Mini-map providing method, computer device, and computer-readable recording medium

Abstract

A mini map providing method, a computer device, and a computer readable recording medium are disclosed. A mini map providing method according to an embodiment can include displaying a first part of a sequence of a plurality of contents included in an instant message exchanged through a session corresponding to a chat room in a message display area of a screen displaying the chat room, displaying a second part of the sequence of the plurality of contents including the first part in a mini map display area of the screen displaying the chat room, and linking the message display area and the mini map display area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The following description relates to methods and systems for providing minimaps in chat rooms. Background Technology

[0002] The term "chat room" is primarily used to describe all kinds of synchronous or asynchronous conferencing. This term can encompass technologies ranging from real-time online chat and online interaction with strangers (as an example, online forums) to fully immersive graphical social environments.

[0003] The main purpose of this type of chat room is to share information with other user groups. Multiple users can share information in various forms, such as text, images, and links, by sending and receiving instant messages in the chat room.

[0004] In this situation, as the number of instant messages sent and received in a session corresponding to a chat room increases, the content contained in the corresponding chat room also increases. Therefore, it becomes difficult for participants in the chat room to find the content they want among the multiple contents of previously sent and received instant messages.

[0005] [Existing document number]

[0006] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2020-0047206 Summary of the Invention

[0007] This invention provides a method and system for providing minimaps, which can provide minimaps of multiple contents for sent and received instant messages in a chat room session.

[0008] The present invention provides a minimap providing method, executed by a computer device including at least one processor, comprising the following steps: displaying, by the at least one processor, a first portion of a sequence of multiple contents contained in instant messages sent and received through a session corresponding to the chat room in a message display area displaying a screen of a chat room; displaying, by the at least one processor, a second portion of the sequence of multiple contents containing the first portion in a minimap display area displaying the screen of the chat room; and linking the message display area with the minimap display area using the at least one processor.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the present invention is characterized in that the above-mentioned linkage step may include the following steps: when the first part displayed in the message display area is changed, the second part in the mini-map display area is changed such that the changed second part containing the changed first part is displayed in the mini-map display area; and when content or a subsequence of multiple contents is selected from the second part displayed in the mini-map display area, the first part displayed in the message display area is changed such that the selected content or a subsequence of multiple contents is included in the first part.

[0010] According to another embodiment, the present invention is characterized in that the size of the plurality of contents contained in the subsequence of the second part is smaller than the size of the plurality of contents contained in the subsequence of the first part.

[0011] According to another embodiment, the present invention is characterized in that the size of the plurality of contents may include at least one of the length of the text contained in the contents, the font size of the text contained in the contents, and the size of the image contained in the contents.

[0012] According to another embodiment, the present invention is characterized in that the number of contents contained in the first subsequence of the second part is greater than the number of contents contained in the second subsequence of the first part.

[0013] According to another embodiment, the present invention is characterized in that the step of displaying in the above-mentioned mini-map display area may include: deforming the multiple contents contained in the sub-sequence of the above-mentioned second part.

[0014] According to another embodiment, the present invention is characterized in that the above-mentioned mini-map providing method may further include: determining the size of the display on which the image is displayed by the at least one processor, and in the above-mentioned deformation step, deforming the multiple contents contained in the sub-sequence of the second part according to the size of the display.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-described modified steps, at least one of the text size and image size of the multiple contents contained in the subsequence of the second part can be reduced.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the present invention is characterized in that, in the modified steps described above, among the multiple contents included in the subsequence of the second part, icons may replace images, or text may be summarized and the summarized text may replace the text.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-described modified steps, the multiple contents contained in the subsequence of the second part can be replaced by multiple contents with bookmarks or by a sequence of the sending and receiving times of instant messages corresponding to the multiple contents.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the above-described minimap providing method may further include the following steps: providing a bookmark setting function for a plurality of contents contained in the subsequence of the first part by means of at least one processor; and displaying the set bookmark by means of the first content contained in the subsequence of the second part when a bookmark is set for the first content among the plurality of contents contained in the subsequence of the first part by means of at least one processor.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the present invention is characterized in that the steps of displaying in the above-mentioned mini-map display area may include the following steps: setting at least one of the instant message sending time range, the instant message sender and the content form as conditions; and, according to the set conditions, distinguishing the multiple contents contained in the sub-sequence of the second part and displaying them in the above-mentioned mini-map display area.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the present invention is characterized in that the steps of displaying in the above-mentioned mini-map display area may include the following steps: setting at least one of the instant message sending time range, the instant message sender and the content form as conditions; and filtering the multiple contents contained in the sub-sequence of the second part according to the set conditions and displaying them in the above-mentioned mini-map display area.

[0021] According to another embodiment, the present invention is characterized in that the above-mentioned mini-map providing method may further include: providing a user interface for setting the above-mentioned conditions through at least one processor, wherein in the step of setting the above-mentioned conditions, the selected or input conditions may be registered as set values ​​through the above-mentioned user interface.

[0022] According to another embodiment, the present invention is characterized in that the above-mentioned mini-map providing method may further include: using the at least one processor, when the size of the display showing the above-mentioned screen is below a first threshold or the size of the multiple contents contained in the subsequence of the second part is below a second threshold, switching the screen to a mini-map mode screen, and displaying the multiple contents contained in the subsequence of the second part in the mini-map mode screen.

