Method for displaying emoticon, user terminal and server

Abstract

A method for displaying an image, a user terminal, and a server are provided.SOLUTION: A method for displaying a user terminal emoticon includes checking text information input in an input box of a chat room (201), and displaying an interface for inputting at least one emoticon included in an emoticon folder in the chat room when the text information satisfies keyword information corresponding to the emoticon folder and a predetermined reference (203).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for displaying emoticons contained in an emoticon folder through a chat room on a user terminal. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, chat services allow users to send various content, including not only text but also emojis or emoticons, to chat rooms. As the number of emoticons provided by chat services increases, users are finding it difficult to use appropriate emojis during real-time chats.

[0003] Therefore, chat service operators provide a convenient interface for users to quickly input frequently used emoticons through a recent tab or favorites tab, etc. Also, chat services provide a function that recommends emoticons that correspond to a keyword when a specific keyword for an emoticon is input.

[0004] In this way, chat service operators provide various functions to increase the convenience of users in using emoticons and to recommend custom emoticons to users. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2020-0065208 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention aims to create an emoticon folder that can contain emoticons in a chat room, and to allow users to save emoticons in the emoticon folder, thereby increasing the convenience of users in using emoticons.

[0007] The present invention aims to perform text matching based on the text information entered by a user in the input window of a chat room and the keyword information corresponding to the emoticon folder, and provide a text matching folder. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The method for displaying emoticons by a user terminal of the present invention includes the steps of: checking text information entered in an input window of a chat room; and, if the text information satisfies a predetermined criterion for associating it with keyword information corresponding to an emoticon folder, displaying an interface that allows the user to enter at least one emoticon included in the emoticon group into the chat room.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the keyword information may be determined based on information associated with at least one emoticon included in the emoticon folder.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include receiving input of at least one keyword information for the emoticon folder from a user.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of displaying an interface through which the emoticon can be input may include the steps of: displaying information about the emoticon folder if the text information satisfies a predetermined criterion associated with the keyword information; and displaying an interface through which at least one emoticon included in the emoticon folder can be input in response to an interaction with the emoticon folder.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of displaying information about the emoticon folder may include the step of displaying information about at least one text-matching emoticon that satisfies matching information for the text information.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of displaying information about the text-matching emoticon includes the step of displaying an interface capable of displaying the text-matching emoticon, and the interface capable of displaying the text-matching emoticon and information about the emoticon folder can be displayed separately in the chat room.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the method may include the steps of: receiving an interaction for selecting an emoticon to be included in at least one of a chat message and an input interface; and displaying an interface for including the selected emoticon in an emoticon folder.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of displaying an interface for including the selected emoticon in the emoticon folder may include the steps of: displaying an interface for requesting creation of a new emoticon folder including the selected emoticon; and displaying an interface for including the selected emoticon in one of the existing emoticon folders.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of displaying an interface to be included in the emoticon folder may include the step of preferentially displaying an emoticon folder that is highly relevant to the selected emoticon from among previously created emoticon folders.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the order in which at least one emoticon included in the emoticon folder is displayed may be associated with the user's emoticon usage history.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include requesting a server to share the emoticon folder.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, whether the shared emoticon folder can be saved and at least one of the emoticon information that can be saved included in the shared emoticon folder can be determined depending on a predetermined relationship between the user and the other user who saves the shared emoticon folder at the request.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one of whether the shared emoticon folder can be saved and the emoticon information included in the shared emoticon folder that can be saved can be determined depending on the emoticon usage authority of the other user who saves the shared emoticon folder in response to the request.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include displaying an interface for editing the emoticon folder in response to an interaction requesting editing of the emoticon folder.

[0022] In one embodiment of the present invention, the interface for editing the emoticon folder may include at least one of an interface for deleting emoticons included in the emoticon folder, an interface for changing the order in which the emoticons included in the emoticon folder are displayed, an interface for adding a new emoticon to the emoticon folder, and an interface for changing keyword information corresponding to the emoticon folder.

[0023] The user terminal for displaying emoticons of the present invention includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute instructions contained in the memory, the processor being configured to perform each step of the above method. The processor is configured to receive input of text information through an input window of a chat room, and if the text information satisfies predetermined criteria associated with keyword information corresponding to an emoticon folder, display an interface allowing input of at least one emoticon contained in the emoticon folder into the chat room.

[0024] The method for providing emoticons by a server of the present invention includes the steps of: checking text information entered in an input window of a chat room; and, if the text information satisfies a predetermined criterion for associating it with keyword information corresponding to an emoticon folder, providing an interface through which at least one emoticon included in the emoticon folder can be entered through the chat room.

[0025] In one embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include determining the keyword information based on information associated with at least one emoticon included in the emoticon folder.

[0026] The server for providing emoticons of the present invention includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute instructions contained in the memory, the processor being configured to perform each step of the above method, the processor being configured to perform the steps of: checking text information entered in an input window of a chat room; and, if the text information satisfies predetermined criteria associated with keyword information corresponding to an emoticon folder, providing an interface through which at least one emoticon included in the emoticon folder can be entered through the chat room. [Effects of the Invention]

[0027] The present invention has the advantage that an emoticon folder that can contain emoticons is created in a chat room, and users can save emoticons in the emoticon folder, thereby increasing the convenience of users to use emoticons.

[0028] The present invention has an advantage in that it performs text matching based on the text information entered by the user in the input window of the chat room and the keyword information corresponding to the emoticon folder, and provides a text matching folder. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an example of a network environment according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for displaying information about emoticons included in an emoticon group in a user terminal according to the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for a user terminal of the present invention to store and / or edit an emoticon group. [Figure 4]10 illustrates an example of a screen in a process in which a user terminal displays information about emoticons included in an emoticon folder according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 10 illustrates an example of a screen in a process in which a user terminal displays information about emoticons included in an emoticon folder according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10 illustrates an example of a screen in a process in which a user terminal displays information about emoticons included in an emoticon folder according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10 illustrates an example of a screen in a process in which a user terminal displays information about emoticons included in an emoticon folder according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 illustrates an example of a screen in a process in which a user terminal displays information about emoticons included in an emoticon folder according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10 illustrates an example of a screen in a process in which a user terminal displays information about emoticons included in an emoticon folder according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for a user terminal to share an emoticon group with another user terminal according to the present invention. [Figure 11] 10 illustrates an example of a screen in which another user terminal saves an emoticon folder shared from the user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method in which the server of the present invention provides information on emoticons included in an emoticon group. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed herein will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same and / or similar components will be denoted by the same reference numerals regardless of the drawing numbers, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, in describing the embodiments disclosed herein, if a detailed description of related publicly known technology is deemed to obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0031] Terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

[0032] A singular expression includes a plural expression unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0033] In this application, the steps described may be performed in any order except where a particular causal relationship dictates that the steps be performed in the listed order.

