System and method for providing search services linked to chat room

Abstract

To provide a search service in conjunction with a chat room.SOLUTION: A method for operating a user terminal includes the steps of generating a specific space linked to a chat room, obtaining an answer to a question entered or selected in the chat room or the specific space from a server, and displaying the question and answer in the specific space, and the specific space accumulatively displays the question and answer entered or selected in the chat room or the specific space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a search service.

Background Art

[0002] In information retrieval, a specific object having information must be searched for, and access to the information can be obtained only after relationship building through participation in conversation or the like. Also, the information is fragmented, and it is difficult to integrally search for desired information by conventional search methods.

[0003] In recent years, technologies that enable users to obtain answers by asking questions as if they were having a conversation through large language models (LLMs) such as GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformers) have attracted attention. GPT can be utilized as an information retrieval means in that it understands situations and intentions through natural language processing and fuses and summarizes information for provision. A method for utilizing such GPT characteristics in a search service is required.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure relates to a search service providing system and method linked to a chat room.

[0005] The present disclosure relates to an interface screen for providing a search service in relation to a chat room.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A method for operating a user terminal according to an embodiment, the method comprising: obtaining, from a server, an answer to a question input or selected in a chat room or a specific space linked to the chat room; and displaying the question and the answer in the specific space, wherein the specific space accumulatively displays questions and answers input or selected in the chat room or the specific space.

[0007] The session of the specific space may be maintained subordinate to the session of the chat room.

[0008] The operation method may further include transmitting a sharing request for the question and the answer to the server and displaying a search result including the question and the answer in the chat room.

[0009] The search result shared in the chat room may further include a button for realizing a function of asking a question following the context of the question and the answer.

[0010] The step of displaying in the specific space may include transmitting a question input or selected in a chat room switched to a search mode to the server and displaying an answer to the question in the specific space.

[0011] The step of displaying in the specific space may include, in response to a request for continuing to ask a question about a search result shared in the chat room, switching the chat room to a search mode, transmitting a question input or selected in the chat room to the server, and displaying an answer to the question in the specific space.

[0012] The step of displaying in the specific space may include, in response to a request for overall display of a search result shared in the chat room, displaying the overall answer included in the shared search result in the specific space.

[0013] The operation method can further include the steps of folding the specific space by a user action and displaying an entry point that can enter the specific space in the chat room, and expanding and displaying the specific space in response to the selection of the entry point.

[0014] The operation method can further include the steps of displaying a previous question list in the specific space and displaying an answer to a question selected from the previous question list in the specific space.

[0015] An operation method of a server according to an embodiment includes receiving a question input or selected in a chat room or a specific space maintained dependent on a session of the chat room from a user's terminal, and generating an answer to the question and providing the answer to the specific space, where the specific space can accumulate and display the question and the answer input or selected in the chat room or the specific space.

[0016] The operation method can further include receiving a sharing request for the question and the answer from the user's terminal and providing a search result including the question and the answer to the chat room.

[0017] The search result shared in the chat room can further include a button with a function of asking a question following the context of the question and the answer.

[0018] The operation method can further include receiving an additional question input in a chat room switched to a search mode in response to the selection of the button from a terminal of a participant in the chat room, generating an answer to the additional question in the context of the question and the answer, and providing the answer to the additional question to a specific space of the participant maintained dependent on a session of the chat room.

[0019] When the session of the chat room ends, the operation method may further include the step of ending the session of the specific space and saving at least one question recorded in the specific space as a question list while the session is maintained.

[0020] The operation method may further include the step of providing the question list to the specific space.

[0021] An application stored in a computer-readable storage medium and executed by a processor, the application includes instructions for obtaining an answer to a question input or selected in a chat room or a specific space linked to the chat room from a server, and displaying the question and the answer in the specific space, and the specific space accumulatively displays questions and answers input or selected in the chat room or the specific space.

[0022] The application may further include instructions for causing the server to transmit a sharing request for the question and the answer, and displaying a search result including the question and the answer in the chat room. The search result shared in the chat room may further include a button for realizing a function of asking a question following the context of the recorded question and the answer.

[0023] The step of displaying in the specific space may include transmitting a question input or selected in a chat room switched to a search mode to the server, displaying an answer to the question in the specific space, or in response to a request for continuing to ask a question about a search result shared in the chat room, switching the chat room to a search mode, transmitting a question input or selected in the chat room to the server, displaying an answer to the question in the specific space, or in response to a request for overall display of a search result shared in the chat room, displaying the overall answer included in the shared search result in the specific space.

[0024] The application can further include instructions for folding the specific space by a user action and displaying an entry point that can enter the specific space in the chat room, and expanding and displaying the specific space in response to the selection of the entry point.

[0025] The application can further include instructions for displaying a previous question list in the specific space and displaying an answer to a question selected from the previous question list in the specific space.

Advantages of the Invention

[0026] According to the embodiment, by switching the chat room to the search mode and providing a search service, information search and information sharing can be performed during a conversation, and questions and answers can be recorded through a separate space linked to the chat room.

[0027] According to the embodiment, by recognizing the search context for existing questions and answers, generating answers through continuous exploration that continues the context, and also generating answers by summarizing integrated information obtained from various sources, ultimately optimal search results can be provided.

[0028] According to the embodiment, by recommending various types of questions, the convenience of question input and the accessibility to the search service can be enhanced, and as a result, the search service can be activated.

