A method, computer device, and program that provide a range of search capabilities through a multi-tab structure.

Abstract

This invention provides a method, computer device, and program that offer search functionality across different ranges through a multi-tab structure. [Solution] The multi-tab search method includes the steps of: providing a search screen configured with a multi-tab structure in which the search ranges differ from each other when a selection related to the search function is entered from the messenger's home screen; and providing search results within the search range specified in the activated tab when a search term is entered from the activated tab among the multi-tabs.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The following description relates to a technology for providing a search function in a messenger platform.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, an instant messenger, which is a communication tool, is software that can transmit and receive messages and data in real time. A user can register a conversation partner in the messenger and exchange messages in real time with the partners registered in the conversation list.

[0003] Such a messenger function has been popularized not only in personal computers (PCs) but also in the mobile environment of mobile communication terminals.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 (Publication Date: September 30, 2002) discloses a mobile messenger service system and method using a wireless communication network that can provide a messenger service between mobile messengers installed in mobile terminals.

[0005] As the use of social platforms such as messengers has become widespread, the functions provided through them have become increasingly diverse.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] A search function performed through a multi-tab structure on a single screen can provide a new search experience.

[0008] The search range can be divided using tabs, providing a search environment where the search range can be specified using the tabs before performing a search. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A method for providing multi-tab search for a computer device including at least one processor, comprising the steps of: providing a search screen configured with a multi-tab structure in which the search ranges differ from each other when a selection related to the search function is entered from the home screen of a messenger by at least one processor; and providing search results in the search range specified in the activated tab when a search term is entered from the activated tab among the multi-tabs by at least one processor.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the messenger's home screen includes a search interface that allows access to a search service, and the step of providing a search screen may be to provide the search screen when the search interface is selected from the messenger's home screen.

[0011] According to another embodiment, the step of providing a search screen may provide a search screen comprising a web search tab for searching for information on the web and a messenger search tab for searching for information within a messenger.

[0012] In another embodiment, the step of providing a search screen may include, when a user accesses the search screen, activating one default tab among the multiple tabs and displaying the other tabs in a dimmed state.

[0013] In another embodiment, the default tab may be set by the service provider or by the user from the user settings.

[0014] In another embodiment, the default tab may be determined based on the user's search patterns or recent search history.

[0015] In other embodiments, the step of providing search results may include, before providing the search results, a step of recommending switching to other tabs based on the search terms.

[0016] In another embodiment, the step of providing search results may include a step of initializing the input of the search term if the activated tab is switched to another tab while the search term is being entered.

[0017] In other embodiments, the step of providing search results may include additional information, at least one of the following: interactions, related content, and recommended content, corresponding to the search scope of the activation tab, as well as the search results themselves.

[0018] In another embodiment, the step of providing search results may include, if the web search tab for searching information on the web among the multi-tabs is activated, providing a list of recent search terms based on the user's web search history before any search terms are entered.

[0019] In another embodiment, the step of providing search results may include, when the web search tab for searching information on the web among the multi-tabs is activated, providing auto-completion results that accompany the input of search terms.

[0020] In yet another embodiment, the step of providing search results may include, if the Messenger Search tab for searching information within the Messenger is activated among the multi-tabs, providing a list of recent search terms based on the user's Messenger search history before any search terms are entered.

[0021] To cause a computer device to execute a multi-tab search providing method, a program recorded on a computer-readable recording medium is provided.

[0022] A computer device including at least one processor configured to execute instructions readable by the computer device, wherein the at least one processor provides a search screen configured with a multi-tab structure having different search ranges when a selection regarding a search function is input from the home screen of a messenger, and processes a process of providing search results in the search range specified for the activated tab when a search term is input from the activated tab among the multi-tabs.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing an example of a network environment in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram showing an example of a computer device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a flowchart showing an example of a method that can be executed by a computer device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an example of the home screen of a messenger platform in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of a search screen with a multi-tab structure in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing an example of a search screen with a multi-tab structure in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing an example of a web search environment in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an example of a web search environment in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing an example of a web search environment in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10]This figure shows an example of a messenger search environment in one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0024] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] This embodiment relates to a technology for providing a search function in a messenger platform.

