Content providing method, electronic device supporting the same, and program

Abstract

This disclosure presents a processor-implemented content providing method. [Solution] The method includes steps of receiving a first request for first content associated with a second user account from a first external electronic device associated with a first user account, obtaining first profile information associated with the second user account based on the relationship between the first and second user accounts, and sending the first content including the first profile information to the first external electronic device, receiving a second request for the first content associated with the second user account from a second external electronic device associated with a third user account, obtaining second profile information associated with the second user account based on the relationship between the third and second user accounts, and sending the first content including the second profile information to the second external electronic device.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a content providing method and an electronic device that supports the method. [Background technology]

[0002] With the advancement of digital convergence, in which various information and communication technologies are fused together, electronic devices provide a variety of additional functions and / or services that are integrated into their core functions. For example, an electronic device may provide an instant messaging service and a linked social network service (SNS) by executing an application.

[0003] When executing an instant messaging service and / or a social networking service, an electronic device may disclose user profile information representing the user to external parties. However, user profile information that is uniformly disclosed to all external users may not be sufficient from the perspective of a user experience that expresses a user's personality and / or personal information in a diverse manner. Furthermore, because user profile information includes private personal information such as a photo and a name, it may be desirable to disclose only specific user profile information to selective external users. Furthermore, because instant messaging services and social networking services may be operated in conjunction with each other, specific user profile information disclosed to selective external users in one service may also need to be synchronized and disclosed in the other service.

[0004] Note that the above content is background art provided for the purpose of aiding understanding of the present disclosure, and does not constitute any assertion or judgment as to whether it is applicable as prior art related to the present disclosure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2014-0009778 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present disclosure provides a content providing method and an electronic device supporting the method to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0007] However, the technical problems that the present disclosure aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and other problems not described here can also be clearly understood by those with ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains (hereinafter, "those skilled in the art") from the various embodiments described below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present disclosure can be implemented in various forms, including as a content providing method, an electronic device, and / or a program stored on a computer-readable recording medium.

[0009] A content providing method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include the steps of receiving a first request for first content associated with a second user account from a first external electronic device associated with a first user account, obtaining first profile information associated with the second user account based on the relationship between the first user account and the second user account, and transmitting the first content including the first profile information to the first external electronic device, receiving a second request for the first content associated with a third user account from a second external electronic device associated with the second user account, obtaining second profile information associated with the second user account based on the relationship between the third user account and the second user account, and transmitting the first content including the second profile information to the second external electronic device.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first profile information and the second profile information associated with the second user account may be different from each other.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a program for causing a computer to execute a content providing method can be provided.

[0012] An electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a memory for storing instructions and at least one processor.

[0013] When executed by at least one processor, the instructions may cause the electronic device to receive a first request for first content associated with a second user account from a first external electronic device associated with a first user account, obtain first profile information associated with the second user account based on a relationship between the first user account and the second user account, and transmit the first content including the first profile information to the first external electronic device, receive a second request for the first content associated with a third user account from a second external electronic device associated with the second user account, obtain second profile information associated with the second user account based on a relationship between the third user account and the second user account, and transmit the first content including the second profile information to the second external electronic device.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first profile information and the second profile information associated with the second user account may be different from each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, when implementing instant messaging and / or social networking services, a mechanism may be provided that allows selectively exposing different user profile information to external users.

[0016] Additionally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a mechanism by which selective user profile information can be synchronized and published in an instant messaging service environment and a social networking service environment.

[0017] However, the effects obtained from the present disclosure are not limited to those described above, and other effects not described here can also be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims, etc. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which the same or corresponding components may be designated with the same or similar reference numerals.

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system structure related to content provision in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electronic device and an external electronic device in a network environment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of components of an electronic device and an external electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4A] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a signal flow between an electronic device and an external electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4B] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of content output in an external electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of content provided to an external electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of content provided to an external electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating yet another example of content provided to an external electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a content providing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of obtaining the first profile information may include sending a third request to a third external electronic device inquiring about the relationship between the first user account and the second user account, and receiving a first response from the third external electronic device in response to the third request.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first response may indicate that first profile information associated with the first user account and the second user account are related to one another.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of obtaining the second profile information may include the steps of sending a fourth request to a third external electronic device inquiring about the relationship between the third user account and the second user account, and receiving a second response from the third external electronic device in response to the fourth request.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second response may indicate that second profile information associated with the third user account and the second user account are related to one another.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of transmitting the first content to the first external electronic device may include the step of changing third profile information included in the first content to the first profile information.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of transmitting the first content to the second external electronic device may include the step of changing third profile information included in the first content to the second profile information.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of obtaining the first profile information may include a step of obtaining basic profile information set in the second user account as the first profile information in response to determining that the relationship between the first user account and the second user account is not related to each other.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the content providing method may further include receiving, from the first external electronic device, first identification information associated with a second user account stored on the first external electronic device.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, obtaining the first profile information may include modifying a portion of the first profile information based on the first identification information.

[0029] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of changing a portion of the first profile information may include the step of changing second identification information included in the first profile information to the first identification information.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of transmitting the first content to the first external electronic device may include the step of transmitting the first content including the partially modified first profile information to the first external electronic device.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the first request and the second request may include a request for access to a GUI (graphical user interface) of a social network service (SNS) that interfaces with an instant messaging application associated with the second user account.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first content may include a GUI of a social networking site that interfaces with an instant messaging application associated with the second user account.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the GUI may include at least one of a user profile screen associated with the second user account, a timeline screen associated with the second user account, and a feedback screen associated with the second user account.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the content providing method may further include a step of receiving a fifth request from a fourth external electronic device associated with a second user account to associate and store the first user account, the second user account, and first profile information associated with the second user account.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the content providing method may further include a step of storing, in response to a fifth request, mapping information associating the first user account, the second user account, and first profile information associated with the second user account with each other.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, obtaining the first profile information may include identifying the first profile information of a second user account associated with the first user account based on the mapping information.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the content providing method may further include receiving a sixth request from a fourth external electronic device to change the first profile information associated with the first user account to the second profile information.