[0029] According to the embodiment, the user can ask questions while continuing the context until reaching the desired information in the chat room, can check questions and answers in a separate space linked to the chat room, and can ask additional questions following the context of the search results shared in the chat room.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0031] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail so that those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs can easily implement them. However, the present disclosure can be realized in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described here. And, in order to clearly explain the present disclosure from the drawings, unnecessary parts in the description are omitted, and similar parts throughout the specification are given similar drawing reference numerals.

[0032] Throughout the specification, when a part includes a certain component, this means that, unless otherwise stated to the contrary, it can further include other components rather than excluding other components. Also, terms such as "··· section", "··· device", "module", etc. described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and this can be realized by hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0033] The server can include one or more processors, a memory for loading a computer program executed by the processors, a storage device for storing the computer program and various data, and a communication interface. In addition, the server may further include various components. The processor is a device that controls the operation of the server and may be various forms of processors that process the instruction words included in the computer program. For example, it may be configured to include at least one of a CPU (Central-Processing-Unitnit), an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), an MCU (Micro Controller Unit), a GPU (Graphic Processing Unit), or any form of processor well-known in the technical field of the present disclosure. The memory stores various data, instructions, and / or information. The memory can load the computer program from the storage device so that the instruction words described for executing the operation of the present disclosure are processed by the processor. The memory may be, for example, a ROM (read only memory), a RAM (random access memory), etc. The storage device can non-temporarily store the computer program and various data. The storage device includes non-volatile memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), flash memory, a hard disk, a removable disk, or any form of computer-readable recording medium well-known in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs. The communication interface may be a wired / wireless communication module that supports wired / wireless communication. The computer program includes instruction words (instructions) executed by the processor and is stored in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The instruction words enable the processor to execute the operation of the present disclosure.

[0034] The terminal includes a computer program which is software stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and hardware such as a processor, a memory, a display, and a communication module. The processor cooperates with the hardware to drive the computer program. The display can display a user interface screen provided by the computer program and receive inputs from the user, for example, touch inputs. The communication module communicates with a server via a communication network. The computer program is software stored in a computer-readable storage medium and includes instructions and data for performing the operations of the present disclosure. The computer program can include an application.

[0035] Figure 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a service system according to an embodiment.

[0036] Referring to Figure 1, the service system 10 can include a server 100 and a terminal 200 on which an application is installed and which communicates with the server 100. The server 100 is realized to provide a service specified by the terminal 200 in conjunction with at least one artificial intelligence (AI) model 110. There are various types of AI models 110, which can include, for example, large language models (LLMs) such as GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformers), generative AI models, conversational AI models, etc. The AI model 110 can include commonly used models and models specialized for the present disclosure.

[0037] Server 100 can provide a chat service that supports message exchange in a chat room. Here, the chat service is not limited to an acquaintance-based chat service, and may be a non-acquaintance-based chat service or an anonymous-based chat service, and may be replaced by chat services in various forms and names that provide chat rooms. The non-acquaintance-based chat service or the anonymous-based chat service may be, for example, an open chat service provided by the KakaoTalk application.

[0038] Server 100 can provide a search service, and in particular, can provide a search service in a chat room. Server 100 can search for information suitable for the question intent through search database exploration and interaction with the AI model 110, and fuse the search information to generate an answer. Server 100 can classify a question into multiple classes (for example, correct answer type search intent, generative search intent, etc.) through a question intent classification model, and determine the question intent based on the probability for each class. However, the method for analyzing the question intent can be realized in various ways.

[0039] Server 100 can analyze the intent of a question and generate an answer in a form suitable for the question intent, regardless of the question format (keyword question, text question). When the intent of the question is analyzed as a correct-answer search intent, Server 100 can search for information corresponding to the correct answer in the search database and generate an answer using the retrieved information. The search database can include various types of collections (e.g., person collection, movie collection, etc.). Although the intent of the question may not be a correct-answer search intent, such question intents are classified as generative search intents. Generative search means summarizing the acquired integrated information and generating an answer in a new form. The integrated information can be obtained through a large language model such as GPT and is obtained from various accessible sources such as social media like news and blogs, and document databases. Server 100 can generate an answer by using correct-answer search and generative search complementarily. That is, Server 100 can generate an answer so that the answer obtained by correct-answer search and the answer obtained by generative search do not overlap. For example, the sources explored by correct-answer search and generative search can be distinguished. When the question matches the person dictionary in the search database, it is set to perform a correct-answer search in the person collection and a generative search to search for person-related articles in news sources. When the question matches the location dictionary in the search database, it is set to perform a correct-answer search in the location collection and a generative search to search for location-related information (such as reviews and ratings) asked in the question in social media sources.

[0040] Since there are no restrictions on the form of questions, ambiguous questions, questions that require value judgments, or questions related to emotional communication may be input. Since it is not possible to answer such questions, the server 100 can generate an answer by summarizing the integrated information obtained through the AI model 110 trained with various data. The server 100 can additionally provide related content (e.g., videos, music, reference documents, Internet sites, etc.) that can be accessed by the user along with the answer. Thereby, the server 100 can provide search results optimized for the question intent.