[0026] Embodiments including those specifically disclosed herein can provide a search function within a messenger platform that consists of a multi-tab structure with different search scopes on a single screen.

[0027] A multi-tab search provisioning device according to an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented by at least one computer device, and a multi-tab search provisioning method according to an embodiment of the present invention may be executed by at least one computer device included in the multi-tab search provisioning device. In this case, a computer program according to one embodiment of the present invention may be installed and executed in the computer device, and the computer device may execute the multi-tab search provisioning method according to an embodiment of the present invention in accordance with the control of the executed computer program. The above-described computer program may be combined with the computer device and recorded on a computer-readable recording medium to cause the computer to execute the multi-tab search provisioning method.

[0028] Figure 1 shows an example of a network environment in one embodiment of the present invention. The network environment in Figure 1 shows an example that includes multiple electronic devices 110, 120, 130, 140, multiple servers 150, 160, and a network 170. Figure 1 is merely an example for the purpose of explaining the invention, and the number of electronic devices and servers is not limited to that shown in Figure 1. Furthermore, the network environment in Figure 1 is merely an example of an environment applicable to this embodiment, and the environment applicable to this embodiment is not limited to the network environment in Figure 1.

[0029] The multiple electronic devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 may be fixed terminals or transit terminals implemented by computer devices. Examples of the multiple electronic devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 include smartphones, mobile phones, navigation systems, personal computers (PCs), notebook PCs, digital broadcasting terminals, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), PMPs (Portable Multimedia Players), and tablets. As an example, Figure 1 shows a smartphone as an example of electronic device 110, but in embodiments of the present invention, electronic device 110 may mean one of a variety of physical computer devices that can communicate with other electronic devices 120, 130, 140 and / or servers 150, 160 via the network 170 using substantially wireless or wired communication methods.

[0030] The communication method is not limited, and may include not only communication methods that utilize communication networks that can be included in network 170 (for example, transitional communication networks, wired internet, wireless internet, broadcast networks), but also short-range wireless communication between devices. For example, network 170 may include one or more arbitrary networks such as PAN (personal area network), LAN (local area network), CAN (campus area network), MAN (metropolitan area network), WAN (wide area network), BBN (broadband network), and the Internet. Furthermore, network 170 may include, but is not limited to, one or more network topologies, including bus networks, star networks, ring networks, mesh networks, star-bus networks, tree or hierarchical networks.

[0031] Servers 150 and 160 may each be implemented by one or more computer devices that communicate with multiple electronic devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 via the network 170 to provide commands, code, files, content, services, etc. For example, server 150 may be a system that provides services (such as a messenger service) to multiple electronic devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 connected via the network 170.

[0032] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a computer device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Each of the aforementioned electronic devices 110, 120, 130, and 140, as well as the servers 150 and 160, can be realized by the computer device 200 shown in Figure 2.

[0033] Such a computer device 200 may include a memory 210, a processor 220, a communication interface 230, and an input / output interface 240, as shown in Figure 2. The memory 210 is a computer-readable recording medium and may include RAM (random access memory), ROM (read-only memory), and a permanent mass storage device such as a disk drive. Here, the permanent mass storage device such as ROM or a disk drive may be included in the computer device 200 as a separate permanent storage device distinct from the memory 210. The memory 210 may also contain an operating system and at least one program code. Such software components may be loaded into the memory 210 from a computer-readable recording medium separate from the memory 210. Such a separate computer-readable recording medium may include a floppy disk drive, disk, tape, DVD / CD-ROM drive, memory card, and other computer-readable recording media. In other embodiments, the software components may be loaded into the memory 210 through a communication interface 230, which is not a computer-readable recording medium. For example, software components may be loaded into the memory 210 of the computer device 200 based on a computer program installed by a file received via the network 170.