[0038] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the content providing method may further include a step of updating mapping information in response to a sixth request, a step of receiving a seventh request for second content associated with the second user account from a first external electronic device associated with the first user account, and a step of transmitting the second content including the second profile information to the first external electronic device.

[0039] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of updating the mapping information may include a step of storing the first user account, the second user account, and second profile information associated with the second user account in association with each other.

[0040] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first content may include a GUI (Graphical User Interface: GUI) of a Social Network Service (SNS) that works in conjunction with an instant messaging application associated with the second user account.

[0041] Hereinafter, specific contents for implementing the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, in the following description, specific descriptions of well-known functions and configurations may be omitted if they may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure.

[0042] In the accompanying drawings, identical or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals. In addition, in the following description of the embodiments, duplicated descriptions of identical or corresponding components may be omitted. However, omission of a description of a component does not mean that the component is not included in any of the embodiments.

[0043] The advantages and features of the disclosed embodiments, as well as methods for achieving them, will become clearer with reference to the following embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and may be realized in various different forms. The following embodiments are provided merely to complete the disclosure and to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the scope of the present invention.

[0044] The terms used in this disclosure will be briefly explained, and the disclosed embodiments will be described in detail. The terms have been selected as widely used terms as possible, taking into consideration the functions in this disclosure. However, these terms may change depending on the intentions of engineers in the relevant field, legal precedents, the emergence of new technologies, etc. In addition, in certain cases, the applicant may arbitrarily select terms, and in such cases, their meanings will be described in detail in the relevant description of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in this disclosure should not be defined simply as names, but should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the content of the entire disclosure.

[0045] In this disclosure, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, and plural expressions likewise include the singular. Throughout this disclosure, when a part is described as "comprising" a certain element, it does not exclude other elements, unless specifically stated to the contrary, but means that other elements may also be included.

[0046] As used in this disclosure, the terms "module" or "module" refer to a software or hardware component, and the "module" or "module" performs a certain function. However, the concepts of "module" or "module" are not limited to software or hardware. A "module" or "module" may be located on an addressable storage medium and executed by one or more processors. Thus, by way of example, a "module" or "module" may include at least one of a software component, an object-oriented software component, a class component and a task component, a process, a function, an attribute, a procedure, a subroutine, a program code segment, a driver, firmware, microcode, a circuit, data, a database, a data structure, a table, an array, or a variable. The functionality provided by the components and "modules" or "modules" may be further combined into fewer components and "modules" or "modules," or separated into additional components and "modules" or "modules."

[0047] According to one embodiment, a "module" or "unit" may be implemented with a processor and memory. "Processor" should be interpreted broadly to include a general-purpose processor, a CPU, a microprocessor, a DSP, a controller, a microcontroller, a state machine, etc. In some environments, "processor" may refer to an ASIC, a PLD, an FPGA, etc. A "processor" may refer, for example, to a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a combination of multiple microprocessors, a combination of one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or other configurations. Additionally, "memory" should be interpreted broadly to include any electronic component capable of storing electronic information. "Memory" may refer to various processor-readable media, such as RAM, ROM, NVRAM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, magnetic or marking data storage devices, registers, etc. Memory is said to be in electronic communication with a processor if the processor can read information from or write information to the memory. The same applies to memory integrated into a processor.

[0048] Terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. used in this disclosure are used only to distinguish one component from another, and do not limit the nature or order of the components.

[0049] When this disclosure describes a component as being "coupled," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly coupled or connected to the other component, but there may be additional components between the components.

[0050] As used in this disclosure, "comprises" and / or "comprising" does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, operations and / or elements other than those listed.

[0051] In this disclosure, a "user" may refer to a user who uses a messenger application or a user account (or user account information) for the messenger application, where a user account may refer to an account or data associated therewith that a user creates and uses with the messenger application.

[0052] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system structure related to content provision according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1 , an electronic device (100) according to an embodiment may be connected to a plurality of external electronic devices (220, 240, 260, and 280) and may support at least some (e.g., 220, 240, and 280) of the plurality of external electronic devices (220, 240, 260, and 280) in operating an instant messaging application and a social network service linked thereto. In this regard, at least some (e.g., 220, 240, and 280) of the plurality of external electronic devices (220, 240, 260, and 280) may include an instant messaging application (282) and a social network service (284) linked thereto that are executable based on user account information of the external electronic device. According to various embodiments, the social network service (284) may synchronize with at least a portion of the instant messaging application (282) (e.g., user account information, features and / or services) and may execute based on user input to visual objects included in the GUI of the instant messaging application (282).

[0053] In one embodiment, the electronic device 100 may receive content data related to the operation of a social network service 284 based on user account information of the fourth external electronic device 280 from the fourth external electronic device 280 and use the content data to configure a GUI for the corresponding social network service 284. The electronic device 100 may also support access to the GUI by the first external electronic device 220 and the second external electronic device 240. In various embodiments, access to the GUI by the first external electronic device 220 and the second external electronic device 240 may include requesting GUI-related data from the electronic device 100 to output (or display) the GUI and the content included therein on the external electronic device.

[0054] According to one embodiment, when providing GUI data related to the social network service (284) of the fourth external electronic device (280) to the first external electronic device (220) and the second external electronic device (240), the electronic device (100) may provide at least a portion of user profile information associated with user account information of the fourth external electronic device (280) to each of the first external electronic device (220) and the second external electronic device (240) differently. For example, the electronic device (100) may provide the first external electronic device (220) with a GUI including first profile information related to the second user account information based on a relationship between first user account information associated with the first external electronic device (220) and second user account information associated with the fourth external electronic device (280). Furthermore, the electronic device (100) may provide the second external electronic device (240) with a GUI including second profile information related to the second user account information based on a relationship between the third user account information associated with the second external electronic device (240) and the second user account information associated with the fourth external electronic device (280), where the first profile information and the second profile information may be at least partially different from each other.

