Abstract:
An apparatus and method for providing an N-screen service based on cloud computing. The existing SONF incurs load and costs when discovering, generating and maintaining services. Meanwhile, the apparatus and method provided herein enable to reduce the costs by using cloud computing capabilities, and also to provide more various services, thereby enhancing a user&#39;s service satisfaction. By using the apparatus and method, it is possible to serve an alternative to an N-screen service platform architecture, and by further adopting service capabilities of ITU-T and future network features, it is possible to improve service performances and satisfaction.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2012-0119758, filed on Oct. 26, 2012, and 10-2012-0136397, filed on Nov. 28, 2012, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, which are hereby incorporated by references for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    The following description relates to a method and apparatus for providing an N-screen service based on cloud computing and an N-screen scenario related to service overlay network functions for service control, management and maintenance, sharing and virtualization of service resources, and easy content sharing. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    The information disclosed in this section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form any part of the prior art. 
         [0006]    Passive and simple functions in conventional service provision have failed to give satisfaction to service users. Thus, service provision methods employing service overlay network functions (SONF) (ITU-T Y.Sup17 Y.2200 series-Functional model of a service overlay network framework which uses the next generation network) will actively switch the type of future services since the service overlay network functions enable service control, service creation and service maintenance for the provision of more personalized satisfactory services. 
         [0007]    Recently, cloud computing technologies which offer additional services while reducing processing burden on a user&#39;s terminal and lowering power consumption, such as a terminal battery, through simplification of processing have been widely adopted. The cloud computing technologies provide service models, such as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). At present, a range of cloud computings are available, including private cloud computing, public cloud computing, hybrid cloud computing, and personalized cloud computing. 
         [0008]    Therefore, there is a need for methods to link service overlay network functions and diverse cloud services to achieve enhanced user satisfaction, and a method of differentiating an N-screen service using the SONF is implemented with a scenario and a configuration. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    The following description relates to structure and requirements of service overlay network functions that use cloud computing in an effort to offer optimized services and to improve user satisfaction by overcoming simplicity and passiveness of conventional services, and also relates to a basic framework for provision of dynamically optimized and personalized services. Hence, various services including private cloud computing services, public cloud computing services, hybrid cloud computing services are enabled to work together with service overlay network functions, which proposes a next-generation service structure. 
         [0010]    In the provision of an N-screen service, there may be requests for functions related to service routing, service discovery and control and service delivery to link with various cloud services. By successively responding to these requests and creating numerous services by linking heterogeneous cloud services with the service overlay network functions, it is possible to achieve enhanced service personalization. 
         [0011]    In one general aspect, there is provided a method of providing an N-screen service based on cloud computing, the method including: receiving, at terminal A in motion, an N-screen service from a service provider; issuing, at terminal B in motion, a request to the service provider for the N-screen service; preparing, at the service provider, the N-screen service for terminal B; providing, at the service provider, the N-screen service to terminal B using cloud computing; and continuously providing, at the service provider, the N-screen service to terminal C in motion. 
         [0012]    In another general aspect, there is provided an apparatus for providing a service, including: a service providing unit configured to provide an N-screen service to terminal A in motion; a service request receiving unit configured to receive a request signal for the N-screen service from terminal B in motion; a service preparing unit configured to prepare the N-screen service for terminal B; a service control unit configured to provide the N-screen service to terminal B using cloud computing; and a seamless service providing unit configured to provide the N-screen service to terminal C in motion. 
         [0013]    Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a service overlay network function (SONF) system combined with cloud for N-screen service composition, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating a home service overlay network system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating process of composing an N-screen service tailored to a user by connecting to a cloud service providing unit with employing an SONF system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an example of a service overlay network function (SONF) system model which uses a cloud computing service to provide an N-screen service, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating a system for providing a cloud computing-based N-screen service (content sharing) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a service provider according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing a service scenario of an N-screen service that enables the continuous use of the same content on a plurality of devices through a cloud computing service according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0021]    Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, unless otherwise described, the same drawing reference numerals will be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures. The relative size and depiction of these elements may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    The following description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein. Accordingly, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein will be suggested to those of ordinary skill in the art. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for increased clarity and conciseness. 
