Method and system for displaying chat rooms in instant messaging applications

Abstract

This disclosure provides a method for displaying a chat room in an instant messaging application, which is executed by at least one processor. [Solution] The chat room method may include the steps of: receiving user input from a user requesting a display switch for a 2D space chat room; displaying the 2D space chat room in 3D space on the user terminal's display according to the user input; and displaying the content associated with the chat room and the avatar associated with the user in 3D space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method and system for displaying chat rooms in an instant messaging application. Specifically, it relates to a method and system for switching a two-dimensional space chat room to a three-dimensional space in an instant messaging application and displaying content associated with the chat room and an avatar associated with a user in the three-dimensional space.

Background Art

[0002] An instant messaging application refers to an application that can exchange messages in real time via the Internet. Instant messaging applications were started when the Internet became popular. Initially, text-based relay chat was typical, but applications that include the function of being able to send and receive multimedia content such as Facebook Messenger, WeChat, and Telegram have emerged.

[0003] A chat room is a chat space in an instant messaging application where one or more users can participate simultaneously and exchange messages in real time. In existing applications, a list of chat rooms is arranged, and a user can select and participate in a chat room from the list. Information transmitted and received in a chat room is simply arranged in chronological order. A general method for displaying information in the chat room is to mix all information in the chat room, such as user information and the overall conversation content, and arrange them in a simple chronological order. Therefore, readability decreases, and when the number of users participating in the chat room increases, it becomes difficult to grasp the flow of the conversation. Therefore, design trends in recent chat room display methods focus on the user experience and readability, such as aligning conversations through search keywords or separating and displaying conversation content and user information. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Korean Published Patent No. 10-2001-0061051 (Publication Date: July 7, 2001) [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] This disclosure provides a method and system for displaying chat rooms in an instant messaging application to solve the problems described above. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This disclosure can be implemented in various ways, including by methods, apparatus (systems), or computer programs stored on a readable storage medium.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for displaying a chat room in an instant messaging application may include the steps of: receiving user input from a user requesting a switch in the display of a two-dimensional space chat room; displaying the two-dimensional space chat room in three-dimensional space on the display of the user terminal in accordance with the user input; and displaying the content associated with the chat room and the avatar associated with the user in three-dimensional space.

[0008] A computer-readable program may be provided that includes instructions for causing a computer to perform a method according to one embodiment of this disclosure.

[0009] A user terminal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a communication module, memory, a display, and at least one processor connected to the memory and configured to execute at least one computer-readable program contained in the memory, the at least one program which may include instructions for receiving user input from a user requesting a display switch of a two-dimensional space chat room, and, in accordance with the user input, displaying the two-dimensional space chat room in three-dimensional space on the user terminal's display, and displaying the content associated with the chat room and the avatar associated with the user in three-dimensional space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to various embodiments of this disclosure, the content and topics of conversations sent and received by users in a chat room can be easily understood.

[0011] According to various embodiments of this disclosure, content can be presented in a more readable manner rather than simply being arranged chronologically according to the flow of time in the chat room, thereby reducing fatigue and increasing enjoyment when users visit the chat room.

[0012] According to various embodiments of this disclosure, a large amount of content can be rapidly analyzed, and the core keywords or core topics of a chat room can be easily identified.

[0013] According to various embodiments of this disclosure, the content and topics of a chat room can be easily grasped by displaying in three dimensions a chat room information presentation method that is arranged in a simple two-dimensional time series.

[0014] According to various embodiments of this disclosure, it is possible to easily access topics of interest within a chat room by moving an avatar in a three-dimensional space.

[0015] According to various embodiments of this disclosure, movement between chat rooms can be easily facilitated through the movement of avatars.

[0016] The effects of this disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned above can be clearly understood by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "persons skilled in the art") from the description of the claims. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, where similar reference numerals indicate similar elements, but are not limited thereto.

[0018] [Figure 1] An example of a method for displaying a chat room in an instant messaging application according to one embodiment of this disclosure is shown. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing a configuration in which an information processing system is connected to multiple user terminals in a communicative manner for displaying a chat room in an instant messaging application according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a user terminal and information processing system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a method for displaying content in different positions on the same surface according to a score, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a method for displaying content keywords in a two-dimensional space chat room according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a method for determining the placement and size of keywords based on the content score, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a content display method determined by the distance to the avatar in one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of how the displayed content changes depending on the distance from the avatar in one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] A diagram showing an example of changes in video content according to the distance from an avatar in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] A diagram showing an example of displaying an avatar associated with an external user in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] A diagram showing an example of moving to a three-dimensional space of another chat room in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] A diagram showing an example of an avatar display method determined based on the activity frequency of a user in an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] A flowchart showing an example of method 1300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the three-dimensional space can be displayed as a space having at least three planes that are perpendicular to each other.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of displaying on the three-dimensional space may include the step of displaying the content associated with the two-dimensional space chat room on different planes based on categories or topics.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of displaying on the three-dimensional space may include the step of displaying the content included in the text category on the first plane and the content included in the image category on the second plane.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the step of displaying on the three-dimensional space may include the step of displaying the content associated with the two-dimensional space chat room at different positions on the same plane or at different positions in the three-dimensional space based on a score.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the content with the highest score among the content associated with the two-dimensional space chat room can be positioned in the center of the surface.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, if the user is the administrator of the chat room, the conditions for the score may be set by the user.

[0025] A method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may further include the steps of receiving user input from a user requesting a display switch of the three-dimensional space, and displaying the three-dimensional space in the chat room of the two-dimensional space on the display of the user terminal in accordance with the user input.