[0055] In one embodiment, the GUIs of the social network service 284 based on the second user account information provided to the first external electronic device 220 and the second external electronic device 240 may be configured with identical graphic elements (e.g., GUI layout and content included in the GUI) except for profile information related to the second user account information. For example, although the first external electronic device 220 and the second external electronic device 240 access the same GUI, the profile information related to the second user account information in the GUI output (or displayed) on each external electronic device may be different.

[0056] In one embodiment, the fourth external electronic device (280) may provide information related to the second user account information of the external electronic device. In this regard, the fourth external electronic device (280) may receive user input selecting at least one identification (e.g., a registered friend's name) and associated user profile information on a friend list included in the GUI of the instant messaging application (282). The fourth external electronic device (280) may transmit a request to the third external electronic device (260) to associate and store the second user account information of the fourth external electronic device (280), the at least one user account information corresponding to the selected at least one identification, and the selected user profile information.

[0057] According to various embodiments, the third external electronic device (260) may manage user account information for each of multiple external electronic devices (e.g., 220, 240, and 280) involved in the operation of the instant messaging application (282) and the associated social network service (284), and may, in response to a request from the fourth external electronic device (280), store mapping information that associates the second user account information, at least one user account information corresponding to at least one selected identification information, and the selected user profile information with each other.

[0058] In one embodiment, when the electronic device 100 receives requests for access to a GUI (or a request for content included in the GUI) of a social network service 284 based on second user account information from the first external electronic device 220 and the second external electronic device 240, the electronic device 100 may identify a relationship between the first user account information associated with the first external electronic device 220 and the third user account information associated with the second external electronic device 240, and the second user account information associated with the fourth external electronic device 280. For example, the electronic device 100 may send a request to the third external electronic device 260 inquiring about the relationship between the first user account information and the second user account information and the relationship between the third user account information and the second user account information, and may receive a response thereto. According to one embodiment, the response received from the third external electronic device (260) may indicate that the first user account information is associated with the second user account information and the associated first profile information, and may indicate that the third user account information is associated with the second user account information and the associated second profile information. In this case, in response to the GUI access requests of the first external electronic device (220) and the second external electronic device (240), the electronic device (100) may transmit GUI data including the first profile information associated with the second user account information to the first external electronic device (220) and may transmit GUI data including the second profile information associated with the second user account information to the second external electronic device (240).

[0059] According to various embodiments, the GUI configuration information of the social network service 284 based on the second user account information stored in the electronic device 100 may include basic (default) profile information set in the second user account information. In this case, when the electronic device 100 transmits GUI data to the first external electronic device 220 and the second external electronic device 240, the electronic device 100 may change the basic profile information included in the GUI configuration information (or the configuration information of the content included in the GUI) to the first profile information or the second profile information.

[0060] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electronic device and an external electronic device in a network environment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 2, an electronic device (100) according to an embodiment may include a data processing service (e.g., a content providing service) and may include one or more server devices, databases, one or more distributed computing devices and / or distributed databases in a cloud computing service infrastructure that can store, provide, and execute computer-executable programs (e.g., downloadable applications) and data related to the data processing service.

[0061] In one embodiment, the data processing services provided by the electronic device (100) may be provided to a user via a data processing application and / or a web browser application installed on each of a plurality of external electronic devices (220, 240, 260 and / or 280).

[0062] The plurality of external electronic devices (220, 240, 260, and / or 280) may communicate with the electronic device (100) through a network (300). The network (300) may be configured to enable communication between the plurality of external electronic devices (220, 240, 260, and / or 280) and the electronic device (100). Depending on the installation environment, the network (300) may be configured as a wired network such as Ethernet, power line communication, telephone line communication, or RS-serial communication, a wireless network such as a mobile communication network, WLAN, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or ZigBee, or a combination thereof. The communication method is not limited and may include not only a communication method utilizing a communication network included in the network (300) (e.g., a mobile communication network, a wired Internet, a wireless Internet, a broadcast network, and / or a satellite network), but also short-range wireless communication between the plurality of external electronic devices (220, 240, 260, and / or 280).

[0063] For example, multiple external electronic devices (220, 240, 260, and / or 280) may transmit data processing requests and / or instructions related to user requests for data processing to electronic device (100) over network (300), which electronic device (100) may receive.

[0064] 2, a mobile phone terminal 220, a tablet terminal 240, a server 260, and a PC terminal 280 are shown as examples of external electronic devices, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The external electronic devices 220, 240, 260, and / or 280 may be any computing device capable of wired and / or wireless communication and capable of installing and executing a data processing application. For example, the external electronic devices may include a smartphone, a mobile phone, a navigation system, a computer, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a PDA, a PMP, a tablet PC, a game console, a wearable device, an IoT device, a VR device, and / or an AR device.

[0065] 2 illustrates an example in which four external electronic devices (220, 240, 260, and / or 280) communicate with electronic device (100) through network (300), the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, a different number of external electronic devices may be configured to communicate with electronic device (100) through network (300).

[0066] 3 is a diagram illustrating exemplary components of an electronic device and an external electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 3, an electronic device (100) according to an embodiment may include a memory (110), a communication module (120), an input / output interface (130), and at least one processor (140). According to various embodiments, the electronic device (100) may omit at least some of the above components or may further include other additional components.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the memory 110 may include any non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. For example, the memory 110 may include a non-volatile mass storage device such as RAM, ROM, a disk drive, a SSD, or flash memory. As another example, a non-volatile mass storage device such as a ROM, a SSD, a flash memory, or a disk drive may be included in the electronic device 100 as a separate permanent storage device distinct from the memory 110. The memory 110 may also store an operating system and at least one program code (e.g., code for a program that provides content to an external electronic device).