[0034] The processor 220 may be configured to process computer program instructions by performing basic arithmetic, logic, and input / output operations. Instructions may be provided to the processor 220 by memory 210 or a communication interface 230. For example, the processor 220 may be configured to execute instructions received according to program code stored in a recording device such as memory 210.

[0035] The communication interface 230 may provide a function for the computer device 200 to communicate with other devices (for example, the recording device described above) via the network 170. For example, requests, instructions, data, files, etc., generated by the processor 220 of the computer device 200 according to program code recorded in a recording device such as memory 210 may be transmitted to other devices via the network 170 under the control of the communication interface 230. Conversely, signals, instructions, data, files, etc., from other devices may be received by the computer device 200 via the network 170 through the communication interface 230 of the computer device 200. Signals, instructions, data, etc., received via the communication interface 230 may be transmitted to the processor 220 or memory 210, and files, etc., may be recorded on a recording medium (the persistent recording device described above) that the computer device 200 may further include.

[0036] The input / output interface 240 may be a means for interface with the input / output device 250. For example, the input device may include a microphone, keyboard, or mouse, and the output device may include a display or speaker. In another example, the input / output interface 240 may be a means for interface with a device that integrates input and output functions into one, such as a touchscreen. The input / output device 250 may consist of the computer device 200 and one other device.

[0037] In other embodiments, the computer device 200 may include fewer or more components than those shown in Figure 2. However, it is not necessary to explicitly show most of the conventional components in the figure. For example, the computer device 200 may be implemented to include at least some of the input / output devices 250 described above, and may further include other components such as transceivers and databases.

[0038] The following describes specific embodiments of a method and apparatus that provide search functions with different ranges through a multi-tab structure.

[0039] In this specification, "social platform" may mean not only social networking services, but also service platforms that provide various services that utilize resources such as user profile information and friendship relationships within social networking services.

[0040] In the following embodiments, a messenger will be used as an example of a social platform.

[0041] Generally, messengers have a function to search for information within the messenger, and can provide search results corresponding to search terms for friends, chat rooms, messages, official accounts (OAs), stamps, themes, services, and more.

[0042] Traditional search functions employ a system where, after performing a search, users can adjust the search scope using tabs, filters, and other methods to explore the search results.

[0043] Traditional in-messenger search functions provide only unchanging features for each user, without considering the user's search patterns. They offer related content, recommended content, or search results screen content that is unrelated to the search scope, all within the same UI.

[0044] In this embodiment, the search function within the messenger provides a search environment that allows the user to specify the search range before performing a search, divides the search range using tabs, and provides an interface optimized for the search range of each tab.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the search function within the messenger can provide a tab with a more appropriate search range as the default, based on the user's search pattern or keywords entered by the user.

[0046] The computer device 200 according to this embodiment may provide messenger services to a client through a dedicated application installed on the client or by connecting to a web / mobile site associated with the computer device 200. The computer device 200 may be configured with a multi-tab search provider implemented on the computer. For example, the multi-tab search provider may be implemented as an independently operating program, or it may be configured as an in-app implementation for a specific application and implemented to be operable on that specific application.

[0047] The processor 220 of the computer device 200 may be implemented by components for performing the following multi-tab search provision method. Depending on the embodiment, the components of the processor 220 may be selectively included in or excluded from the processor 220. Also, depending on the embodiment, the components of the processor 220 may be separated or merged in order to realize the functions of the processor 220.

[0048] Such a processor 220 and its components may control the computer device 200 to perform steps included in the following multi-tab search provision method. For example, the processor 220 and its components may be implemented to execute instructions from the operating system code contained in the memory 210 and the code of at least one program.

[0049] Here, the components of the processor 220 may be representations of different functions that are executed by the processor 220 in accordance with instructions provided by the program code recorded in the computer device 200.

[0050] The processor 220 may read necessary instructions from the memory 210, which is loaded with instructions related to the control of the computer device 200. In this case, the instructions read may include instructions for controlling the processor 220 to perform the steps described below.