[0034] In this application, the terms "comprise" or "have" and the like are intended to specify the presence of any feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof stated in the specification, but should be understood as not precluding the presence or possible addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0035] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network environment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] 1, the network environment according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a user terminal 10 and a server 20. The user terminal 10 may correspond to at least one user terminal connected to the server 20 via a network.

[0038] The network is not limited in its communication method, and can include not only communication methods that utilize communication networks (for example, mobile communication networks, wired Internet, wireless Internet, and broadcasting networks) that the network can include, but also short-range wireless communication.

[0039] The user terminal 10 can be a terminal that a user logs in to and uses with a user account registered in a chat service provided by the server 20.

[0040] The user terminal 10 may include a communication unit 11 , an input unit 12 , an output unit 13 , a memory 14 , and a processor 15 .

[0041] The communication unit 11 can communicate with the server 20 or other terminals via wired or wireless communication.

[0042] The input unit 12 can receive various information through user operations and input actions, and may be a touch screen module, a keyboard, a mouse, a button, a camera, a stylus, a microphone, or the like.

[0043] The user terminal 10 can receive user interaction input through the input unit 12. Interaction means that the user operates the input unit to input information reflecting the user's selection or intention into the user terminal 10. For example, the interaction can be touching a touchscreen, clicking a mouse, typing on a keyboard, inputting sound into a microphone, taking an image with a camera, or recognizing a motion with a motion sensor.

[0044] The output unit 13 can output various information. The output unit 13 can be a display device, a speaker, a vibration generator, a tactile generator, etc. In some cases, the output unit 13 can be a device (e.g., a Bluetooth earphone) that is connected to the user terminal 10 via wired or wireless communication (e.g., short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth®) and receives and outputs a signal.

[0045] The memory 14 functions as a storage medium and can store a plurality of application programs run on the user terminal 10, as well as data and commands for the operation of the user terminal 10. The memory 14 can be provided as hardware in the form of various storage devices such as ROM, RAM, flash drive, hard drive, etc., and / or in the form of web storage.

[0046] In one embodiment, memory 14 may store an application associated with a chat service that allows for the transmission of emoticons.

[0047] The processor 15 controls the overall operation of the communication unit 11, the input unit 12, the output unit 13 and the memory 14 and is capable of executing an application associated with a chat service capable of transmitting emoticons.

[0048] In the present invention, the user terminal 10 can receive an interaction for selecting an emoticon to be included in at least one of a chat message and an input interface displayed in a chat room, and can receive an interaction for including the selected emoticon in an emoticon group. The user terminal 10 can receive input of text information through the chat room, and if the text information satisfies a predetermined criterion for associating with keyword information corresponding to an emoticon group, can display an interface for inputting at least one emoticon included in the emoticon group through the chat room.

[0049] Here, an emoticon group may refer to a space in which emoticons transmitted through a chat room can be stored. The emoticon group may be displayed in an area corresponding to an area in which emoticons are displayed in order to input emoticons into the chat room. As an example, the emoticon group may be displayed in the form of an input interface in which emoticons can be input into an input window of the chat room. A user may create multiple emoticon groups. The multiple emoticon groups may include name information or keyword information for distinguishing each group. As an example, an emoticon group may be provided in the form of an emoticon folder. Hereinafter, the emoticon group will be described assuming that it is an emoticon folder.

[0050] Here, keyword information may refer to information that can perform text matching with text entered by a user. Text matching can be performed when the text information satisfies predetermined criteria for associating the text information with keyword information. Here, the association criteria may be whether the text information and keyword information have a relationship with each other in terms of context, meaning, subject, etc.

[0051] Specifically, text matching can be performed when the text information input by the user is the same as or similar to keyword information corresponding to a specific emoticon folder. For example, when the text information "like" is input by the user, the server 20 can perform text matching with emoticon folders having keyword information such as "heart" and "love" that are the same as and / or similar in meaning to "like."

[0052] When text matching with a specific emoticon folder is performed, information about the text matching folder where text matching is performed can be displayed. Here, if there are multiple text matching folders, they can be displayed in a multiple selection interface.

[0053] The keyword information may include a keyword and emotional information corresponding to the keyword. For example, the keyword information may include a keyword such as "like" and information having a positive meaning corresponding to "like." The text information satisfying a predetermined criterion associated with the keyword information may be "like," which is the same text as the keyword. Furthermore, the text information satisfying a predetermined criterion associated with the keyword information may be "happy," "pleased," "fun," and the like, which have emotional information identical or similar to the positive emotional information included in "like."

[0054] The keyword information can be the same as the name information of the emoticon folder. Specifically, when a user creates an emoticon folder, the user can only enter the name information of the emoticon folder. In this case, the name information and the keyword information can be the same. In contrast, when a user creates an emoticon folder, the user can enter the keyword information separately. In this case, the name information and the keyword information can be different.

[0055] When text matching is performed for a specific emoticon folder, the user terminal 10 can display the text matching folder through a chat room. In response to an interaction with the emoticon folder from a user of the user terminal 10, an input interface can be displayed that allows the user to input at least one emoticon included in the emoticon folder.

[0056] Here, the input interface refers to an interface that can transmit emoticons included in a folder to a chat room. The user terminal 10 can transmit a selected emoticon to a chat room in response to a selection interaction on at least one of the emoticons included in the input interface.

[0057] In some cases, the user terminal 10 may display the selected emoticon in a preview form in the chat room in response to a selection interaction on at least one of the emoticons included in the input interface before transmitting the selected emoticon to the chat room.

[0058] The server 20 may be embodied as a computer device or multiple computers that provide instructions, codes, files, content, services, etc. The server 20 may be a server 20 that can communicate with the user terminal 10 via a network to send and receive information.

