Method and apparatus for operating server providing instant messaging service

Abstract

To disclose a server for providing an instant messaging service and an operating method of the same.SOLUTION: According to one embodiment, an operating method of a server for providing an instant messaging service includes: a step of determining whether a shared data corresponding to a chat room is activated based on drive status information of an administrator of a first type of the chat room and shared backup setting information of the chat room; a step of storing the chat data transmitted and received in the chat room as a shared data in a drive of an administrator when the shared data is activated; and a step of providing the shared data to a terminal of a participant of the chat room.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The following embodiments relate to a server that provides an instant messaging service and a method of operating the same. [Background technology]

[0002] An instant messaging service is a service for sending and receiving messages between two or more users over a network, and may be provided to users through a client program called an instant messenger. Unlike conventional instant messengers that send and receive text messages, instant messengers that support various functions, such as the ability to send and receive various types of media files, such as photos, videos, and audio files, and the ability to send and receive data in groups that allow simultaneous communication with two or more users, are becoming popular. Recently, with the increasing use of instant messengers on user terminals, such as mobile communication terminals and personal PCs, there is a demand for the development of diverse and convenient instant messaging service technologies that allow users to participate in multiple chat rooms and chat and / or share data with other participants. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The present embodiment is intended to provide an instant messaging service that satisfies various purposes of instant users, and to provide an instant messaging technology that allows multiple users to efficiently share data sent and received via chat rooms.

[0004] An embodiment provides an instant messaging technology that can utilize multiple types of chat rooms, diversifying the method of managing data sent and received through the chat rooms.

[0005] However, the technical issues are not limited to those described above, and further technical issues may exist. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An operating method of a server providing an instant messaging service according to one embodiment includes determining whether or not shared data corresponding to a first type of chat room is activated based on drive status information of an administrator of the chat room and shared backup setting information of the chat room; if the shared data is activated, storing chat data transmitted and received within the chat room as shared data on the administrator's drive; and providing the shared data to terminals of participants in the chat room.

[0007] The step of providing the shared data may include the steps of receiving a request for the chat data from a participant in the chat room, and, when the shared data is activated, retrieving the requested chat data from the shared data stored on the administrator's drive.

[0008] The chat data requested by the participant may include at least one of chat data transmitted and received within the chat room before the participant joined the chat room, data for which general backup conditions corresponding to the participant have expired, and data for which personal backup conditions corresponding to the participant have expired.

[0009] The administrator's drive status information can be determined based on at least one of the administrator's account type and the remaining capacity of the drive.

[0010] The step of determining whether to activate the shared data may include a step of determining that the shared data is to be deactivated if the account type of the administrator is a second account type, and a step of determining whether to activate the shared data based on the remaining capacity of the drive if the account type of the administrator is a first account type.

[0011] The step of determining whether or not to activate the shared data may include determining that the shared data is to be deactivated if a shared backup of the chat room is set to be deactivated.

[0012] The method for operating a server providing an instant messaging service may further include deleting the shared data stored on the administrator's drive when it is determined that the shared data corresponding to the chat room is to be inactivated.

[0013] The method of operating a server providing instant messaging services may further include storing the chat data on a drive of a participant of the chat room based on the participant's account type.

[0014] In one embodiment, a method of operating a server providing an instant messaging service includes receiving a request for chat data transmitted and received within a first type of chat room from a participant of the chat room; determining whether shared data corresponding to the chat room is activated based on drive status information of an administrator of the chat room and shared backup setting information of the chat room; retrieving the requested chat data from the shared data stored on the administrator's drive based on whether the shared data is activated; and providing the requested chat data to the participant's terminal.

[0015] The step of obtaining the requested chat data may include, when the shared data is activated, determining whether the shared data includes the requested chat data, and, when the shared data includes the requested chat data, obtaining the requested chat data from the shared data stored on the administrator's drive.

[0016] Retrieving the requested chat data may include, if the shared data is deactivated, retrieving the requested chat data from the participant's drive based on the participant's account type.

[0017] In one embodiment, a server providing an instant messaging service includes a processor that determines whether to activate shared data corresponding to a first type of chat room based on drive status information of an administrator of the chat room and shared backup setting information of the chat room, and if the shared data is activated, stores chat data sent and received within the chat room as shared data on the administrator's drive and provides the shared data to terminals of participants in the chat room.

[0018] In providing the shared data, the processor receives a request for the chat data from a participant in the chat room, and when the shared data is activated, retrieves the requested chat data from the shared data stored on the administrator's drive.

[0019] In determining whether to activate the shared data, the processor determines that the shared data is to be deactivated if the administrator's account type is the second account type, and can determine whether to activate the shared data based on the remaining capacity of the drive if the administrator's account type is the first account type.

[0020] When the processor determines whether or not to activate the shared data, the processor may determine that the shared backup of the chat room is to be deactivated.

[0021] The processor may store the chat data on a participant's drive based on the participant's account type in the chat room.

[0022] A server providing an instant messaging service according to one embodiment receives a request for chat data sent and received within a first type of chat room from a participant of the chat room, determines whether or not shared data corresponding to the chat room is activated based on drive status information of an administrator of the chat room and shared backup setting information of the chat room, obtains the requested chat data from the shared data stored on the administrator's drive based on whether or not the shared data is activated, and provides the requested chat data to the participant's terminal.

