Method of providing service for user search, and apparatus, server, and system for the same

Abstract

A service provision method is provided for user search, and an apparatus, a server, and a system for the same. A service provision method includes transmitting a terminal search request message including a contents information element to a service provision server, receiving positional information of a terminal, which is playing first contents related to the contents information element, from the service provision server, and displaying the received positional information.

1 . A service provision server comprising:
 a contents management device configured to provide a first content requested from a first terminal; and   a service processing device configured to provide a search result that identifies a second terminal reproducing a second content related to the first content in response to a search request to search for another terminal reproducing content related to the first content.   
     
     
         2 . The service provision server of  claim 1 , wherein the first terminal transmits the search request while reproducing the first content. 
     
     
         3 . The service provision server of  claim 1 , wherein the search request comprises a contents information element included in metadata of the first content. 
     
     
         4 . The service provision server of  claim 3 , wherein the contents management device searches at least one terminal that is receiving contents having metadata including the contents information element in a streaming method. 
     
     
         5 . The service provision server of  claim 3 , wherein the contents management device searches at least one terminal which transmits reply message including the contents information element. 
     
     
         6 . The service provision server of  claim 1 , further comprising a communication relay device configured to relay a communication service between the first terminal and the second terminal. 
     
     
         7 . The service provision server of  claim 6 , wherein the communication service is one of an instant messenger (IM) service, a short message service (SMS), a voice call, and an image call. 
     
     
         8 . A service provision method comprising:
 providing a first content requested from a first terminal; and   providing a search result that identifies a second terminal reproducing a second content related to the first content in response to a search request to search for another terminal reproducing content related to the first content.   
     
     
         9 . The service provision method of  claim 8 , wherein the first terminal transmits the search request while reproducing the first content. 
     
     
         10 . The service provision method of  claim 8 , wherein the search request comprises a contents information element included in metadata of the first content. 
     
     
         11 . The service provision method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 searching at least one terminal that is receiving contents having metadata including the contents information element in a streaming method.   
     
     
         12 . The service provision method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 searching at least one terminal which transmits reply message including the contents information element.   
     
     
         13 . The service provision method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 relaying a communication service between the first terminal and the second terminal.   
     
     
         14 . The service provision method of  claim 13 , wherein the communication service is one of an instant messenger (IM) service, a short message service (SMS), a voice call, and an image call.