[0059] The server 20 may include a processor 21 , a memory 22 , and a communication unit 23 .

[0060] The processor 21 controls the overall operation of the memory 22 and the communication unit 23 and provides a chat service to the user terminal 10. The chat service provides the user terminal 10 with a function to input emoticons into an input window of a chat room and transmit them to the chat room.

[0061] The memory 22 functions as a storage medium and can store a plurality of application programs run by the server 20, as well as data and commands for the operation of the server 20. In one embodiment, the memory 22 can store an application program that provides a chat service. The memory 22 can also store emoticons that can be transmitted through chat rooms in the chat service. Here, the emoticons can be stored in an emoticon folder.

[0062] The memory 22 may be provided as hardware in the form of various storage devices such as ROM, RAM, flash drive, hard drive, etc., and / or as web storage.

[0063] The communication unit 23 can communicate with the user terminal 10 via a network in a wired or wireless manner.

[0064] The server 20 of the present invention can provide a chat service to the user terminal 10. Specifically, the server 20 provides a chat service in which an emoticon can be input into an input window of a chat room in the user terminal 10 and transmitted to the chat room.

[0065] In such chat services, users can participate in multiple chat rooms that are divided by the person they are chatting with, the topic, etc. Messages sent and / or received by users can be displayed in the chat window of the chat room.

[0066] In the present invention, the server 20 receives selection information for emoticons included in at least one of the chat messages and input interface displayed in the chat room from the user terminal 10, and can include emoticons corresponding to the selection information in an emoticon group. The server 20 checks text information entered through an input window in the chat room, and if the text information satisfies a predetermined criterion for associating it with keyword information corresponding to an emoticon group, it can provide an interface through which at least one emoticon included in the emoticon group can be entered through the chat room.

[0067] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 9, an embodiment of a method for the user terminal 10 of the present invention to display information about emoticons included in an emoticon group will be described.

[0068] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for displaying information about at least one emoticon included in an emoticon group by the user terminal 10 according to the present invention.

[0069] In step 201, the user terminal 10 receives input of text information through a chat room.

[0070] The user terminal 10 can check text information input by the user. The user terminal 10 can perform text matching based on the text information input by the user and keyword information (hereinafter referred to as "keyword information") corresponding to a folder.

[0071] In addition, the user terminal 10 can perform text matching for emoticons. If the text information input by the user is matched with both the matching information of the emoticon and the keyword information corresponding to the emoticon folder, the user terminal 10 can simultaneously perform keyword matching for the emoticon and the folder.

[0072] In step 203, if the text information satisfies a predetermined criterion for associating it with keyword information corresponding to the emoticon group, an interface is displayed that allows input of at least one emoticon included in the emoticon group through a chat room.

[0073] The server 20 determines whether the text information satisfies predetermined criteria for associating the text information with the keyword information. Here, the predetermined criteria for associating the text information with the keyword information may be whether the text information and the keyword information are related to each other in terms of context, meaning, subject matter, etc.

[0074] Specifically, the keyword information may include a specific keyword and emotional information corresponding to the specific keyword. For example, the keyword information may include a keyword such as "like" and emotional information having a positive meaning corresponding to "like." The text information satisfying a predetermined criterion associated with the keyword information may be "like," which is the same specific text as the keyword information. Furthermore, the text information satisfying a predetermined criterion associated with the keyword information may be "happy," "pleased," "fun," and the like, which have emotional information identical or similar to the positive emotional information included in "like."

[0075] In response to the text matching, the user terminal 10 can display information about the text matching folder, where the information about the text matching folder can be displayed in a multiple selection interface.

[0076] In some cases, the user terminal 10 can perform text matching not only for folders but also for emoticons at the same time. Specifically, an emoticon can include matching information that can perform text matching with text information input by a user. When the user terminal 10 receives text information from a user, the user terminal 10 or the server 20 determines whether the text information satisfies the matching information. For example, the matching information may be based on a keyword dictionary for emoticons that the user terminal 10 receives from the server 20, and the text information input by the user may correspond to the keyword dictionary.

[0077] If the text information satisfies the matching information, the user terminal 10 can display an interface capable of displaying the text matching emoticon. The user terminal 10 can display text matching emoticon information in response to an interaction with the interface capable of displaying the text matching emoticon.

[0078] In this case, the interface capable of displaying the text matching emoticons and the information about the text matching folder can be displayed separately in the chat room.

[0079] The user terminal 10 can display an input interface through which at least one emoticon included in the emoticon folder can be input. Specifically, the user terminal 10 can display at least one emoticon included in the text matching folder in response to an interaction with the text matching folder.

[0080] In some cases, if there is only one text matching folder, the user terminal 10 may display an input interface in which at least one emoticon included in the text matching folder can be input in response to input of text information without any interaction with the text matching folder.

[0081] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for the user terminal 10 of the present invention to store and / or edit an emoticon group.

[0082] In step 301, the user terminal 10 displays information about the creation of an emoticon group in response to an interaction requesting the creation of an emoticon group.

[0083] The user terminal 10 can display a creation interface associated with the creation of an emoticon folder in an area of ​​the chat room. The creation interface can be displayed in various ways.

[0084] For example, the creation interface may be displayed in an input window of a chat room, where information about the emoticon folder and the creation interface may be displayed together.

[0085] As another example, the generated interface may be displayed in response to an interaction with a specific emoticon. Here, the specific emoticon may be one of the emoticons that the user owns and / or can use. For example, the user terminal 10 may display the generated interface in response to a long press interaction with a specific emoticon. However, the interaction for displaying the generated interface here is not limited to a long press interaction and may further include other interactions.

[0086] In some cases, the creation interface may be displayed on an emoticon folder management page, an emoticon management page, or the like.

[0087] A user can create an emoticon folder through the creation interface. Specifically, the user terminal 10 can receive an interaction from the user on the creation interface. If the user terminal 10 receives the interaction, the user terminal 10 can display an interface that allows the user to input information for creating an emoticon folder.

[0088] The creation information may include at least one of name information for the emoticon folder, keyword information corresponding to the emoticon folder, and emoticon information to be stored in the emoticon folder, where the keyword information may include a specific keyword and emotion information corresponding to the specific keyword.