[0023] When the shared data is activated in retrieving the requested chat data, the processor determines whether the requested chat data is included in the shared data, and if the requested chat data is included in the shared data, the processor can retrieve the requested chat data from the shared data stored on the administrator's drive.

[0024] In retrieving the requested chat data, if the shared data is deactivated, the processor may retrieve the requested chat data from the participant's drive based on the participant's account type. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] The embodiments are intended to provide an instant messaging service to meet various purposes of instant users, and can provide an instant messaging technology that allows multiple users to efficiently share data sent and received via chat rooms.

[0026] Embodiments may provide instant messaging technology that allows for multiple types of chat rooms, diversifying the way data is managed through the chat rooms. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of a system for an instant messaging service according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a server that provides an instant messaging service according to an embodiment. [Figure 3A] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example in which shared data corresponding to a chat room is activated according to an embodiment. [Figure 3B] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a case where shared data corresponding to a chat room is deactivated according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating chat data obtained when shared data corresponding to a chat room is activated according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of chat data acquired when shared data corresponding to a chat room is activated after the chat room is created, according to an embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating chat data obtained when shared data corresponding to a chat room is deactivated according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of a server providing an instant messaging service according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a method for obtaining requested chat data according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen on a terminal of an administrator of a first type of chat room according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] 1 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a system for an instant messaging service according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Specific structural or functional descriptions of the embodiments are disclosed for illustrative purposes only and may be modified in various forms. Therefore, the embodiments are not limited to the specific disclosed forms, and the scope of the present specification includes modifications, equivalents, or alternatives within the technical spirit.

[0029] For the description of the drawings, like reference numerals may be used for similar or related components. The singular noun "a," "an," or "the" referring to an item includes one or more of said items unless the relevant context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0030] In this document, each of the phrases such as "A or B," "at least one of A and B," "at least one of A or B," "A, B or C," "at least one of A, B and C," and "at least one of A, B, or C" includes any one or all possible combinations of the items listed together in that phrase.

[0031] Terms such as "first," "second," or "initial" or "second" are used merely to distinguish a component from other components and do not limit the component in any other respect (e.g., importance or order). For example, a first component may be termed a second component, and similarly, a second component may be termed a first component.

[0032] When any (e.g., first) component is described as being "coupled" or "connected" to another (e.g., second) component, with or without the terms "functionally" or "communicatively," it means that the component can be connected to the other component directly (e.g., by wire), wirelessly, or through a third component.

[0033] The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this specification, the words "comprise" or "have" and the like indicate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0034] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Commonly used predefined terms should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted as having an ideal or overly formal meaning unless expressly defined herein.

[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. When describing with reference to the drawings, the same reference numerals will be used to designate the same elements, regardless of the reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a system for an instant messaging service according to one embodiment.

[0037] 1, a system 100 for an instant messaging service according to an embodiment includes a terminal 110, a server 120, and a network 130. Specific hardware configurations of the server 120 and the terminal 110 will be described in detail below.

[0038] The server 120 according to one embodiment includes a server that provides an instant messaging service via the network 130. The instant messaging service includes a service that enables multiple users to chat in real time by transmitting instant messages such as text messages, voice messages, media files, etc. in real time via the network 130, such as the wireless Internet or a wireless communication network, and related services.

[0039] The server 120 may be linked to an application (hereinafter, "app") related to an instant messaging service or a web related to an instant messaging service executed on the terminal 110 for a user interface (UI), a function, an operation, a service, etc. Hereinafter, an app related to an instant messaging service or a web related to an instant messaging service will be referred to as an instant messenger.

[0040] The terminal 110 refers to any device capable of installing and executing an app or running a web application, such as a computer, a portable computer, a wireless phone, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a web tablet, or a wearable device. Here, the terminal 110 is provided with services and / or content via the app or the web. For example, the terminal 110 may perform general service operations, such as configuring a service screen, inputting data, transmitting and receiving data, and storing data, under the control of the app or the web. For example, the terminal 110 may process a user interface or user interactions via a processor, and may output or transmit the processing results via an output device of the terminal 110.

[0041] The terminal 110 may be operated by an instant messenger provided by the server 120. A user may run the instant messenger on the terminal 110 to use an instant messaging service provided by the server 120. A user may subscribe to an instant messaging service through the instant messenger to create a user account. A user may use the instant messaging service through the terminal 110 of an account subscribed to the instant messaging service. The terminal 110 of an account subscribed to the instant messaging service refers to a terminal logged in with an account subscribed to the instant messaging service.

[0042] According to one embodiment, a chat interface may be provided to the terminal 110 via an app for a messaging service. The chat interface is an interface for sending and receiving messages related to the messaging service, and includes, for example, an interface that provides a function for sending messages and displaying received messages via a chat room in which at least one user account participates. The chat interface corresponds to a chat room, which is a virtual space in which at least one user account participates and in which chats take place between participants.

[0043] The server 120 according to an embodiment may provide various types of chat rooms, including a first type and a second type. The various types of chat rooms may differ in at least one of whether they have an administrator, a method for joining the chat room, and a method for backing up chat data.