         [0023]    In the exemplary embodiment, a configuration of a home service-based overlay network system is provided, which enables the use of cloud service providers, and which thereby provides a system structure and method capable of generating more personalized and dynamic services. 
         [0024]    Hereinafter, a framework for efficiently, dynamically providing services by a connection between a service overlay network function (SONF) and cloud service providers is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  illustrates a service overlay network function (SONF) system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the SONF system includes an interface that is connected to a cloud service provider. The existing service overlay network functions incur load and costs when discovering, generating and maintaining services. However, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, cloud computing capabilities reduce processing costs and enable service providers to offer a variety of services, thereby increasing the user&#39;s satisfaction. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating a home service overlay network system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the service overlay network system includes a service overlay network function (SONF) service management function unit  100 , a SONF control function unit  110 , a SONF service composition function unit  120 , and a cloud service provider unit  130 . The SONF service management function unit  100  manages services within a service overlay network and service performances of cloud service providers. The SONF control function unit  110  has controls related to service negotiation and service management, with respect to discovered services. The SONF service composition function unit  120  configures and provides services personalized to users who have used cloud computing services served by the cloud service provider unit  130 , as well as services within the service overlay network. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating process of composing an N-screen service tailored to a user by connecting to a cloud service providing unit that employs an SONF system. 
         [0028]    First, a service user configures services used for an N-screen service. The configuration of services is referred to as service canvas, in which services related to services requested in each screen are requested in S 100 . A SONF control function unit of the SONF system analyzes the request in S 110 . Using analysis information, the SONF control function unit delivers the service request to a SONF service management function unit in S 120 . The SONF service management function unit requests a cloud service provider unit to check services and provide a requested service in S 130 , and the cloud service provider unit responds to the request in S 140 . The SONF service management function unit issues a request message to a SONF service composition function unit to request for configuring and checking a service in S 150 , and the SONF service composition function unit re-checks the service and performs service negotiation in S 170 . When service negotiation is required in terms of accuracy and quality of service, the SONF service composition function unit performs the service negotiation in S 160 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an example of a service overlay network function (SONF) system model which uses a cloud computing service to provide an N-screen service, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0030]    A service overlay network function (SONF) shown in  FIG. 4  enables a particular logic networking service to be deployed fast and easily. The fast and easy deployment of particular networking service may be used to supplement services to be provided to a delivery network. Accordingly, the SONF can support dynamic service orchestration using cloud computing services for N-screen services. 
         [0031]    Referring to ( 1 ) in  FIG. 4 , the SONF combined with cloud computing capabilities manages services, such as service orchestration, for composing service Canvas, and service computing resources, such as a network, servers, storage media, applications, converting modules, and delivery. In addition, the SONF combined with cloud computing capabilities may be provided fast with interaction with a service provider or a reduced management effort. In addition, referring to ( 2 ) in  FIG. 4 , end users including user A, user B, and user C request the N-screen service to the service provider capable of supporting the SONF combined with cloud computing capabilities. 
         [0032]    Referring to ( 3 ) in  FIG. 4 , the SONF generates a new N-screen service that uses clod computing functions, based on features of the request from each of end users, user A, user B, and user C. In addition, referring to ( 4 ) in  FIG. 4 , the end users, user A, user B, and user C, are enabled to view contents adjusted in consideration of a display size of each terminal in use, and to use additional services related to the content provided by the SONF using cloud computing functions. 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating a system for providing a cloud computing-based N-screen service (content sharing) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 5 , the system includes a terminal  510 , a communication network  520 , a service provider  530 , and a content provider  540 . However, aspects of the present invention are not limited thereto, such that various modifications may be made to elements included in the system for providing a cloud computing-based N-screen service within the scope of the invention. 
         [0034]    The terminal  10  refers to a terminal that can transmit and receive various types of data via the communication network  520  in accordance with a user&#39;s manipulation of buttons on the terminal, and may be one of a tablet personal computer (PC), a laptop, a PC, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a mobile communication terminal. The terminal  510  includes terminal A  512 , terminal B  514 , and terminal C  516 . That is, the terminal  510  in  FIG. 5  includes a plurality of terminals, and is not be limited only to terminal A  512 , terminal B  514 , and terminal C  516 . In addition, the terminal  510  may be a cloud computing terminal that supports cloud computing, enabling reading, writing and storing of data and using of network or content services through a communication network. 