[0026] A method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may further include the step of displaying keywords of content associated with the two-dimensional space chat room in the two-dimensional space chat room.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the placement and size of the above keywords may be determined based on the score of the above content.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the avatar associated with the user can move in the three-dimensional space in accordance with user input.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the avatar associated with the user can move to the three-dimensional space of another chat room.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method of displaying the above content may be determined based on the distance to the avatar associated with the above user.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the display method may include at least one of the following: changing the size of the content, changing the color, or highlighting the content.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the display method may include at least one of the following: displaying additional information or displaying related content.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the display method may include video playback in the case of content included in the video category.

[0034] A method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may further include the step of displaying an avatar associated with the user's conversation partner in the three-dimensional space.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method of displaying the avatar may be determined based on the frequency of the user's activity in the chat room.

[0036] <Detailed description of the invention> The following sections will provide a detailed explanation of the specific details for implementing this disclosure, with reference to the attached drawings. However, in the following explanation, if there is a risk of unnecessarily obscuring the essence of this disclosure, specific descriptions of widely known functions and configurations may be omitted.

[0037] In the attached drawings, identical or corresponding components are assigned the same reference numerals. Furthermore, in the following descriptions of embodiments, the description of identical or corresponding components may be omitted. However, the omission of a description of a component does not mean that the component is not included in any embodiment.

[0038] The advantages and features of the disclosed embodiments, and how to achieve them, will become clear with reference to the embodiments described below, along with the accompanying drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and can be realized in a variety of different forms, and these embodiments are provided merely to complete the disclosure and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention.

[0039] This specification will briefly explain the terms used herein and provide specific descriptions of the disclosed embodiments. The terms used herein have been selected as widely used and general terms as possible, taking into account the function described herein, although this may vary depending on the intent of the articulates in the relevant field, case law, the emergence of new technologies, etc. In some cases, the applicant has arbitrarily selected terms, in which case their meaning will be described in detail in the description of the relevant invention. Therefore, the terms used in this disclosure should not be simply nouns, but should be defined based on the meaning of the term and the overall context of this disclosure.

[0040] In this specification, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context explicitly identifies them as singular. Conversely, plural expressions include singular expressions unless the context explicitly identifies them as plural. Where any part of the specification is described as containing any component, this does not exclude other components, unless otherwise stated.

[0041] Furthermore, as used in this specification, the terms “module” or “part” refer to a component of software or hardware, and that the “module” or “part” performs some role. However, the meaning of “module” or “part” is not limited to software or hardware. A “module” or “part” may be configured to reside in an addressable storage medium, or to operate one or more processors. Thus, as an example, a “module” or “part” may include components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, and at least one of the following: processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, or variables. The above components and the functions provided within a “module” or “part” may be combined with a smaller number of components and “module” or “part,” or further separated into additional components and “module” or “part.”

[0042] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a “module” or “part” may be implemented with a processor and memory. “Processor” should be broadly interpreted to include general-purpose processors, central processing units (CPUs), microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), controllers, microcontrollers, state machines, and the like. In some environments, “processor” may also refer to application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like. “Processor” may also refer to combinations of processing devices such as, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a combination of multiple microprocessors, a combination of one or more microprocessors coupled with a DSP core, or any other combination of such configurations. “Memory” should also be broadly interpreted to include any electronic component capable of storing electronic information. "Memory" can also refer to various types of processor-readable media, 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, magnetic or optical data storage devices, and registers. When a processor can read information from and / or record information into memory, the memory is said to be in electronic communication with the processor. Memory integrated into a processor is in electronic communication with the processor.

[0043] In this disclosure, “System” may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the server devices and the cloud device. For example, the system may consist of one or more server devices. As another example, the system may consist of one or more cloud devices. As yet another example, the system may operate with the server devices and the cloud device configured together.

[0044] In this disclosure, “Display” can refer to any display device associated with a computing device, but can also refer to any display device capable of displaying any information / data controlled by or provided by a computing device.

[0045] In this disclosure, “each of the A” or “each of the A” may refer to each of all the components included in the A, or to each of some of the components included in the A.

[0046] In this disclosure, “User” can refer to a user who uses an instant messaging application or a user account of the said instant messaging application, or to a specific user who is participating in a chat room. Here, the said user account can refer to an account that the user creates and uses in the said instant messaging application or data associated therewith.

[0047] In this disclosure, “chat room” may refer to a virtual space or group that can be created by an instant messaging application installed on a computing device, in which one or more users (or user accounts) can participate. For example, one or more user accounts may participate in or be included in the chat room and send and receive messages, files, etc., in various forms to each other. In addition, voice and / or video calls between the user accounts may be made in the chat room with support for VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) calling or VoIP group calling functionality.

[0048] In this disclosure, "2D space chat room" can mean a chat room having an interface in which at least a portion of the content of conversations between users of an instant messaging application is simply arranged in chronological order in a 2D space.

[0049] In this disclosure, “3D space chat room” can mean a chat room having an interface in which at least a portion of the content of conversations between users of an instant messaging application is displayed in a 3D space according to a score or importance.

[0050] Figure 1 shows an example of how a chat room is displayed in an instant messaging application according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, a user can use the instant messaging service in a two-dimensional space chat room 120 through the instant messaging application on a user terminal 110. The user can also switch the two-dimensional space chat room 120 to a three-dimensional space 130 display by inputting a display switching signal. For example, a user can switch the two-dimensional space chat room 120 to the three-dimensional space 130 by clicking a display switching button 128 on the display.

