Service providing apparatus providing character customization and operation method of the service providing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a service providing apparatus providing character customization, and an operation method of the service providing apparatus.SOLUTION: A method of providing character customizing includes the steps of: (a) receiving selection information from a user regarding a category that includes items to be used for coordinating a character; (b) displaying many items within the category selected in the step (a) and the character on a screen; (c) receiving a selection of one item among the many items displayed on the screen from the user; and (d) changing the coordination of the character with the one item selected in the step (c).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a service providing device that provides character customization and a method of operating the service providing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Character customization is a feature that allows users to freely change the appearance, clothing, etc. of their characters, enhancing the sense of personal connection with the characters and enhancing expressiveness in social networking services (SNS), games, or other applications. One method for character customization is to make direct adjustments through a user interface.

[0003] In its most basic form, customization allows a user to change a character's appearance by selecting from several predefined options. Such customization can change a character's clothing, hairstyle, skin color, etc. to suit the user's preferences.

[0004] Generally, in character customization, coordination items arranged in multiple rows and columns are provided, and the user is required to select one coordination item from the items arranged in multiple rows and columns. However, when items arranged in multiple rows and columns are provided, the number of items that the user can view at one time is limited, making it difficult to present a wide variety of coordination items to the user. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The embodiments disclosed in this specification are embodiments that aim to solve the technical problems described above, and aim to provide a service providing device that provides character customization and can present various coordination items to users in a user-friendly manner, and an operating method of the service providing device.

[0006] Another object of the embodiments disclosed in this specification is to provide a service providing device that provides character customization and allows for more convenient item changes, and a method for operating the service providing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A method for providing character customization according to one embodiment includes the steps of: (a) receiving from a user selection information for a category including items to be used in the character's coordination; (b) displaying on a screen a number of items in the category selected in step (a) and the character; (c) having the user select one item from the number of items displayed on the screen; and (d) changing the character's coordination to the one item selected in step (c).

[0008] Specifically, in step (c), the selection of the one item from the plurality of items by the user can be performed by either pressing the one item; or by moving the one item from the plurality of items to bring the one item into contact with the area of ​​the character.

[0009] Furthermore, the movement of the one item among the many items is performed by moving the display area of ​​the many items on the screen itself.

[0010] In step (b), each of the plurality of items may be displayed in a different size depending on the distance from the character. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The service providing device for providing character customization and the operating method of the service providing device of the embodiments disclosed in this specification not only allow various coordination items to be presented to the user in a user-friendly manner, but also allows for more convenient item changes. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a service providing device that provides character customization according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is an example of classification of items according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example in which various items corresponding to the hair category are displayed together when an icon indicating a minor category corresponding to hair is selected. FIG. [Figure 4a] 1 is a diagram illustrating a method for placing and moving multiple items according to an embodiment; [Figure 4b] 1 is a diagram illustrating a method for placing and moving multiple items according to an embodiment; [Figure 5a] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a method for moving one of multiple items to contact a character according to one embodiment. [Figure 5b] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a method for moving one of multiple items to contact a character according to one embodiment. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a method for producing an item when changing a character's coordination by moving one of a plurality of items according to an embodiment. [Figure 7a] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of category icons displayed on a screen of a user terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 7b] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of category icons displayed on a screen of a user terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a method for detaching an item. [Figure 9a] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a method for arranging a large number of items on a screen. [Figure 9b] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a method for arranging a large number of items on a screen. [Figure 10] 1 is a flowchart of a method for providing character customization according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, a service providing device for providing character customization and an operating method of the service providing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It goes without saying that the following embodiments of the present disclosure are merely for the purpose of embodying the present disclosure and do not limit or restrict the scope of the rights of the present disclosure. Anything that a person skilled in the technical field to which the present disclosure pertains can easily infer from the detailed description and embodiments of the present disclosure is deemed to fall within the scope of the rights of the present disclosure.