[0041] The method by which the server 100 generates an answer to a question can be realized in various ways. For example, the server 100 can segment the received interrogative words into semantic units, combine the words corresponding to the semantics, query a search database (e.g., a collection) with the question, and determine the enriched answer as the answer to a correct-type search. For example, when the interrogative word is 'Is Galaxy 3 interesting?', the server 100 extracts 'Galaxy 3' and 'interestingness' as interrogative words, replaces 'Galaxy 3' with 'Cadians of Galaxy 3', etc., expands 'interestingness' to'reaction','review', 'analysis', etc., and then can query the search database (e.g., a collection) with the combination of the replaced and expanded words. Among them, when the answer to 'Galaxy 3 reaction' is enriched, this can be determined as the answer to 'Is Galaxy 3 interesting?'. Or, the server 100 can generate an answer using the result obtained by inputting 'Is Galaxy 3 interesting?' into at least one AI model 110.

[0042] There are various ways for server 100 to determine the answer exposure order. For example, the more similar the question is to the information stored in the search database (e.g., a collection of people), the more the question intent corresponds to a correct answer type search intent, so it is set to preferentially expose the answers obtained from the correct answer type search. The fewer the number of answers obtained through the search database for a question, the more the question intent corresponds to a generative search intent, so it is set to preferentially expose the answers obtained from the generative search, expose the correct answer type search, or expose relevant content. Or, server 100 can determine the exposure order of the answers to be provided later based on the response information for similar questions and answers. For example, server 100 provides various forms of answers (e.g., correct answer type answers, generative answers, etc.) to users who ask questions similar to 'Is Gaogiala 3 interesting?', and after accumulating the answer forms that have been reacted to (e.g., clicked), it can preferentially expose the more reactive answer forms.

[0043] Server 100 can provide question-related advertisements included in the answers. The question-related advertisements can be provided in various forms. For example, the answer to the question 'When is the cheapest air ticket from Gimhae to Jeju?' can include an advertisement for an air ticket sales website along with the generative answer. The answer to the question 'Recommend a nutritional supplement for women in their 20s' can include an advertisement for a nutritional supplement product along with the generative answer.

[0044] Server 100 can provide recommended questions included in the answers. When the recommended question included in the answer is selected, server 100 can provide an answer to the selected question.

[0045] Server 100 can recognize the search context for previous questions and answers and generate an answer to the current question through continuous exploration that continues the context. Server 100 can recognize the conversation context of a chat room and generate an answer to a question. When searching for an answer to the current question, Server 100 can recognize the context and obtain an answer by concatenating at least a part of the previous questions and answers and the conversation content to the current question and inputting it into the AI model 110. However, the methods for obtaining context recognition-based answers are realized in various ways.

[0046] Server 100 can recommend questions that can be input by the user. For example, Server 100 can recommend popular questions determined based on the user's question statistics to the terminal 200. Answers to popular questions can be saved in advance or newly generated. Server 100 can recommend the latest questions generated based on the latest news to the terminal 200. Server 100 can recommend questions related to the input text to the terminal 200. Server 100 can recommend random questions that can be randomly selected to the terminal 200. Server 100 can recommend chatroom-specific queries considering the conversation context of the chat room or user-specific queries considering user information such as the user's interests. Thereby, Server 100 can eliminate the inconvenience for the user to input questions and assist in making the search service convenient and enjoyable to use.

[0047] The terminal 200 can execute an application, connect to the server 100, and utilize the chat service and search service implemented in the application. In the present disclosure, the search service can be provided in integration with the chat service. The terminal 200 can display an interface screen provided by the application and can be various forms of computing devices that can receive user input. In the description, a mobile terminal will be used as an example for explanation, but the terminal 200 is not limited thereto. The terminal 200 includes at least one processor that executes the instruction words included in the application, and the processor can execute the instruction words to perform the operations described in the present disclosure. The application including the instruction words is stored in a computer-readable storage medium.

[0048] The terminal 200 can provide various entry points for entering the search mode in the chat room. For example, through a user action specified in the chat room (e.g., selection of a search button), the message input window in the chat room can be switched to a question input window, whereby the chat room can be switched from the chat mode to the search mode. The message input window can be used as a prompt input window where a question can be entered. Or, a chat bubble in the chat room can be selected, and a search for the text or image included in the bubble can be requested. For example, 'Ask a question' can be included in the menu that appears when the bubble is long-tapped, and when 'Ask a question' is selected, a search request for the selected bubble can be transmitted to the server 100.

[0049] The terminal 200 can receive an answer to the question from the server 100 and display it. The answer can be provided as a correct answer type, a generated answer type, or an answer including both the correct answer type and the generated answer type according to the question intention analyzed by the server 100, and the answer type and the answer order are determined according to the question intention.

[0050] Questions and answers can be displayed in various ways in association with the chat room. For example, the terminal 200 can provide a separate space where questions and answers are displayed conversationally. In the present disclosure, a separate space associated with the chat room for providing a search service is called a search room, but the name can be determined in various ways such as 'Chunjik's room'. The search room is generated in association with the chat room, a search room session is generated through the entry point realized in the chat room, and the folded search room can be displayed in the chat room with a floating button. By selecting the floating button, it is realized that one can conveniently enter the search room from the chat room. The search results (questions and answers) displayed in the search room can be shared with the chat room and displayed in the chat room. The search room also provides a question input window and can display answers to the questions input in the question input window. The answers displayed in the search room can be generated through continuous exploration that continues the search context for previous questions and answers. The session of the search room can be maintained subordinate to the session of the chat room. That is, while the chat room session is maintained (for example, while the chat room is open), questions and answers are accumulated in the search room with the search room session maintained, and based on this, the server 100 can generate an answer that fits the context when generating an answer to the input question. When the chat room session ends (for example, when the chat room is closed), the search room session ends, and at least one question requested in this session is saved in the question list. The user can confirm previous questions in a newly connected search room session through the saved question list.