[0051] In one embodiment, a user can send and receive content in the two-dimensional space chat room 120. The content can be text content (or content included in the text category) or image content (or content included in the image category). Here, the image content or content included in the image category can include dynamic images or videos. For example, a user can send text content 124 to the chat room by typing text into the input window located at the bottom of the chat room and clicking the send button. Alternatively, the user can click the attach button located at the bottom of the chat room, attach an image file (e.g., a photo or video) already stored in the user terminal or processor, and then click the send button to send image content 126 to the chat room.

[0052] In one embodiment, a user profile 122 associated with the user may be displayed in the two-dimensional space chat room 120. For example, the user profile 122 may include a profile picture set by the user, the user's name, or the user's current activity status.

[0053] In one embodiment, an avatar 132 associated with the user may be displayed in the three-dimensional space 130. Here, the avatar 132 may be displayed in the three-dimensional space 130 based on the information of the user profile 122. For example, the avatar 132 may include a profile picture set by the user, the user's name, or a display associated with the user's current activity status.

[0054] In one embodiment, an avatar associated with the user's conversation partner can be additionally displayed in the three-dimensional space within the chat room.

[0055] In one embodiment, the three-dimensional space 130 can be displayed on the user terminal's display as a space having at least three planes that are perpendicular to each other. The avatar 132 can also move in the three-dimensional space according to user input. For example, there may be one plane at the bottom, and two additional planes, a first plane and a second plane perpendicular to it, can be displayed.

[0056] In one embodiment, the avatar 132 can move in the three-dimensional space 130 according to user input. Here, the movement of the avatar 132 is not limited to movement on a single plane, but can correspond to movement in three dimensions to any point in the three-dimensional space. For example, the user can move the avatar 132 in two dimensions by touching the position on the display where they want to position the avatar 132 on the plane. Another example is that there are separate directional key buttons on the display, and the user can move the avatar 132 to any point in the three-dimensional space using these directional key buttons.

[0057] In one embodiment, content associated with the two-dimensional space chat room may be displayed on different faces of the three-dimensional space according to category. For example, text content 134 may be displayed on the first face 133, and image content 136 may be displayed on the second face 135. Specifically, only text content 124 from the content shared in the two-dimensional space chat room 120 may be displayed on the first face 133, and only image content 126 from the content shared in the two-dimensional space chat room 120 may be displayed on the second face 135.

[0058] In one embodiment, the system may further include the step of receiving a signal input from the user requesting a display switch in the three-dimensional space, and switching the display from the three-dimensional space to the two-dimensional space chat room. For example, the user can switch from the three-dimensional space chat room 130 to the two-dimensional space chat room 120 by clicking a display switch button 138 on the display.

[0059] Through this configuration, by displaying the information provided in a chat room—which is otherwise simply arranged in a two-dimensional timeline—in three dimensions, users can easily grasp the content and topics of the chat room. Rather than simply arranging the content in the chat room in chronological order, it is provided in a more readable manner, reducing fatigue and increasing enjoyment for users when they visit the chat room and trying to understand its content.

[0060] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration in which an information processing system 230 is communicatively connected to a plurality of user terminals 210_1, 210_2, and 210_3 in order to display a chat room in an instant messaging application according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, the plurality of user terminals 210_1, 210_2, and 210_3 can be connected to an information processing system 230 that can provide instant messaging services via a network 220. Here, the plurality of user terminals 210_1, 210_2, and 210_3 may include terminals of users who receive the instant messaging service.

[0061] In one embodiment, the information processing system 230 may include one or more server devices and / or databases capable of storing, providing, and executing computer-executable programs (e.g., downloadable applications) and data associated with providing instant messaging services, or one or more distributed computing devices and / or distributed databases based on cloud computing services.

[0062] The instant messaging service provided by the information processing system 230 may be provided to users through an instant messaging service application, a web browser, or a web browser extension program installed on each of the user terminals 210_1, 210_2, and 210_3. For example, the information processing system 230 can provide information or perform corresponding processing to respond to chat room switching requests received from user terminals 210_1, 210_2, and 210_3 through an instant messaging service application or the like.

[0063] Multiple user terminals 2101, 2102, and 2103 can communicate with the information processing system 230 via the network 220. The network 220 may be configured to enable communication between the multiple user terminals 2101, 2102, and 2103 and the information processing system 230. Depending on the installation environment, the network 220 may consist of wired networks such as Ethernet, PowerLine Communication, telephone line communication equipment, and RS-serial communication, as well as wireless networks such as mobile communication networks, WLAN (WirelessLAN), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and ZigBee, or a combination thereof. The communication method is not limited and may include not only communication methods that utilize the communication network that the network 220 can include (for example, mobile communication networks, wired internet, wireless internet, broadcasting networks, satellite networks, etc.), but also short-range wireless communication between user terminals 2101, 2102, and 2103.

[0064] In Figure 2, a mobile phone terminal 210_1, a tablet terminal 210_2, and a PC terminal 210_3 are shown as examples of user terminals, but the user terminals 210_1, 210_2, and 210_3 can be any computing device capable of wired and / or wireless communication, on which instant messaging service applications or web browsers can be installed and run. For example, user terminals can include AI speakers, smartphones, mobile phones, navigation systems, computers, laptops, digital broadcasting terminals, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), PMPs (Portable Multimedia Players), tablet PCs, game consoles, wearable devices, IoT (Internet of Things) devices, VR (virtual reality) devices, AR (augmented reality) devices, set-top boxes, and the like. Furthermore, although Figure 2 illustrates that three user terminals 2101, 2102, and 2103 communicate with the information processing system 230 via the network 220, the system is not limited to this configuration, and a different number of user terminals may be configured to communicate with the information processing system 230 via the network 220.