[0014] As used herein, "character" means a virtual person or agent designed to humanize or enhance the user's interaction with an application program. Another term for "character" is "avatar."

[0015] For reference, in the drawings of this specification, in Figures 3, 5b, 7a and 7b, some items are omitted from the circular frame, but in reality the items are shown.

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a service providing device 10 that provides character customization according to an embodiment.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the service providing device 10 for providing character customization may be a service providing server, a user terminal, a game system including the service providing server and the user terminal, or an independent device. That is, the service providing device 10 may be implemented as a terminal, a server, or a structure in which the terminal and the server are linked together.

[0018] For reference, FIG. 1 shows the service providing device 10 with a number of nodes N1, N2, N3, but the service providing device 10 may be configured to include at least one node N1, N2, N3 among the number of nodes N1, N2, N3, and each node N1, N2, N3 may be one of a service providing server or a user terminal.

[0019] Each of the nodes N1, N2, and N3 may include at least one processor P, a memory M, and a communication device C. The memory M contains instructions executable by the at least one processor P, and the at least one processor P executes these instructions. The communication device C is a device that enables the nodes N1, N2, and N3 to communicate with external devices.

[0020] In addition, at least some of the nodes N1, N2, and N3 may also be equipped with various input devices, including a keyboard for inputting data, and various output devices, such as a display for displaying data on a screen.

[0021] The service providing device 10 can classify various items that can be coordinated by characters into categories with a large number of levels.

[0022] FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram of item classification according to one embodiment.

[0023] As can be seen from Figure 2, beauty, clothing, accessories, and background are set as major categories, and the sub-categories below them can include hair, face (plastic surgery), skin color, hat, set of clothes, footwear, facial decoration, and eye decoration (glasses).

[0024] When a user selects an icon representing a major category on the user's screen, category icons representing smaller categories contained in the selected major category are expanded, and a list is displayed on the user's screen.

[0025] 3 is an example diagram showing various items corresponding to the hair category displayed together when an icon indicating a subcategory corresponding to hair is selected. In FIG. 3, not only the item display area but also the menu area is displayed, but in other diagrams other than FIG. 3, only the item display area is displayed.

[0026] As can be seen from FIG. 3, the service providing device 10 can display on the user's screen the character, the icon of the currently selected category, various items, a selection completion button indicating that the selection is complete, and a coordination completion button indicating that the coordination is complete.

[0027] Each category can be displayed as an icon. When a subcategory is selected by the user, the service providing device 10 displays the main icon displayed on the screen as a subcategory icon.

[0028] 4a and 4b are diagrams illustrating a method for arranging and moving multiple items according to an embodiment, respectively. The multiple circles shown in dashed lines in Fig. 4a are provided for reference purposes to allow easy understanding of the distance from a reference position.

[0029] The service providing device 10 receives selection information from the user about a category including items used for character coordination, and can display a number of items and characters in the selected category on the user's screen. The selected category is displayed as an icon on the user's screen.

[0030] The character is fixedly positioned at a predetermined reference position on the screen. That is, the reference position may be set to the character's position. Specifically, the reference position may be set to the center position of the character. For reference, the character may be positioned at the center of the display area of ​​multiple items or at a position slightly off-center.

[0031] Each of the multiple items can be displayed in different sizes depending on the distance from the reference position on the screen. That is, the item closest to the reference position can be displayed largest, and the item farthest from the reference position can be displayed smallest.

[0032] Specifically, the method of displaying items so that their size varies depending on their distance from the reference position on the screen can be implemented in various ways, as follows.

[0033] (1) The closer to the reference position, the larger the item will be displayed, and the farther away from the reference position, the smaller the item will be displayed.

[0034] (2) The display area of ​​the item is divided into multiple sections according to the distance from the reference position, and the size of the item is displayed differently for each section. The closer the section is to the reference position, the larger the item size can be displayed.

[0035] (3) The closer to the reference position, the larger the item is displayed, and the further away from the reference position, the smaller the item is displayed. However, items within a certain distance from the reference position can be displayed at the same size. For reference, items are displayed using this method in Figures 3 to 8.