[0068] Such software components may be loaded from a computer-readable storage medium separate from the memory 110. The separate storage medium may include a medium directly connectable to the electronic device 100, such as a floppy drive, a disk, a tape, a DVD / CD-ROM drive, and / or a memory card. As another example, the software components may be loaded into the memory 110 via the communication module 120 rather than a storage medium. For example, at least one program may be loaded into the memory 110 based on a computer program that is installed by a file provided over the network 300 by a developer or a file distribution system that distributes installation files for the application program.

[0069] In one embodiment, the memory 110 may store instructions related to the functional operations of the components of the electronic device 100. For example, the memory 110 may store instructions that, when executed by at least one processor 140, cause the components of the electronic device 100 to perform a predetermined functional operation. The memory 110 may also store data to be transmitted to and received from the external electronic device 200 via the network 300. For example, the memory 110 may store user account information of the external electronic device 200 necessary for the external electronic device 200 to execute an instant messaging application supported by the electronic device 100 and a social networking service associated with the application. The memory 110 may also store various content data based on the user account information of the external electronic device 200 related to the instant messaging application and / or the social networking service.

[0070] According to various embodiments, the memory 110, under the control of the at least one processor 140, may store data based on a request from the external electronic device 200. For example, the memory 110 may store user account information for the external electronic device 200, user profile information associated with the user account information, and user account information for other external electronic devices determined by the external electronic device 200 in association with (or mapping to) the user account information.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the communication module 120 may provide a configuration or function for the electronic device 100 to communicate with the external electronic device 200 via the network 300. The communication module 120 may also provide a configuration or function for the electronic device 100 to communicate with other external electronic devices or systems (e.g., another cloud system). For example, signals and / or instructions generated by the at least one processor 140 in accordance with program code stored in the memory 110 or the like may be transmitted to the external electronic device 200 via the network 300 by operation of the communication module 120. Conversely, signals and / or instructions provided by the external electronic device 200 may be received by the electronic device 100 via the network 300 and the communication module 120.

[0072] In one embodiment, the communication module 120 may establish communication (or a communication channel) with the external electronic device 200 according to a specified communication protocol, and may transmit and receive signals and / or data (data sets or data packets) to and from the external electronic device 200 through the communication. For example, the communication module 120 may receive content data (e.g., static images, dynamic images, audio, and / or text) from a social networking service based on user account information associated with the external electronic device 200 from the external electronic device 200. The communication module 120 may also transmit GUI data constructed based on the content data received from the external electronic device 200 to another external electronic device.

[0073] In one embodiment, the input / output interface 130 may support interfacing with an input / output device. In one embodiment, the input / output device may include an input device including at least one of a camera with an image sensor, a keyboard, a microphone, and a mouse, and / or an output device including at least one of a display, a speaker, and a haptic feedback device. According to various embodiments, the input / output device may be included in the electronic device 100 or may be integrated with the electronic device 100. As another example, the input / output interface 130 may support interfacing with a device that has both input and output functions or features integrated into it, such as a touchscreen. For example, when the at least one processor 140 processes instructions of a computer program loaded into the memory 110, a service screen constructed using information and / or data provided by the external electronic device 200 or another external electronic device or system may be output to a display via the input / output interface 130. According to various embodiments, the input / output interface 130 may be configured to be included in the at least one processor 140.

[0074] In one embodiment, the at least one processor 140 may be configured to process computer program instructions by performing basic arithmetic, logic, and input / output operations. The instructions may be provided to the at least one processor 140 by the memory 110 or the communications module 120. For example, the at least one processor 140 may be configured to execute instructions received according to program code stored in the memory 110, etc.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the at least one processor 140 may operate an application program (or web browser) that provides an instant messaging service and a social networking service linked thereto. At this time, program code related to the application program may be loaded into the memory 110. In various embodiments, while the application program is operating, the at least one processor 140 may receive information and / or data provided from an input / output device via the input / output interface 130 or from an external electronic device 200 via the communication module 120, process the received information and / or data, and store it in the memory 110. Conversely, the at least one processor 140 may transmit information and / or data generated during the operation of the application program to the input / output device via the input / output interface 130 or to the external electronic device 200 via the communication module 120.

[0076] 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of a signal flow between an electronic device and an external electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, the steps of the signal flow referred to in the embodiment of FIG. 4A may be performed sequentially or non-sequentially. For example, the order of the steps of the signal flow referred to in the embodiment of FIG. 4A may be changed, or at least two steps may be performed in parallel.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 4A , in step 410, the fourth external electronic device (280) according to this embodiment may send an association request to the third external electronic device (260). In this regard, the fourth external electronic device (280) may receive a user input on an instant messaging application included in the external electronic device, selecting at least one identification (e.g., a friend's name registered in the instant messaging application) and associated user profile information. According to this embodiment, the user profile information may be used to represent the user of the fourth external electronic device (280) in the GUIs of the instant messaging application and the social networking service that are linked based on the second user account information of the fourth external electronic device (280). In this embodiment, in response to receiving the user input, the fourth external electronic device (280) may send a request to the third external electronic device (260) to associate and store the second user account information of the fourth external electronic device (280), at least one external user account information corresponding to the at least one selected identification, and the selected user profile information.

[0078] In step 420, the third external electronic device (260) according to this embodiment may respond to a request from the fourth external electronic device (280) by mapping the second user account information of the fourth external electronic device (280), at least one external user account information corresponding to the selected at least one identification information, and the selected user profile information to each other and storing the mapping information.