[0023] According to another embodiment, the above-mentioned mini-map providing method may further include the following steps: when a user enters the chat room, the at least one processor displays a mini-map mode screen, the mini-map mode screen being used to display multiple contents contained in the sub-sequence of the second part; and when, after a preset time has elapsed or when at least one of the multiple contents displayed in the mini-map mode screen is selected by the user, the at least one processor displays the above-mentioned screen including the message display area displaying the selected contents and the mini-map display area.

[0024] The present invention provides a computer program that is combined with a computer device and stored in a computer-readable recording medium for performing the above-described method on the computer device.

[0025] The present invention provides a computer-readable recording medium storing a computer program, which, when executed in a computer device, causes the computer device to perform the above-described method.

[0026] The present invention provides a computer device, characterized in that it includes at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute computer device readable instructions, and the at least one processor performs the following steps: displaying a first portion of a sequence of multiple contents contained in instant messages sent and received through a session corresponding to the chat room in a message display area displaying a screen of a chat room; displaying a second portion of the sequence of multiple contents containing the first portion in a minimap display area displaying the screen of the chat room; and linking the message display area with the minimap display area.

[0027] The present invention can provide a minimap of multiple contents of instant messages sent and received in a chat room session. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 A diagram illustrating an example of a network environment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 A block diagram illustrating an example of a computer device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 3 and Figure 4 Several figures are provided to illustrate an example of a chat room including a minimap in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 5 and Figure 6 Several figures are provided to illustrate an example of displaying bookmarks in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 7 and Figure 8 Multiple diagrams are provided to illustrate an example of distinguishing and displaying multiple contents on a minimap according to set conditions in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 9 The figure illustrates an example of filtering and displaying multiple contents on a minimap according to set conditions in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 10 This figure illustrates an example of a user interface for setting conditions in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 11 A flowchart illustrating an example of a method for providing a minimap according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0036] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] The minimap providing system of various embodiments of the present invention can be implemented by at least one computer device. In this case, a computer program of one embodiment of the present invention can be installed and driven in the computer device, and the computer device can execute the minimap providing method of various embodiments of the present invention under the control of the driven computer program. The computer program described above, in conjunction with the computer device, can be stored in a computer-readable recording medium for executing the minimap providing method in the computer device.

[0038] Figure 1 A diagram illustrating an example of a network environment according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 The network environment shown is an example including multiple electronic devices 110, 120, 130, 140, multiple servers 150, 160, and a network 170. The above... Figure 1 For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the number of electronic devices or servers is not limited. Figure 1 The quantity shown. And, in Figure 1 The network environment described is merely an example illustrating one of the many environments applicable to this embodiment, and the environment applicable to this embodiment is not limited to... Figure 1 The network environment.

[0039] Multiple electronic devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 can be fixed or mobile terminals implemented through computer equipment. For example, the multiple electronic devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 include smartphones, mobile phones, navigation devices, computers, laptops, digital broadcasting terminals, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), tablet computers, etc. As an example, Figure 1 The shape of a smartphone is shown as an example of electronic device 110, but in embodiments of the invention, electronic device 110 may substantially be one of various physical computer devices that communicate with other electronic devices 120, 130, 140 and / or servers 150, 160 via a network 170 using wireless or wired communication methods.

[0040] The communication method is not limited, and includes not only communication methods using communication networks that network 170 may include (e.g., mobile communication networks, wired Internet, wireless Internet, broadcast networks), but also short-range wireless communication between multiple devices. For example, network 170 may include any one or more of the following networks: personal area network (PAN), local area network (LAN), campus area network (CAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), broadband network (BBN), and the Internet. Furthermore, network 170 may include any one or more of the following network topologies, but is not limited to: bus network, star network, ring network, mesh network, star-bus network, tree network, or hierarchical network.

[0041] Servers 150 and 160 can be implemented by one or more computer devices that communicate with multiple electronic devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 via network 170 to provide instructions, code, files, content, services, etc. For example, server 150 can provide services (such as instant messaging services, social networking services, payment services, virtual exchange services, risk monitoring services, gaming services, group calling services (or voice conferencing services), messaging services, email services, map services, translation services, financial services, search services, and content services) to multiple electronic devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 connected via network 170.

[0042] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of a computer device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The aforementioned plurality of electronic devices 110, 120, 130, 140 or plurality of servers 150, 160 can all be... Figure 2 The computer device 200 shown is used to implement this.

[0043] like Figure 2 As shown, this computer device 200 may include a memory 210, a processor 220, a communication interface 230, and an input / output interface 240. The memory 210 is a computer-readable recording medium and may include random access memory (RAM), a non-volatile mass storage device such as read-only memory (ROM), or a hard disk drive. The non-volatile mass storage device, such as ROM or hard disk drive, may also be included in the computer device 200 as a separate permanent storage device distinct from the memory 210. Furthermore, the memory 210 may store an operating system and at least one program code. The software components described above may be loaded into the memory 210 from a computer-readable recording medium separate from the memory 210. This separate computer-readable recording medium may include floppy disk drives, magnetic disks, magnetic tapes, DVD / CD-ROM drives, memory cards, and other computer-readable recording media. In another embodiment, the software components may be loaded into the memory 210 via the communication interface 230, rather than via a computer-readable recording medium. For example, multiple software components may be loaded into the memory 210 of computer device 200 based on a computer program installed via a file received via network 170.