         [0035]    The terminal  510  performs voice or data communications through the communication network  520 , and includes memory to store programs or protocols for communication with the service provider  530  via the communication network  520 , and a microprocessor to execute a relevant program for computing and control. Hence, the terminal  510  may be any types of terminal that is capable of server-client communication with the service provider  530 , including all range of communication computing devices, such as a notebook computer, a mobile communication terminal, a PDA, and the like. The terminal  510  may be configured to include a touch screen, but the aspects of the invention are not limited thereto. 
         [0036]    The terminal  510  includes an N-screen service application to reproduce content corresponding to an N-screen service. The terminal  510  may run the N-screen service application in response to a user&#39;s manipulation on the terminal or instruction, and reproduce content which is received from the service provider  530 , corresponding to the N-screen service, using the N-screen service application. In the case of the terminal  510  being a smartphone, the N-screen service application may be downloaded from the application store and installed in the terminal  510 , and in the case of the terminal  510  being a feature phone, the N-service application may be run on a virtual machine (VM) on which the N-screen service application is downloaded from a communication operator&#39;s server. 
         [0037]    The N-screen service application may be implemented to be embedded in the terminal  510 , or embedded in an operation system (OS) equipped in the terminal  510 , or installed in the OS in the terminal  510  in response to the user&#39;s manipulation or instruction. The N-screen service application embedded or installed in the terminal  510  may be implemented to work together with default applications (e.g., video application) embedded in the terminal  510 . However, the aspects of the invention are not limited thereto, such that the N-screen service application may be executed to serve an independent function without working with the default applications. 
         [0038]    The communication network  520  refers to a network that relays data between the service provider  530  and the terminal  510 . The communication network  520  includes a mobile network  520  and an Internet protocol (IP) network  524 . Here, the mobile network  520  may be a base-station-based mobile communication network, and the IP network  524  may be a Wi-Fi®-based Internet. In addition, the communication network  520  may include a cloud computing network that is connected with the service provider  530  to store computing sources, such as hardware and software resources, and provide the terminal  510  with computing resources needed by a client. Here, “cloud computing” refers to a computer environment in which information is stored permanently in a server on the Internet and temporarily in a client terminal, such as a desktop, a table computer, a notebook computer, a netbook computer, a smartphone, and the like. Also, cloud computing refers to a computer access network environment in which all information related to a user is stored in a server on the Internet and various IT devices are allowed to access the stored information, at any time, anywhere. 
         [0039]    The service provider  530  is a service providing device that provides an N-screen service to the terminal  510  via the communication network  520 . The service provider  530  associated with the content provider  540  provides content received from the content provider  540  to the terminal  510  through the communication network  520 . The service provider  530  that supports the cloud computing may provide the terminal  510  with the content received from the content provider  540  as a cloud computing-based service. 
         [0040]    The service provider  530  provides an N-screen service to terminal A  512  in motion, and prepares an N-screen service for terminal B  514  in response to an N-screen service request signal from terminal B  514  in motion, then provides the N-screen service to terminal B  514  using cloud computing, and provides the N-screen service to terminal C  516  in motion. 
         [0041]    Hereinafter, procedures for the service provider  530  to provide the N-screen service to terminal A  512  will be described. The service provider  530  provides the N-screen service to terminal A  512  using cloud computing. The service provider  530  uses content delivery functions to provide content corresponding to the N-screen service to terminal A  512 . In addition, when terminal A  512  requests an additional service related to the content corresponding to the N-screen service, the service provider  530  supports or generates the additional service using the cloud computing. Further, in the case of handover to terminal A  512 , the service provider  530  provides new channel access information to terminal A  512  for continuity of the N-screen service. If an error is detected in network functions of a network provider that provides the N-screen service to terminal A  512 , the service provider  530  moves IT resources to another location to resolve the error. If a determination is made that the detected error has occurred due to the IT resources, the service provider  530  reassigns the IT resources as IT resources that have yet to be used for the cloud computing. 