[0051] The steps included in the multi-tab search method described below may be performed in a different order than shown in the diagram, some steps may be omitted, or additional steps may be included.

[0052] The steps included in the multi-tab search provision method may be performed on the client side, and depending on the embodiment, some of the steps may be performed on the server 150 side.

[0053] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a method that can be performed by a computer device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Referring to Figure 3, in step 310, the processor 220 may receive a user selection regarding the search function. The processor 220 may receive a user selection regarding the search function from the home screen of the messenger platform (hereinafter referred to as the "service home screen"). The service home screen may include a list of various services available within the platform, a messenger friend list, etc., and depending on the embodiment, it may display related content such as news on the web or recommended content such as popular content on a video platform. In this embodiment, the service home screen may include an interface for accessing the search service (hereinafter referred to as the "search interface"), and the processor 220 may receive the user's selection input through the search interface on the service home screen.

[0055] In step 320, the processor 220 may provide a search screen consisting of a multi-tab structure in accordance with the user selection input in the search interface on the service home screen. When the search interface is selected on the service home screen, the search screen is provided as the search function execution screen, and in this case, the search screen may consist of two or more tabs with different search ranges. In other words, the search function in the present invention may be provided in a tab structure of two or more tabs on a single screen, and in this case, each tab may be divided by a pre-specified range in which the search is performed. As an example, when the search interface is selected on the service home screen, the processor 220 may provide a search screen consisting of a web search tab for searching information on the web and a messenger search tab for searching information within the messenger (e.g., friends, chat rooms, messages, official accounts, stamps, etc.). In this case, when the user accesses the search screen, the processor 220 may activate the default tab of the web search tab and messenger search tab, and display the other tab in a dimmed state. The default tab may be set by the service provider or by the user through the user's settings menu. Depending on the embodiment, it may also be possible to provide the user with a tab with a more appropriate search range as the default tab based on the user's search patterns and recent search history. After this, the processor 220 may activate the tab selected by the user from among two or more tabs on the search screen, and deactivate (dim) the other tabs. Therefore, in this embodiment, the search range is divided by tabs, and the search range for the search can be specified in advance from the tabs before the search is performed.

[0056] In step 330, if a search term is entered from an activated tab among the multi-tabs, the processor 220 may perform a search within the search range specified for that tab. When a user enters a search term in a tab that has been activated by default or user selection on the search screen, the processor 220 may perform a search targeting the search range of that tab and provide search results corresponding to the search term. When providing search results by dividing the search range by tabs, the processor 220 may also provide additional information such as interactions corresponding to the search range of each tab, related content, and recommended content in an optimized UI for search results.

[0057] Figure 4 shows an example of the service home screen in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] Referring to Figure 4, the service home screen 400 may provide a portal feed 420 as an example of recommended content, consisting of content from the service provided on the messenger platform, or web content that can be linked with the messenger platform.

[0059] In this embodiment, the service home screen 400 may include a search interface 410 for accessing the search service. The search interface 410 may be configured with an interface capable of supporting search functions that utilize not only text-based keywords but also images, audio, QR codes (registered trademark), etc.

[0060] The processor 220 may display popular search terms 411 based on web search rankings in the search interface 410 when a user accesses the service home screen 400. Popular search terms 411, such as search terms used in web searches that have seen a surge in real-time searches or search terms that have a search frequency of a certain percentage or more over a certain period, may be displayed sequentially in an automatically rolling ranking format through the search interface 410.

[0061] Figures 5 and 6 show an example of a multi-tab search screen in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] Referring to Figure 5, the processor 220 may transition to a search screen 500, which is configured with a multi-tab structure, in accordance with the user selection input in the search interface 410 of the service home screen 400.

[0063] The search interface 410 may include a search button 412 for transitioning to the search screen 500.

[0064] The processor 220 may provide a search screen 500 if the search button 412 is selected in the search interface 410, or if an empty space 413 other than the area where the popular search terms 411 are displayed is selected in the search interface 410.

