How to join a group event through an instant messaging application

Abstract

To provide a method for participating in a group event through an instant messaging application running on a user terminal, a group event generation method, and a computer program stored in a recording medium.SOLUTION: In an information processing system, a method for participating in a group event includes the steps of: receiving a group event invitation message including information about an event start time through an instant messaging application; receiving a response to the invitation message from a user of a user terminal; in response to the user accepting the invitation message, transmitting an acceptance message through the instant messaging application; and receiving a group event participation request through the instant messaging application at a time corresponding to the event start time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for participating in a group event and a method for generating a group event, and more particularly, to a method for participating in a group event and a method for generating a group event that can provide a push notification for a group event at a specified time by using a request for generating a group event received through an instant messaging application. [Background technology]

[0002] The use of terminals equipped with cameras and microphones, such as smartphones, tablet PCs, laptop computers, and desktop computers, is becoming widespread. In addition, with the recent development of communication technology, users can easily transmit images / videos and recorded voices to others using their own terminals. Furthermore, since users can transmit or broadcast images and recorded voices to others in real time using their own terminals, voice call services, video call services, and personal broadcast services are becoming widely used.

[0003] Although such services are provided through various messengers, they have the problem that users can only instantly make a call or start a broadcast, and cannot check the other party's intention to participate or adjust schedules in advance. In particular, in the case of a call or broadcast involving many members, it is not easy for users to select a time when all members can participate and start the call or broadcast. In this case, users have to wait until all members have joined or try to make the call / broadcast again at a different time, which is a problem of unnecessary waste of time. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0061387 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present disclosure provides a group event participation method, a group event generation method, and a computer program stored on a recording medium to solve the above problems.

[0006] A group event participation method and a group event creation method are provided that can receive a group event creation request through an instant messaging application and provide a push notification to a plurality of user terminals using an event start time included in the received group event creation request. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present disclosure may be embodied in a variety of ways, including a computer-readable storage medium storing methods or instructions.

[0008] A method for participating in a group event through an instant messaging application operating on a user terminal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes the steps of receiving a group event invitation message including information regarding a start time of the event through the instant messaging application, receiving a response to the invitation message from a user of the user terminal, transmitting an acceptance message through the instant messaging application in response to the user accepting the invitation message, and receiving a request to participate in the group event through the instant messaging application at a time corresponding to the start time of the event.

[0009] In order to execute the group event participation method described above in one embodiment of the present disclosure on a computer, a computer program stored on a computer-readable recording medium is provided.

[0010] A method for generating a group event through an instant messaging application operating on a user terminal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes the steps of receiving information on an inviting user account and information on an event start time from a user, transmitting a request for generating a group event including information on the inviting user account and information on the event start time through the instant messaging application, and receiving a request to join the group event through the instant messaging application at a time corresponding to the event start time.

[0011] In order to execute the group event generating method described above in one embodiment of the present disclosure on a computer, a computer program stored on a computer-readable recording medium is provided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate like elements, and in which, without limitation, the following description will be given. [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration in which an information processing system is communicatively connected to a plurality of user terminals to provide a group event scheduling service according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a user terminal and an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing a group event scheduling service among a generating terminal, an information processing system, and an inviting terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of reserving a group event using a group event reservation button in a chat room according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of reserving a group event using an action message in a chat room according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6]1 is a diagram illustrating an example of reserving a group event using an action message in a 1:1 chat room according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of reserving a group event using a button for reserving a group event in a user's profile screen according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 1 is a diagram showing an example of accepting a group event invitation at an inviting terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of rejecting a group event invitation at an inviting terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 1 is a diagram showing an example of adjusting a schedule of a group event booked at a generating terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a user terminal displays a reminder message received from an information processing system in a chat room through an instant messaging application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of joining a group event using a group event participation response button displayed on a display of a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of applying a visual effect to a video call performed through an instant messaging application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for participating in a group event according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for generating a group event according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Summary of the Invention

[0014] According to an embodiment, the method for participating in a group event further includes entering the group event in response to the user accepting the request to participate in the group event.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the method for participating in a group event further includes, in response to a user suspending a request to participate in a group event, re-receiving the request to participate in the group event through an instant messaging application after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the group event invitation message further includes information on at least one user account invited to the group event, and the group event participation method further includes a step of displaying the information on the at least one user account and a step of displaying an invitation response result of the at least one user account.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the method for participating in a group event further includes registering a schedule for the group event in a calendar application based on the information regarding a start time of the event.

[0018] According to an embodiment, the method for participating in a group event further includes receiving a reminder message for the group event via an instant messaging application prior to a predetermined time from a start time of the event.

[0019] According to an embodiment, the method for participating in a group event further includes receiving at least one of recorded data or audio data of the group event via an instant messaging application.