[0051] The terminal 200 can display recommended questions that can be selected by the user in a specific area. The specific area may be, for example, a specific area around the message input window (e.g., the suggestion area). The recommended questions can include, for example, popular questions, latest questions, input text-related questions, random questions, and the like. The user does not need to directly input a question, can select a recommended question to obtain search results related to the question, does not need to visit a separate search site, and can obtain the necessary interest information during the conversation.

[0052] On the other hand, the terminal 200 can recognize the text being input in the question input window and pre-display an answer to the text in a specific area (e.g., the suggestion area).

[0053] Through such a service system 10, the user does not need to move to an Internet search site such as Daum, Naver, Google, etc. to search for information, and can easily perform a search during a conversation in the chat room. Conventionally, in the case of keyword search such as '#search', it is limited to correct answer type search, so there is a limit in its use for performing a one-time simple search. According to the present disclosure, the user can continuously search while continuing the context until reaching the desired information in the chat room, and in particular, can confirm questions and answers in a separate space (search room) linked to the chat room, and can continuously search while continuing the context for the information shared in the chat room.

[0054] Next, the interface screen displayed on the terminal 200 will be described in detail.

[0055] FIGS. 2 to 8 are examples of the interface screen of the terminal according to an embodiment.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 2, the terminal 200 can display a chat room 300 provided by an application. The chat room 300 can include a message display window 310 where messages entered by participants are displayed, and a message input window 320 that receives inputs such as text, photos, videos, emoticons, etc. When the emoticon button 321 is selected, an emoticon display window showing a plurality of selectable emoticons is displayed.

[0057] The chat room 300 can provide an entry point that can be switched from the chat mode to the search mode. For example, the chat room 300 can display a search button 322 that can enter the search mode, and when the search button 322 is selected, it can be switched to the search mode where the search service of the present disclosure can be used. The search button 322 is arranged near the message input window 320, for example, but the position can be freely changed. When the search button 322 is selected, the message input window 320 can be switched to a question input window 330 where questions can be entered.

[0058] In addition to the search button 322, the entry points for entering the search mode are realized in various ways. By a request to continue asking questions about the search results shared in the chat room, it can be switched to the search mode. In addition, when 'Ask a question' is selected in the menu that appears when a chat room balloon is selected (for example, long-tapped), it can be realized to request a search for the text or image included in the balloon.

[0059] The chat room 300-1 switched to the search mode can display a question input window 330. The question input window 330 can be used as a prompt input window. The question input window 330 can further include a display mark 331 indicating that it is in the search mode, and can display a phrase (for example, feel free to ask anything) for guiding question input. The terminal 200 can transmit the question input into the question input window 330 to the server 100 and receive an answer to the question.

[0060] The chat room 300-1 switched to the search mode can display at least one recommended question in a specific area 340. The specific area 340 can be called a suggestion area. For example, the specific area 340 is located around the message input window and is displayed in the upper layer of the message display window 310, or is displayed in the area where the message display window 310 is pushed up in the same layer as the message display window 310.

[0061] The recommended questions can include, for example, popular questions, latest questions, input text-related questions, random questions, etc. The recommended questions can be provided in the form of keywords or sentences. For example, keywords that can be questioned in a specific area 340 (such as today's weather, a present for Parents' Day, a nearby flower shop, etc.) are displayed in the form of bubbles, and a sentence-type question 341 is displayed. The sentence-type question 341 is placed in an area separated from the keyword bubbles. Popular questions, latest questions, chat room-specific questions considering the conversation context of the chat room, user-specific questions considering user information such as the user's interests, etc. can be recommended as the sentence-type question 341. When a recommended sentence-type question 341 or keyword (such as today's weather) is selected, the selected question is transmitted to the server 100. The recommended keywords and sentence-type questions 341 are updated manually or automatically. On the other hand, a random question bubble 342 with a function that can randomly ask questions in the specific area 340 is displayed. When the random question bubble 342 is selected, the terminal 200 can receive a question randomly selected from the question list and the answer to it.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 3, when text is input into the question input window 330A of the chat room 300-2 switched to the search mode, the chat room 300-2 can display at least one recommended question related to the input text in the specific area 340A. While the text is being input, the recommended questions are updated according to the input text. The recommended questions can be provided in the form of keywords or sentences. For example, when the input text is 'IVE', recommended questions such as 'IVE', 'Ive Rae', 'Tell me Ive's schedule for this week' are recommended.

[0063] The terminal 200 can transmit the question input into the question input window 330A to the server 100 and display the received answer in a specific space, that is, the search room 400. The search room 400 linked to the chat room is generated for each user who asks the question, and can sequentially accumulate and display the search results (questions and answers) conducted through the chat room. The search room 400 can include a search display window 410 where questions and answers are displayed and a question input window 420 where questions can be input. When a question is input in the question input window 420 of the search room 400, the question is displayed in the search display window 410 in a speech bubble form, and the answer received by the server 100 is displayed. That is, the questions displayed in the search room 400 can be the questions input by the user in the chat room in the search mode or the questions input in the search room, and the questions and answers can be accumulated and displayed in the form of messages. Therefore, when generating an answer to the input question, the server 100 can recognize the search context for the existing questions and answers and generate an answer to the current question through continuous exploration that continues the context.

