Abstract: A method of adaptively updating a first recommended user group list of a first user connected to a network, in which a predetermined number of second users are selected from the first recommend user group list that is a list of users having a high similarity to the first user in consuming contents. A predetermined number of third users having a high similarity to the first user is selected from second recommend user group lists respectively of the selected second users possess. The first recommend user group list is updated to include the selected third users. As the preference of a user changes, the recommend user group may be reconfigured with updated recommend users by reflecting a corresponding preference. Also, quality contents can be provided by recommending a user of a corresponding terminal with the contents preferred by other users in the updated recommend user group list.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting content preferences of an active user with reference to content preferences of other users that are similar to those of the active user, the method including: measuring similarity ratios of the active user and other users using an overlapping ratio of use of content items commonly used between the active user and the respective other users; generating a recommender list for the active user based on the measured similarity ratios; and predicting a preference rating of the first user with respect to an unused content item based on a preference rating of an other user included in the recommender list with respect to the unused content item. Accordingly, the similarity ratio between the users can be accurately measured so that reliability of a preference rating prediction system can be increased.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a recommendation content list by the cooperation of user groups. Sets of content that are classified according to a predetermined criterion are distributed to user terminals within a user terminal group. Assessment information on the content included in the sets of content is collected from the corresponding user terminals, and the recommendation content list is then generated based on the collected assessment information.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for constructing a user profile using a content tag, a method of recommending digital content by using a user profile including a tag included in the digital content and a preference value for the tag. According to the methods and apparatus, a user profile is generated by using a content tag, and thus the taste of the user according to digital content consumption can be expressed in more varied ways. Also, by suggesting a method of generating a tag from web content, construction of a user profile for digital content having no tag is enabled. Furthermore, a tag extracted from digital content used by a user is included in a profile and it can be used for a variety of purposes, such as expansion of a comparison scope, use of preference keywords, providing of content links, and expansion of search scope.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a system to provide content using content preference information of users, and a computer readable medium to store a computer readable program to execute the content providing method. The method comprises searching the content preference information to identify one of the users that is likely to prefer the content; and transmitting the content to the selected user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that generates an electronic content guide using received metadata associated with content provided from a plurality of servers and which has different formats. The received metadata is collected, the formats of the collected metadata are converted into a same format, and an electronic content guide is generated using the metadata having the same format.

Abstract: A quality of service (QoS) securing apparatus and method using a communication protocol are provided. The method of securing a QoS of a mobile terminal that receives data while the mobile terminal moves from a first network to a second network includes generating a datagram congestion control protocol (DCCP) packet including information about link characteristics of the second network, and transmitting the DCCP packet to a transmission side. When the mobile terminal of a reception side moves to a new network, the reception side sends a transmission side information on changes in link characteristics of the reception side, and the transmission side transmits data according to the changed link characteristics, thereby securing a QoS of data communication between the reception side and the transmission side.

Abstract: A USB connection control apparatus and method and a data processing apparatus and method using the same, the USB connection control apparatus including a power controller to deactivate or activate a USB connection between a data storage device and an external device by blocking or supplying power to a USB client connecting the data storage device and the external device to each other, and a data processing unit to store data in the data storage device or to read data stored in the data storage device when the USB connection between the data storage device and the external device is deactivated.

Abstract: A quality of service (QoS) securing apparatus and method using a communication protocol is provided. The QoS securing method is performed by a reception side that is receiving data from a transmission side. The method includes generating information about a changed communication environment according to a change in a communication environment of the reception side, and transmitting the information to the transmission side. An exchange of information about a communication environment using the communication protocol between the reception side and the transmission side can inform the transmission side about resources of the reception side, link characteristics, characteristics of a link on a transmission path, etc., thereby securing a QoS of data communication between the reception side and the transmission side.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatic tunnel configuration are provided. The method includes requesting information regarding end-points from one of the end-points of existing tunnels that connect second networks via a first network; and configuring new tunnels whose end-points are set up to have the end-points of existing tunnels and a new end-point, based on the requested information and information regarding the new end-point.