[0020] According to an embodiment, the invitation message further includes information about a host of the group event, and the method for participating in the group event further includes displaying a plurality of video call screens on a display of the user terminal based on the information about the host.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the step of displaying a plurality of video call screens on a display of a user terminal based on information regarding the host includes a step of displaying the host's video call screen in the center of the display and a step of displaying the video call screens of the remaining participants excluding the host in the periphery of the display.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the step of displaying a plurality of video call screens on a display of a user terminal based on information about the host includes displaying the size of the host's video call screen larger than the sizes of the remaining participants' video call screens.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the invitation message further includes information on an event type, and the method for participating in a group event further includes applying at least one of a visual effect or a sound effect based on the information on the event type.

[0024] According to an embodiment, the invitation message further includes information on an event type, and the method for participating in a group event further includes providing additional functionality within the group event based on the information on the event type.

[0025] According to an embodiment, the method for participating in a group event further includes receiving a modified group event invitation message, the modified group event invitation message including information regarding a modified event start time, via an instant messaging application.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the group event generating method further includes the steps of receiving an invitation response result from an inviting user account through an instant messaging application, receiving information regarding a revised event start time from the user, and transmitting the information regarding the revised event start time through the instant messaging application.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the method of generating a group event further includes entering the group event in response to accepting the invitation to join.

[0028] According to an embodiment, the group event creation request further includes information about a host of the group event, and the group event creation method further includes displaying a plurality of video call screens on a display of the user terminal based on the information about the host.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the group event creation request further includes information regarding whether or not a reminder function is to be used, and if the reminder function is to be used, the group event creation method further includes a step of receiving a reminder message for the group event through an instant messaging application prior to a predetermined time from the event start time.

[0030] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to schedule and coordinate schedules between participants for group events to be held at a future time through an instant messaging application.

[0031] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a reminder message can be provided via a push notification through an instant messaging application prior to the start time of a group event, thereby reminding participants of the group event not to forget about the group event.

[0032] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a participation request may be provided via push notification at the time a group event is to be announced, allowing users to immediately check the start time of the group event and encourage them to participate in the group event.

[0033] The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains (referred to as a "person skilled in the art") from the description in the claims.

[0034] Hereinafter, specific details for carrying out the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, however, in the following description, detailed descriptions of well-known functions and configurations will be omitted if there is a risk of unnecessarily obscuring the gist of the present disclosure.

[0035] In the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding components are given the same reference numerals. In addition, in the following description of the embodiments, duplicated description of the same or corresponding components may be omitted. However, even if the technology related to a component is omitted, it is not intended that such a component is not included in a certain embodiment.

[0036] The advantages and features of the disclosed embodiments and the methods of achieving them will become apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and may be embodied in various different forms. However, the embodiments are provided solely for the purpose of making the disclosure complete and fully conveying the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0037] The terms used in this specification are briefly explained, and the disclosed embodiments are specifically described. The terms used in this specification are currently selected as widely used general terms as possible while taking into consideration the functions in this disclosure, but these may change depending on the intentions or precedents of engineers engaged in related fields, the emergence of new technologies, etc. In addition, in certain cases, there are terms arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meanings will be described in detail in the description of the relevant invention. Therefore, the terms used in this disclosure should be defined based on the meanings that the terms have and the overall content of this disclosure, rather than simply the names of the terms.

[0038] In this specification, the singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, the plural expression includes the singular expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. When a part of the entire specification "comprises" a certain element, this does not mean excluding other elements, but may further include other elements, unless otherwise specified to the contrary.

[0039] Also, the term "module" or "unit" as used in the specification means a software or hardware component, and the "module" or "unit" performs a certain function. However, the term "module" or "unit" is not limited to software or hardware. The "module" or "unit" may be configured to reside on an addressable storage medium and may be configured to execute one or more processors. Thus, by way of example, a "module" or "unit" may include components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, and at least one of a process, a function, an attribute, a procedure, a subroutine, a program code segment, a driver, firmware, microcode, a circuit, data, a database, a data structure, a table, an array, or a variable. The components and "modules" or "units" may be combined into a smaller number of components and "modules" or "units" or the functions provided therein may be further separated into additional components and "modules" or "units".

[0040] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a "module" or "unit" may be embodied with a processor and a memory. A "processor" should be broadly construed to include a general purpose processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a controller, a microcontroller, a state machine, and the like. In some environments, a "processor" may refer to an application specific semiconductor (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and the like. A "processor" may refer to a combination 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 in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. Additionally, a "memory" should be broadly construed to include any electronic component capable of storing electronic information. "Memory" may 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 programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, magnetic or optical data storage devices, registers, etc. Memory is said to be in electronic communication with a processor if the processor can read information from the memory and write information to the memory. Memory that is integrated into a processor is in electronic communication with the processor.

[0041] In this disclosure, a "chat room" may refer to a virtual space or group that may be created in an instant messaging application installed on a computing device and 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 a chat room and exchange various types of messages, files, etc. with each other. In addition, a chat room may be provided with a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) voice call function, a VoIP video call function, and a live broadcast function (VoIP real-time video transmission function) to perform voice calls, video calls, video streaming, etc. between user accounts.