[0044] Processor 220 can be configured to process instructions of a computer program by performing basic arithmetic, logic, and input / output calculations. Instructions can be provided to processor 220 via memory 210 or communication interface 230. For example, processor 220 can be configured to execute received instructions based on program code stored in a storage device such as memory 210.

[0045] The communication interface 230 provides the function of enabling the computer device 200 to communicate with other devices (such as the aforementioned storage device) via the network 170. For example, requests, instructions, data, files, etc., generated by the processor 220 of the computer device 200 based on program code stored in a storage device such as memory 210 can be transmitted to other devices via the network 170 under the control of the communication interface 230. Conversely, signals, instructions, data, files, etc., from other devices can be received by the computer device 200 via the network 170 and through the communication interface 230. Signals, instructions, data, etc., received through the communication interface 230 can be transmitted to the processor 220 or memory 210, and files, etc., can be stored in a storage medium (such as the aforementioned permanent storage device) that may also be included in the computer device 200.

[0046] The input / output interface 240 can be a unit for engaging with the input / output device 250. For example, the input device may include a microphone, keyboard, or mouse, and the output device may include a display, speaker, etc. Alternatively, the input / output interface 240 can also be a unit for engaging with a device that integrates input and output functions, such as a touchscreen. At least one of the input / output devices 250 can also be integrated with the computer device 200 as a single device. For example, a smartphone can be implemented in the form of a touchscreen, microphone, speaker, etc., included in the computer device 200.

[0047] Furthermore, in another embodiment, the computer device 200 may also include fewer or more than Figure 2 The structural elements are described above. However, it is not necessary to explicitly show most of the structural elements of the prior art. For example, computer device 200 may include at least a portion of the input / output devices 250 described above, or may also include other structural elements such as transceivers, databases, etc.

[0048] A mini-map typically refers to a game location scaled down to resemble a map. However, in this specification, "mini-map" can refer to a user interface that scales down and displays a sequence of content contained in multiple instant messages sent and received through a chat room-corresponding session. This sequence of content can be based on the order in which the multiple instant messages were sent and received.

[0049] Chat rooms including minimaps can be accessed via the aforementioned methods. Figure 2The computer device 200 described herein is provided to the user. In this case, an application program, which is associated with an instant messaging service, can be installed and driven in the computer device 200. Under the control of this application program, communication is made with a server (for example, server 150) that provides the instant messaging service, thereby providing chat rooms including minimaps and various functions as described below.

[0050] Figure 3 and Figure 4 Multiple diagrams are provided to illustrate an example of a chat room including a minimap in one embodiment of the invention. In this case, Figure 3 and Figure 4 In one embodiment, it is assumed that 100 instant messages are sent and received through a session corresponding to chat room A 300, thereby 100 pieces of content from content 1 to content 100 are associated with chat room A 300.

[0051] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 The chat room A 300 in the embodiment can be implemented as including a first area 310 for displaying a portion of multiple contents and a second area 320 for displaying a minimap. As an example, in Figure 3 In the first area 310, content 31 to content 37 are displayed as part of multiple contents of instant messages sent and received through a session corresponding to chat room A 300. Furthermore, the second area 320 displays a minimap including content 27 to content 46, which are also part of multiple contents of instant messages sent and received through a session corresponding to chat room A 300.

[0052] On the other hand, although the minimap displayed in the second area 320 can show the full content of instant messages sent and received through the session corresponding to chat room A 300, it can also be displayed as follows: Figure 3 and Figure 4In one embodiment, only a portion of the content is displayed, depending on the quantity of content. In this case, the number of contents displayed on the minimap at once can be determined based on the size of the content (such as the length of the text, the size of the text, or the size of the image). The text size or image size can be preset, or the user can set the text size or image size through additional settings. According to another embodiment, the computer device 200 can also display images as thumbnails or as specific icons for people or places. As yet another embodiment, the computer device 200 can analyze and summarize the content to display the summarized content on the minimap. As yet another embodiment, the computer device 200 can also distinguish multiple contents and display them on the minimap based on specific conditions. For example, the computer device 200 can distinguish multiple contents and display them on the minimap based on the sender of an instant message containing the corresponding content. As another example, the computer device 200 can distinguish multiple contents and display them on the minimap based on the sending or receiving time or date of the instant message. As yet another example, the computer device 200 can distinguish content bookmarked by the user from other content and display it on the minimap. To this end, the computer device 200 can provide a user interface to set conditions for distinguishing multiple contents, and then distinguish and display the multiple contents on a mini-map based on the conditions set through the user interface.