[0089] For example, the keyword information may include a keyword such as "like." In this case, the keyword information may also include emotion information such as "positive" corresponding to the keyword such as "like."

[0090] The keyword information can be determined in a variety of ways.

[0091] For example, the keyword information may be determined by user input. Specifically, when a user creates an emoticon folder, the user may input keyword information corresponding to the emoticon folder. Here, the keyword information may include multiple keywords.

[0092] In another example, keyword information can be determined based on at least one emoticon included in the emoticon folder. Specifically, if a user does not input keyword information corresponding to the emoticon folder when creating the emoticon folder, the user terminal 10 or the server 20 can determine keyword information based on the emoticon included in the emoticon folder.

[0093] For example, if the emoticons included in the emoticon folder are only emoticons associated with "cat," the user terminal 10 or the server 20 can determine the keyword information corresponding to the emoticon folder to be "cat."

[0094] As another example, keyword information may be determined based on matching information of emoticons included in an emoticon folder. For example, if matching information corresponding to a plurality of emoticons included in an emoticon folder includes matching information such as "heart," the user terminal 10 or the server 20 may determine keyword information corresponding to the emoticon folder to be "heart."

[0095] In some cases, if the user terminal 10 or the server 20 can identify any one of the keyword information corresponding to a plurality of emoticons included in the emoticon folder, it may not determine the keyword information corresponding to the emoticon folder.

[0096] In some cases, the user terminal 10 or the server 20 may determine keyword information corresponding to an emoticon folder based on the emoticon that was first stored. For example, if the first stored emoticon includes matching information such as "like" and a subsequently stored emoticon includes matching information such as "heart," the user terminal 10 or the server 20 may determine the keyword information corresponding to the emoticon folder to be "like."

[0097] In step 303, the user terminal 10 or the server 20 stores at least one emoticon in the emoticon group. In FIG. 3, step 303 is shown to be performed after step 301 by way of example, but is not limited thereto.

[0098] In step 303(a), the user terminal 10 acquires an interaction to select a chat message to be displayed in the chat room and an emoticon to be included in the input interface.

[0099] The user terminal 10 or the server 20 can store a first emoticon in an emoticon folder. Specifically, the user terminal 10 can display at least one emoticon stored in the emoticon folder. Here, the at least one emoticon can be included in an input interface that allows input of chat messages and emoticons.

[0100] The user terminal 10 or the server 20 may acquire a selection interaction for a first emoticon to be stored in an emoticon folder among at least one emoticon, and may store the first emoticon in the emoticon folder in response to the selection interaction.

[0101] In step 303(b), the user terminal 10 displays an interface for including the selected emoticon in a group.

[0102] When the user terminal 10 acquires a selection interaction for the first emoticon, it can display an interface for including the selected emoticon in an emoticon group. The interface for including the selected emoticon in an emoticon group can be displayed in various ways depending on the method for saving the first emoticon.

[0103] For example, the interface for including the selected emoticon in the emoticon group may display a selection interface for selecting one of the created emoticon folders. Specifically, if the user selects a first emoticon, the user terminal 10 may display a selection interface including name information of the previously created emoticon folders. The user terminal 10 may save the first emoticon in the selected folder in response to a selection interaction on one of the selection interfaces.

[0104] As another example, the interface for including a selected emoticon in a folder may display an input interface. Specifically, when a user selects a first emoticon, the user terminal 10 may display an input interface through which the user can input the emoticon included in the emoticon folder to include the first emoticon in the emoticon folder. The user terminal 10 may save the first emoticon in the emoticon folder in response to an input of dragging the first emoticon to the input interface.

[0105] As another example, the interface for adding a selected emoticon to an emoticon folder may display a save interface. Specifically, the user terminal 10 may display a save interface for saving the first emoticon to a folder in response to a long press interaction (or an interaction such as a right click) on the first emoticon from the user. The user terminal 10 may save the first emoticon to the emoticon folder in response to the interaction on the save interface.

[0106] The interface for including the selected emoticon in an emoticon folder may be displayed together with an interface for requesting the creation of a new emoticon folder to include the selected emoticon in. In this case, the user can include the first emoticon in one of the existing emoticon folders, and / or, if an appropriate emoticon folder for storing the first emoticon has not already been created, can create a new emoticon folder through the interface for requesting the creation of a new emoticon folder and store the first emoticon in the new emoticon folder.

[0107] When the user terminal 10 acquires a selection interaction for the first emoticon, it can preferentially display emoticon folders that are highly relevant to the first emoticon from among the previously created emoticon folders. Here, the highly relevant emoticon folders can be associated with the category or matching information of the first emoticon.

[0108] For example, if the first emoticon is an emoticon in the "cat" category, the "cat" folder may be displayed preferentially among the previously generated emoticon folders. Also, if the matching information corresponding to the first emoticon is "like," the "like" folder may be displayed preferentially among the previously generated emoticon folders.

[0109] The order in which emoticons in the emoticon folder are displayed may be determined based on the user's emoticon usage history. For example, the order in which emoticons are displayed may be determined based on the emoticons recently used by the user. The order in which emoticons are displayed may also be determined based on the number of times the user has transmitted the emoticons.

[0110] In step 303(c), the user terminal 10 displays an interface for editing the emoticon group in response to the interaction requesting editing of the emoticon group.

[0111] The user terminal 10 can display an interface for editing an emoticon folder. Specifically, the user terminal 10 can display an interface for editing an emoticon folder in response to an interaction from a user requesting editing of an emoticon folder.

[0112] The interface for editing an emoticon folder may include at least one of an interface for deleting emoticons included in the emoticon folder, an interface for changing the order in which emoticons included in the emoticon folder are displayed, an interface for adding a new emoticon to the emoticon folder, and an interface for changing keyword information corresponding to the emoticon folder.

[0113] The user can delete emoticons contained in the emoticon folder through an interface that allows the user to delete emoticons. In some cases, the user can delete the entire emoticon folder. In this case, the emoticon folder and all of the emoticons contained in it can be deleted.

[0114] The interface for changing the order in which emoticons are displayed may be an input interface that displays a specific emoticon folder and the emoticons contained in the specific emoticon folder. In this case, the user can drag the emoticons contained in the emoticon folder to change the order in which the emoticons are displayed in the emoticon folder.