[0044] A chat room administrator corresponds to a user or user account that has administrative privileges for the chat room. For example, the chat room administrator may have the authority to invite other users to join the chat room. For example, the chat room administrator may have the authority to decide whether to accept requests to join the chat room received from other users. For example, the chat room administrator may have the authority to set announcements for the chat room and manage chat data sent and received within the chat room. For example, a first type of chat room (e.g., a team chat room) may have an administrator, while a second type of chat room (e.g., a general chat room) may not have an administrator.

[0045] For example, the first type of chat room corresponds to a chat room that can be joined with the approval of the administrator, and the second type of chat room corresponds to a chat room that can be joined without the approval of other participants.

[0046] For example, a first type of chat room may support both public and private backups of chat data sent and received within the chat room, while a second type of chat room may support private backups but not public backups.

[0047] The chat data backup method is a method for storing chat data transmitted and received within a chat room, and may include, for example, a general backup method, a shared backup method, and a personal backup method.

[0048] General backup is a backup method basically supported by the server 120 for chat data. Through general backup, chat data may be stored as local data of participants in a chat room or in a first database. Storing chat data as local data of participants means storing chat data as local data in a reservoir in the participant's terminal. The first database is a reservoir that temporarily stores chat data, and chat data stored in the first database may be deleted after a predetermined period of time. The first database is available regardless of the participant's account type.

[0049] Shared backup and personal backup are methods of storing chat data in a second database. The second database corresponds to a cloud reservoir allocated separately to a user's account. Chat data stored in the second database can be retained for an unlimited period of time. The second database is available only to a specific account type. For example, the second database may be restricted to be available only to users of a first account type (e.g., a paid account). In other words, users of a first account type are allocated the second database, which is a cloud reservoir where the user can store and query data, while users of a second account type are not allocated the second database. Hereinafter, the second database will be referred to as the user's drive.

[0050] Shared backup is a backup method in which chat data sent and received within a chat room is stored as shared data provided to chat room participants. As an example, chat data may be stored as shared data on a drive of a chat room administrator via shared backup. Shared data includes data that can be shared with chat room participants. Chat room participants can access chat data stored as shared data regardless of when they joined the chat room. In other words, chat room participants can access chat data from before they joined the chat room via shared data.

[0051] Personal backup is a backup method in which chat data sent and received within a chat room is stored in a storage space that is individually accessible to chat room participants. For example, through personal backup, chat data may be stored as personal data on the drive of a chat room participant. Personal data stored on the drive of a chat room participant may not be shared with other participants in the chat room. Through personal backup, chat data from the time a chat room participant joins the chat room may be stored as personal data on the participant's drive. If a chat room does not support shared backup, participants in the chat room cannot obtain chat data from before they joined the chat room.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the first type of chat room may include a team chat room, and the second type of chat room may include a general chat room. The team chat room may be different from the general chat room and provide participants with the ability to view chat data from before joining the chat room. As will be described in detail below, chat data from the team chat room may be stored as shared data on an administrator's drive. The shared data may be provided to participants in the team chat room. Participants in the team chat room may obtain chat data stored as shared data from before joining the chat room.

[0053] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a server that provides an instant messaging service according to an embodiment.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 2, an operating method of a server providing an instant messaging service according to one embodiment includes step 210 of determining whether to activate shared data corresponding to a chat room based on drive status information of an administrator of a first type of chat room and shared backup setting information of the chat room.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the administrator's drive status information may be determined based on at least one of the administrator's account type and the remaining capacity of the drive. For example, if the administrator's account type is the second account type, the administrator's drive may be determined to be unavailable. For example, if the administrator's account type is the first account type, the administrator's drive may be determined to be unavailable if there is no remaining capacity on the administrator's drive or if the remaining capacity is less than a threshold. For example, if the administrator's account type is the first account type and there is remaining capacity on the administrator's drive or if the remaining capacity is equal to or greater than a threshold, the administrator's drive may be determined to be available. If the drive status information indicates a value indicating an unavailable state, the shared data corresponding to the chat room is determined to be inactivated. If the drive status information indicates a value indicating an available state, the shared data corresponding to the chat room is determined to be activated.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the step 210 of determining whether to activate the shared data includes a step of determining that the shared data is deactivated if the administrator's account type is the second account type, and a step of determining whether to activate the shared data based on the remaining capacity of the drive if the administrator's account type is the first account type.

[0057] According to one embodiment, determining whether the shared data is active 210 includes determining that the shared data is inactive if the shared backup of the chat room is configured to be inactive.

[0058] As an example, if the drive status information indicates an available status value but is set to deactivate the shared backup of a chat room, it may be determined that the shared data is deactivated.

[0059] As an example, if the drive status information indicates an available status value and is set to activate the shared backup of the chat room, it may be determined that the shared data is active.

[0060] As an example, if the drive status information indicates a status value of unavailable, it may be determined that the shared data is deactivated regardless of the shared backup setting information of the chat room.

[0061] According to one embodiment, a method for operating a server providing an instant messaging service includes step 220 of storing chat data sent and received within a chat room as shared data on an administrator's drive when shared data is activated.