[0053] In this case, the content displayed in the first area 310 can be changed by user input recognized by the first area 310, and the content displayed via a mini-map in the second area 320 can be changed by user input recognized by the second area 320. For example, in a touchscreen environment, multiple contents displayed in the first area 310 or the second area 320 can be changed by a swipe touch gesture towards the top or bottom recognized by the first area 310 or the second area 320. These changes to the content can be performed in a sequence of multiple contents. Figure 3 The multiple bidirectional arrows 330 and 340 shown indicate that multiple contents displayed in the first area 310 or the second area 320 can be changed by sliding touch gestures in the direction of upward or downward.

[0054] Furthermore, in Figure 3 and Figure 4 The first indicator 350 shown is used to display multiple contents in the minimap corresponding to the multiple contents displayed in the first area 310. When the multiple contents displayed in the first area 310 are changed, the multiple contents displayed in the minimap by the first indicator 350 can be changed accordingly to correspond with the multiple contents displayed in the first area 310. For example, in Figure 3The multiple contents displayed in the first area 310 (contents 31 to 37) are changed according to user input for the first area 310. Figure 4 In the case of multiple contents (contents 50 to 56) displayed in the first area 310, the same applies to multiple contents displayed in the minimap of the second area 320. Figure 3 The multiple contents (contents 31 to 37) represented by the first indicator 350 in the second region 320 are changed to... Figure 4 The second area 320 contains multiple contents (contents 50 to 56) represented by the first indicator 350. Conversely, the multiple contents displayed in the second area 320 can be changed based on user input to the first indicator 350 (for example, touch and drag gestures towards the first indicator 350 in a touchscreen environment). In this case, the multiple contents represented by the first indicator 350 can be changed, thereby changing the multiple contents displayed in the first area 310 to the multiple contents represented by the first indicator 350. As another example, as the user selects one of the multiple contents displayed in the minimap of the second area 320, a portion of a sequence of multiple contents containing the selected content can be displayed in the first area 310. In this case, the multiple contents displayed in the second area 320 and represented by the first indicator 350 can also be changed based on the sequence of the multiple contents displayed in the first area 310. In other words, the multiple contents displayed in the first area 310 and the multiple contents indicated by the first indicator 350 can be dynamically changed in a corresponding manner. Based on the multiple contents indicated by the first indicator 350, the multiple contents displayed in the minimap of the second area 320 can be dynamically changed.

[0055] Furthermore, the second area 320 may include a bar 360 and a second indicator 370. The bar 360 represents the entire sequence of multiple contents of chat room A300, and the second indicator 370 represents the position of the multiple contents displayed in the first area 310 on the bar 360. Users can also search for multiple contents by moving this second indicator 370 (for example, in a touchscreen environment, by touching and dragging the second indicator 370 in an upward or downward direction). In this case, as the second indicator 370 moves, the multiple contents displayed in the minimap of the second area 320, the multiple contents displayed by the first indicator 350, and the multiple contents displayed in the first area 310 can all change.

[0056] Figure 5 and Figure 6 Several figures are provided to illustrate an example of displaying bookmarks in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5This example illustrates setting a bookmark 510 for content 52 among multiple pieces of content displayed in the first area 310 of chat room A 300. In this case, correspondingly, a bookmark 520 can also be automatically set for content 52 on the minimap in the second area 320. Figure 6 This demonstrates that even if multiple pieces of content displayed in the first area 310 are changed to content 58 to content 64 and content 52 is no longer displayed in the first area 310, the bookmark 520 is still displayed in the minimap of the second area 320 within content 52. In this case, the user can quickly search for the bookmarked content within all content using the minimap of the second area 320.

[0057] Figure 7 and Figure 8 Multiple diagrams are provided to illustrate an example of distinguishing and displaying multiple contents on a minimap according to set conditions in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] Figure 7 This shows multiple contents of an instant message sent by user "A" to computer device 200 (in... Figure 7 In this embodiment, content 28, content 31, content 34, and content 45 are displayed as examples to distinguish them from multiple contents of other instant messages sent by users. Although in Figure 7 In one embodiment, computer device 200 uses color to distinguish and display multiple contents of an instant message sent by user "A", but it can also distinguish and display contents under specific conditions from other contents by the size, shape, etc. of the displayed contents.

[0059] Figure 8 This illustrates an example of a computer device 200 that distinguishes and displays multiple contents based on date. Figure 8 In the embodiments, it is easy to determine that the sending dates of the instant messages corresponding to content 42 to 44, the sending dates of the instant messages corresponding to content 45 to 57, and the sending dates of the instant messages corresponding to content 58 and 59 are all different. Furthermore, as in... Figure 8 As shown in the first dashed box 810 and the second dashed box 820, the sending dates of instant messages corresponding to multiple pieces of content can be displayed and differentiated, allowing users to easily and quickly navigate to multiple pieces of content for a desired date.

[0060] Although Figure 7 and Figure 8The embodiments illustrate examples of distinguishing displayed content based on user or date, but according to the embodiments, the form of the content can also be used as a condition for distinguishing displayed content. The form of the content may include text, images, links, emoticons, stickers, etc. As another embodiment, the user's query can also be used as a condition. For example, when a user enters text through the search interface of chat room A 300 or selects a portion of the text displayed through chat room A 300, computer device 200 can distinguish the content containing the entered or selected text and display it in a minimap of the second area 320.

[0061] On the other hand, the conditions for distinguishing displayed content can also be used as conditions for filtering content.