[0064] The search display window 410 can be conversational and display questions and answers. For example, the search display window 410 can display the question 'Tell me about IVE members' 431 and the answers 432, 433 to this question. The answers may be correct answers, generative answers, or answers that include both correct answers and generative answers according to the question intent analyzed by the server 100, and the answer type and order are determined according to the question intent. For example, in the case of the question 'Tell me about IVE members' 431, the server 100 determines that the probability of a correct answer search intent is higher than the probability of a generative answer search intent through question intent analysis, and can provide the terminal 200 with search results including the answers generated according to the question intent. The search room 400 that has received the search results can first display the correct answer 432 for 'IVE' searched in the person collection, and can additionally display the generative answer 433 generated based on the integrated information for 'IVE'. The results searched in the person collection are provided in the form of cards that are made in card form and flipped, but it is not necessarily limited to this.

[0065] The search results can be shared in the chat room. For example, when the terminal 200 transmits a sharing request for the correct answer 432 to the server 100, the shared search results 350A are displayed in the chat room 300-3. The shared search results 350A can inform the participants in the chat room of the question by further including the question 'Tell me about IVE members' together with the shared answer. In addition, the shared search results 350A can further include a button (button name: Continue to ask questions) 351A that can ask questions following the context of the shared question and answer.

[0066] When the user subsequently selects the button 351A to ask a question, the message input window in the chat room 300-3 switches to the question input window 330B, and it is possible to receive the input of the question "Who is the youngest child?". At this time, the question input window 330B can further display a display mark 332 indicating that the question is continued in the previous search context, together with a display mark 331 indicating that it is in the search mode. The server 100 can generate an answer to the subsequent question "Who is the youngest child?" in the context of the previous question "Tell me about the I've members" and its answer, and provide it to the terminal 200.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 4, the user can perform additional searches in the search room 400 linked to the chat room. For example, when a specific keyword, such as "music video", is selected in the answer 433 including selectable keywords, the search room 400 can display a new question "I've IAM music video" 434 and an answer 435 thereto following the previous question and answer 433. The selectable keywords can be realized to include a re-search link.

[0068] The answer 435 includes at least one content providing "I've IAM music video", and can further include recommended questions 436, such as "Show me behind the IAM music video", "Show me I've legends shooting live", etc. When the recommended question 436 is selected, the answer to the selected question is displayed in the search room 400.

[0069] On the other hand, when the question "Tell me about I've MBTI" is input in the question input window 420, a new question 437 is displayed in the search display window 410 following the previous question and answer 435, and the answers 438 to the questions are sequentially displayed. The answer 438 can be provided as a generative answer, and can be realized to provide question-related information retrieved from the web, images, videos, etc.

[0070] In this way, the search room 400 can provide answers to questions entered in the chat room, and can also provide answers in the search room 400 for re-search and the input questions by selecting keywords in the answers, and can assist in continuous search operations without leaving to other pages. In particular, since questions and answers accumulate in the search room 400, the server 100 can generate answers by reflecting the context in the search room 400, so that the user can quickly and accurately obtain the desired answers without repeating previous questions.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 5, the chat room 300-4 can display the shared search results 350B and 350C. The shared search results 350B and 350C can further include the questions 'Luciferum' and 'What songs does Luciferum have?' together with the shared answers, and can further include buttons (button name: Continue to ask questions) 351B and 351C for asking questions following the context of the said questions and answers. When the user selects the button 351B or 351C to continue asking questions, the message input window of the chat room 300-4 is switched to a question input window, and can receive the input of questions. The server 100 can generate answers to additional questions in the context of the questions 'Luciferum' and 'What songs does Luciferum have?' and their answers, and provide them to the terminal 200.

[0072] The shared search results 350B and 350C can further include overall display buttons 352B and 352C with the function of being able to view the shared overall results realized. When the user selects the overall display button 352C, the overall answer 439 included in the shared search result 350C is displayed in the search room 400-1. When a specific keyword selectable in the answer 439 is selected, the search room 400-1 can display the answer to the selected keyword.

[0073] On the one hand, when a question 'Who is the best dancer?' is input in the question input window 420, following the answer 439, a new question 440 and an answer 441 are displayed. The answer 441 can be provided as a generative answer and can be realized to provide question-related information retrieved from videos, images, etc. The server 100 generates the answer 441 for the question 'Who is the best dancer?' by reflecting the context of 'Luciferum song' in the search room 400-1, so that the user can obtain the desired answer without inputting 'Who is the best dancer in Luciferum'. In this way, the user can view the search results shared by the participants in the chat room and can ask additional questions following the context of the search results shared by the participants.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 6, the user can ask questions following the shared search result 350A in the chat room 300-3 of FIG. 3 and share the search result 350D including the question and the answer in the chat room. The chat room 300-5 can display the search result 350D shared by the user.