[0036] The distance between an item and a reference position may be, for example, the distance between the center of the item and the reference position, or the distance between the point of the item that is closest to the reference position and the reference position.

[0037] As described above, by placing large items that the user is interested in close to the character, the user's concentration on the items in the close vicinity, i.e., the items close to the reference position, can be increased. Also, by placing multiple items in different sizes, multiple items can be displayed on one screen at once.

[0038] In addition, the items are arranged directionally and move in the direction of an item selected by the user, and items that the user is more interested in may be displayed as larger icons. Furthermore, when the display area for the items is moved by swiping or using the mouse, the size of each item is adjusted according to its distance from a reference position. Furthermore, when the display area for the items is moved, the distance of each item from a reference position may also be adjusted. In other words, the closer an item is to the reference position, the more it may move when the display area for the items is moved.

[0039] In this manner, the user can simultaneously view multiple items on one screen and easily find the desired item. Therefore, the service providing device 10 that provides character customization according to the present disclosure can significantly improve the convenience of user item selection.

[0040] 5a and 5b are diagrams illustrating a method for changing a character's coordination by moving one item among multiple items according to one embodiment.

[0041] In Figure 5a, the character's coordination item is shown as being replaced from item "0" to item "5." In Figure 5b, we can see that the character's coordination has changed twice as the display area for multiple items has shifted. For reference, Figure 5a corresponds to the three images on the top left of Figure 5b.

[0042] The service providing device 10 allows the user to select one item from among a large number of items, and can change the character's coordination to the selected one item.

[0043] A user can select one of the multiple items by either pressing one of the items or by moving one of the multiple items to bring the item into contact with the character's area. That is, an item can be worn immediately by pressing it, or by contacting the character's area. Contact with the character's area can be exemplified by the item's area overlapping the character's area by more than a predetermined amount. The character's area is set as a shape centered on a reference position, and the character is placed in the character's area. An example of a shape centered on the reference position can be a circle within a certain distance from the reference position.

[0044] That is, a number of items for coordination are displayed on one screen, and when the screen itself is moved and brought into contact with the character's area, the item is worn. This overcomes the limitation of the existing list-based user interface (UI), which limits the number of items that a user can view at one time, and the service providing device 10 for character customization of the present disclosure provides many items but displays many items at once, allowing the user to conveniently select items that suit their preferences.

[0045] When the display area of ​​many items displayed on the screen is moved by swiping or using a mouse to bring one item into contact with the character, the character's coordination is changed to that item, and the user can change and replace the character's final coordination by pressing a button indicating that selection is complete. In other words, when the button is pressed, the character's coordination information for that item is saved in the service providing device 10.

[0046] When the character's coordination is changed to the item, the currently equipped items move in the direction of the movement of the display area of ​​the multiple items on the screen. Specifically, when the display area of ​​the multiple items moves in a first direction and one item comes into contact with the character, the currently equipped items move in the first direction away from the character. In other words, the items equipped by the character before the change in character coordination are moved in a direction symmetrically opposite to the first position, centered on the character. Here, the first position is the position of the item equipped by the character after the change in character coordination before the character equipped it.

[0047] Incidentally, when one item is selected from among multiple items by pressing one item, and the character's coordination is changed to the selected item, the item worn by the character before the change in character coordination moves to a position opposite the first position. Similarly, the first position is the position of the item worn by the character after the change in character coordination. In other words, when a character wears the first item and changes coordination, the previously worn second item moves in a direction symmetrically opposite the character center by a distance corresponding to the first distance, which is the distance between the first item and the character before the change. At this time, the display area of ​​the multiple items also moves in the same direction and distance as the second item.

[0048] Alternatively, when the character's coordination is changed to the item, the currently equipped item may be moved to the original position of the item or to the previous position of the item currently equipped by the character.

[0049] In this manner, the user can quickly equip a character with multiple items and easily compare how different items are equipped on the character.