[0062] Figure 9 The diagram illustrates an example of multiple contents being filtered and displayed on a minimap according to set conditions in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 This illustrates an example of a computer device 200 filtering and displaying multiple pieces of content based on their format. Figure 9 The example shown illustrates how multiple pieces of content are filtered and displayed in image form through a minimap in the second area 320. In this case, the user can quickly access the image form content among multiple pieces of content contained in instant messages sent and received by chat room A 300. For example, when the user selects… Figure 9 In the case of content 95 being filtered and displayed in the minimap of the second area 320, a sequence of multiple contents containing content 95 can be displayed through the first area 310.

[0063] On the other hand, although Figure 9 The embodiments illustrate an example of filtering multiple pieces of content based on their format, but dates or times, user information of the sender of the message, etc., can also be used as criteria for filtering content.

[0064] Figure 10 This figure illustrates an example of a user interface for setting conditions in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 The user interface 1000 shows an example of a settings screen for chat room A 300. This settings screen can be provided for individual chat rooms and / or uniformly for all chat rooms.

[0065] The first dashed box 1010 represents a selection button where the user can choose whether to use the mini-map. When set to use the mini-map, as previously accessed... Figures 3 to 9 The description indicates that a minimap can be displayed. If the setting is to not use a minimap, the minimap will not be displayed.

[0066] The second dashed box 1020 represents an example of a selection button that allows you to set whether to use the function of distinguishing displayed content.

[0067] In this case, the third dashed box 1030 represents the selection button 1031 for distinguishing content display based on the user and the selection function 1032 for selecting a specific participant from among multiple participants in chat room A 300. For example, the computer device 200 can distinguish and display multiple contents of the selected participant in chat room A 300 on the minimap according to the setting of the selection button 1031, and when a specific participant is selected through function 1032, only the contents contained in the instant message of the selected participant can be distinguished and displayed. According to an embodiment, the computer device 200 can, according to the setting of the selection button 1031, visually distinguish and display multiple contents of the selected participant in chat room A 300 on the minimap according to the participant's appearance, such as color or shape.

[0068] Furthermore, the fourth dashed box 1040 represents the selection button 1041 for distinguishing the displayed content by date and the input function 1042 for receiving specific date input. For example, the computer device 200 can display multiple contents of the mini-map according to the date based on the settings of the selection button 1041. When a specific date (or date range, specific time, or time range) is selected through the input function 1042, only the content contained in instant messages sent and received on the selected date (or date range, specific time, or time range) can be distinguished. According to an embodiment, the input function 1042 can also provide an interface for selecting dates (or date ranges, specific times, or time ranges) in the form of a calendar.

[0069] The fifth dashed box 1050 indicates whether to distinguish between the selection button 1051 that displays content and the selection function 1052 that allows selection of a specific content format based on the content format. For example, the computer device 200 can display multiple contents of the minimap according to a pre-specified content format based on the settings of the selection button 1051, or it can distinguish and display only the content of the specific content format selected through the selection function 1052.

[0070] The sixth dashed box 1060 represents an example of a selection button that allows setting whether to use a filtering function to filter the displayed content. When set to use the filtering function, multiple functions for setting filtering conditions, similar to those in the third dashed boxes 1030 to the fifth dashed boxes 1050, are available.

[0071] The seventh dashed box 1070 represents an example of a selection button that allows setting whether to use the content summary function. When using the content summary function, the computer device 200 can directly analyze and summarize the content of the instant message, or it can analyze and summarize the content of the instant message through a connection with a server providing the instant messaging service, and display the summarized content through a mini-map.

[0072] On the other hand, the mini-map can be automatically set to be displayed based on the screen size of the user device (for example, computer device 200) or the size of the display area of ​​the instant messaging application within the user device's screen. For example, if the screen size or display area of ​​the user device is below a first threshold, the mini-map may not be displayed even if the user has set it to use. Similarly, the size of the content displayed via the mini-map can also be set to a default value based on the screen size of the user device. Furthermore, the content displayed via the mini-map can be distorted according to the screen size of the user device. For example, if the screen size of the user device is below a second threshold, the content can be automatically filtered or distorted in the mini-map. For example, only bookmarked content or only instant messages sent and received within a specified time range or summary content can be displayed in the mini-map.

[0073] Furthermore, the size of the second area displaying the mini-map can be adjusted according to the screen size of the user's device.

[0074] Furthermore, according to an embodiment, the minimap can be provided as a separate minimap screen depending on the screen size of the user's device. For example, if the screen size of the user's device is below a third threshold, the system switches to minimap mode to provide chat room A 300 as a separate minimap screen. In this case, if the user selects a specific item from the multiple items displayed in the minimap screen, the minimap screen can switch back to the chat room A 300 screen, and a portion of the sequence of multiple items containing the selected specific item can be displayed in the chat room A 300 screen.

[0075] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a minimap providing method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The minimap providing method of this embodiment can be executed by a computer device 200. In this case, the processor 220 of the computer device 200 can be implemented to execute control instructions based on the code of an operating system or at least one computer program stored in the memory 210. The processor 220 can control the computer device 200 to cause the computer device 200 to execute control instructions provided by the code stored in the computer device 200. Figure 11 The method includes multiple steps (steps 1110 to 1160).

