Apparatus and method for providing content using a network condition-based adaptive data streaming service

An mobile terminal apparatus for providing content stored in a home media server or other mobile terminal using a network condition-based adaptive data streaming service, comprising:

• a communication unit that requests the home media server or the other mobile terminal to provide target content data stored therein, receives a metadata file from a media management server that the home media server or the other mobile terminal can access, and receives content files from one of the media management server, the home media server, and the other mobile terminal;
• a content player that plays the content files received via the communication unit;
• and
• a controller that controls the communication unit to request the home media server or the other mobile terminal to provide the target content data, controls the communication unit to receive the content files from one of the media management server, the home media server, and the other mobile terminal, based on information included in the metadata file, and controls the content player to play the content files,
• wherein the content files are generated by segmenting the target content data to support an optimal data streaming service in current network conditions.

A method for providing content data to another mobile terminal using a network condition-based adaptive data streaming service by a home media server or a mobile terminal accessible to a media management server, the method comprising:

• receiving, from the another mobile terminal, a request to provide target content data stored in the home media server or the mobile terminal;
• and
• requesting the media management server to provide a metadata file corresponding to the target content data to the another mobile terminal;
• and
• providing the target content data, information about target content, and access information for the another mobile terminal to the media management server.

An apparatus for providing content data to another mobile terminal using a network condition-based adaptive data streaming service in a home media server or a mobile terminal accessible to a media management server, comprising:

• a memory for storing content data;
• a communication unit that receives a request to provide target content data from the content data stored in the memory from the another mobile terminal, requests the media management server to provide a metadata file corresponding to the target content data to the another mobile terminal;
• and
• a controller that controls the communication unit to request the media management server to provide the metadata file to the another mobile terminal, and to provide the target content data, information about target content, and access information for the another mobile terminal to the media management server.

A method for supporting a content service for a mobile terminal based on network conditions by a media management server, the method comprising:

• receiving a request to provide a metadata file to the mobile terminal from a home media server or other mobile terminal that can access the media management server;
• generating the metadata file corresponding to target content data requested by the mobile terminal in content data stored in the home media server or the other mobile terminal, based on the target content data, information about the target content, and access information for the mobile terminal received from the home media server or the other mobile terminal;
• and
• transmitting the generated metadata file to the mobile terminal.