[0115] In response to a user's request to include a new emoticon in the emoticon folder using the above-described method, the user terminal 10 can add and save the new emoticon in the emoticon folder.

[0116] When the user terminal 10 receives an interaction from the user on an interface for editing an emoticon folder, the user terminal 10 can display an interface for modifying keyword information corresponding to the emoticon folder. The user can change the keyword information corresponding to the emoticon folder through the interface for modifying keyword information.

[0117] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9, an example of a method for displaying emoticons included in an emoticon group by the user terminal 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0118] FIG. 4 shows a screen on which the user terminal 10 receives a request to create an emoticon folder 441 from a user according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0119] FIG. 4(a) shows a screen displaying an input interface 420 that allows the user terminal 10 to input emoticon folder creation information into the chat room 401.

[0120] FIG. 4(b) shows a screen in which the user terminal 10 displays information 430 regarding the creation of an emoticon folder in the chat room 403.

[0121] Referring to FIG. 4(a), the user terminal 10 can display an interface 420 that allows input of emoticon folder creation information in response to an interaction with a creation interface 410 associated with the creation of an emoticon folder.

[0122] The generation interface 410 can be displayed in a variety of ways.

[0123] For example, the creation interface 410 may be displayed in the input window of a chat room. In this case, the input window may display information 430 about the emoticon folder together with the creation interface 410. The user may consider the information about the emoticon folder displayed in the input window to avoid creating a duplicated emoticon folder and create an appropriate new emoticon folder.

[0124] The user terminal 10 can display an interface 420 for inputting creation information in response to an interaction with the creation interface 410. The user can input name information, keyword information, etc. of a new emoticon folder through the interface 420 for inputting creation information.

[0125] Although not shown in the drawing, the interface 420 for inputting creation information may include an interface for inputting folder keyword information. In this case, the user can input the name information and keyword information of the emoticon folder separately. Therefore, the name information and keyword information may be different from each other.

[0126] Referring to Fig. 4(b), the user terminal 10 can generate a "like" folder 441 in response to a user's request to generate a "like" folder 441. The user terminal 10 can display information 441, 443, and 445 about the generation of the emoticon folder in response to the generation of the "like" folder 441 and the generation of the emoticon folder.

[0127] Here, the information about the creation of an emoticon folder can include an emoticon folder 441, creation information 443 of a new emoticon folder, and notification information 445 associated with the creation. For example, the information about the creation of an emoticon folder can be that a "Like" folder is newly created 441 in Fig. 4(b). In addition, the creation of the "Like" folder can include creation information of a new emoticon folder such as "new" 443 and notification information such as "A new emoticon folder (Like) has been created" 445.

[0128] FIG. 5 illustrates a screen in which the user terminal 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention stores a first emoticon 510 selected from among the emoticons displayed on the input interface 520 in an emoticon folder 531.

[0129] FIG. 5(a) shows a screen in which the user terminal 10 acquires an interaction for selecting an emoticon included in the input interface 520 through a chat room 501.

[0130] FIG. 5(b) shows a screen displaying an interface 530 for the user terminal 10 to include an emoticon selected through the chat room 503 in an emoticon folder.

[0131] 5(a), the user terminal 10 can store the first emoticon 510 in the emoticon folder. Specifically, when the user terminal 10 receives a selection interaction for the first emoticon included in the input interface 520, the user terminal 10 can display an interface for adding the first emoticon to the emoticon folder.

[0132] 5(b), the user terminal 10 may display an interface 530 for adding a first emoticon to an emoticon folder. Here, the interface 530 for adding to an emoticon folder may include an interface 540 for adding to one of the existing emoticon folders and an interface 550 for requesting the creation of a new emoticon folder containing the first emoticon.

[0133] When the user terminal 10 receives a selection interaction for the first emoticon, it can prioritize and display an emoticon folder that is highly relevant to the first emoticon from among the previously generated emoticon folders. Here, the emoticon folder that is highly relevant to the first emoticon can be determined based on matching information corresponding to the first emoticon. For example, if the matching information corresponding to the first emoticon is "like," the user terminal 10 can prioritize and display the "like" 541 folder from among the previously generated emoticon folders by receiving a selection interaction for the first emoticon 510 in (a) of Figure 5.

[0134] In some cases, if there is no emoticon folder that is highly related to the first emoticon, the user terminal 10 may display previously created emoticon folders according to a predetermined method. Here, the predetermined method may be to associate the emoticon folders with at least one of the order in which the emoticon folders were created and the emoticon folders that store the emoticon.

[0135] If the user terminal 10 acquires a selection interaction for a specific folder 541 among the existing created emoticon folders, the user terminal 10 can store the first emoticon in the specific folder 541. Alternatively, if the user terminal 10 acquires an interaction for an interface 550 requesting the creation of a new emoticon folder, the user terminal 10 can create a new emoticon folder and store the first emoticon in the new emoticon folder.

[0136] FIG. 6 illustrates a screen in which the user terminal 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention saves a second emoticon 610 selected from among the emoticons displayed in the chat window 601 of the chat room 600 in a specific emoticon folder 621.

[0137] 6, the user terminal 10 can display chat messages in a chat window 601. Here, the chat message can include at least one emoticon 610. If the user terminal 10 acquires an interaction with a second emoticon 610 included in the chat message, it can display an interface for adding the second emoticon 610 to an emoticon folder. Here, the interface for adding the second emoticon to an emoticon folder can display an input interface 630 for a specific emoticon folder.

[0138] Specifically, if the user selects the second emoticon 610, the user terminal 10 may display an input interface 630 through which the user can input the emoticon included in the emoticon folder to include the second emoticon 610 in the emoticon folder. The user terminal 10 may store the second emoticon 610 in a specific emoticon folder 621 in response to an input of dragging the second emoticon 610 to the input interface 630.

[0139] In some cases, although not shown in the drawing, if the user terminal 10 receives a long press interaction on the second emoticon 610 from the user, it can display an interface 530 for adding the emoticon to the emoticon folder, as shown in (b) of FIG. 5.

[0140] Unlike the drawing, the second emoticon can be an emoticon transmitted to the chat window 601 by the user terminal (Peter terminal) 10.