[0076] In step 1110, the computer device 200 may display, in the message display area of ​​the screen displaying the chat room, the first part of a sequence of multiple contents contained in instant messages sent and received through a session corresponding to the chat room. The message display area may be connected to the message display area of ​​the chat room. Figures 3 to 9 This corresponds to the first area 310 described. Figures 3 to 9 The example shown illustrates multiple pieces of content displayed as chat balloons, but as mentioned above, the display format for multiple pieces of content is not limited to chat balloons. The first part displayed when a user enters the chat room may contain the end portion of a sequence of multiple pieces of content.

[0077] In step 1120, the computer device 200 may display a second part of a sequence of multiple contents, including the first part, in the minimap display area of ​​the chat room screen. In this case, as an example, the size of the multiple contents contained in the second part subsequence may be set smaller than the size of the multiple contents contained in the first part subsequence. The size of the multiple contents may include at least one of the length of the text contained in the content, the font size of the text contained in the content, and the size of the image contained in the content. As another example, the number of multiple contents contained in the first subsequence of the second part may be greater than the number of multiple contents contained in the second subsequence of the first part. The minimap is used to navigate multiple contents of instant messages sent and received through a session corresponding to the chat room. The number of multiple contents displayed in this minimap display area may be greater than the number of multiple contents displayed in the message display area, but the size of the multiple contents displayed in this minimap display area may be smaller than the size of the multiple contents displayed in the message display area. The user may directly set the number or size of the multiple contents, or the number or size of the multiple contents may be automatically set according to the size of the display screen.

[0078] For example, in step 1120, the computer device 200 may modify the multiple contents contained in the subsequence of the second part. In this case, as already described, the modification of the multiple contents may be implemented according to user settings or according to the size of the display. As an example of such modification of multiple contents, the computer device 200 may reduce at least one of the text size and image size of the multiple contents contained in the subsequence of the second part. As another example, in the multiple contents contained in the subsequence of the second part, the computer device 200 may replace the image with an icon, or summarize the text and replace the aforementioned text with the summarized text. As yet another example, the computer device 200 may replace the multiple contents contained in the subsequence of the second part with multiple contents that have bookmarks or with a sequence of the sending and receiving times of instant messages corresponding to the multiple contents.

[0079] In step 1130, the computer device 200 can link the message display area with the minimap display area. For this linkage, step 1130 may include steps 1131 and 1132.

[0080] In step 1131, when a change is made to the first portion displayed in the message display area, the computer device 200 is able to change the second portion of the minimap display area such that the changed second portion, including the changed first portion, is displayed in the minimap display area. Previously... Figure 3 and Figure 4 The embodiments illustrate an example where, as a first subsequence of multiple contents displayed in a first area 310 corresponding to the message display area (e.g., contents 31 to 37) changes to a second subsequence (e.g., contents 50 to 56), a third subsequence of multiple contents displayed in a second area 310 corresponding to the minimap display area (e.g., contents 27 to 46) changes to a fourth subsequence (e.g., contents 41 to 60). In this case, it is understood that the changed fourth subsequence includes the changed second subsequence.

[0081] In step 1132, when content or a subsequence of content is selected from the second portion displayed in the minimap display area, the computer device 200 is able to change the first portion displayed in the message display area so that the selected content or a subsequence of content is included in the first portion. Furthermore, in Figure 3 and Figure 4 The embodiment illustrates that when the multiple contents displayed in the second area 320 change with user input to the first indicator 350, the multiple contents represented by the first indicator 350 can be changed. Therefore, the multiple contents displayed in the first area 310 can also be changed to the multiple contents indicated by the first indicator 350. Furthermore, in Figure 3 and Figure 4 The embodiments illustrate that as the user selects one of multiple contents displayed in the minimap of the second area 320, a portion of a sequence of multiple contents containing the selected contents can be displayed in the first area 310.

[0082] On the other hand, the computer device 200 can set at least one of the following as conditions: the time range for sending instant messages, the sender of the instant messages, and the format of the content. In this case, the computer device 200 can distinguish multiple contents contained in the sub-sequence of the second part according to the set conditions and display them in the mini-map display area. As an example, in Figure 7 The example illustrates how to differentiate the content displayed in instant messages sent by a specific sender. Figure 8 The example illustrates how to display multiple pieces of content by distinguishing them based on the date the instant message was sent.

[0083] Furthermore, the computer device 200 can set at least one of the following as conditions: the time range for sending instant messages, the sender of the instant messages, and the format of the content. In this case, the computer device 200 can filter multiple contents contained in the sub-sequence of the second part according to the set conditions and display them in the mini-map display area. As an example, in Figure 9 The example illustrates filtering multiple contents containing images and displaying them in the minimap display area.

[0084] To this end, the computer device 200 provides a user interface for setting conditions, which can register conditions selected or entered through the user interface as set values. Among these, conditions for distinguishing multiple items and conditions for filtering multiple items can be set individually. Previously, in Figure 10 An example of this user interface 1000 for setting conditions is illustrated in the document.