         [0042]    Hereinafter, procedures of the service provider  530  to receive a request signal for the N-screen service from terminal B  514  will be described. The service provider  530  receives a request signal for the same content with respect to the N-screen service from terminal B  514  in motion. Then, in response to terminal B  514  being authenticated as a subscriber terminal to the N-screen service, the service provider  530  receives the request signal for the same content with respect to the N-screen service from terminal B  514 . 
         [0043]    Hereinafter, procedures of the service provider  530  to prepare the N-screen service for terminal B  514  will be described. The service provider  530  processes the requested N-screen service using the service control functions so as to continuously display the same content on terminal B  514 . Additionally, by using the service control functions, the service provider  530  controls quality of content associated with the N-screen service, according to adjustable network bandwidth, or determines whether to transcode original content for the N-screen service into content in a format suitable for a display size of another terminal to be switched to. When a determination is made that it is required for the original content for the N-screen service to be adjusted in consideration of the display size of the other terminal to be switched to, the service provider  530  may transcode the original content into content in a format suitable for the display size of the other terminal. 
         [0044]    Hereinafter, procedures of the service provider  530  to provide the N-screen service to terminal B  514  will be described. The service provider  530  delivers new content, which is newly generated using cloud computing, to a dedicated storage unit (e.g., storage or storage medium) that is managed by content delivery functions, and delivers content with controlled quality to terminal B  514  by using the content delivery functions. 
         [0045]    Herein, procedures of the service provider  530  to provide the N-screen service to terminal C  516  will be described. The service provider  530  delivers, to terminal C  516  in motion, the same content with respect to the cloud computing-based N-screen service using the content delivery functions. 
         [0046]    The content provider  540  is a content providing device to provide content to the service provider  530 . The content that is provided by the content provider  540  to the service provider  530  may be video content. However, the aspects of the invention are not limited thereto, such that the content may include various types of multimedia content, such as text, audio, images, video on demand (VOD), user created contents (UCC), e-mails, E-books, E-learning, and games. 
         [0047]    Hereinafter, an example of a cloud computing service with content sharing functions, which is equivalent to an N-screen service that continuously uses the same content, will be described with reference to  FIG. 5 . In  FIG. 5 , an N-screen service providing service continuity by use of a cloud computing service is illustrated. 
         [0048]    An N-screen service scenario in which a plurality of devices are allowed to continuously use the same content through a cloud computing service is described as below. 
         [0049]    [Service provider  530 :-&gt;End user (individual): end user (individual) currently using N-screen service with terminal A  512  through cloud computing service] The end user (individual) uses terminal A  512  (e.g., a smartphone) to view content provided by the content delivery functions of the service provider  530  with cloud computing, via the network functions of a network provider (e.g., the communication network  520 ). In a case where the user requests an additional service related to the current content, the service provider  530  may more efficiently support, generate or control the additional service, by use of the cloud computing service. During the handover to terminal A  512 , the end user is provided with a new channel access from the service provider  530  for the service continuity. If an error occurs in network functions, IT resources may be moved to another location to resolve the error. If an error is caused due to the IT resources, the IT resources may be reassigned as IT resources that have yet to be used for the cloud computing service. 
         [0050]    [End user (individual): end user (individual) switching N-screen service to terminal B  514 ] For example, the end user moves from an office to coffee shop, wanting to continuously view the same content on terminal B  514  (e.g., a pad computer or a tablet computer). 
         [0051]    [Terminal B  514 -&gt;service provider  530 : service provider  530  for providing N-screen service to terminal B  514 ] Terminal B  514  is authenticated as a subscriber to the N-screen service, and requests the service provider  530  offering cloud computing service for the same content. 
         [0052]    [Service provider  530 : service provider  530  preparing N-screen service for terminal B  514 ] By using the service control functions, the service provider  530  processes the same content with respect to the N-screen service requested by terminal B  514 , such that terminal B can continuously display the same content. With the assistance of a cloud computing service, the service control functions of the service provider  530  can control the content quality according to adjustable network bandwidth and determine whether to transcode original content into content in a format suitable for a display size of another terminal to be switched to. 