[0141] The user terminal 10 can prioritize and display emoticon folders that are highly relevant to the selected emoticon from among the previously created emoticon folders 621, 623, and 625. Here, the emoticon folder that is highly relevant to the selected emoticon can be determined based on matching information corresponding to the selected emoticon.

[0142] For example, if the matching information corresponding to the first emoticon is "like," when the user terminal 10 acquires an interaction with the first emoticon 610, the "like" 621 and heart 623 folders, which are the same as or similar to the matching information of the first emoticon 610, can be displayed in preference to the "sorry" 625 folder. In some cases, only the emoticon folders 621 and 623 that are highly relevant to the selected emoticon can be displayed.

[0143] The order in which emoticons stored in the emoticon folder 621 are displayed may be based on the user's emoticon usage history. For example, if Peter has no history of sending a second emoticon to the chat room, the second emoticon may be displayed after other emoticons.

[0144] FIG. 7 shows a screen in which the user terminal 10 performs text matching 711, 713 and displays text matching folders 721, 723 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0145] 7(a) and 7(b), unlike FIG. 6, only the "Like" 721 and "Heart" 723 folders can be displayed. This can be the result of processing the text information based on the text information 711 input by the user and keyword information corresponding to the emoticon folder.

[0146] The user terminal 10 can receive text information such as "like" 711 from a user in an input window of a chat room 701. The user terminal 10 can perform text matching based on the text information 711 received from the user and keyword information corresponding to the folder.

[0147] Specifically, the user terminal 10 or the server 20 determines whether the text information 711 satisfies the criteria for associating with the keyword information 721, 723. If the text information 711 satisfies the criteria for associating with the keyword information 721, 723, the user terminal 10 can display an interface 739 in which at least one emoticon included in the emoticon folder can be input to the chat room 701. Here, the predetermined criteria for the keyword information can be when the text information and the keyword information have a relationship with each other in terms of context, meaning, subject, etc.

[0148] For example, if the text information input by the user is "like" 711, and the keyword information corresponding to the emoticon folder is the same as "like" 721, or if the keyword information corresponding to the emoticon folder is similar as "heart" 723, an interface 730 can be displayed in which at least one emoticon included in the emoticon folder can be input. Here, "like" 721 and "heart" 723 have the same meaning as "positive emotion" and can correspond to similar keywords.

[0149] The user terminal 10 can simultaneously perform text matching for emoticons as well as the emoticon folders 721 and 723. Specifically, an emoticon can include matching information (e.g., "like") that can perform text matching with text information 711 input by a user. When the user terminal 10 receives text information (e.g., "like" 711) from a user, the user terminal 10 or the server 20 determines whether the text information 711 satisfies the matching information.

[0150] 7(a), if the text information 711 satisfies the matching information, the user terminal 10 can display an interface 741 capable of displaying the text matching emoticon. In this case, the interface 741 capable of displaying the text matching emoticon and the information 721, 723 for the text matching folder can be displayed separately in the chat room.

[0151] Although not shown in the drawings, the user terminal 10 can display information about the text matching emoticon that has been text-matched with "like" if it receives an interaction from the user with the interface 741 that can display emoticons. Here, the order in which the text matching emoticons are displayed can be determined by the emoticons stored in the folder. For example, among the text matching emoticons, emoticons stored in the emoticon folder can be displayed with priority over other emoticons that are not stored in the emoticon folder.

[0152] In some cases, if an interaction is obtained with interface 741, information 721, 723, and 730 regarding the text matching folder will no longer be displayed in the input interface area, and only information regarding the text matching emoticon will be displayed. Therefore, if an interaction is obtained with interface 741 in Fig. 7(a), information 721, 723, and 730 regarding the text matching folder displayed in Fig. 7(a) can be replaced with information 780 regarding the text matching emoticon displayed in Fig. 7(b).

[0153] Also, when information 780 about the text matching emoticon is displayed in the input interface area, the interface 741 can be replaced with an interface that displays information 743 about the text matching folder.

[0154] When the user terminal 10 receives an interaction for any one of the emoticons 750 stored in the folder, it can transmit the selected emoticon 760 to the chat room 701. Although not shown in the drawing, when the user terminal 10 receives an interaction for any one of the emoticons 750 stored in the folder, it can display the selected emoticon 750 in an emoticon preview input window of the chat room 701, and then display the selected emoticon 750 in the chat room 701 in response to a request to transmit the selected emoticon 750 to the chat room.

[0155] 7(b), if the text information 713 satisfies the matching information, the user terminal 10 can display information 770 about the text matching folder and information 780 about the text matching emoticon together. The user terminal 10 can separately display information 770 about the text matching folder and information 780 about the text matching emoticon in the input interface area of ​​the chat room 703. As a result, the user can select and input either the text matching folder or the text matching emoticon in the input interface.

[0156] FIG. 8 shows a screen for a user to edit an emoticon folder according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0157] FIG. 8(a) shows a screen displaying interfaces 831, 833, 835, and 840 that allow the user terminal 10 to edit emoticon folders.

[0158] FIG. 8(b) shows the screen after the user terminal 10 has edited the emoticon folder.

[0159] 8(a), the user can edit an emoticon folder. Specifically, the user terminal 10 can display interfaces 831, 833, 835, and 840 for editing the emoticon folder in response to an interaction requesting editing of the emoticon folder 810. Here, the interfaces for editing the emoticon folder can include an interface 840 for deleting emoticons included in the emoticon folder and interfaces 831, 833, and 835 for changing the order in which the emoticons included in the emoticon folder are displayed.

[0160] Although not shown in the drawing, the interface for editing an emoticon folder may include an interface for adding new emoticons to an emoticon folder and an interface for changing keyword information corresponding to an emoticon folder.

[0161] The user can delete any one of the emoticons 831 through an interface 840 for deleting emoticons. In some cases, the user can delete the entire emoticon folder. Specifically, the user can delete a specific emoticon folder 821 through an interface 850 for deleting emoticon folders.

[0162] The user can change the order in which the emoticons are displayed. Specifically, the user terminal 10 can display emoticons 831, 833, and 835 stored in the emoticon folder. The user can drag the emoticons to change the order in which the emoticons are displayed.