[0075] The chat room 300-5 can display the message 360 input by the participant UserA in the chat room and can display the search result 350E shared by UserA. Before sharing the search result, UserA can ask questions following the search results shared by himself or other participants to obtain answers and share the search result 350E including this. For example, UserA can select the question button 351D to ask questions following the search result 350D shared by other participants in FIG. 3, input the question 'Show me the video of the older brother I know recently', and can receive the provision of an answer to this. The server 100 can generate an answer to UserA's question 'Show me the video of the older brother I know recently' based on the search context of the shared search result 350D and the conversation context inferred from the message 360 in the chat room.

[0076] The shared search results 350E can further include, along with the shared answers, the question 'Show me the videos of the older brother you know recently', and can include a button 351E for asking questions following the context of the said question and answer, and an overall display button 352E for realizing the function of viewing the overall shared results. The shared search results 350E can include the answers generated in the context of the previously shared search results 350D and the message 360.

[0077] When the user selects the button 351E for asking questions following the shared search results 350E shared by UserA, the message input window of the chat room 300-5 switches to a question input window, and the input of questions can be received.

[0078] When the user selects the overall display button 352E, the overall answer 442 included in the shared search results 350E is displayed in the search room 400-2. When a specific keyword selectable in the answer 442 is selected, the search room 400-2 can display the answer to the selected keyword.

[0079] On the other hand, when the question 'What is a crazy person with bright eyes... Why is Ahn Yujin a crazy person with bright eyes?' is input in the question input window 420, following the answer 442, a new question 443 and an answer 444 are displayed. The answer 444 may be provided as a generative answer and is realized to provide question-related information searched by videos, people, images, etc.

[0080] Thus, according to the present disclosure, since the server 100 generates an answer to a question in consideration of the context, the participants in the chat room can ask questions following the search results shared in the chat room, can check the search results shared in the chat room in their own search room, and can ask questions following the previous questions and answers in their own search room.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 7, the search room 400-2 can include a folding button 411 with a folding function realized. When the folding button 411 is selected, the search room 400-2 is folded, and an entry point to enter the folded search room is displayed in the chat room 300-6. The entry point to the folded search room is realized by the floating button 370.

[0082] In response to the selection of the floating button 370, the search room 400-2 where the previous questions and answers were saved is expanded, and when the folding button 411 is selected, it can return to the chat room 300-6 again.

[0083] The terminal 200 can fold the search room 400-2 by a user action and display an entry point to enter the search room 400-2 in the chat room 300-6. The terminal 200 can expand and display the search room 400-2 in response to the selection of the entry point.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 8, the search room 400-3 can display a button (button name: previous conversation call) 412 with a function of calling previous questions realized. The previous conversation call button 412 can appear in the search room 400-3 by a specified user action (for example, scrolling).

[0085] When the user selects the previous conversation call button 412, the search room 400-3 can display at least a part of the previous question list 413. The search room 400-3 can display, for example, the most recent N question lists. The previous question list 413 may be generated for each chat room session. The previous question list 413 may be generated in similar context units. For example, after the user asks a question about the group 'LESSERAFIM' in the chat room, the user can ask questions in other contexts. In this case, the server 100 can group questions with similar question contexts and display representative questions and representative keywords (e.g., 'LESSERAFIM') in the previous question list 413.

[0086] When a specific question is selected from the previous question list 413, the search room 400-3 can display the answer to the selected question. The previous question list 413 can save only the questions, and the search room 400-3 can obtain and display the latest answer from the server 100 when a previous question is selected.

[0087] Figure 9 is an illustration of a server structure for providing a search service according to an embodiment.

[0088] Referring to Figure 9, the server 100 can generate an answer to a question input from the terminal 200 and provide this to the terminal 200. For this purpose, the server 100 can include an answer generation unit 120, a question-answer database 130, a recommended question determination unit 140, an associated question judgment unit 150, and a similar question judgment unit 160. The answer generation unit 120, the question-answer database 130, the recommended question determination unit 140, the associated question judgment unit 150, and the similar question judgment unit 160 are partial components of the server 100 and are divided for explaining the functions of the server 100. The server structure for the operations for the present disclosure can be designed in various ways.

[0089] The answer generation unit 120 can search for information suitable for the question intent by searching the search database or interacting with an AI model, fuse the search information, and generate an answer. The answer generated for the question may be stored in the question-answer database 130. The question and the answer may be stored by concatenating with previous questions and answers, and session information when the question and the answer were made (for example, information of the user who asked the question and the chat room where the question was asked, etc.) may be mapped. The question-answer database 130 can manage questions separately or manage answers separately, and can manage grouped questions and answers.

[0090] The answer generation unit 120 can generate an answer including question-related advertisements. The answer generation unit 120 can provide a recommended question to the terminal 200 during question input, or can generate an answer including the recommended question, and for this purpose, can interact with the recommended question determination unit 140, the related question judgment unit 150, and the similar question judgment unit 160.

[0091] The recommended question determination unit 140 can determine a question to recommend to the user. The recommended question determination unit 140 can determine a popular question based on the user's question statistics. The recommended question determination unit 140 can generate a latest question based on the latest news. The recommended question determination unit 140 can determine a random question list. The recommended question determination unit 140 can determine a chat room-specific question considering the conversation context of the chat room, or can determine a user-specific question considering user information such as the user's interests.

[0092] The related question judgment unit 150 can generate question groups by grouping the questions stored in the question-answer database 130 according to the degree of relevance such as the theme and field. If there is a question group with a high degree of relevance to the new question, the questions or answers included in the question group may be used for generating an answer to the new question.