[0062] The shared data may be stored corresponding to the chat rooms. For example, if a user is an administrator of a first chat room and an administrator of a second chat room, the shared data corresponding to the first chat room and the shared data corresponding to the second chat room may be stored on the administrator's drive. For example, the shared data corresponding to the first chat room may be indexed and stored as identification information of the first chat room, and the shared data corresponding to the second chat room may be indexed and stored as identification information of the second chat room.

[0063] Shared data may be stored separately from the administrator's private data on the administrator's drive. For example, private data and shared data may be stored in different spaces on the administrator's drive. For example, a portion of the space on the administrator's drive may be allocated for storing shared data, and another portion of the space may be allocated for storing private data.

[0064] In one embodiment, a method for operating a server providing an instant messaging service includes deleting shared data stored on an administrator's drive when it is determined that the shared data corresponding to a chat room is to be inactivated.

[0065] After it is determined that the shared data corresponding to a chat room is deactivated, chat data sent and received within the chat room is no longer stored as shared data on the administrator's drive. If the shared data corresponding to the chat room is subsequently activated again, chat data from the activated time onward is stored as shared data on the administrator's drive.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the administrator of a chat room may be changed. When the administrator of a chat room is changed, whether or not the shared data corresponding to the chat room is active is determined based on drive status information of the changed administrator. As an example, when the administrator of a chat room is changed to a user of a second account type, the shared data may be determined to be inactive. As an example, when the administrator of a chat room is changed to a user of a first account type, if there is no remaining capacity on the administrator's drive or if the remaining capacity is less than a threshold, the shared data may be determined to be inactive. As an example, when the administrator of a chat room is changed to a user of a first account type, if there is remaining capacity on the administrator's drive or if the remaining capacity is equal to or greater than a threshold, the administrator's drive may be determined to be available.

[0067] If it is determined that the shared data corresponding to a chat room will remain active even if the administrator of the chat room is changed, chat data sent and received within the chat room is stored as shared data on the drive of the changed administrator. Chat data stored as shared data on the drive of the previous administrator is transferred to the drive of the changed administrator. In other words, if the administrator of a chat room is changed, the chat data of the chat room stored as shared data on the drive of the previous administrator is deleted from the drive of the previous administrator and stored on the drive of the changed administrator.

[0068] When the administrator of a chat room is changed and it is determined that the shared data corresponding to the chat room is to be deactivated, the chat data is not stored as shared data on the drive of the changed administrator, and the chat data of the chat room stored as shared data on the drive of the previous administrator is deleted.

[0069] When shared data corresponding to a chat room is inactivated and then activated by a change in the administrator, chat data transmitted and received in the chat room after the shared data is activated is stored as shared data in the drive of the changed administrator.

[0070] According to one embodiment, a method for operating a server providing an instant messaging service includes providing shared data to terminals of participants in a chat room in step 230. The shared data stored in the administrator's drive corresponding to the chat room can be shared with the terminals of the participants in the chat room. For example, the terminals of the participants may access the administrator's drive to obtain the shared data corresponding to the chat room. For example, the terminals of the participants may obtain the shared data stored in the administrator's drive corresponding to the chat room via the server.

[0071] According to one embodiment, providing 230 the shared data includes receiving a request for chat data from a participant in the chat room and, if the shared data is activated, retrieving the requested chat data from the shared data stored on the administrator's drive. The chat data requested by the participant corresponds to data not stored on the participant's device and / or on the participant's drive.

[0072] As an example, chat data requested from a participant may include chat data sent and received within the chat room before the participant joined the chat room.

[0073] As an example, chat data requested by a participant may include data for which the general backup condition corresponding to the participant has expired. As described above, general backup refers to storing data in the participant's device or the participant's first database for a certain period of time. The general backup condition corresponds to a condition for storing data in the participant's first database and / or the participant's device for a certain period of time. Data that has been stored for a certain period of time is deleted from the participant's first database and / or the participant's device. For example, if the certain period of time is one week, data that has been stored in the participant's first database and / or the participant's device for one week corresponds to data for which the general backup condition has expired.

[0074] As an example, chat data requested by a participant may include data for which the participant's personal backup conditions have expired. As described above, personal backup refers to storing data on the participant's drive. The personal backup conditions correspond to conditions for storing data on an available drive. The personal backup conditions expire when the participant's account type is changed to a second type, when the participant's drive has no remaining capacity, or when the participant has set a preference not to use personal backup for chat data. Data for which the personal backup conditions have expired corresponds to data that is not stored on the participant's drive, as data that was generated after the participant's account type was changed to the second type, when the participant's drive has no remaining capacity, or when the participant set a preference not to use personal backup for chat data.

[0075] The server can receive requests for chat data from the participants' terminals and access the shared data stored on the administrator's drive. The server transmits the requested chat data obtained from the shared data to the participants' terminals. As an example, the requested chat data may be provided to the participants' terminals via a chat room.

[0076] 3A illustrates an example in which shared data corresponding to a chat room is activated according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3A, a participant 311 of the chat room can retrieve shared data 312 corresponding to the chat room stored on the administrator's drive. If the participant is a user with a first account type, the retrieved shared data may be stored on the participant's drive or may be privately backed up. If the participant is a user with a second account type, the retrieved shared data may be stored on the participant's terminal or a first database, or may be publicly backed up.