[0085] In step 1140, the computer device 200 can provide a bookmarking function for multiple contents contained in the subsequence of the first part. For example, when a user selects multiple contents displayed in the message display area, the computer device 200 can provide the user with the function of bookmarking the selected contents.

[0086] In step 1150, if a bookmark is set for the first content among the multiple contents contained in the subsequence of the first part using the bookmark setting function, the computer device 200 can display the bookmark set for the first content contained in the subsequence of the second part. In other words, a bookmark for specific content set in the message display area can be associated with the corresponding content and also displayed in the minimap display area when the corresponding content is displayed there. Even if the corresponding content is not displayed in the message display area, if the corresponding content is still displayed in the minimap display area, this bookmark can be associated with the corresponding content and displayed in the minimap display area.

[0087] In step 1160, if the size of the display screen is below a first threshold or the size of the multiple contents contained in the subsequence of the second part is below a second threshold, the computer device 200 may switch the screen to a minimap mode screen. In this case, the multiple contents contained in the subsequence of the second part can be displayed in the minimap mode screen. In other words, when the size of the display screen is very small (below the first threshold) or the size of the multiple contents of the minimap is so small that it is difficult for the user to recognize them, the computer device 200 switches the screen to a minimap mode screen so that the minimap is displayed on the screen instead of the screen used for the chat room.

[0088] On the other hand, when a user enters the chat room, the computer device 200 may prioritize displaying a mini-map mode screen showing multiple contents included in the second sub-sequence. In this case, after a preset time has elapsed or the user selects at least one of the multiple contents to be displayed in the mini-map mode screen, the computer device 200 may display a screen including a message display area and a mini-map display area. In other words, the computer device 200 can make it easier for the user to navigate by prioritizing the display of the mini-map mode screen, and as a predetermined time has elapsed or the user selects specific content, it can display a screen including a message display area and a mini-map display area showing the selected content.

[0089] As described above, according to various embodiments of the present invention, a minimap of multiple contents of instant messages sent and received within a session forming a chat room can be provided.

[0090] The aforementioned system or device can be implemented as a hardware component or a combination of hardware and software components. For example, the devices and components described in the embodiments can be implemented using one or more general-purpose or special-purpose computers, such as processors, controllers, arithmetic logic units (ALUs), digital signal processors, microcomputers, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic units (PLUs), microprocessors, or any other device executable and responsive to instructions. The processing device can execute an operating system (OS) and one or more software applications running on the aforementioned operating system. Furthermore, the processing device can access, store, manipulate, process, and generate data in response to the execution of the software. For ease of understanding, the processing device may be described as using only one, but those skilled in the art will understand that the processing device can include multiple processing elements and / or various types of processing elements. For example, the processing device can include multiple processors or include one processor and one controller. Other processing configurations, such as parallel processors, are also feasible.

[0091] Software may include computer programs, code, instructions, or a combination thereof, and may configure processing devices to operate as needed, or to issue instructions to processing devices independently or collectively. Software and / or data may embody any type of machine, component, physical device, virtual device, computer storage medium, or device for parsing by or providing instructions or data to processing devices. Software may be distributed across networked computer systems and stored or executed in a distributed manner. Software and data may be stored on more than one computer-readable recording medium.

[0092] The method according to the embodiments can be implemented in the form of program instructions executable by various computer devices and recorded in a computer-readable medium. The aforementioned computer-readable medium may include one or a combination of program instructions, data files, data structures, etc. The medium may continuously store a program executable by a computer or temporarily store a program executable by a computer for execution or download. Furthermore, the medium may be a combination of multiple recording units or storage units in the form of single or multiple hardware components, but is not limited to a medium directly connected to a computer system; it may also be a medium distributed across a network. Examples of media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes; optical recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magneto-optical media such as floppy disks; and media for storing program instructions, including ROM, RAM, flash memory, etc. Furthermore, as another example of a medium, it may be a recording or storage medium managed in application stores distributing applications, or websites, servers, etc., that supply or distribute various other software. Examples of program instructions include not only machine language code generated by a compiler, but also high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like.

[0093] As described above, although limited embodiments and accompanying drawings have been referenced, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements based on the above description. For example, the technology may be performed in a different order than the method, and / or components of the system, structure, device, circuit, etc. may be combined or integrated in a different form than the method, or replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents, to achieve suitable results.

[0094] Therefore, other implementation methods, other embodiments, and contents equivalent to the scope of the invention claims also fall within the scope of the invention claims.

Claims

1. A method for providing a mini-map, executed by a computer device including at least one processor, characterized in that, The steps include the following: The processor described above displays the first part of a sequence of multiple contents contained in instant messages sent and received through a session corresponding to the chat room in the message display area of ​​the screen displaying the chat room. Using at least one of the aforementioned processors, a second portion of the sequence of the aforementioned multiple contents, including the first portion, is displayed in the minimap display area of ​​the screen displaying the aforementioned chat room; and The above-mentioned processor enables the message display area to be linked with the mini-map display area. When a user enters the chat room, a mini-map mode is displayed first. This mini-map mode is used to display multiple items contained in the sub-sequence of the second part. After the mini-map mode screen is displayed, after a preset time has elapsed or when at least one of the multiple contents displayed in the mini-map mode screen is selected by the user, the screen that includes the message display area displaying the selected contents and the mini-map display area is displayed.