         [0053]    [Service provider  530 -&gt;terminal B  514 -&gt;end user (individual): end user (individual) in use of N-screen service] New content that is newly generated using the cloud computing service is delivered to a particular (designated) storage medium that is managed by content delivery functions. The content delivery functions deliver the new content to terminal B  514 . 
         [0054]    [End user (individual): end user (individual) switching N-screen service to terminal C  516 ] The end user moves from the coffee shop to home, wanting to continuously watch the same content using terminal C  514  (e.g., a laptop PC). The same content is delivered to terminal C  516  by content delivery functions through the cloud computing service, thereby being available to the end user that is the owner of terminal C  516 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a service provider according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the service provider  530  as a service providing device includes a service providing unit  610 , a service request receiving unit  620 , a service preparing unit  630 , a service control unit  640 , and a seamless service providing unit  650 . However, the aspects of the invention are not limited thereto, such that various modifications may be made to elements included in the service provider  530  within the scope of the invention. 
         [0057]    The service providing unit  640  provides an N-screen service to terminal A  512  in motion. The service providing unit  610  uses cloud computing to provide the N-screen service to terminal A  512 . In this case, the service providing unit  610  provides content corresponding to the N-screen service through content delivery functions. In addition, when terminal A  512  requests additional services related to the content, the service providing unit  610  supports or generates the requested additional services using cloud computing. Further, in the case of handover to terminal A  512 , the service providing unit  610  provides new channel access information to terminal A  512  for continuity of N-screen service. When an error in network functions of a network provider that provides the N-screen service to terminal A  512  is detected, the service providing unit  510  moves IT resources to another location to resolve the errors. If it is determined that the error is caused by IT resources, the service providing unit  610  reassigns the IT resources as IT resources that have yet to be used for the cloud computing. 
         [0058]    The service request receiving unit  620  receives a request signal for the N-screen service from terminal B  514  that is in motion. The service request receiving unit  620  receives a request signal for the same content with respect to the N-screen service from terminal B  514  in motion. In response to the service provider  530  authenticating terminal B  514  as a subscriber to the N-screen service, the service request receiving unit  620  receives the request signal for the same content with respect to the N-screen service from terminal B  514 . 
         [0059]    The service preparing unit  630  prepares the N-screen service for terminal B  514 . In this case, the service preparing unit  630  uses service control functions to process the N-screen service that is requested for terminal B  514  to continuously display the same content. In addition, the service preparing unit  630  controls quality of content associated with the N-screen service, according to adjustable network bandwidth, using service control functions. Further, the service preparing unit  630 , with the assistance of the service control functions, determines whether to transcode original content for the N-screen service into content in a format suitable for a display size of another terminal to be switched to. When a determination is made that the original content for the N-screen service is required to be adjusted, in consideration of the display size of the other terminal to be switched to, the service preparing unit  630  may transcode the original content into content in a format suitable for the display size of the other terminal. 
         [0060]    The service control unit  640  provides the N-screen service to terminal B  514  using cloud computing. The service control unit  640  delivers new content, which is newly generated using cloud computing, to a dedicated storage unit (e.g., storage) that is managed by content delivery functions, and delivers the content with controlled quality to terminal B  514  by using the content delivery functions. 
         [0061]    The seamless service providing unit  650  provides the N-screen service to terminal C  516  that is in motion. Using the content delivery functions, the seamless service providing unit  650  provides the same content with respect to the N-screen service to terminal C  516  in motion, using cloud computing. 
         [0062]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing a service scenario of an N-screen service that enables a continuous use of the same content on a plurality of devices through a cloud computing service. 
         [0063]    Referring to  1  in  FIG. 7 , an end user using terminal A  512  issues a request for an N-screen service to a service provider  530  via a network provider (e.g., a communication network  520 ). The service provider  530  uses content delivery functions to deliver cloud content corresponding to the requested N-screen service to the network provider (e.g., the communication network  520 ) in S 710 . In S 712 , the network provider delivers the received cloud content corresponding to the N-screen service to terminal A  512 , and the cloud content is delivered to the end user through terminal A  512  in S 714 . That is, [service provider  530 -&gt;end user (individual): terminal A: an end user (individual) currently using N-screen service with terminal A  512  through cloud computing service]. 