[0077] As an example, FIG. 3B illustrates a case where shared data corresponding to a chat room according to an embodiment is deactivated. Referring to FIG. 3B, when shared data is deactivated, chat data sent and received within the chat room is not stored as shared data on the administrator's drive. Here, there is no shared data corresponding to the chat room stored on the administrator's drive. Participants 321 of the chat room cannot obtain the shared data corresponding to the chat room from the administrator's drive.

[0078] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating chat data obtained when shared data corresponding to a chat room is activated according to an embodiment.

[0079] Referring to Figure 4, chat data (e.g., chat log) stored as shared data corresponding to the chat room on the drive of the chat room administrator, chat data of the chat room that can be obtained by participants (or participant's terminal) of the second account type, and chat data of the chat room that can be obtained by participants (or participant's terminal) of the first account type are shown.

[0080] When shared data is continuously activated from the time 401 when the chat room is opened, chat data 410 transmitted and received within the chat room from the time 401 when the chat room is opened is stored in the administrator's drive as shared data corresponding to the chat room.

[0081] For participants with a second account type, a portion 421 of chat data from the time 402 onward when they joined the chat room is generally backed up. For example, chat data sent and received within the chat room within three days from the current time 403 may be stored as personal data on the participant's drive or as local data on the participant's device. Chat data 422 that is not generally backed up can be obtained from shared data corresponding to the chat room that is stored on the administrator's drive. Chat data that is not generally backed up includes chat data from before the time 402 when they joined.

[0082] For a participant with a first account type, chat data 431 from the time 402 when the participant joined the chat room is personally backed up to the participant's drive. In other words, chat data 431 from the time 402 when the participant joined the chat room may be stored as personal data on the participant's drive. At least a portion of the chat data from the time 402 when the participant joined the chat room may be publicly backed up. Chat data sent and received within the chat room within three days from the current time may be stored as personal data on the participant's drive or stored as local data on the participant's device. For chat data 432 that has not been privately backed up and / or publicly backed up, a participant with a first account type can obtain chat data from before joining the chat room from shared data. For example, chat data 432 that has not been privately backed up and / or publicly backed up may include chat data sent and received within the chat room before the time 402 when the participant with a first account type joined the chat room.

[0083] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of chat data obtained when shared data corresponding to a chat room is activated after the chat room is created, according to an embodiment.

[0084] Referring to Figure 5, chat data (e.g., chat logs) stored as shared data corresponding to the chat room on the drive of the chat room administrator and chat data of the chat room that can be obtained by participants (or participants' terminals) of the first account type are shown.

[0085] If the shared data is activated at a specific time point after the chat room is opened, chat data 510 transmitted and received within the chat room from the time point 502 when the shared data is activated is stored in the administrator's drive as shared data corresponding to the chat room.

[0086] For participants with a first account type, chat data 520 from time 501 onward when they join the chat room is backed up to the participant's drive. If time 501 when the participant with a first account type joins the chat room is before time 502 when the shared data is activated, the amount of chat data 520 backed up to the participant's drive will be greater than the amount of chat data 510 stored as shared data. In this case, chat data 521 that is not included in the shared data among the chat data 520 stored on the drive of the participant with a first account type is uploaded as shared data. The shared data can be updated to include chat data 521 stored on the drive of the participant with a first account type.

[0087] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating chat data obtained when shared data corresponding to a chat room is deactivated according to an embodiment.

[0088] Referring to Figure 6, chat data (e.g., chat logs) stored as shared data corresponding to the chat room on the drive of the chat room administrator, chat data of the chat room that can be obtained by participants (or participant's terminals) of the second account type, and chat data of the chat room that can be obtained by participants (or participant's terminals) of the first account type are shown.

[0089] If shared data is not activated, chat data sent and received within the chat room is not stored as shared data.

[0090] For participants with a second account type, a portion 621 of chat data from the time 602 onward when they joined the chat room is generally backed up. For example, chat data sent and received within the chat room within three days from the current time 603 may be stored in the first database or stored as local data on the participant's device. Because there is no chat data stored as shared data, the chat data 622 that has not been generally backed up cannot be obtained from the shared data corresponding to the chat room stored on the administrator's drive.

[0091] For participants with a first account type, chat data 631 from the time 602 when they joined the chat room onward is backed up personally to the participant's drive. In other words, chat data 631 from the time 602 when they joined the chat room onward may be stored as personal data on the participant's drive. At least a portion of chat data 631 from the time 602 when they joined the chat room onward is backed up generally. Chat data sent and received within the chat room within three days from the current time 603 may be stored as personal data on the participant's drive or may be stored as local data on the participant's device. Because there is no chat data stored as shared data, chat data 632 that has not been backed up personally and / or generally cannot be obtained from the shared data corresponding to the chat room stored on the administrator's drive.

[0092] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method of operating a server providing instant messaging services according to one embodiment.

[0093] Referring to FIG. 7, a method of operating a server providing an instant messaging service according to one embodiment includes receiving 710 a request for chat data sent and received within a chat room from a participant of the first type of chat room.