[0079] In step 430, the electronic device 100 according to this embodiment may receive a content request from the first external electronic device 220. In this embodiment, the content request received from the first external electronic device 220 may include a request for access to a GUI (or content included in the GUI) of a social network service based on the second user account information of the fourth external electronic device 280. Alternatively, the content request received from the first external electronic device 220 may include an operation of the first external electronic device 220 requesting related data to output (or display) a GUI (or content included in the GUI) of a social network service based on the second user account information of the fourth external electronic device 280.

[0080] In step 440, the electronic device (100) according to this embodiment may send a relationship query request to the third external electronic device (260) in response to the content request from the first external electronic device (220). For example, the electronic device (100) may send a request to the third external electronic device (260) to query the relationship between first user account information associated with the first external electronic device (220) and second user account information associated with the fourth external electronic device (280).

[0081] In step 450, the electronic device 100 according to the present embodiment may receive a response from the third external electronic device 260. For example, the electronic device 100 may receive a response from the third external electronic device 260 indicating that the first user account information associated with the first external electronic device 220, the second user account information associated with the fourth external electronic device 280, and the first profile information related to the second user account information are associated with each other.

[0082] In various embodiments, the response received from the third external electronic device (260) may indicate that the first user account information associated with the first external electronic device (220) is not associated with the specific profile information associated with the second user account information associated with the fourth external electronic device (280). In this case, the electronic device (100) may identify the basic (default) profile information set in the second user account information as the first profile information.

[0083] According to various embodiments, the electronic device 100 may be integrated with at least a portion of a third external electronic device 260. For example, the electronic device 100 may include a portion of the third external electronic device 260 and perform the functions and / or operations of that device. In this case, the electronic device 100 may receive a request from the fourth external electronic device 280 to associate and store the second user account information, at least one external user account information corresponding to the at least one selected identification information, and user profile information. In response to the request, the electronic device 100 may map the second user account information, the at least one external user account information, and the user profile information to one another in an internal memory (e.g., memory 110 of FIG. 3 ) and store the mapping information. Furthermore, when the electronic device (100) receives a content request from the first external electronic device (220), it may identify, based on the mapping information stored in the memory (110), first profile information to which the first user account information associated with the first external electronic device (220) and the second user account information associated with the fourth external electronic device (280) are mapped.

[0084] In step 460, the electronic device 100 according to this embodiment may provide content to the first external electronic device 220. For example, the electronic device 100 may provide GUI (or content included in the GUI) data for a social network service based on second user account information associated with the fourth external electronic device 280, including the first profile information indicated in the response from the third external electronic device 260 or the first profile information identified based on the mapping information stored in the memory 110. In response, the first external electronic device 220 may output (or display) a GUI for the social network service based on the second user account information, including the first profile information (or displaying the first profile information).

[0085] According to various embodiments, when receiving a content request from the first external electronic device (220) (e.g., step 430), the electronic device (100) may also receive from the first external electronic device (220) first identification information related to second user account information associated with the fourth external electronic device (280). For example, the electronic device (100) may receive from the first external electronic device (220) first identification information (e.g., name information) of the user of the fourth external electronic device (280) registered in the instant messaging application of the first external electronic device (220). Alternatively, the electronic device (100) may pre-store the first identification information of the user of the fourth external electronic device (280) registered in the instant messaging application of the first external electronic device (220), and may update the stored identification information if the first identification information is changed in the first external electronic device (220).

[0086] According to one embodiment, in an operation (e.g., step 460) of providing GUI (or content included in the GUI) data of a social network service based on second user account information to the first external electronic device (220), the electronic device (100) may compare first profile information identified based on the response of the third external electronic device (260) or mapping information stored in the memory (110) with the first identification information. In this regard, the profile information related to the second user account information associated with the fourth external electronic device (280) may include second identification information and image information of the user of the fourth external electronic device (280), and the electronic device (100) may determine whether the first identification information corresponds to the second identification information. In one embodiment, based on a determination that the first identification information and the second identification information do not correspond, the electronic device (100) may change the second identification information included in the first profile information to the first identification information, and include the first profile information with the changed identification information in GUI (or content included in the GUI) data of a social network service based on the second user account information, and provide it to the first external electronic device (220).

[0087] Alternatively, the electronic device (100) may transmit GUI data including first profile information based on the second identification information to the first external electronic device (220), and the first external electronic device (220) may compare the first identification information of the user of the fourth external electronic device (280) registered in the instant messaging application with the second identification information of the first profile information included in the GUI data. If the first identification information and the second identification information do not match, the first external electronic device (220) may change the second identification information of the first profile information to the first identification information, and output (or display) the GUI based on the GUI data including the changed first profile information.

[0088] In various embodiments, the electronic device 100 or the third external electronic device 260 may receive a request from the fourth external electronic device 280 to change the first profile information associated with the second user account information associated with the fourth external electronic device 280 and the first user account information associated with the first external electronic device 220 to the second profile information. In this case, the electronic device 100 or the third external electronic device 260 may update the mapping information it stores. For example, the device may update the mapping information in which the second user account information, the first user account information, and the first profile information are associated with each other to the mapping information in which the second user account information, the first user account information, and the second profile information are associated with each other. After updating in this manner, when the electronic device (100) receives a content request for the social network service based on the second user account information from the first external electronic device (220), the electronic device (100) may identify second profile information associated with the first user account information associated with the first external electronic device (220) and the second user account information associated with the fourth external electronic device (280) based on a response from querying the third external electronic device (260) or the mapping information stored in the memory (110). The electronic device (100) may transmit GUI data including the second profile information to the first external electronic device (220).