[0093] The similar question determination unit 160 can generate question groups by grouping the questions stored in the question-answer database 130 according to the similarity. If there is a question group with a high similarity to the new question, the questions or answers included in the question group may be utilized for generating the answer to the new question. In the case of text-based questions, although the question meanings are similar, the texts are often not the same. Therefore, the similar question determination unit 160 can group similar questions based on the question meaning for question statistical processing, question recommendation, answer generation, etc.

[0094] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method for providing a search service of a server according to an embodiment.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 10, the server 100 receives a question requested in a chat room switched to the search mode from the terminal 200 (S110). The question may be a text-based question or a keyword question. The server 100 can provide recommended questions in the chat room switched to the search mode. The recommended questions can include, for example, popular questions, latest questions, input text-related questions, random questions, etc. The question can be input in the question input window or selected from the recommended questions.

[0096] Server 100 analyzes the intent of the question and generates an answer based on the question intent (S120). Server 100 can generate an answer to the current question considering the previous search context. Server 100 can generate an answer to the question in conjunction with the AI model 110. Server 100 can search for information corresponding to the correct answer in the search database and generate an answer using the retrieved information. Server 100 can generate an answer by summarizing the integrated information obtained from various sources. Server 100 can generate an answer by using different search methods (e.g., exact-match search and generative search) complementarily. Server 100 can determine the exposure order of the answers obtained through exact-match search and generative search according to the question intent. Server 100 can generate an answer including question-related advertisements.

[0097] Server 100 provides an answer to the question to the search room of the user linked to the chat room (S130).

[0098] Server 100 receives the question requested in the search room and generates an answer to the question based on the context of the search room (S140).

[0099] Server 100 provides an answer to the question to the search room (S150).

[0100] Server 100 determines whether the chat room session is maintained (S160).

[0101] If the chat room session is maintained, Server 100 maintains the search room session linked to the chat room (S170). In this case, Server 100 can continue the process of providing an answer to the question requested in the chat room switched to the search mode while maintaining the search context or providing an answer to the question requested in the search room to the search room.

[0102] When the chat room session ends, the server 100 ends the search room session and saves at least one question recorded in the search room during the session as a question list (S180). If the search room session is reconnected, the server 100 can provide the question list to the search room.

[0103] FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are flowcharts of a method for providing a search service for a terminal according to an embodiment.

[0104] Referring to FIG. 11, the terminal 200 generates a search room linked to the chat room (S210). The session of the search room can be maintained subordinate to the session of the chat room. That is, the session of the search room is maintained while the session of the chat room is maintained.

[0105] The terminal 200 obtains an answer to a question input or selected in the chat room or the search room from the server 100 and displays the question and the answer in the search room (S220). The search room can accumulate and display the questions and answers input or selected in the chat room or the search room. The terminal 200 can fold the search room by a user action and display an entry point (e.g., a floating button) to enter the search room in the chat room. The terminal 200 can expand and display the search room in response to the selection of the entry point.

[0106] Referring to FIG. 12, the terminal 200 displays the chat room (S310).

[0107] The terminal 200 switches the chat room from the chat mode to the search mode through a user action specified for the chat room (S320). The chat room switched to the search mode can switch and display the message input window to a question input window. The user action may be a button selection that realizes the switching function to the search mode, or may include a button selection that realizes the continuous question function for the shared search results. The question input window can include a display mark indicating that it is in the search mode. The terminal 200 can display recommended questions or preview search results that the user can select in a specific area of the chat room. The recommended questions can include, for example, popular questions, latest questions, input text-related questions, random questions, etc. The recommended questions can include keyword questions or text-type questions. The terminal 200 can display preview search results for the question being input in the question input window.

[0108] The terminal 200 transmits the question input or selected in the chat room to the server 100, and displays the answer to the question in the search room linked to the chat room (S322). The search room linked to the chat room is generated for each user who asks the question, and can sequentially accumulate and display the search results (questions and answers) performed in the chat room or the search room. The search room can include a search display window where questions and answers are displayed and a question input window where questions can be input. When a question is input in the question input window of the search room, the question is displayed in the search room, and the answer to the question is displayed.

[0109] In response to a continuous question request (a request to continue asking questions) for the search results shared in the chat room, the terminal 200 switches the message input window in the chat room to a question input window and displays it (S330). The question input window can include a display mark indicating the search mode and a display mark indicating to continue asking questions. The shared search results may be the search results shared by the user or the search results shared by other participants in the chat room.

[0110] The terminal 200 transmits the input question to the server 100 and displays the obtained answer in the search room (S332). The answer can be generated in the context of the previous questions and answers included in the shared search results.

[0111] In response to a whole display request for the search results shared in the chat room, the terminal 200 displays the whole answer included in the shared search results in the search room (S340).

[0112] When a specific keyword is selected from the search results shared in the chat room, the terminal 200 displays the answer to the keyword question in the search room in response to the keyword selection (S350).

[0113] The terminal 200 transmits the question input or selected in the search room to the server 100 and displays the answer to the question in the search room (S360). The answer displayed in the search room can be generated based on the context of the search room.

[0114] The terminal 200 transmits a sharing request for the question and answer to the server 100 and displays the search results including the question and answer in the chat room (S370). The shared search results can include a button with a function to continue asking questions following the context of the shared question and answer.

[0115] The terminal 200 can maintain a search room session while the chat room session is maintained. Thereby, the terminal 200 can obtain answers generated in the search context and the conversation context.