[0094] For example, the chat data requested by the participant includes at least one of chat data sent and received in the chat room before the participant joined the chat room, data for which the general backup conditions corresponding to the participant have expired, and data for which the personal backup conditions corresponding to the participant have expired.

[0095] According to an embodiment, a method for operating a server providing an instant messaging service includes determining whether shared data corresponding to a chat room is activated based on drive status information of a chat room administrator and shared backup setting information of the chat room in step 720. For example, step 720 of determining whether shared data corresponding to a chat room is activated corresponds to step 210 of determining whether shared data is activated described with reference to FIG.

[0096] As described above, the administrator's drive status information can be determined based on at least one of the administrator's account type and the remaining capacity of the drive.

[0097] According to one embodiment, step 720 of determining whether the shared data is activated may include determining that the shared data is deactivated if the shared backup of the chat room is set to be deactivated.

[0098] As an example, if the drive status information indicates an available status value and is set to deactivate the shared backup of a chat room, it may be determined that the shared data is deactivated.

[0099] As an example, if the drive status information indicates an available status value and is set to activate the shared backup of the chat room, it may be determined that the shared data is active.

[0100] In one embodiment, a method for operating a server providing an instant messaging service includes step 730 of retrieving requested chat data from shared data stored on an administrator's drive based on whether the shared data is activated.

[0101] According to one embodiment, the step of retrieving the requested chat data 730 includes, if the shared data is activated, determining whether the requested chat data is included in the shared data, and, if the requested chat data is included in the shared data, retrieving the requested chat data from the shared data stored on the administrator's drive. As an example, the server may determine whether the requested chat data is chat data sent or received within the chat room after the activation of the shared data.

[0102] According to one embodiment, step 730 of obtaining the requested chat data includes obtaining the requested chat data from the participant's drive based on the participant's account type if the shared data is deactivated. In this case, the chat data requested by the participant may include at least one of chat data sent and received in the chat room before the participant joined the chat room and data for which the general backup condition for the participant has expired, rather than data for which the personal backup condition for the participant has expired. For participants with a first account type, the chat data is personally backed up to the participant's drive. If the shared data is deactivated, the server can obtain the requested chat data by referring to the personal data stored on the participant's drive.

[0103] According to one embodiment, a method for operating a server providing an instant messaging service includes providing requested chat data to a participant's terminal in step 740. The requested chat data may be output via the chat room in which the request was received.

[0104] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a method for obtaining requested chat data according to an embodiment.

[0105] Referring to FIG. 8, the server receives a request 801 for chat data from a user. The user corresponds to a participant in a chat room. The request 801 for chat data is received via the chat room. Upon receiving the request 801 for chat data, the server determines 810 whether the requested chat data satisfies a general backup condition. If the general backup condition is satisfied, in other words, if chat data stored in the user's first database and / or the user's terminal is requested, the server references the user's first database and / or the reservoir of the user's terminal to obtain the requested data 802. The server can output the obtained requested data 802 via the chat room from which the request was received.

[0106] If the general backup condition is not satisfied, in other words, if chat data that is not stored in the user's first database and / or the user's terminal is requested, the server determines whether the chat data is team chat data 820. Whether the chat data is team chat data corresponds to whether the requested chat data is chat data sent and received in a first type chat room.

[0107] If the requested chat data is team chat data, the server determines 830 whether the requested chat data satisfies the shared backup conditions. If the shared backup conditions are satisfied, in other words, if chat data stored in the administrator's drive as shared data corresponding to the chat room is requested, the server references the shared data and obtains the requested data 802. The server can output the obtained requested data 802 via the chat room from which the request was received.

[0108] If the requested chat data is team chat data and does not satisfy the shared backup conditions, the server determines 840 whether the requested chat data satisfies the personal backup conditions. If the personal backup conditions are satisfied, in other words, if chat data stored as personal data on the user's drive is requested, the server references the user's drive to obtain the requested data 802. The server can output the obtained requested data 802 via the chat room from which the request was received.

[0109] If the personal backup conditions are not met, in other words, if chat data that is not stored on the user's drive is requested, the server provides the user's terminal with a data acquisition failure notice 803. The data acquisition failure notice includes a message informing the user that acquisition of the requested chat data has failed.

[0110] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen on the terminal of an administrator of a first type chat room according to one embodiment.

[0111] 9 corresponds to a screen provided on the administrator's terminal for setting up a shared backup for a chat room of the first type. Screen 901 corresponds to a setting screen for a chat room of the first type.

[0112] Referring to screen 901, a setting value for whether to activate shared backup for a chat room may be input via an interfacing object 910 for shared backup setting. If a setting value is input to activate shared backup for a first type of chat room, chat data sent and received within the corresponding chat room is stored as shared data on the administrator's drive. If a setting value is input to deactivate shared backup for a first type of chat room, chat data sent and received within the corresponding chat room is not stored as shared data on the administrator's drive.

[0113] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a system for an instant messaging service according to an embodiment.

[0114] Referring to FIG. 10, a system according to one embodiment (for example, the system 100 of FIG. 1) includes a terminal 110 and a server 120 connected via a network 130.

[0115] The terminal 110 according to an embodiment may be a mobile terminal implemented as a computer device. In one example, the terminal 110 may communicate with the server 120 and / or other electronic devices via the network 130 using a wireless or wired communication method.