         [0064]    In this case, the end user (individual) uses terminal A  512  (e.g., a smartphone) is viewing content provided by the content delivery functions of the service provider  530  with cloud computing service over the network functions of the network provider (e.g., a communication network  520 ). If the user wants additional services related to the content, the service provider  530  may support, generate and control the additional services more efficiently by using the cloud computing service. 
         [0065]    In the case of the handover to terminal A  512 , the end user is provided with new channel access from the service provider  530  for service continuity. If an error occurs in the network functions, IT resources may be moved to another location to resolve the error. If an error is caused due to the IT resources, the IT resources may be reassigned as IT resources that have yet to be used for the cloud computing service. 
         [0066]    Referring to  2  in  FIG. 2 , the end user moves from a particular area to another area in S 720 . For example, the end user moves from the office to a coffee shop. In this case, the end user has been watching cloud content with terminal A  512  wherein the cloud content, corresponding to the N-screen service, is provided from the service provider  530 , and may carry terminal B  514  when the end user moves to the coffee shop. That is, [End user (individual): 
         [0067]    End user (individual) switching N-screen service to terminal B  514 ], the end user moves from the office to the coffee shop, wanting to continuously viewing the same content using terminal B  514  (e.g., a pad computer or a tablet computer). 
         [0068]    Referring to  3  in  FIG. 7 , terminal B  514  transmits a request signal for the N-screen service to the service provider  530  via the network provider (e.g., the communication network  520 ) in S 730 . That is, [Terminal B  514 -&gt;service provider  530 : the service provider  530  for providing the N-screen service to terminal B  514 ] terminal B  514  is authenticated as a subscriber to the N-screen service, and requests the service provider  530  with cloud computing service to transmit the same content to terminal B  514 . 
         [0069]    Referring to  4  in  FIG. 7 , the service provider  530  prepares an N-screen service for terminal B  514  using the service control functions in S 740 . That is, [service provider  530 : service provider  530  preparing N-screen service for terminal B] the N-screen service requested for terminal B  514  to continuously display the same content is processed by the service control functions of the service provider  530 . By using the cloud computing services, the service provider  530  controls quality of content associated with the N-screen service, according to adjustable network bandwidth, or determines whether to transcode original content for the N-screen service into content in a format suitable for a display size of another terminal to be switched to. 
         [0070]    Referring to  5  in  FIG. 7 , the service provider  530  provides the N-screen service to terminal B  514  via the network provider (e.g., the communication network  520 ) using the content delivery functions. Then, terminal B  514  displays the N-screen service to the end user in  752 . That is, [Service provider  530 -&gt;terminal B  514 -&gt;end user (individual): end user (individual) using N-screen service] new content newly generated using the cloud computing service is delivered to a particular (designated) storage medium that is managed by the content delivery functions. The content delivery functions deliver the new content to terminal B  514 . 
         [0071]    Referring to  6  in  FIG. 7 , the end user moves from one place (e.g., a coffee shop) to home in S 760 . For example, when the end user is moving from the coffee shop to home while watching cloud content corresponding to the N-screen service using terminal B  514 , the end user may carry terminal C  516 . That is, [End user (individual): end user (individual) switching the N-screen service to terminal C  516 ] the end user may move from the coffee shop to home, wanting to continuously view the same content on terminal C  516  (e.g., a laptop PC). After operation S 760 , the service provider  530  uses the content delivery functions to deliver the same content to terminal C  516  using the cloud computing service, and thereby enabling the end user, an owner of terminal C  516 , to view the same content. 
         [0072]    Operations S 710  to S 760  of the flowchart in  FIG. 7  are described as being sequentially performed, but the aspects of the invention are not limited thereto, such that the order of performing operations of the flowchart in  FIG. 7  may be changed or one or more operations among S 710  to S 760  may be performed in parallel. 
         [0073]    As described above, by allowing service overlay network functions (SONF) including service generation, maintenance, and control to be linked to cloud service providers, it is possible to reduce the burden incurred when generating more services, enable effective sharing of existing services, and increase the user&#39;s service satisfaction. 
         [0074]    A number of examples have been described above. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. For example, suitable results may be achieved if the described techniques are performed in a different order and/or if components in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner and/or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.