[0065] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a user terminal 210 and an information processing system 230 in one embodiment of the present disclosure. The user terminal 210 can refer to any computing device capable of running applications, web browsers, etc., and capable of wired / wireless communication, and can include, for example, the mobile phone terminal 210_1, tablet terminal 210_2, and PC terminal 210_3 in Figure 2. As shown, the user terminal 210 can include a memory 312, a processor 314, a communication module 316, and an input / output interface 318. Similarly, the information processing system 230 can include a memory 332, a processor 334, a communication module 336, and an input / output interface 338. As shown in Figure 3, the user terminal 210 and the information processing system 230 can be configured to communicate information and / or data over a network 220 using their respective communication modules 316, 336. Furthermore, the input / output device 320 may be configured to input information and / or data to the user terminal 210 or output information and / or data generated from the user terminal 210 via the input / output interface 318.

[0066] The memories 312 and 332 may include any non-temporary computer-readable recording medium. According to one embodiment, the memories 312 and 332 may include a permanent mass storage device, such as a ROM (readonly memory), disk drive, SSD (solid-state drive), or flash memory. As another example, a permanent mass storage device, such as a ROM, SSD, flash memory, or disk drive, may be included in the user terminal 210 or information processing system 230 as a separate persistent storage device distinct from the above-mentioned memories. Furthermore, the memories 312 and 332 may store an operating system and at least one program code.

[0067] Such software components may be loaded from a computer-readable recording medium separate from memories 312 and 332. Such a separate computer-readable recording medium may include recording media directly connected to such user terminals 210 and information processing systems 230, but may also include computer-readable recording media such as floppy disks, disks, tapes, DVD / CD-ROM drives, and memory cards. As another example, the above software components may be loaded into memories 312 and 332 via communication modules 316 and 336, which are not computer-readable recording media. For example, at least one program may be loaded into memories 312 and 332 based on a computer program installed by a file provided through a network 220 by a developer or a file distribution system that distributes application installation files.

[0068] Processors 314, 334 may be configured to process instructions of the computer program by performing basic arithmetic, logic, and input / output operations. Instructions may be provided to processors 314, 334 by memory 312, 332 or by communication modules 316, 336. For example, processors 314, 334 may be configured to execute instructions received according to program code stored in the same recording device as memory 312, 332.

[0069] Communication modules 316 and 336 can provide configurations or functions for the user terminal 210 and the information processing system 230 to communicate with each other via the network 220, and can also provide configurations or functions for the user terminal 210 and / or the information processing system 230 to communicate with other user terminals or other systems (for example, a separate cloud system). For example, requests or data (e.g., chat room switching requests) generated by the processor 314 of the user terminal 210 according to program code stored in a recording device such as memory 312 can be transmitted to the information processing system 230 via the network 220 under the control of the communication module 316. Conversely, control signals and commands provided under the control of the processor 334 of the information processing system 230 can be received by the user terminal 210 via the communication module 336 and the network 220 through the communication module 316 of the user terminal 210.

[0070] The input / output interface 318 can be a means for interfacing with the input / output device 320. For example, the input device may include a camera with audio and / or image sensors, a keyboard, a microphone, a mouse, and so on, and the output device may include a display, a speaker, a haptic feedback device, and so on. In another example, the input / output interface 318 can be a means for interfacing with a device that integrates the same configuration or functions for performing input and output as a touchscreen. For example, a service screen, which is configured using information and / or data provided by the information processing system 230 or other user terminals when the processor 314 of the user terminal 210 processes instructions for a computer program loaded into memory 312, may be displayed on the display via the input / output interface 318. In Figure 3, the input / output device 320 is shown not to be included in the user terminal 210, but is not limited to this, and may consist of the user terminal 210 and a single device. Furthermore, the input / output interface 338 of the information processing system 230 can be means for interface with input or output devices (not shown) that are connected to or may be included in the information processing system 230. In Figure 3, the input / output interfaces 318 and 338 are shown as elements configured separately from the processors 314 and 334, but are not limited to this, and the input / output interfaces 318 and 338 may be configured to be included in the processors 314 and 334.

[0071] The user terminal 210 and the information processing system 230 may include more components than those shown in Figure 3. However, it is not necessary to clearly illustrate most conventional technical components. In one embodiment, the user terminal 210 may be implemented to include at least some of the input / output devices 320 described above. The user terminal 210 may also include other components such as a transceiver, a GPS (Global Positioning System) module, a camera, various sensors, and a database. For example, if the user terminal 210 is a smartphone, it may include components that are generally found in smartphones, and various components such as an accelerometer, gyroscope, microphone module, camera module, various physical buttons, touch panel buttons, input / output ports, and vibrators for vibration may be further included in the user terminal 210.

[0072] While a program for an instant messaging service application is running, the processor 314 can receive text, images, videos, audio and / or actions, etc., input or selected through input devices such as a touchscreen, keyboard, audio sensor and / or image sensor, camera, microphone, etc., connected to the input / output interface 318, and can store the received text, images, videos, audio and / or actions, etc., in memory 312 or provide them to the information processing system 230 via the communication module 316 and network 220.

[0073] The processor 314 of the user terminal 210 may be configured to manage, process, and / or store information and / or data received from the input / output device 320, other user terminals, the information processing system 230, and / or the aforementioned multiple external systems. The information and / or data processed by the processor 314 may be provided to the information processing system 230 through the communication module 316 and the network 220. The processor 314 of the user terminal 210 can transmit and output information and / or data to the input / output device 320 through the input / output interface 318. For example, the processor 314 can display the received information and / or data on the screen of the user terminal 210.