[0116] The server 120 according to one embodiment is implemented as a computer device or multiple computer devices that communicate with the terminal 110 and / or other servers via the network 130 to provide instructions, code, files, content, services, etc. The communication method may include, but is not limited to, the network 130, a communication method utilizing a communication network (e.g., a mobile communication network, a wired Internet, a wireless Internet, a broadcast network), or a short-range wireless communication method between devices. For example, the network 130 may include one or more of a personal area network (PAN), a local area network (LAN), a campus area network (CAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a broadband network (BBN), the Internet, etc.

[0117] According to one embodiment, the server 120 may provide a file for installing an application to the connected terminal 110 via the network 130. In this case, the terminal 110 may install an application (e.g., an instant messenger) using the file provided by the server 120. Furthermore, the terminal 110 may connect to the server 120 and receive services or content provided by the server 120 under the control of an operating system (OS) and at least one program (e.g., a browser or an installed application) included in the terminal 110. For example, when the terminal 110 transmits a service request message to the server 120 via the network 130 under the control of an application, the server 120 transmits a code corresponding to the service request message to the terminal 110, and the terminal 110 may provide content to the user by configuring and displaying a screen according to the code under the control of the application.

[0118] According to one embodiment, the terminal 110 and the server 120 include memories 1011, 1021, processors 1013, 1023, communication modules 1015, 1025, and input / output interfaces 1017, 1027.

[0119] According to an embodiment, the processors 1013 and 1023 may perform at least one of the operations described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. For example, the processor 1013 may perform the operations related to the instant messaging service described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. For example, the processor 1023 may perform at least one of the operations of the server 120 providing the instant messaging service described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. The processors 1013 and 1023 may be configured to process computer program instructions by performing basic arithmetic, logic, and input / output operations. The instructions may be provided to the processors 1013 and 1023 by the memories 1011 and 1021 or the communication modules 1015 and 1025.

[0120] The memories 1011 and 1021 may be computer-readable recording media, and may be volatile or non-volatile memories. The memories 1011 and 1021 according to an embodiment store information for operating an instant messenger linked with the server described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. For example, the memory 1021 may store account information and chat room information for users who have subscribed to the instant messaging service.

[0121] In one embodiment, memory 1011 includes code for an instant messenger that is installed and run on terminal 110 by a file provided by server 120 over network 130 .

[0122] The memory 1021 according to an embodiment may store a program that embodies the operations for the instant messaging service described above with reference to FIGS.

[0123] The communication modules 1015 and 1025 according to one embodiment provide the functionality for the terminal 110 and the server 120 to communicate with each other via the network 130, and can also provide the functionality for communication with other electronic devices or other servers.

[0124] As an example, a request generated by the processor 1013 of the terminal 110 in response to program code relating to an instant messenger stored in a storage device such as the memory 1011 may be transmitted to the server 120 via the network 130 in response to the control of the communication module 1015.

[0125] As an example, control signals, instructions, content, files, etc. provided in accordance with the control of the processor 1023 of the server 120 may be received by the terminal 110 via the communication module 1015 of the terminal 110 via the communication module 1025 and the network 130.

[0126] The input / output interfaces 1017 and 1027 are means for interfacing with the input / output device 1019. For example, the input device includes a device such as a keyboard or a mouse, and the output device includes a device such as a display for displaying a communication session of an application. As another example, the input / output interface 1017 may be means for interfacing with a device that combines input and output functions, such as a touch screen. As a more specific example, the processor 1013 of the terminal 110 may process instructions of a computer program loaded in the memory 1011, and a service screen or content configured using data provided by the server 120 may be displayed on the display via the input / output interface 1017. Input received from a user via the input / output device 1019 may be provided in a form processable by the processor 1013 of the terminal 110 via the input / output interface 1017.

[0127] According to one embodiment, the terminal 110 and the server 120 may include other components not shown in FIG. 10 . For example, the terminal 110 may be embodied to include at least a portion of the input / output device 1019 described above, or may further include other components such as a transceiver, a GPS (Global Positioning System) module, a camera, various sensors, a database, etc.

[0128] The above-described embodiments may be implemented using hardware components, software components, and / or a combination of hardware and software components. For example, the devices, methods, and components described in the embodiments may be implemented using a general-purpose computer or a special-purpose computer, such as a processor, a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic unit (PLU), a microprocessor, or other adaptive supersampling device capable of executing and responding to commands. The processing device may execute an operating system (OS) and software applications that run on the operating system. The processing device may also access, store, manipulate, process, and generate data in response to the execution of software. For ease of understanding, a single processing device may be described as being used, but those skilled in the art will recognize that the processing device may include multiple processing elements and / or multiple types of processing elements. For example, the processing device may include multiple processors or one processor and one controller. Other processing configurations are also possible, such as parallel processors.

[0129] Software may include computer programs, code, instructions, or any combination thereof, capable of configuring or independently or collectively instructing a processing device as desired. The software and / or data may be permanently embodied in any type of machine, component, physical device, virtual device, computer storage medium, or device, or transmitted signal wave, to be interpreted by a processing device or to provide instructions or data to a processing device. The software may be distributed over networked computer systems and stored or executed in a distributed manner. The software and data may be stored on a computer-readable recording medium.