[0089] In the above description, an embodiment has been described in which the second user account information associated with the fourth external electronic device 280 and the first profile information associated with the first user account information associated with the first external electronic device 220 are included in GUI data for a social networking service based on the second user account information and provided to the first external electronic device 220. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and for example, even in an instant messaging service environment linked to a social networking service, the first external electronic device 220 may be provided with GUI data for an instant messaging service including the first profile information based on the relationship between the first user account information associated with the first external electronic device 220 and the second user account information associated with the fourth external electronic device 280. 4B is a diagram illustrating an example of content output by an external electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 4B, the GUI of an instant messaging application (or instant messaging service) based on second user account information associated with the fourth external electronic device 280 may include a user profile screen 470 based on the second user account information supported by the application. In this embodiment, the fourth external electronic device 280 may display user profile information associated with the second user account information through the user profile screen 470. For example, the fourth external electronic device 280 may display user profile information selected by a user input from among multiple profile information associated with the second user account information through the user profile screen 470.

[0090] In this embodiment, the plurality of profile information associated with the second user account information may include first profile information (480a) associated with first user account information associated with a first external electronic device (e.g., first external electronic device (220) in FIG. 1 ) and second profile information (480b) associated with third user account information associated with a second external electronic device (e.g., second external electronic device (240) in FIG. 1 ). For example, the plurality of profile information associated with the second user account information may include first profile information (480a) and second profile information (480b) that differ from each other in at least a portion of their usernames and profile images.

[0091] According to various embodiments, the plurality of profile information associated with the second user account information may include basic (default) profile information set for the second user account information. For example, one of the plurality of profile information may be basic profile information that can execute a social networking service (or transition to a GUI of the social networking service) linked to an instant messaging application (or instant messaging service) based on the profile information. As an example, if the first profile information 480a is the basic profile information set for the second user account information, the user profile screen 470 of the GUI including the first profile information 480a may include visual objects 490 (e.g., software buttons, text, images, icons, and / or symbols) that support execution of the social networking service. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the visual objects 490 may be included in all of the plurality of user profile screens including each of the plurality of user profile information, or may be included only in at least one user profile screen corresponding to at least one of the user profile information in response to a user input.

[0092] 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of content provided to an external electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of content provided to an external electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a further example of content provided to an external electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 5, the GUI of a social network service based on second user account information associated with a fourth external electronic device (e.g., fourth external electronic device 280 of FIG. 1) may include a timeline screen based on the second user account information provided by the social network service.

[0093] In one embodiment, first user account information associated with the first external electronic device 220 may be associated (mapped) with second user account information and first profile information associated with the fourth external electronic device 280. In this case, the first external electronic device 220 may process GUI data received from an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 100 of FIG. 1 ) in accordance with a content request and output (display) a timeline screen or content screen 510a including the first profile information 520. Meanwhile, third user account information associated with the second external electronic device 240 may be associated with second user account information and second profile information associated with the fourth external electronic device 280. In this case, the second external electronic device 240 may process GUI data received from the electronic device 100 in accordance with a content request and output a timeline screen or content screen 510b including second profile information 530 different from the first profile information 520.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 6, the GUI of the social network service based on the second user account information associated with the fourth external electronic device 280 may include a user profile screen based on the second user account information provided by the social network service.

[0095] In one embodiment, the first user account information associated with the first external electronic device 220 may be associated with the second user account information and the first profile information associated with the fourth external electronic device 280. Based on this, the first external electronic device 220 may process the GUI data based on the second user account information received from the electronic device 100 and output (display) a user profile screen 610a including at least one piece of first profile information (620a and / or 620b). On the other hand, the third user account information of the second external electronic device 240 may be associated with the second user account information and the second profile information associated with the fourth external electronic device 280. In this case, the second external electronic device 240 may process the GUI data based on the second user account information received from the electronic device 100 and output a user profile screen 610b including at least one piece of second profile information (630a and / or 630b).

[0096] In the embodiments of Figures 5 and 6, the GUIs based on the second user account information output by the first external electronic device 220 and the second external electronic device 240 may have the same layout, the type of content included in the GUI (e.g., a timeline screen or a user profile screen), and the attributes of the content included in the GUI (e.g., resolution), but may include different profile information depending on the relationship (e.g., whether or not there is mapping to specific profile information) between the user account information associated with the external electronic device and the second user account information associated with the fourth external electronic device 280.

[0097] 7, the GUI of the social network service based on the second user account information of the fourth external electronic device 280 may include a feedback screen (e.g., a comment screen) based on the second user account information supported by the social network service. In one embodiment, the feedback screen (720a and / or 720b) ​​based on the second user account information may include text (730), images, emoticons, and / or symbols entered by the user of the fourth external electronic device 280 in the GUI (710) of the social network service based on any user account information (e.g., UserX) different from the first user account information, the second user account information, and the third user account information. In addition, the feedback screen (720a and / or 720b) ​​based on the second user account information may be included in and displayed in the GUI (710) output by the first external electronic device (220) and / or the second external electronic device (240) when the first external electronic device (220) and / or the second external electronic device (240) accesses the GUI (710) based on any user account information (e.g., UserX).

[0098] In one embodiment, first user account information associated with the first external electronic device (220) may be associated (mapped) with second user account information and first profile information of the fourth external electronic device (280). In this case, the first external electronic device (220) may receive and process GUI (710) data associated with any user account information (e.g., UserX) from the electronic device (100) in accordance with the content request, and as a result, output (display) a feedback screen (720a) including the first profile information (740). In one embodiment, third user account information associated with the second external electronic device (240) may be associated with second user account information and second profile information associated with the fourth external electronic device (280). In this case, the second external electronic device (240) may process GUI (710) data associated with any user account information (e.g., UserX) received from the electronic device (100) in accordance with the content request, and output a feedback screen (720b) ​​including the second profile information (750). As shown in the illustrated example, the first profile information (740) and the second profile information (750) may differ from each other in at least part of the username and profile image.