[0074] The processor 334 of the information processing system 230 may be configured to manage, process, and / or store information and / or data received from multiple user terminals 210 and / or multiple external systems. The information and / or data processed by the processor 334 can be provided to the user terminals 210 through the communication module 336 and the network 220.

[0075] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for displaying content according to one embodiment of the present disclosure at different locations on the same plane according to a score. As shown, the content may include text content 410 and image content 420. Each piece of content may be assigned a score, where the score can mean a numerical value or grade indicating the importance or popularity of the content, reflecting the frequency of activity of the user who posted the content in the chat room, the reactions of other users to the content, etc., where other users may refer to the conversation partners in the chat room in which the user is participating. For example, the scores may be displayed together in three-dimensional space in relation to the content (412, 422).

[0076] In one embodiment, the score may be quantified by comprehensively considering factors such as whether the content is fixed to the top in the two-dimensional space chat room, how often the content is mentioned in the chat room, the response speed or frequency of other users associated with the content immediately after it is sent, whether the content contains important keywords in the chat room, or the user who sent the content.

[0077] For example, if a user fixes the first piece of content to the top edge of a 2D space chat room, the score of the first piece of content may be assigned a "1". In another example, the score of the second piece of content, which is not fixed to the top edge, may be assigned a "0".

[0078] For example, if a user sends a total of 12 additional pieces of content related to the first piece of content within one minute immediately following the first piece of content being sent, the score for the first piece of content may be increased by "12". Another example is if a user sends a total of 2 additional pieces of content related to the second piece of content within one minute immediately following the second piece of content being sent by the user, the score for the second piece of content may be increased by "2".

[0079] For example, if the key keyword in the chat room is "feed" and the first content is text content about feed, the score for the first content may be assigned a "1". Another example is if the second content is text content about "walking", the score for the second content may be assigned a "0".

[0080] For example, if the user who sent the content is a user that other users primarily interact with, that content may be assigned a high score. More specifically, if the user who sent the first content receives an average of 5 additional pieces of content from other users within one minute after sending any content, the score for the first content may be assigned a "5". As another example, if the user who sent the second content receives an average of 1 additional piece of content from other users within one minute after sending any content, the score for the second content may be assigned a "1".

[0081] In one embodiment, the score of individual content can correspond to the sum of the numerical values ​​attached to that content. In this case, the score can be calculated by assigning weights to each of the numerical values.

[0082] For example, if the weighting for whether or not the top edge is fixed is 50, the weighting for the response speed or frequency of other users is 10, the weighting for whether or not the content contains important keywords in the chat room is 30, and the weighting for the user who sent the content is 20, then the scores for the first and second content can be determined through the following formulas (1) and (2).

[0083]

number

[0084]

number

[0085] In one embodiment, the score can correspond to a grade that comprehensively considers factors such as whether or not the upper limit is fixed in the two-dimensional space chat room, the frequency with which it is mentioned in the chat room, the speed at which other users send and receive content immediately after sending, or whether or not the content contains important keywords in the chat room. For example, if the final value is between 0 and 50, the score may be displayed as C; if the final value is between 51 and 150, the score may be displayed as B; and if the final value is 150 or more, the score may be displayed as A. As an example, in Figure 4, the score of content 410 may correspond to grade A, and the score of content 420 may be displayed as grade B.

[0086] In one embodiment, the content with the highest score can be displayed so as to be located in the center of the surface. For example, text content 410 with a score of A can be located in the center of the first surface in the three-dimensional space. As another example, when comparing image content 420 with an image of A, it can be placed further away from the center of the second surface.

[0087] In one embodiment, the score calculation conditions may be set by the administrator of the chat room. Here, the administrator means the user who created the chat room or a person who has received administrative authority over the chat room from the user who created it. For example, the administrator can set the highest weighting for whether or not the content contains the chat room's important keywords. Another example is that the administrator can separately set the score calculation period. For example, by setting the score calculation period to the most recent 6 hours, the administrator can limit the score calculation to content within the last 6 hours.

[0088] Through the configuration described above, it becomes possible to quickly analyze a large amount of content, easily grasp the core keywords or core topics of the chat room, and reduce user fatigue from dealing with a large volume of content.

[0089] Figure 5 shows an example of a method for displaying content keywords in a two-dimensional space chat room according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Users send and receive content in the two-dimensional space chat room 510, and the processor selects and displays keywords 522 from the sent and received content. Here, the keywords 522 can be the title of the content or words or phrases selected from the content to represent the content.

[0090] In one embodiment, there is a specific area 520 at the top or bottom of the display where keywords are displayed, and the keyword 522 is displayed in that area 520. For example, when a user sends or receives text or image content to their dog in a chat room, the processor can select keywords such as "feed," "training," "dog cafe," and "walking spot" from the title and content of the content and display those keywords in the area at the top of the display where keywords are displayed.

[0091] In one embodiment, the method for selecting keywords may include the frequency of mentions in the chat room, other users' reaction information associated with the content, etc. Here, a reaction is something that a user in the chat room has entered in response to specific content, and can mean emojis or mentions to express emotions such as "like," "dislike," or "sadness," replies, comments, shares, captures, keeps, etc. For example, words that are commonly included in content in which other users have shown positive reactions such as emojis or mentions to express emotions such as "like," "dislike," or "sadness," replies, comments, shares, captures, keeps, etc., may be selected as keywords.