[0050] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a method for performing an item when a character's coordination is changed by moving one of a plurality of items according to an embodiment.

[0051] As can be seen from FIG. 6, the service providing device 10 can produce a screen in which an item worn by a character is sucked into the character. An example of a screen in which an item is sucked into a character is when the item is attached to a magnet when worn. The service providing device 10 can also produce a screen in which the worn item is spit out after being sucked in. This allows the previously worn item to be quickly released, making it easier to compare than existing methods because the item can be worn more quickly.

[0052] Specifically, when the character's area comes into contact with the item, the item automatically moves to the center of the back of the character's area, and the character's coordination changes to the item. Also, the item worn by the character before the coordination change is automatically ejected from the character's area via the back of the character's area.

[0053] In other words, the movement of one item among many items is achieved by moving the display area of ​​the many items displayed on the screen itself. This shifts not only the item in question but also the display area of ​​the many items displayed on the screen itself. By moving the display area of ​​the many items displayed on the screen itself, the item that the user is most interested in can be moved closer to the character.

[0054] 7a and 7b are diagrams illustrating an example of category icons displayed on a user's screen according to an embodiment.

[0055] When a user clicks a category icon to open a menu, the service providing device 10 displays the main icon as a major category icon on the user's screen. Furthermore, if the desktop list is moved while viewing another category, it can be changed to the current category. The desktop list can be moved by touch and drag.

[0056] In other words, when an icon representing another category item is activated on the screen, you can touch and drag it on the desktop to change the icon representing the current category item to the activated state.

[0057] Face accessories and glasses are not required options, but an detachment function can be added. In other words, if there is no detachment function for the item, there is an issue where you have to unconditionally equip the face accessory or glasses.

[0058] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a method for detaching an item.

[0059] Select an item to be unequipped from the many items displayed on the screen to unequip that item.

[0060] That is, at least some of the categories containing items used for character coordination may contain items that can remove items of that category currently equipped by the character, causing the character to no longer be equipped with items of that category and the previously equipped items to move in the direction of movement on the screen.

[0061] 9a and 9b are explanatory diagrams showing how multiple items are arranged on the screen.

[0062] The arrangement of multiple items can be displayed on the screen in a directional manner, allowing the user to easily find a desired item.

[0063] The directionality may be, for example, a gradual change in at least one characteristic, i.e., tendency, of an item when moving in a second direction in an area where a large number of items are arranged. The second direction may be assumed to be the X-axis or the Y-axis.

[0064] The arrangement of the multiple items can use at least one of: characteristic information of the multiple items themselves in the category; user preference information; statistical data; and user setting information.

[0065] The characteristic information of many items in the category itself can include physical information such as color, length of the item, etc.

[0066] That is, items can be classified into colors such as achromatic and chromatic, black and white, etc. Furthermore, length can be classified into, for example, "long" and "short." For example, hair items can be classified by hair length. Specifically, items can be classified in order from smallest to largest physical information value. That is, hair items can be classified in order from shortest to longest hair length.

[0067] Additionally, the characteristic information of the items in the category itself may include abstract information, which is non-physical information such as adjective expressions, i.e., subjective judgment information of the classifier. In other words, abstract information can be expressed adjectively, such as cute / active, masculine / feminine / neutral, etc.

[0068] In relation to user preference information, i.e., user patterns, when initially displaying a large number of items in a category, items that the user has worn frequently in the past, i.e., items that are determined to be preferred by the user, may be placed in the area close to the character, and items that are determined to be less preferred by the user may be placed further away from the character. In other words, the user preference information may be arranged by setting an X-axis or Y-axis according to the user's degree of preference for the item.

[0069] Using the user's preference information, items similar to items that the user previously liked and frequently wore can be recommended according to the user's preferences.

[0070] In addition, with regard to statistical data, items that are frequently used by many users can be placed in areas close to the character, and items that are determined to be less preferred by many users can be placed further away from the character.