[0130] The method according to the present invention may be embodied in the form of program instructions that can be executed by various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The recording medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like, alone or in combination. The recording medium and program instructions may be specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the present invention, or may be well-known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape, optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, magneto-optical media such as floptical disks, and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include not only machine language code, such as that generated by a compiler, but also high-level language code that is executed by a computer using an interpreter, for example.

[0131] The hardware devices described above may be configured to operate as one or more software models to perform the operations described in the present invention, and vice versa.

[0132] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to limited drawings, those skilled in the art may apply various technical modifications and variations based on the above description. For example, the described techniques may be performed in a different order than described, and / or the components of the described systems, structures, devices, circuits, etc. may be combined or combined in a different manner than described, and may be replaced or substituted with other components or equivalents, while still achieving suitable results.

[0133] Accordingly, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents of the claims are intended to fall within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. 1. A method of operating a server that provides an instant messaging service, comprising: determining whether shared data corresponding to the chat room is available based on status information of an administrator of a first type of chat room and shared backup setting information of the chat room; If the shared data is available, storing chat data sent and received within the chat room as the shared data on the administrator's drive; providing the shared data to terminals of participants in the chat room; A method comprising:

2. The step of providing shared data comprises: receiving a request for the chat data from a participant in the chat room; If the shared data is available, retrieving the requested chat data from the shared data stored on the administrator's drive; The method of claim 1 , comprising:

3. The chat data requested by the participant is Chat data transmitted and received within the chat room before the participant joined the chat room; and Data for which the general backup conditions corresponding to the participant have expired; Data for which personal backup conditions corresponding to the participant have expired; The method of claim 1 , comprising at least one of:

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the administrator status information is determined based on at least one of the administrator's account type and the remaining capacity of the drive.

5. The step of determining whether the shared data is available comprises: If the account type of the administrator is a second account type, determining that the shared data is unavailable; If the account type of the administrator is a first account type, determining whether the shared data is available based on the remaining capacity of the drive; The method of claim 1 , comprising:

6. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the shared data is available includes determining the shared data as unavailable if the shared backup of the chat room is set to be inactive.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of deleting shared data stored on the administrator's drive if the shared data corresponding to the chat room is unavailable.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising storing the chat data on a drive of a participant in the chat room based on the participant's account type.

9. 1. A method of operating a server that provides an instant messaging service, comprising: receiving a request from a participant of a first type of chat room for chat data transmitted and received within said chat room; retrieving the requested chat data from the shared data stored on a drive of an administrator of the chat room based on whether the shared data corresponding to the chat room is available; providing the requested chat data to the participant's terminal; Including, The method, wherein whether the shared data is available is determined based on the administrator's status information and the chat room's shared backup setting information.

10. The step of obtaining the requested chat data includes: If the shared data is available, determining whether the shared data includes the requested chat data; if the requested chat data is included in the shared data, acquiring the requested chat data from the shared data stored on the administrator's drive; 10. The method of claim 9, comprising:

11. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein retrieving the requested chat data includes retrieving the requested chat data from the participant's drive based on the participant's account type if the shared data is unavailable.

12. A computer program stored on a medium for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 in combination with hardware.

13. A server providing an instant messaging service, Determine whether shared data corresponding to the chat room is available based on status information of a manager of a first type chat room and shared backup setting information of the chat room; If the shared data is available, chat data transmitted and received within the chat room is stored as the shared data on the administrator's drive; a server including a processor that provides the shared data to terminals of participants in the chat room;

14. The processor: In providing the shared data, receiving a request for the chat data from a participant in the chat room; The server of claim 13 , wherein if the shared data is available, the server obtains the requested chat data from the shared data stored on the administrator's drive.

15. The processor: In determining whether the shared data is available, If the account type of the administrator is a second account type, determining that the shared data is in an unavailable state; 14. The server according to claim 13, wherein when the account type of the administrator is a first account type, it determines whether the shared data is available based on the remaining capacity of the drive.

16. The processor: In determining whether the shared data is available, The server of claim 13 , wherein when configured to deactivate a shared backup of the chat room, the server determines the shared data as unavailable.

17. The server of claim 13 , wherein the processor stores the chat data on a drive of a participant in the chat room based on the participant's account type.

18. A server providing an instant messaging service, receiving a request from a participant of a first type of chat room for chat data transmitted and received within the chat room; retrieving the requested chat data from the shared data stored on a drive of an administrator of the chat room based on whether the shared data corresponding to the chat room is available; a processor that provides the requested chat data to the participant's terminal; The server determines whether the shared data is available based on the administrator's status information and the shared backup setting information of the chat room.

19. The processor: In obtaining the requested chat data, If the shared data is available, determining whether the shared data includes the requested chat data; The server according to claim 18 , wherein if the requested chat data is included in the shared data, the server obtains the requested chat data from the shared data stored on the administrator's drive.

20. The processor: In obtaining the requested chat data, 20. The server of claim 18, wherein if the shared data is unavailable, the server retrieves the requested chat data from the participant's drive based on the participant's account type.

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