[0092] Figure 6 shows an example of a method for determining the placement and size of keywords based on the content score in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0093] As illustrated, the content keywords 616 can be displayed in the form of a word cloud. Here, a word cloud is a way of visually showing the most frequently occurring words in text data, where larger words indicate words that appear more frequently in the data, and smaller words indicate words that appear less frequently in the data. For example, if users send and receive the same content as illustrated in chat room 612, the processor may extract the keywords (616) "pet food," "treats," or "walk" and display them in the form of a word cloud, making "pet food" the largest.

[0094] In one embodiment, in the first operation 610, keywords 616 may be extracted from content sent and received by the user in a two-dimensional space chat room 612 and displayed in a specific area 614 at the top or bottom of the display. When the user touches any keyword 616, the user can proceed to the second operation 620. In the second operation 620, content 624 related to that keyword may be displayed in a list view 622. For example, when the user clicks the keyword "feed," content 624 related to feed may be displayed on the display in the list view 622. Subsequently, when the user clicks on content 624 displayed in the list view 622, they can move to the two-dimensional space chat room 612 from which the content was sent.

[0095] This configuration allows for rapid analysis of the large amount of content sent and received by users in a chat room using a word cloud display, making it easy to identify core keywords or topics within the chat room.

[0096] Figure 7 shows an example of a method for displaying content determined according to the distance to an avatar in one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, in the first operation 710, the avatar 712 associated with the user and the content 714 are displayed together in the three-dimensional space chat room. At this time, the distance (D1) between the avatar 712 and the content 714 changes as the avatar 712 moves. In the second operation 720, the avatar 712 moves toward the content 722, causing D1 to change to D2, and the way the content 722 is displayed to change.

[0097] In one embodiment, the size of the content can change as the distance (D1, D2) between the user-associated avatar and the content changes. For example, the closer the avatar gets to the image content, the larger the area occupied by the image content may become. Another example is that the closer the avatar gets to the text content, the larger the text content may appear to be.

[0098] In one embodiment, the color of the content can change as the distance (D1, D2) between the user-associated avatar and the content changes. For example, if the distance between the avatar and the image content is greater than or equal to a certain set value, it may be displayed as a monochrome image, and if the distance between the avatar and the image content is less than a certain set value, it may be displayed as a color image.

[0099] In one embodiment, the content can be highlighted as the distance (D1, D2) between the user-associated avatar and the content changes. For example, if the distance between the avatar and the image content is less than a certain set value, the periphery of the image content may be illuminated.

[0100] Figure 8 shows an example of how content displayed changes according to the distance to an avatar in one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, in the first operation 810, an avatar 812 associated with the user and content 814 are displayed in the dimensional space chat room. At this time, the distance (D3) between the avatar 812 and the content 814 changes according to the movement of the avatar 812. In the second operation 820, as the avatar moves and the distance (D4) between the avatar and the content decreases, additional information 822 of the content is displayed.

[0101] For example, when an avatar approaches image content, additional information related to the image content may be displayed. This additional information may include the time the image content was sent, the title of the image content, additional descriptions for the image content, other related content, or the size of the image content. Another example is when an avatar approaches text content, additional information related to the text content may be displayed. This additional information may include the time the text content was sent, the title of the text content, additional descriptions for the text content, other related content, or the size of the text content.

[0102] Although not illustrated, according to one embodiment, related content may be displayed together with content as the avatar approaches the content. For example, when the avatar approaches content within a certain distance, other content that is continuous with the content in terms of transmission time can be determined to be associated with the content and displayed together with it. Alternatively, when the avatar approaches content within a certain distance, other content that is common or similar to the content in terms of topic can be determined to be associated with the content and displayed together with it.

[0103] Figure 9 shows an example of how video content changes according to the distance to an avatar in one embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, in the first action 910, an avatar 912 associated with the user and a thumbnail 914 of the video content are displayed together in a three-dimensional space chat room. At this time, the distance (D5) between the avatar 912 and the thumbnail 914 changes according to the movement of the avatar 912. In the second action 920, when the avatar 912 moves and the distance D6 between the avatar and the video content 922 decreases to within a certain distance, the video content 922 is played.

[0104] Figure 10 shows an example of displaying an avatar associated with an external user in one embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, in the first operation 1010, the avatar associated with the user is displayed in the three-dimensional space of the chat room. The user can proceed to the second operation 1020 by selecting the invite list button 1012 by touch input or the like. In the second operation 1020, a list of external users 1022 is displayed. An external user can mean a user who is not participating in the chat room that the user is participating in. The user can proceed to the third operation 1030 by selecting the invite button 1024 to the right of the list of external users 1022 by touch input or the like. In the third operation 1030, the avatar 1032 associated with the invited external user is displayed in the three-dimensional space of the chat room together with the avatar associated with the user.

[0105] Figure 11 shows an example of moving to the 3D space of another chat room in one embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, in the first operation 1110, the avatar 1112 associated with the user is displayed in the 3D space. The user can proceed to the second operation 1120 by selecting the "View Chat Room Summary" button 1116 by touch input or other means. In the second operation 1120, the processor displays on the display a list of other chat rooms 1122 with topics similar to the chat room the user is currently participating in or the chat room the user is participating in. The user can proceed to the third operation 1130 by selecting the "Move" button 1124 on the right side of the list by touch input or other means. In the third operation 1130, the avatar 1132 associated with the user is displayed in the 3D space 1134 of the other chat room selected by the user.