[0071] That is, the X-axis or Y-axis can be set and arranged according to the degree to which other users have selected the item using statistical data. Using statistical data, which is historical data related to items, items that have been selected by other users can be recommended, and items with the latest trends can be recommended.

[0072] Users can also directly set the placement criteria for each item. For example, users can directly select placement criteria such as hair length and hair cuteness shown in Figure 9a. In other words, items can be placed according to user's own settings.

[0073] In Figure 9a, the X and Y axes are set around the reference position for the display area of ​​multiple items, and one value of each item is set on each of the X and Y axes, giving the arrangement of multiple items directionality.

[0074] Each value is one of the components included in one of the following: characteristic information of the items themselves in the category; user preference information; statistical data; and user setting information.

[0075] For example, the hair length included in the characteristic information of the items in the category can be set as the X-axis, and items with short hair lengths can be arranged from the left side of the X-axis to the right side of the X-axis, from items with long hair lengths.

[0076] The Y-axis can be similarly applied. For example, it can be set to the hair color included in the characteristic information of the items in the category. Alternatively, the degree of cuteness of the hair can be set as the Y-axis. The degree of cuteness of the hair can be set to gradually increase from the bottom end of the Y-axis to the top end of the Y-axis.

[0077] In Figure 9b, a large number of items are grouped to have a directional orientation.

[0078] The service providing device 10 can group a large number of items into a large number of groups. Furthermore, items belonging to the same group can be arranged in adjacent areas or in the same direction on the screen. Also, groups adjacent on the screen may have more similar characteristics than groups that are not adjacent. By arranging items belonging to the same group in adjacent areas or in the same direction on the screen, and by arranging groups that are adjacent on the screen that are highly similar to each other, the arrangement of items has a direction.

[0079] The items may be arranged in a number of predetermined divided areas for each group.

[0080] For example, the reference position can be divided into N radial regions. If N is 4, four groups of items can be placed in four regions divided along the X and Y axes with the reference position as the center. Here, the reference position can be set to the center of the character or the center of the region where the items are displayed on the screen.

[0081] As shown in Fig. 10b, the N radial regions may occupy the same angle with respect to the reference position as the center. However, if a large number of items are to be placed in a certain region, the angles occupied by the N regions may be set to be different.

[0082] The grouping of the multiple items can use at least one of: characteristic information of the multiple items in the category themselves; user preference information; statistical data; and user setting information.

[0083] A method for providing character customization according to an embodiment will now be described. The method for providing character customization according to an embodiment is performed by the service providing device 10, and therefore, unless otherwise specified, it goes without saying that it includes all features of the service providing device 10. Furthermore, each step of the method for providing character customization is an operating method of the service providing device 10, and can be performed by at least one processor P. That is, the method for providing character customization can be realized in the form of a computer program executed by at least one processor P, and each step included in the method for providing character customization can be performed by one of the at least one processor P.

[0084] In addition, the method for providing character customization according to an embodiment may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for execution by a computer, or may be implemented as a computer program stored in a recording medium for executing the method for providing character customization according to an embodiment.

[0085] FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart of a method for providing character customization according to one embodiment.

[0086] As can be seen from FIG. 10, a method for providing character customization according to one embodiment includes the steps of: receiving from a user selection information for a category including items to be used in the character's coordination (S10); displaying on a screen a number of items and characters in the category selected in step S10 (S20); having the user select one of the number of items displayed on the screen (S30); changing the character's coordination to the one item selected in step S30 (S40); and moving the item worn by the character before the coordination change in a direction opposite to the position of the item worn by the character after the change in step S40 before the character was wearing it (S50).

[0087] Each of the numerous items appears to be a different size depending on the distance from the character.

[0088] In step S30, the user selects one of the multiple items by either pressing one of the items; or by moving one of the multiple items to bring the item into contact with an area of ​​the character.

[0089] The movement of one of the many items in step S30 is performed by moving the display area of ​​the many items displayed on the screen.