[0116] The flowcharts described in FIGS. 10 to 12 are examples for explaining the present disclosure, and the order may be changed, or the steps may be processed in parallel.

[0117] As described above, according to the embodiment, by switching the chat room to the search mode and providing a search service, information search and information sharing can be performed during a conversation, and questions and answers can be recorded through a separate space linked to the chat room.

[0118] According to the embodiment, by recognizing the search context for existing questions and answers, generating answers through continuous exploration that continues the context, and generating answers by summarizing integrated information obtained from various sources, ultimately optimal search results can be provided.

[0119] According to the embodiment, by recommending various questions, the convenience of question input and the accessibility of the search service can be improved, and as a result, the search service can be activated.

[0120] According to the embodiment, the user can ask questions while continuing the context until reaching the desired information in the chat room, can check questions and answers in a separate space linked to the chat room, and can ask additional questions following the context of the search results shared in the chat room.

[0121] The embodiments of the present disclosure described above are not only realized only through the apparatus and method, but may also be realized through a program that realizes the functions corresponding to the configurations of the embodiments of the present disclosure or a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

[0122] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, the scope of rights of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by those skilled in the art using the basic concept of the present disclosure defined in the following claims also belong to the scope of rights of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A method for operating a user terminal, comprising: obtaining, from a server, an answer to a question input or selected in a chat room or a specific space associated with the chat room; and displaying the question and the answer in the specific space, wherein the specific space accumulatively displays questions and answers input or selected in the chat room or the specific space.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a session of the specific space is maintained subordinate to a session of the chat room.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting a sharing request for the question and the answer to the server, and displaying a search result including the question and the answer in the chat room.

4. The search result shared in the chat room further includes a button for realizing a function of asking a question following the context of the question and the answer. The method according to claim 3.

5. The step of displaying in the specific space is to transmit a question input or selected in a chat room switched to a search mode to the server, and display an answer to the question in the specific space. The method according to claim 1.

6. The step of displaying in the specific space is to respond to a request for continuing to ask a question for a search result shared in the chat room, switch the chat room to a search mode, transmit a question input or selected in the chat room to the server, and display an answer to the question in the specific space. The method according to claim 1.

7. The step of displaying in the specific space is to respond to a request for overall display for a search result shared in the chat room, and display an overall answer included in the shared search result in the specific space. The method according to claim 1.

8. folding the specific space by a user action, displaying an entry point in the chat room through which the specific space can be entered; and expanding and displaying the specific space in response to selection of the entry point. The method according to claim 1, further comprising.

9. displaying a list of previous questions in the specific space; and displaying an answer to a question selected from the list of previous questions in the specific space. The method according to claim 1, further comprising.

10. A method for operating a server, comprising: Receiving, from a user's terminal, a question input or selected in a chat room or a specific space maintained in accordance with a session of the chat room; and Generating an answer to the question and providing the answer to the specific space, wherein the specific space accumulates and displays questions and answers input or selected in the chat room or the specific space. **Claim 11** Receiving, from the user's terminal, a sharing request for the question and the answer; and Providing a search result including the question and the answer to the chat room The method of operation according to claim 10, further comprising: **Claim 12** The search result shared in the chat room The method of operation according to claim 11, further comprising a button for realizing a function of asking a question following the context of the question and the answer. **Claim 13** Receiving, from a terminal of a participant in the chat room, an additional question input in the chat room switched to a search mode in response to a selection of the button; Generating an answer to the additional question in the context of the question and the answer; and Providing the answer to the additional question to a specific space of the participant maintained in accordance with a session of the chat room The method of operation according to claim 12, further comprising: **Claim 14** When the session of the chat room ends, ending the session of the specific space and saving at least one question recorded in the specific space during the maintenance of the session as a question list The method of operation according to claim 10, further comprising: **Claim 15** Providing the question list to the specific space The method of operation according to claim 14, further comprising: **Claim 16** An application stored in a computer-readable storage medium and executed by a processor, comprising: Obtaining an answer to a question input or selected in a chat room or a specific space linked to the chat room from a server; and Including instructions for causing the question and the answer to be displayed in the specific space, wherein the specific space accumulates and displays questions and answers input or selected in the chat room or the specific space. **Claim 17** The step of transmitting a sharing request for the question and the answer to the server and displaying a search result including the question and the answer in the chat room including an instruction word for further causing execution, The search result shared in the chat room The application according to claim 16, further including a button for realizing a function of asking a question following the context of the question and the answer.

18. The step of displaying in the specific space transmitting a question input or selected in a chat room switched to the search mode to the server, and displaying an answer to the question in the specific space, or in response to a request for continuing to ask a question about a search result shared in the chat room, switching the chat room to the search mode, transmitting a question input or selected in the chat room to the server, and displaying an answer to the question in the specific space, or The application according to claim 16, including the step of displaying an overall answer included in the shared search result in the specific space in response to an overall display request for the search result shared in the chat room

19. The step of folding the specific space by a user action and displaying an entry point through which the specific space can be entered in the chat room, and the step of expanding and displaying the specific space in response to the selection of the entry point The application according to claim 16, including an instruction word for further causing execution.

20. The step of displaying a list of previous questions in the specific space, and the step of displaying an answer to a question selected from the list of previous questions in the specific space The application according to claim 16, including an instruction word for further causing execution.

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