[0163] Referring to Figure 8(b), it can be seen that one of the emoticons 831 shown in Figure 8(a) has been removed. This may be the result of the user terminal 10 receiving an interaction from the user on an interface 840 that allows the user to delete one of the emoticons.

[0164] Also, referring to Figure 8(b), it can be seen that the order of emoticons 861 and 863 shown in Figure 8(b) has been changed, unlike the emoticons 833 and 835 shown in Figure 8(a). This may be the result of the user terminal 10 changing the order in which the user's emoticons are displayed.

[0165] Also, referring to (b) of Figure 8, it can be seen that the keyword information shown in (b) of Figure 8 is "Like" 823, unlike the keyword information shown in (a) of Figure 8, which is "Like" 821. This can be the result of the user changing the keyword information of the "Like" 821 folder to "Like" 823 from the user terminal 10.

[0166] FIG. 9 shows a screen in which the user terminal 10 or the server 20 determines keyword information based on the emoticons 820 included in the emoticon folder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0167] 9(a), when creating an emoticon folder, the user can choose not to input name information or keyword information for the emoticon folder. In this case, the name information (or keyword information) for the emoticon folder can be determined as "No Name" 910 or "None."

[0168] 9(b), the user terminal 10 or the server 20 can determine keyword information based on the emoticons 920 included in the emoticon folder. For example, if the server 20 receives a request from the user terminal 10 to store an emoticon associated with a cat in the emoticon folder, the server 20 can determine keyword information corresponding to the emoticon folder to be "cat." In addition, depending on the case, the user terminal 10 can check information 920 on the emoticons stored in the emoticon folder and determine keyword information corresponding to the emoticon folder to be "cat."

[0169] In such a case, the keyword information (or name information) included in the selection interface 910, 930 can be changed from "No Name" 910 shown in FIG. 9(a) to "Cat" 930 shown in FIG. 9(b).

[0170] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method in which the user terminal 10 of the present invention shares an emoticon group with other user terminals.

[0171] For convenience of explanation, the explanation of steps in FIG. 10 that are substantially the same as steps in FIG. 3 will be replaced with the explanation referring to FIG.

[0172] Steps 1001 and 1003 are substantially the same as steps 201 and 203 in FIG. 2, and therefore will be explained in FIG. 2 instead.

[0173] In step 1005, the user terminal 10 shares information about the emoticon group in response to the interaction requesting sharing of the emoticon group.

[0174] The user terminal 10 can share an emoticon folder. Specifically, the user terminal 10 can share information about the emoticon folder in response to an interaction from a user requesting sharing of the emoticon folder.

[0175] Information about the emoticon folder can be shared in a variety of ways.

[0176] For example, information about an emoticon folder can be shared through a chat room. Specifically, the user terminal 10 can share information about an emoticon group through a one-to-one chat room with other users or a group chat room in which multiple other users participate.

[0177] As another example, information about the emoticon folder can be shared on a separate page for sharing or selling emoticon folders (or emoticons). Specifically, the user terminal 10 can share the user's own emoticon folder for free on a sharing page and / or sell it on an emoticon folder sales page (or emoticon sales page).

[0178] Other users who save the shared emoticon folder can determine the details of the shared emoticon folder depending on their relationship with the user. Specifically, depending on the relationship between the user and other users, at least one of whether the shared emoticon folder can be saved and the emoticon information that can be saved in the shared emoticon folder can be determined.

[0179] For example, the shared emoticon folder can only be saved if the user has a special relationship with the user, such as a friend relationship. Also, if the user has a friend relationship with the user, all emoticons in the emoticon folder can be shared and saved. However, if the user does not have a friend relationship with the user, only a portion of the emoticons in the emoticon folder that the user has allowed can be shared and saved.

[0180] The other user's device that stores the shared emoticon folder can determine whether the shared emoticon folder can be stored and at least one of the emoticon information included in the shared emoticon folder that can be stored based on at least one of the other user's emoticon usage authority, usage history, purchase history, favorite history, and download history. For example, if the emoticons included in the emoticon folder include emoticons that the other user does not have permission to use, only the other emoticons excluding the emoticons that the other user does not have permission to use can be stored.

[0181] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a screen in which another user terminal saves emoticon folders 1111 and 1113 shared from the user terminal 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0182] In Figure 11, the user who shared the emoticon folder is Peter, and the other user who saves the emoticon folder is Mike.

[0183] FIG. 11(a) shows an example of a screen for checking whether the shared emoticon folder 1111 can be saved depending on whether Peter and Mike are friends.

[0184] FIG. 11(b) shows an example of a screen for checking whether the emoticon folder 1113 shared by Mike is saveable or not according to his emoticon usage authority.

[0185] 11(a), the user terminal 10 can share an emoticon folder 1111. Specifically, the user terminal 10 can share an emoticon folder through a chat room 1101. For example, the chat room 1101 can be a group chat room in which multiple other users participate.

[0186] Other users participating in the chat room 1101 can decide whether to save the shared emoticon folder 1111 depending on their relationship with the user. For example, if Peter and Mike are not friends, when the server 20 receives a request from Mike's device to save the shared emoticon folder 1111, the server 20 can provide Mike's device with a pop-up message such as "To download Peter's emoticon folder, please register Peter as a friend" 1121. Here, the pop-up message can include an interface 1131 for registering Peter as a friend.

[0187] Mike's terminal can register Peter as a friend through an interface 1131 for registering as a friend or through other methods such as adding friends provided by the chat service, and then save the emoticon folder 1111 shared by Peter's terminal.

[0188] 11(b), other users participating in the chat room 1103 may decide whether to save the shared emoticon folder 1113 depending on their usage permissions for the emoticons. For example, if Mike's device does not have usage permissions for the first emoticon included in the shared emoticon folder 1113, when the server 20 receives a request from Mike's device to save the shared first emoticon folder 1113, the server 20 may provide Mike with a pop-up message such as "Some emoticons will be excluded because the folder contains emoticons that Mike does not have usage permissions for." 1023. Here, the pop-up message may include an interface 1133 for saving the emoticon folder excluding the first emoticon and an interface 1135 for moving to a page to purchase the first emoticon.

[0189] The Mike terminal does not purchase the first emoticon through the interface 1133 that can store the emoticon folder excluding the first emoticon, and can store only the emoticon folder 1113 that does not include the first emoticon.