[0090] At least some of the categories containing items used for character coordination include items that can remove the items of that category currently equipped by the character. As a result, if the selected item in step S40 is an item that can remove an item, the character will be in a state where no items of that category are equipped.

[0091] In addition, the items in step S20 can be arranged on the screen in a directional manner. Specifically, the arrangement of the items can be based on at least one of the following: characteristic information of the items in the category; user preference information; statistical data; and user setting information.

[0092] For example, in step S20, the X and Y axes are set around the reference position for the display area of ​​a large number of items, and one value of each item is set on each of the X and Y axes, thereby giving the arrangement of the large number of items directionality.

[0093] Alternatively, in step S20, the items may be divided into multiple groups and arranged in multiple divided areas predefined for each group. In this case, items belonging to the same group may be arranged in adjacent areas or in the same direction on the screen. Also, adjacent groups on the screen may have more similar characteristics than non-adjacent groups. By arranging items belonging to the same group in adjacent areas or in the same direction on the screen and arranging adjacent groups on the screen that are highly similar to each other, the arrangement of the items has a direction.

[0094] In addition, the method for providing character customization according to one embodiment may further include a step of changing an icon representing a current category item to an activated state by touching and dragging the desktop while an icon representing another category item is activated.

[0095] As described above, the service providing device 10 that provides character customization and the operating method of the service providing device 10 can not only present various coordination items to the user in a user-friendly manner, but also make it possible to change items more conveniently. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 10 Service providing device N1, N2, and N3 nodes

Claims

1. 1. A method of providing character customization, comprising: (a) receiving from a user selection information of a category including items used for coordinating the character; (b) displaying on a screen a large number of items in the category selected in (a) and the character; (c) a step in which the user selects one item from the plurality of items displayed on the screen; (d) changing the character's coordination to the one item selected in step (c).

2. The selection of the one item from the plurality of items by the user in step (c) includes: a pressure on the one item; or 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the character customization is performed by either: movement of the one item of the plurality of items; or contact of the one item with an area of ​​the character.

3. The movement of the one item among the plurality of items is 3. The method for providing character customization according to claim 2, wherein the method is performed by moving the display area of ​​the multiple items on the screen itself.

4. In step (b), each of the plurality of items comprises:

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the character is displayed in a size that varies depending on the distance from the character.

5. At least some of the categories including items used for the character's coordination include:

10. The method of claim 1, including an item that can unlock an item of that category currently worn by the character.

6. In step (b), the plurality of items comprises: The method of claim 1 wherein the character customization is directionally positioned on the screen.

7. The method for providing character customization includes: (e) moving an item worn by the character before the change in character coordination in a direction opposite to the position of the item worn by the character after the change in character coordination, with the character as the center, to the position of the item worn by the character before the item was worn by the character.

8. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A computer program stored on a recording medium for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. A service providing device that provides character customization, A service providing device that receives input from a user selection information for a category including items used in the character's coordination, displays a number of items in the selected category and the character on a screen, allows the user to select one item from the number of items, and changes the character's coordination to the selected one item.

11. The selection of the one item from the plurality of items by the user includes: a pressure on the one item; or or contact between the one item and the area of ​​the character due to movement of the one item among the plurality of items.

12. The movement of the one item among the plurality of items is The service providing device according to claim 11 , wherein the movement is performed by moving the display area of ​​the large number of items on the screen itself.

13. Each of the plurality of items comprises: The service providing device according to claim 10 , wherein the character is displayed in a size that varies depending on the distance from the character.

14. At least some of the categories including items used for the character's coordination include: The service providing device according to claim 10 , further comprising an item capable of releasing an item of the category currently being worn by the character.

15. The plurality of items are: The service providing device according to claim 10 , which is arranged on the screen with directionality.

16. the service providing device, The service providing device according to claim 10, wherein an item worn by the character before the change in the character's coordination is moved in a direction opposite to the position of the item worn by the character before the item was worn by the character after the change in the character's coordination, with the character as the center.

Images