2. The method for providing a mini-map according to claim 1, characterized in that, The above-mentioned linkage steps include the following: When the first part displayed in the message display area is changed, the second part in the minimap display area is changed so that the changed second part containing the changed first part is displayed in the minimap display area. as well as When a subsequence of content or multiple content is selected from the second part displayed in the minimap display area, the first part displayed in the message display area is changed so that the selected subsequence of content or multiple content is included in the first part.

3. The method for providing a mini-map according to claim 1, characterized in that, The size of the multiple contents contained in the subsequence of the second part is smaller than the size of the multiple contents contained in the subsequence of the first part.

4. The method for providing a mini-map according to claim 3, characterized in that, The size of the aforementioned content includes at least one of the following: the length of the text contained in the content, the font size of the text contained in the content, and the size of the image contained in the content.

5. The method for providing a mini-map according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of contents contained in the first subsequence of the second part is greater than the number of contents contained in the second subsequence of the first part.

6. The method for providing a mini-map according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steps shown in the aforementioned minimap display area include: transforming multiple contents contained in the subsequence of the second part.

7. The method for providing a mini-map according to claim 6, characterized in that, Also includes: The size of the display screen for displaying the above image is determined by at least one of the aforementioned processors. In the above-described deformation steps, the multiple contents contained in the subsequence of the second part are deformed according to the size of the display.

8. The method for providing a mini-map according to claim 6, characterized in that, In the above-described transformation steps, at least one of the text size and image size of the multiple contents contained in the subsequence of the second part is reduced.

9. The method for providing a mini-map according to claim 6, characterized in that, In the above-described transformation steps, among the multiple contents contained in the subsequence of the second part, icons are used to replace images, or text is summarized and the summarized text is used to replace the aforementioned text.

10. The method for providing a mini-map according to claim 6, characterized in that, In the above-described modified steps, the multiple contents contained in the subsequence of the second part are replaced by multiple contents with bookmarks or by a sequence of the sending and receiving times of instant messages corresponding to the multiple contents.

11. The method for providing a mini-map according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes the following steps: The at least one processor described above provides a bookmarking function for multiple contents contained in the subsequence of the first part; and When a bookmark is set for the first content among the multiple contents contained in the subsequence of the first part using the bookmark setting function, the bookmark is displayed using the first content contained in the subsequence of the second part.

12. The method for providing a mini-map according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steps displayed in the aforementioned minimap display area include the following: Set at least one of the following as conditions: the time range for sending the instant message, the sender of the instant message, and the format of the content; and Based on the conditions set above, the multiple contents contained in the subsequence of the second part are distinguished and displayed in the mini-map display area.

13. The method for providing a mini-map according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steps displayed in the aforementioned minimap display area include the following: Set at least one of the following as conditions: the time range for sending the instant message, the sender of the instant message, and the format of the content; and Based on the conditions set above, the multiple contents contained in the subsequence of the second part are filtered and displayed in the mini-map display area.

14. The method for providing a mini-map according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, Also includes: The at least one processor described above provides a user interface for setting the aforementioned conditions. In the steps of setting the above conditions, the selected or entered conditions are registered as set values ​​through the above user interface.

15. The method for providing a mini-map according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Using at least one of the aforementioned processors, when the size of the display showing the aforementioned image is below a first threshold or the size of the multiple contents contained in the subsequence of the aforementioned second part is below a second threshold, the aforementioned image is switched to a mini-map mode image. The minimap mode screen described above displays multiple contents contained in the subsequence of the second part.

16. A computer-readable recording medium, characterized in that, The computer device contains a computer program that, when executed in a computer device, causes the computer device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13 and 15.

17. A computer device, characterized in that, Includes at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute computer device readable instructions. The following steps are performed using at least one of the aforementioned processors: The message display area that displays the chat room screen shows the first part of a sequence of multiple contents contained in instant messages sent and received through the conversation corresponding to the chat room mentioned above; The second part, which includes the first part, is displayed in the sequence of the above-mentioned multiple contents in the minimap display area that displays the above-mentioned chat room; and To link the aforementioned message display area with the aforementioned mini-map display area, When a user enters the chat room, a mini-map mode is displayed first. This mini-map mode is used to display multiple items contained in the sub-sequence of the second part. After the mini-map mode screen is displayed, after a preset time has elapsed or when at least one of the multiple contents displayed in the mini-map mode screen is selected by the user, the screen that includes the message display area displaying the selected contents and the mini-map display area is displayed.

18. The computer device according to claim 17, characterized in that, To link the aforementioned message display area with the aforementioned minimap display area, the following steps are performed by at least one of the aforementioned processors: When the first part displayed in the message display area is changed, the second part in the minimap display area is changed so that the changed second part, which includes the changed first part, is displayed in the minimap display area. When a subsequence of content or multiple content is selected from the second part displayed in the minimap display area, the first part displayed in the message display area is changed so that the selected subsequence of content or multiple content is included in the first part.

19. The computer device according to claim 17, characterized in that, The size of the multiple contents contained in the subsequence of the second part is smaller than the size of the multiple contents contained in the subsequence of the first part.

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