[0065] For example, the search screen 500 may consist of a web search tab 510 for searching for information on the web with the web as the search scope, and a messenger search tab 520 for searching for information within the messenger with the messenger as the search scope.

[0066] When a user accesses the search screen 500, the processor 220 may activate the default tab of the web search tab 510 and the messenger search tab 520, and display the other tab in a modified state.

[0067] For example, the default tab may be set as a fixed environment by the service provider. For instance, if the service provider sets the web search tab 510 as the default tab among the web search tab 510 and the messenger search tab 520, then when a user accesses the search screen 500, the web search tab 510 may be displayed in an active state, and the messenger search tab 520 may be treated as dim.

[0068] As another example, the default tab may be selectively set by the user from the user settings menu. For example, if the user sets the messenger search tab 520 as the default tab from the web search tab 510 and the messenger search tab 520, the messenger search tab 520 may be displayed as active when transitioning to the search screen 500, and the web search tab 510 may be treated as dim.

[0069] As another example, the processor 220 may, based on the user's history in the web search tab 510 and the messenger search tab 520, activate and display the tab that the user has used more frequently, or the tab that the user has used most recently, as the default tab when the user accesses the search screen 500, and may process the other tabs as dim.

[0070] After this, as shown in Figure 6, the user may specify the search range by selecting one of the web search tab 510 or the messenger search tab 520 on the search screen 500. If the web search tab 510 is selected, the search range may be set to "web," and if the messenger search tab 520 is selected, the search range may be set to "messenger."

[0071] The processor 220 may automatically switch between the web search tab 510 and the messenger search tab 520 on the search screen 500 so that the tab selected by the user is activated, and the other tabs are deactivated (dimended).

[0072] Therefore, in this embodiment, the search range is divided by tabs, and the search range for the search can be specified from the tabs before performing the search.

[0073] Figures 7-9 show examples of a web search environment in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] Referring to Figure 7, the web search tab 510 within the search screen 500 may include a search window 511 for entering search terms. In this case, before a search term is entered into the search window 511, the web search tab 510 may display the user's web search history, i.e., a list 512 of the most recently entered search terms by the user.

[0075] In the case of a web search tab 510, when typing begins to enter a search term into the search window 511, the processor 220 may provide an auto-completion result 513 corresponding to the keyword being typed. The auto-completion result 513 may include a list of keywords that have been automatically completed by predicting the rest of the word entered by the user.

[0076] Referring to Figure 8, when a user enters a search term into the search window 511 of the web search tab 510 and then clicks the search button 501, the processor 220 may launch an in-web browser pre-configured as the web search scope and provide web search results corresponding to the search term through the web browser screen 800.

[0077] The processor 220 may launch an in-web browser and provide web search results corresponding to the auto-completed keyword via the web browser screen 800 when the user selects a specific keyword from the auto-completed results 513 of the web search tab 510.

[0078] In addition to providing a web search environment through the web search tab 510 on the search screen 500, it is also possible to transition directly from the service home screen 400 to the web browser screen 800, as shown in Figure 9. For example, if a user selects a popular search term 411 displayed on the search interface 410 of the service home screen 400, the in-web browser may be launched, and web search results corresponding to the popular search term 411 may be provided through the web browser screen 800.

[0079] Figure 10 shows an example of a messenger search environment in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] Referring to Figure 10, the messenger search tab 520 on the search screen 500 may include a search window 521 for entering search terms. In this case, before a search term is entered into the search window 521, the messenger search tab 520 may display the user's messenger search history, i.e., a list 522 of the most recently entered search terms by the user.

[0081] The Messenger Search tab 520 may further include a category list 523 for specifying categories as the detailed search scope, in order to classify and search information within Messenger by category (e.g., stamps, official accounts, themes, services, etc.).

[0082] In the case of the messenger search tab 520, the processor 220 provides real-time search results in accordance with the input of a search term, and may provide the messenger search results 524 corresponding to the search term to the messenger search tab 520 from the moment the user starts inputting a search term into the search window 521 of the messenger search tab 520.

