication result value for the authentication information, the set-top box stores (/ updates) account information (set-top account information, content account information) on its own, and executes a content application based on the content account information. Accessing the content server of the content provider, providing the online content to the content application of the set-top box connected based on the content account information by the content server of the content provider; Method of operating a content middleware system for providing online content using a set-top box further comprising. The method of claim 18, Calculating and imposing a usage fee as the set-top account information by analyzing a log and a content account left by an authentication server of a user or the content provider by the content middleware system; Method of operating a content middleware system for providing online content using a set-top box further comprising. The method of claim 18, Storing, by the content middleware system by mapping the set-top account information and the content account information authenticated to a self-authentication server (account mapping information) Method of operating a content middleware system for providing online content using a set-top box further comprising. The method of claim 21, When the set-top account authentication and the content account authentication is completed normally, the content middleware system to the authentication server of the content provider to verify the authentication information (set-top account, content, so that the content provider can be used as data for additional authentication by the content provider itself when the content is executed. Storing and managing the authentication confirmation information by an authentication server of the content provider by providing account information) Method of operating a content middleware system for providing online content using a set-top box further comprising. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 22, The content middleware system, The set-top account for accounting and the content account for executing contents are automatically logged in using a master key and a contents key, and compared with the account mapping information of the self authentication server. Method of operation of a content middleware system for providing online content using a set-top box characterized in that the authentication. In the online content service system having a processor for the online content service using a set-top box, A function of the set-top box delivering authentication information including set-top account information for billing and content account information for content execution to a content middleware system for an authentication query; A content middleware system receiving the authentication information, authenticating the set-top account information by itself, and delivering the content account information to the authentication server of the content provider when authentication is successful; Providing, by the authentication server of the content provider, an authentication result value for the content account information to the content middleware system; A function of transmitting the authentication result value for the authentication information to the set-top box after log recording by the content middleware system upon successful authentication according to the authentication result value for the content account information; When authentication is successful according to the authentication result value for the authentication information, the set-top box stores (/ updates) account information (set-top account information, content account information) on its own, and executes a content application based on the content account information. Accessing a content server of the content provider; And A function of providing the online content to the content application of the set-top box accessed by the content server of the content provider based on the content account information. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for realizing this. In the content middleware system having a processor for online content service using a set-top box, A function of authenticating the set-top account information by receiving the authentication information from the content middleware system when the authentication information including set-top account information for charging and content account information for content execution is input from the set-top box; A function of receiving the authentication result value for the content account information from the authentication server of the content provider by transmitting the content account information to the authentication server of the content provider when the self authentication result is successful; And When the authentication is successful according to the authentication result value for the content account information, after logging, the authentication result value for the authentication information is transmitted to the set-top box, and the set-top box executes a content application based on the content account information. A function to access the content server of the content provider A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for realizing this.

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