[0099] 7, the GUIs 710 based on any given user account information (e.g., UserX) output by the first external electronic device 220 and the second external electronic device 240 may have the same layout, the type of content included in the GUI (e.g., feedback screen), and the attributes of the content included in the GUI (e.g., resolution). However, the GUIs 710 output by the first external electronic device 220 and the second external electronic device 240 may include at least some different profile information related to the second user account information depending on the relationship between the user account information associated with the first external electronic device 220 and the second external electronic device 240 and the second user account information associated with the fourth external electronic device 280 (e.g., whether or not there is mapping to specific profile information). In addition, the feedback screen (720a and / or 720b) ​​based on the second user account information shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7 is included in the GUI (710) of the social network service based on any user account information (e.g., UserX) different from the first user account information, the second user account information, and the third user account information, and is output by the first external electronic device (220) and / or the second external electronic device (240). From this viewpoint, the GUI (710) output by the first external electronic device (220) and / or the second external electronic device (240), respectively, may have different profile information related to the users of the external electronic devices (e.g., profile information (760) of the user of the first external electronic device (220) and profile information (770) of the user of the second external electronic device (240)).

[0100] 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a content providing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, the steps of the content providing method (800) referred to in the embodiment of FIG. 8 may be performed sequentially or non-sequentially. For example, the order of the steps referred to in the embodiment of FIG. 8 may be changed, or at least two steps may be performed in parallel.

[0101] 8, in step S810, an electronic device according to this embodiment (e.g., the electronic device 100 of FIG. 1) may receive a request for first content associated with second user account information from a first external electronic device (e.g., the first external electronic device 220 of FIG. 1) associated with first user account information. For example, the electronic device 100 may receive a request for access to a GUI of a social network service (or first content included in the GUI) or a request for data of the GUI from the first external electronic device 220 based on second user account information of a fourth external electronic device (e.g., the fourth external electronic device 280 of FIG. 1).

[0102] In step S820, the electronic device 100 according to this embodiment may obtain first profile information associated with the second user account information based on the relationship between the first user account information and the second user account information. In this case, the electronic device 100 may send a request to a third external electronic device (e.g., the third external electronic device 260 of FIG. 1 ) to inquire about the relationship between the first user account information and the second user account information. In one embodiment, the electronic device 100 may receive a response from the third external electronic device 260 in response to the request, which may indicate that the first user account information of the first external electronic device 220, the second user account information of the fourth external electronic device 280, and the first profile information associated with the second user account information are associated with each other. Alternatively, the electronic device (100) may identify that the first user account information of the first external electronic device (220), the second user account information of the fourth external electronic device (280), and the first profile information associated with the second user account information are associated with each other based on mapping information stored in an internal memory (e.g., memory (110) of FIG. 3).

[0103] In step S830, the electronic device 100 according to this embodiment may transmit first content including the first profile information to the first external electronic device 220. For example, the electronic device 100 may include the first profile information in GUI (e.g., GUI including the first content) data for an instant messaging service and / or a social networking service based on the second user account information and transmit the GUI to the first external electronic device 220. Based on this, the first external electronic device 220 may output (display) a GUI based on the second user account information including the first profile information (or displaying the first profile information).

[0104] In step S840, the electronic device (100) according to this embodiment may receive a request for first content associated with the second user account information from a second external electronic device (e.g., the second external electronic device (240) of FIG. 1) associated with the third user account information. According to one embodiment, the first content requested by the second external electronic device (240) may be the same as the first content requested by the first external electronic device (220).

[0105] In step S850, the electronic device 100 according to this embodiment may obtain second profile information associated with the second user account information based on the relationship between the third user account information and the second user account information. For example, the electronic device 100 may send a request to the third external electronic device 260 to inquire about the relationship between the third user account information and the second user account information, and receive a response. The response may indicate that the third user account information of the second external electronic device 240, the second user account information of the fourth external electronic device 280, and the second profile information associated with the second user account information are associated with each other. Alternatively, the electronic device 100 may identify the second profile information associated with the third user account information of the second external electronic device 240 and the second user account information of the fourth external electronic device 280 based on mapping information stored in the internal memory 110. According to one embodiment, the second profile information identified based on the content request of the second external electronic device (240) may differ at least in part from the first profile information identified based on the content request of the first external electronic device (220).

[0106] In step S860, the electronic device 100 according to this embodiment may transmit the first content including the second profile information to the second external electronic device 240. For example, the electronic device 100 may include the second profile information in GUI data (e.g., a GUI including the first content) for an instant messaging service and / or a social networking service based on the second user account information and transmit the GUI data to the second external electronic device 240. As a result, the second external electronic device 240 may output (or display) a GUI based on the second user account information including the second profile information (or displaying the second profile information).

[0107] The above-described method may be provided as a computer program stored on a computer-readable recording medium for execution by a computer. The medium may permanently or temporarily store the computer-executable program. Furthermore, the medium may be any recording or storage means, including single or multiple hardware components, and may not be directly connected to a specific computer system but may be distributed across a network. Examples of media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes; optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magneto-optical media such as floptical disks; and media storing program instructions in ROM, RAM, flash memory, etc. Furthermore, recording or storage media managed by app stores that distribute applications, websites that provide and distribute various software, and servers may also be included.

[0108] The methods, operations, or techniques of the present disclosure may be implemented by a variety of means. By way of example, these techniques may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with this disclosure may be implemented in electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. To clarify the substitution of hardware and software, the various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been generally described above in terms of their functionality. Whether the functionality is implemented in hardware or software is determined by the particular application and design requirements imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art may implement the functionality in various ways depending on each specific application, but such implementation should not be interpreted as a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0109] In a hardware implementation, the processing unit that performs the techniques may be implemented within one or more ASICs, DSPs, digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, electronic devices, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described in this disclosure, computers, or combinations thereof.

[0110] Accordingly, the various illustrative logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with this disclosure may be implemented or performed with a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but may alternatively be a conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may be implemented, for example, as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a combination of multiple microprocessors, a combination of one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other combination.