[0083] Messenger search results 524 may include friends, chat rooms, messages, official accounts (OAs), stamps, themes, services, etc., that contain keywords corresponding to the search term.

[0084] The processor 220 may provide a search experience that limits the messenger search scope by the selected category when the user selects a specific category from the category list 523 of the messenger search tab 520.

[0085] The processor 220 may reset the search input if the user switches to the messenger search tab 520 while entering a search term in the web search tab 510, or switches back to the web search tab 510 while entering a search term in the messenger search tab 520.

[0086] Depending on the embodiment, if a tab is switched while a search term is being entered, it is possible to automatically input the previously entered search term into the switched tab, thereby maintaining the input of the search term.

[0087] Furthermore, the processor 220 may recommend switching tabs (search scopes) based on the search terms entered by the user. The processor 220 may guide the user to switch to the messenger search tab 520 based on the search terms entered in the search window 511 of the web search tab 510, or guide the user to switch to the web search tab 510 based on the search terms entered in the search window 521 of the messenger search tab 520. For example, if the search terms entered in the search window 511 of the web search tab 510 are search terms that exist in the past messenger search history, the processor 220 may prompt the user to confirm that the current search scope is set to the web and guide them to change the search scope to messenger before providing the search results. Similarly, if the search terms entered in the search window 511 of the messenger search tab 520 are search terms that exist in the past web search history, the processor 220 may prompt the user to confirm the current search scope and guide them to change the search scope to the web.

[0088] Thus, according to the embodiments of the present invention, by providing a search function within a messenger platform that consists of a multi-tab structure in which the search ranges differ from one another on a single screen, the accessibility of the search service within the messenger can be expanded.

[0089] Furthermore, according to embodiments of the present invention, by dividing the search range into tabs and specifying the search range through the tabs before performing the search, a search environment specific to the search range of each tab can be provided.

[0090] The above-described apparatus may be implemented by hardware components, software components, and / or combinations of hardware and software components. For example, the apparatus and components described in the embodiments may be implemented using one or more general-purpose or special-purpose computers, such as processors, controllers, ALUs (arithmetic logic units), digital signal processors, microcomputers, FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), PLUs (programmable logic units), microprocessors, or various devices capable of executing and responding to instructions. The processing unit may execute an operating system (OS) and one or more software applications running on the OS. The processing unit may also respond to software execution, access data, record, manipulate, process, and generate data. For convenience of understanding, it may be described as if a single processing unit is used, but those skilled in the art will understand that the processing unit may include multiple processing elements and / or multiple types of processing elements. For example, the processing unit may include multiple processors or one processor and one controller. Other processing configurations, such as a parallel processor, are also possible.

[0091] Software may include computer programs, code, instructions, or a combination of one or more of these, and may configure a processing unit to operate as desired, or to instruct the processing unit independently or collectively. Software and / or data may be embodied in any kind of machine, component, physical device, computer recording medium, or device in order to be interpreted based on the processing unit or to provide instructions or data to the processing unit. Software may be distributed across a networked computer system, and may be recorded or executed in a distributed manner. Software and data may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media.

[0092] The method according to the embodiment may be implemented in the form of program instructions executable by various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable medium. In this case, the medium may continuously record computer-executable programs or may temporarily record them for execution or download. Furthermore, the medium may be various recording or storage means in the form of a combination of one or more hardware components, and may be a medium directly connected to a computer system or distributed on 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 configured to record program instructions such as ROM, RAM, and flash memory. Other examples of media include recording media and storage media managed by app stores that distribute applications, and sites and servers that supply and distribute various other software.

[0093] As described above, embodiments have been explained based on limited embodiments and drawings, but those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications and variations from the above description. For example, the described technique may be performed in a different order than described, and / or the components of the described system, structure, apparatus, circuit, etc. may be combined or assembled in a different manner than described, or opposed or replaced by other components or equivalents, and still achieve suitable results.

[0094] Therefore, even if the embodiment is different, it falls within the scope of the attached claims if it is equivalent to the claims.