[0190] In addition, Mike's device can purchase the first emoticon through an interface 1135 that takes him to a page for purchasing the first emoticon or through other emoticon purchasing methods provided by the chat service, and then save the first emoticon in the shared emoticon folder 1113.

[0191] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method in which the server 20 of the present invention provides emoticons included in an emoticon group.

[0192] For convenience of explanation, the explanation of the steps in FIG. 12 that are substantially the same as the steps in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 will be replaced with the explanation with reference to FIG. 2 or FIG.

[0193] In step 1201, the server 20 receives selection information for emoticons included in at least one of the chat messages and input interface displayed in the chat room from the user terminal 10. Since step 1201 is substantially the same as step 303(a) of Figure 3, the description of step 1201 will be substituted for the description of step 303(a) of Figure 3.

[0194] In step 1203, the server 20 includes the emoticons corresponding to the selection information in the emoticon group. Since step 1203 is substantially the same as step 303(b) of Figure 3, the description of step 1203 will be substituted for the description of step 303(b) of Figure 3.

[0195] In step 1205, the server 20 checks the text information entered through the chat room. Since step 1205 is substantially the same as step 201 in FIG. 2, the description of step 1205 will be substituted for the description of step 201 in FIG.

[0196] In step 1207, if the text information satisfies a predetermined criterion for associating it with keyword information corresponding to the emoticon group, the server 20 provides an interface for inputting at least one emoticon included in the emoticon group through a chat room. Since step 1207 is substantially the same as step 203 of FIG. 2, the description of step 1207 will be substituted for the description of step 203 of FIG. 2.

[0197] The technical features disclosed in each embodiment of the present invention are not limited to the corresponding embodiment, and as long as they are not mutually incompatible, the technical features disclosed in each embodiment can be combined and applied to different embodiments.

[0198] Therefore, although each embodiment will be described focusing on its respective technical features, as long as the technical features are not mutually exclusive, they can be combined and applied.

[0199] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and variations are possible from the viewpoint of those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be determined not only by the claims of this specification but also by equivalents of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0200] 10: User terminal 20: Server

Claims

1. A method for displaying emoticons on a user terminal, comprising: receiving an interface for selecting an emoticon to be included in at least one of a chat message displayed in a chat room and an input interface; receiving an interaction including the selected emoticon in an emoticon group; receiving input of text information through the chat room; If the text information satisfies a predetermined criterion for associating it with keyword information corresponding to the emoticon group, displaying an interface through which at least one emoticon included in the emoticon group can be input through the chat room, method.

2. 10. The method of claim 1, The keyword information is determined based on information associated with at least one emoticon included in the emoticon group. method.

3. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving input of at least one keyword information for the emoticon group from a user, method.

4. 10. The method of claim 1, The step of displaying an interface in which the emoticon can be input includes: displaying information for the emoticon group if the text information satisfies a predetermined criterion for associating the keyword information; and displaying an interface in response to an interaction with the emoticon group, whereby at least one emoticon included in the emoticon group can be input. method.

5. 5. The method of claim 4, The step of displaying information about the emoticon group includes: displaying information for at least one text matching emoticon that satisfies matching information for the text information; method.

6. 6. The method of claim 5, The step of displaying information about the text matching emoticon includes: displaying an interface capable of displaying the text matching emoticon; An interface capable of displaying the text matching emoticons and information about the emoticon group are displayed separately in the chat room. method.

7. 10. The method of claim 1, The step of receiving interactions to be included in the emoticon group includes: displaying an interface for requesting the creation of a new emoticon group including the selected emoticon; receiving an interaction to include the selected emoticon in the new emoticon group generated in response to the interface requesting generation; method.

8. 8. The method of claim 7, The interface for requesting the creation of the new emoticon group includes an interface for inputting keyword information corresponding to the new emoticon group. method.

9. 10. The method of claim 1, The step of receiving interactions to be included in the emoticon group includes: receiving an interaction to include the selected emoticon in one of the existing emoticon groups; method.

10. 10. The method of claim 9, The step of receiving interactions to be included in the emoticon group includes: and a step of preferentially displaying an emoticon group that is highly related to the selected emoticon from among previously generated emoticon groups. method.

11. 10. The method of claim 1, The order in which at least one emoticon included in the emoticon group is displayed is related to the user's emoticon usage history. method.

12. 10. The method of claim 1, The method further includes a step of requesting a server to share the emoticon group. method.

13. 13. The method of claim 12, Whether the other user account can save the shared emoticon group and at least one of the emoticons included in the shared emoticon group that can be saved is determined according to a predetermined relationship between the user account that requested the sharing and the other user account. method.

14. 13. The method of claim 12, At least one of whether the other user account can save the shared emoticon group and the emoticon information included in the shared emoticon group that can be saved is determined according to the emoticon usage authority of the other user account. method.

15. 10. The method of claim 1, The method further includes the step of displaying an interface for editing the emoticon group in response to an interaction requesting editing of the emoticon group. method.

16. 16. The method of claim 15, The interface for editing the emoticon group includes at least one of an interface for deleting emoticons included in the emoticon group, an interface for changing the order in which the emoticons included in the emoticon group are displayed, an interface for adding a new emoticon to the emoticon group, and an interface for changing keyword information corresponding to the emoticon group. method.

17. A method for a server to provide emoticons, comprising: receiving selection information for an emoticon included in at least one of a chat message and an input interface displayed in the chat room from the user terminal; including the emoticon in response to the selection information into an emoticon group; checking text information entered through an input window in the chat room; If the text information satisfies a predetermined criterion for associating it with keyword information corresponding to the emoticon group, providing an interface through which at least one emoticon included in the emoticon group can be input through the chat room, method.

18. 18. The method of claim 17, The method further includes determining the keyword information based on information associated with at least one emoticon included in the emoticon group. method.

19. Memory and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute instructions contained in the memory; The processor: receiving selection information for an emoticon included in at least one of a chat message and an input interface displayed in the chat room from the user terminal; including the emoticon in an emoticon group according to the selection information; checking text information entered through the chat room; and if the text information satisfies a predetermined criterion for associating the text information with keyword information corresponding to the emoticon group, providing an interface through which at least one emoticon included in the emoticon group can be input through the chat room. A server that provides emoticons.

Images