[0111] In a firmware and / or software implementation, the techniques may also be implemented by instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disc (CD), magnetic or marking data storage devices, etc. These instructions are executable by one or more processors to cause the processors to perform certain aspects of the functionality described in this disclosure.

[0112] If implemented as software, the techniques described above may be stored on or transmitted over a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or code. Computer-readable media includes any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another and encompasses both computer storage media and communication media. Storage media may be any available medium accessible to a computer. By way of non-limiting example, these computer-readable media include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM and other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage and other magnetic storage devices, and may include any other medium accessible to a computer that can be used to store or transmit desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures. Additionally, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium.

[0113] For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted wire, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted wire, digital subscriber line, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. As used herein, "disk" and "disc" include CDs, laser discs, optical discs, DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs, where disks typically reproduce data magnetically and discs reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0114] A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium may be coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC, which may reside in a user terminal. In the alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a user terminal.

[0115] While the above-described embodiments have been described utilizing aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter on one or more stand-alone computer systems, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and may be implemented in connection with any computing environment, such as a network or distributed computing environment. Furthermore, aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter may be implemented on multiple processing chips or devices, and storage may be affected equally across multiple devices. These devices may include PCs, network servers, mobile devices, and the like.

[0116] Although the present disclosure has described some embodiments, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and changes without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, such modifications and changes are interpreted as belonging to the scope of the claims attached to this application.

[0117] This application claims priority based on Patent Application No. 10-2024-0114497 filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on August 26, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. 1. A method of providing content, executed by at least one processor, comprising: receiving a first request for first content associated with a second user account from a first external electronic device associated with a first user account; obtaining first profile information associated with the second user account based on a relationship between the first user account and the second user account; transmitting the first content including the first profile information to the first external electronic device; receiving a second request for the first content associated with a third user account from a second external electronic device associated with the second user account; obtaining second profile information associated with the second user account based on a relationship between the third user account and the second user account; transmitting the first content including the second profile information to the second external electronic device; The first profile information and the second profile information associated with the second user account are different from each other.

2. The step of acquiring first profile information includes: sending a third request to a third external electronic device inquiring about a relationship between the first user account and the second user account; receiving a first response from the third external electronic device in response to the third request; the first response indicating that the first profile information associated with the first user account and the second user account are related to one another; The step of acquiring second profile information includes: sending a fourth request to the third external electronic device inquiring about a relationship between the third user account and the second user account; receiving a second response from the third external electronic device in response to the fourth request; The method of claim 1 , wherein the second response indicates that the second profile information associated with the third user account and the second user account are related to each other.

3. The step of transmitting the first content to the first external electronic device includes: changing third profile information included in the first content to the first profile information; transmitting the first content to the second external electronic device, The method of claim 1 , further comprising: changing third profile information included in the first content to the second profile information.

4. The step of acquiring first profile information includes: The content providing method of claim 1, further comprising a step of obtaining basic profile information set in the second user account as the first profile information in response to determining that the relationship between the first user account and the second user account is not related to each other.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving, from the first external electronic device, first identification information associated with the second user account stored on the first external electronic device.

6. The step of acquiring first profile information includes: The content providing method according to claim 5 , further comprising the step of changing a part of the first profile information based on the first identification information.

7. The step of changing a part of the first profile information includes: The content providing method according to claim 6 , further comprising: changing second identification information included in the first profile information to the first identification information.

8. The step of transmitting the first content to a first external electronic device includes: The content providing method of claim 6 , further comprising transmitting the first content including the partially modified first profile information to the first external electronic device.

9. At least one of the first request and the second request The content providing method according to claim 1 , further comprising a request for access to a GUI of a social networking service (SNS) that is linked to an instant messaging application associated with the second user account.

10. The content providing method according to claim 1 , wherein the first content includes a GUI of an SNS linked with an instant messaging application associated with the second user account.

11. The GUI comprises: The content providing method of claim 10 , further comprising at least one of a user profile screen associated with the second user account, a timeline screen associated with the second user account, and a feedback screen associated with the second user account.

12. 2. The content providing method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a fifth request from a fourth external electronic device associated with the second user account to associate and store the first user account, the second user account, and first profile information associated with the second user account.

13. 13. The content providing method of claim 12, further comprising: in response to the fifth request, storing mapping information associating the first user account, the second user account, and the first profile information associated with the second user account with each other.

14. The step of acquiring first profile information includes: The method of claim 13 , further comprising: determining first profile information of the second user account associated with the first user account based on the mapping information.

15. 14. The content providing method of claim 13, further comprising receiving a sixth request from the fourth external electronic device to change the first profile information associated with the first user account to the second profile information.

16. updating the mapping information in response to the sixth request; receiving a seventh request for second content associated with the second user account from the first external electronic device associated with the first user account; The content providing method of claim 15 , further comprising: transmitting the second content including the second profile information to the first external electronic device.

17. The step of updating the mapping information includes: The content providing method of claim 16 , further comprising storing the first user account, the second user account, and the second profile information associated with the second user account in association with one another.

18. A program for causing a computer to execute the content providing method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. 1. An electronic device comprising: a memory for storing instructions; at least one processor; The instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the electronic device to: receiving a first request for first content associated with a second user account from a first external electronic device associated with the first user account; obtaining first profile information associated with the second user account based on a relationship between the first user account and the second user account; transmitting the first content including the first profile information to the first external electronic device; receiving a second request for the first content associated with a third user account from a second external electronic device associated with the second user account; obtaining second profile information associated with the second user account based on a relationship between the third user account and the second user account; transmitting the first content including the second profile information to the second external electronic device; The first profile information and the second profile information associated with the second user account are different from each other.

20. The first content is The electronic device of claim 19 , further comprising a social networking system GUI that interfaces with an instant messaging application associated with the second user account.

Images