[0095] This application claims priority based on Patent Application No. 10-2024-0156082, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on November 6, 2024, and the entire contents of said Patent Application No. 10-2024-0156082 are incorporated into this application by reference. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0096] 110, 120, 130, 140: Electronic equipment 150, 160: Server 170: Network

Claims

1. A method for providing multi-tab search for a computer device including at least one processor, The steps include: when a selection related to the search function is entered from the messenger's home screen by the aforementioned at least one processor, providing a search screen configured with a multi-tab structure in which the search ranges differ from each other; The steps include: when a search term is entered from the activation tab among the multitabs by the at least one processor, providing search results within the search range specified in the activation tab; A method for providing multi-tab search, including the above.

2. The messenger's home screen includes a search interface that allows access to the search service. The step of providing the aforementioned search screen is: The multi-tab search provision method according to claim 1, characterized in that the search screen is provided when the search interface is selected from the home screen of the messenger.

3. The step of providing the aforementioned search screen is: The multi-tab search method according to claim 1, characterized by providing a search screen comprising a web search tab for searching information on the web and a messenger search tab for searching information within a messenger.

4. The step of providing the aforementioned search screen is: A method for providing a multi-tab search according to claim 1, comprising the step of activating one default tab among the multi-tabs and displaying the other tabs in a dimmer state when a user accesses the search screen.

5. The multi-tab search method according to claim 4, characterized in that the default tab is set by the service operator or set by the user from the user's settings menu.

6. The multi-tab search method according to claim 4, characterized in that the default tab is determined based on the user's search pattern or recent search history.

7. The step of providing the aforementioned search results is: A multi-tab search method according to claim 1, comprising the step of recommending switching to another tab based on the search term before providing the search results.

8. The step of providing the aforementioned search results is: A multi-tab search method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of initializing the input of the search term if the activated tab switches to another tab while the search term is being entered.

9. The step of providing the aforementioned search results is: The multi-tab search method according to claim 1, characterized by providing additional information including at least one of interactions, related content, and recommended content corresponding to the search range of the activated tab, as well as search results.

10. The step of providing the aforementioned search results is: The multi-tab search provision method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a list of recent search terms based on the user's web search history before the search term is entered, when the web search tab for searching information on the web among the multi-tabs is activated.

11. The step of providing the aforementioned search results is: The multi-tab search method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing an auto-completion result following the input of a search term when the web search tab for searching for information on the web among the multi-tabs is activated.

12. The step of providing the aforementioned search results is: The multi-tab search provision method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a list of recent search terms based on the user's messenger search history before the search term is entered, when the messenger search tab for searching information within the messenger is activated among the multi-tabs.

13. A program for causing the computer device to execute the multi-tab search provision method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A computer device comprising at least one processor configured to execute instructions readable by the computer device, The aforementioned at least one processor is When a selection related to the search function is entered from the messenger's home screen, the process provides a search screen consisting of a multi-tab structure with different search ranges, When a search term is entered from the activation tab among the aforementioned multi-tabs, the process provides search results within the search range specified in the activation tab, A computer device that processes data.

15. The aforementioned at least one processor is The computer device according to claim 14, characterized in that it provides a search screen comprising a web search tab for searching for information on the web and a messenger search tab for searching for information within a messenger.

16. The aforementioned at least one processor is The computer device according to claim 14, characterized in that when a user accesses the search screen, one of the multi-tabs is activated as a default, and the other tabs are displayed in a dimmer state.

17. The computer device according to claim 16, characterized in that the default tab is set by the service operator or by the user through the user's settings menu.

18. The computer device according to claim 16, characterized in that the default tab is determined based on the user's search pattern or recent search history.

19. The aforementioned at least one processor is The computer device according to claim 14, characterized in that it recommends switching to another tab based on the search term before providing the search results.

20. The aforementioned at least one processor is The computer device according to claim 14, characterized in that if the activation tab is switched to another tab while the search term is being entered, the input of the search term is initialized.

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