[0106] In one embodiment, other chat rooms with topics similar to the chat room the user is participating in may be determined based on the keywords of the chat room the user is participating in. For example, if the keywords of the content the user sends and receives in the chat room the user is participating in are "pet dog", a list of other chat rooms with topics related to "pet dog" may be displayed.

[0107] Through the configuration described above, users can easily move between chat rooms by moving their avatars.

[0108] Figure 12 shows an example of a method for displaying an avatar, which is determined based on the user's activity frequency in a chat room, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0109] In one embodiment, in the first action 1210, the avatar 1212 associated with the user is displayed in the three-dimensional space of the chat room. If the user is active in the chat room at a frequency exceeding a certain setting value, at least one of the second action 1220 or the third action 1230 is performed. The second action 1220 indicates a change in the display method 1224 around the avatar 1222 associated with the user. For example, the change in the display method 1224 around the avatar 1222 can be adding a new circular ring or changing the color based on the avatar's center coordinates. The third action 1230 indicates a change in the display method 1234 inside the avatar 1232 associated with the user. For example, the change in the display method 1234 inside the avatar 1232 can be adding a new display to the avatar 1232 or changing the color of the avatar 1232.

[0110] According to one embodiment, the display method of an avatar may be determined based on the frequency of user activity in three-dimensional space. For example, if an avatar has changed the display method of content in three-dimensional space five or more times in the last 10 minutes, a blue circular ring 1224 may be newly displayed around the avatar 1222. As another example, a star-shaped badge 1234 may be additionally displayed on avatars associated with users who have shared high-scoring content.

[0111] Figure 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of method 1300 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, method 1300 may be performed by at least one processor of a user terminal. Method 1300 may be initiated when the processor receives user input from the user requesting a display switch of a two-dimensional space chat room (S1310).

[0112] Subsequently, the processor can display the 2D chat room in 3D space on the user terminal's display according to user input (S1320). Here, the 3D space can be displayed as a space having at least three planes that are perpendicular to each other. Subsequently, the processor can display the content associated with the chat room and the avatar associated with the user in 3D space (S1330).

[0113] Specifically, the processor can display content associated with a chat room on different sides according to its category. Here, the content associated with a chat room may include content in the text category and content in the image category. In this case, the processor can display content in the text category on the first side and content in the image category on the second side.

[0114] In another example, the processor can categorize content associated with a chat room according to topics and display them on different sides. Here, topics may be determined according to keywords associated with the content, and a certain number of the most relevant topics in the chat room can be selected. In this case, the processor can display content corresponding to the first topic on the first side and content corresponding to the second topic on the second side. Based on the number of pieces of content contained in the first or second topic, the processor can also display content corresponding to the first and third topics on the first side and content corresponding to the second, fourth, and fifth topics on the second side.

[0115] In one embodiment, the processor can display content associated with a chat room at different positions on the same surface according to its score. The content with the highest score among the chat room's associated content may be positioned in the center of the surface. If the user is the chat room administrator, the scoring criteria may be set by the user.

[0116] Another example shows that the processor can display content associated with a chat room, regardless of its category, at different locations in a three-dimensional space according to its score. For example, the highest-scoring content can be positioned to appear in the center of the three-dimensional space. For instance, the higher the score of content associated with a chat room, the closer the content can be positioned to the point where three planes intersect in the three-dimensional space.

[0117] In one embodiment, the processor can receive user input from the user requesting a display switch for a 3D space chat room. The processor can also display the 3D space chat room in 2D space on the user terminal's display according to the user input. Additionally, the processor can display keywords for content associated with the 2D space chat room. The placement and size of these keywords may be determined based on the content's score.

[0118] In one embodiment, the processor can display an avatar associated with a user so that it moves in a three-dimensional space according to the user's input. The avatar associated with the user can also move to the three-dimensional space of other chat rooms.

[0119] In one embodiment, the processor can determine how to display content associated with a chat room based on its distance from the user's avatar. The display method may include at least one of the following: changing the size of the content, changing its color, or highlighting it. The display method may also include displaying additional information. For content in the video category, the display method may include playing the video.

[0120] In one embodiment, the processor can display avatars associated with the user's conversation partners in 3D space, and can also display avatars associated with external users who are not participating in the chat room. Additionally, the method of displaying avatars may be determined based on the frequency of the user's activity in 3D space.

[0121] The methods described above may be provided as computer programs stored on computer-readable recording media for execution by a computer. The media may continuously store computer-executable programs or temporarily store them for execution or download. Furthermore, the media can be various recording or storage means in the form of single or multiple hardware components combined, and is not limited to media directly connected to any computer system; it may also be distributed across a network. Examples of media include hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes (magnetic media), CD-ROMs and DVDs (optical recording media), floppy disks (magnetooptical medium), and ROMs, RAMs, flash memory, etc., configured to store program instructions. Other examples of media include recording media or storage media managed by app stores and other software supply or distribution sites and servers.

[0122] The methods, operations, or techniques described herein may be implemented by various means. For example, such techniques may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. Those skilled in the art will understand that various exemplary logic blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithmic steps described in connection with the disclosure may be implemented in electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination thereof. To illustrate such interchangeability of hardware and software, various exemplary components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been generally described above in terms of their functional aspects. Whether such functions are implemented as hardware or as software will depend on the design requirements imposed on the particular application and the overall system. Those skilled in the art may implement the functions described in various ways for their respective specific applications, but such implementations should not be construed as deviating from the scope of this disclosure.

[0123] In hardware implementations, the processing unit used to perform the technique may be implemented in 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 herein, computers, or combinations thereof.

[0124] Accordingly, the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with this disclosure may be implemented or run on general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates and transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination of those designed to perform the functions described herein. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other combination of configurations.

[0125] In firmware and / or software implementations, the technique may be implemented as instructions stored on the same computer-readable medium 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 optical data storage devices, etc. The instructions may also be executable by one or more processors, causing the processors to perform specific modes of the functions described herein.

[0126] When implemented in software, the technique may be stored on or transferred through a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or code. A computer-readable medium includes any medium that facilitates the transfer of computer programs from one location to another, and includes both computer storage media and communication media. The storage medium may also be any available medium accessible by a computer. In non-limiting examples, such a computer-readable medium may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to transfer or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and is accessible by a computer. Furthermore, any connection may appropriately be referred to as a computer-readable medium.

[0127] For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, stranded wire, digital subscriber line (DSL), or the same wireless technologies as infrared, radio, and microwave, then coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, stranded wire, digital subscriber line, or the same wireless technologies as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of media. The terms "disk" and "disc" as used in this application include CDs, laserdiscs, optical discs, DVDs (digital versatile discs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs, where "disks" ordinarily reproduce data magnetically, while "discs" optically reproduce data using a laser. The above combinations should also be included in the scope of computer-readable media.

[0128] Software modules may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disks, portable disks, CD-ROMs, or any other known form of storage medium. An exemplary storage medium may be connected to the processor so that the processor can read information from or record information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium may be integrated into the processor. The processor and storage medium may reside within an ASIC. The ASIC may reside within a user terminal. Alternatively, the processor and storage medium may reside as separate components within the user terminal.

[0129] Although the embodiments described above are described as utilizing the currently disclosed subject matter in one or more standalone computer systems, the disclosure is not limited to and may be implemented in conjunction with any computing environment, including networks and distributed computing environments. Furthermore, the subject matter may be implemented in multiple processing chips or devices, and storage may be similarly affected across multiple devices. Such devices may include PCs, network servers, and portable devices.

[0130] While this disclosure has been described in relation to some embodiments, various modifications and alterations can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure as understandable to a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the invention of this disclosure pertains. Such modifications and alterations should be considered to fall within the scope of the claims appended to this specification.

Claims

1. A method for displaying a chat room in an instant messaging application, which is executed by at least one processor of a user terminal, The steps include receiving user input from the user requesting a switch in the display of a 2D space chat room, The steps include: displaying the two-dimensional chat room in three-dimensional space on the user terminal's display in accordance with the user input; The steps include displaying the content associated with the chat room and the avatar associated with the user in the three-dimensional space, This includes how to display chat rooms.

2. The chat room display method according to claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional space is displayed as a space having at least three planes that are perpendicular to each other.

3. The chat room display method according to claim 2, wherein the step of displaying in three-dimensional space includes the step of displaying the content associated with the two-dimensional space chat room on different surfaces based on category or topic.

4. The chat room display method according to claim 2, wherein the step of displaying in the three-dimensional space includes the step of displaying content included in the text category on the first surface and content included in the image category on the second surface.

5. The chat room display method according to claim 2, wherein the step of displaying in three-dimensional space includes the step of displaying the content associated with the two-dimensional space chat room at different positions on the same plane based on a score, or displaying it at different positions in the three-dimensional space.

6. The chat room display method according to claim 5, wherein the content with the highest score among the content associated with the two-dimensional space chat room is positioned in the center of the surface.

7. The chat room display method according to claim 5, wherein if the user is the administrator of the chat room, the score conditions are set by the user.

8. The steps include receiving user input from the user requesting a display switch for the three-dimensional space, The steps include: displaying the three-dimensional space in a two-dimensional chat room on the user terminal's display according to the user input; The chat room display method according to claim 1, further comprising:

9. The chat room display method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying keywords of content associated with the two-dimensional space chat room in the two-dimensional space chat room.

10. The chat room display method according to claim 9, wherein the placement and size of the keywords are determined based on the score of the content.

11. The chat room display method according to claim 1, wherein the avatar associated with the user moves in the three-dimensional space according to user input.

12. The chat room display method according to claim 1, wherein the avatar associated with the user moves to the three-dimensional space of another chat room.

13. The chat room display method according to claim 1, wherein the method for displaying the content is determined based on the distance to the avatar associated with the user.

14. The chat room display method according to claim 13, wherein the method for displaying the content includes at least one of changing the size of the content, changing the color of the content, or highlighting the content.

15. The chat room display method according to claim 13, wherein the method for displaying the content includes at least one of displaying additional information or displaying related content.

16. The method for displaying the content, in the case of content included in the video category, includes playing a video, as described in claim 13.

17. The chat room display method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying an avatar associated with the user's conversation partner in the three-dimensional space.

18. The chat room display method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying in the three-dimensional space avatars associated with external users who are not participating in the chat room.

19. The chat room display method according to claim 1, wherein the method for displaying the avatar is determined based on the frequency of the user's activity in the chat room.

20. A computer-readable program that includes instructions for causing a computer to execute the chat room display method described in any one of claims 1 to 19.

21. A user terminal, Communication module and Memory and The display and Connected to the memory and configured to execute at least one computer-readable program contained in the memory, Includes, The aforementioned at least one program, The system receives user input requesting a switch in the display of the 2D space chat room. In accordance with the user input, the two-dimensional chat room is displayed in three-dimensional space on the user terminal's display. A user terminal that includes commands for displaying content associated with a chat room and an avatar associated with the user in the three-dimensional space.

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