[0042] In this disclosure, a "user account" may refer to an account or associated data that a user creates and uses in an instant messaging application. Also, a user account of an instant messaging application may refer to a user who uses the instant messaging application. Similarly, a user who uses instant messaging or a chat room where instant messaging is available may refer to a user account of the instant messaging application.

[0043] Here, "push notification" may mean providing a notice to a terminal user in the form of an alarm together with various effects. The push notification may be transmitted to a user terminal by a push server, and may be displayed to the user if an application related to the received push notification is installed in the user terminal. When a push notification is received by a user terminal in which an application related to push notification is installed, the user terminal may provide the notification to the user regardless of whether the user is running the application related to push notification.

[0044] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration in which an information processing system 130 is communicatively connected to a plurality of user terminals 112, 114, 116 to provide a group event scheduling service according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The information processing system 130 may include a system for providing an instant messaging service to the plurality of user terminals 112, 114, 116 through a network 120. According to an embodiment, the information processing system 130 may include one or more server devices and / or databases that can store, provide, and execute computer executable programs (e.g., downloadable applications) and data related to the instant messaging service, or one or more distributed computing devices and / or distributed databases based on a cloud computing service. The instant messaging service provided by the information processing system 130 may be provided to users through instant messaging applications installed on the plurality of user terminals 112, 114, 116. For example, the instant messaging service may include a text messaging service, a video call service, a voice call service, a video streaming service, a group event scheduling (reservation) service, etc. between the user terminals 112, 114, 116.

[0045] 1, a mobile phone terminal 112, a tablet terminal 114, and a PC terminal 116 are illustrated as examples of user terminals, but the user terminal may be any computing device capable of wired and / or wireless communication, having an image sensor (e.g., a camera) and a sound sensor (e.g., a microphone) attached thereto or capable of communicating with an image sensor and a sound sensor, and having an instant messaging application installed and executed. For example, the user terminal may include a smart phone, a mobile phone, a navigation system, a computer, a notebook computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a PMP (Portable Multimedia Player), a tablet PC, a game console, a wearable device, an IoT (internet of things) device, a VR (virtual reality) device, an AR (augmented reality) device, etc. Additionally, although FIG. 1 illustrates three user terminals 112, 114, and 116 communicating with information processing system 130 through network 120, this is not limited and a different number of user terminals may be configured to communicate with information processing system 130 through network 120.

[0046] The communication method is not limited, and may include not only a communication method using a communication network (e.g., a mobile communication network, a wired Internet, a wireless Internet, a broadcasting network, a satellite network, etc.) that the network 120 may include, but is not limited to, short-range wireless communication between user terminals. For example, the network 120 may include one or more of a personal area network (PAN), a local area network (LAN), a campus area network (CAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a broadband network (BBN), the Internet, etc. In addition, the network 120 may include one or more of a network topology including a bus network, a star network, a ring network, a mesh network, a star-bus network, a tree, or a hierarchical network, etc.

[0047] The information processing system 130 may provide a group event scheduling service between the user terminals 112, 114, and 116 operating an instant messaging application. A group event may be a voice call, a video call, a live broadcast, etc., in which a plurality of users are connected on the instant messaging application, and the users may reserve a group event to be started at a future time point using the group event scheduling service. According to an embodiment, the users may transmit a group event creation request to the information processing system 130 through the network 120 using the instant messaging application operating on the user terminals 112, 114, and 116. Here, the group event creation request may include various information related to the group event, such as an event start time, an event end time, an event name, an invited user account, a call type (e.g., a voice call, a video call, a live broadcast, etc.), a description phrase, an event type (e.g., a business meeting, a birthday party, etc.), an event host, whether or not to confirm participation, and whether or not to receive a prior notification (e.g., a reminder message).

[0048] If the event generating terminal selects to use the participation confirmation function, the information processing system 130 may transmit an invitation message to a user terminal associated with an invited user account in response to receiving a group event generation request. In one embodiment, the invitation message may include various information for a user to determine whether or not to participate in the group event, such as an event start time, an event end time, an event name, an invited user account, a call type (e.g., voice call, video call, live broadcast, etc.), a description phrase, an event type (e.g., business meeting, birthday party, etc.), and an event host. The invited user terminal may receive the invitation message through an instant messaging application operating on the user terminal 112, 114, 116. For example, the invitation message may be provided in the form of an action message on the instant messaging application including a user interface for inputting whether or not to participate in the group event.

[0049] A user terminal that receives the invitation message can confirm the contents of the invitation message and then respond to whether or not it will participate in the group event through an instant messaging application. The information processing system 130 can receive the invitation response result of the invited user terminal and share the corresponding information with other user terminals. With this configuration, the user who created the group event can check the invitation response result of the invited user and adjust the group event time to secure the necessary participating members, and the user invited to the group event can decide whether or not to participate by referring to the participation of other users.

[0050] The information processing system 130 may form a call channel so that an event starts at an event start time and all users invited to the group event or users who have accepted the invitation message can make calls (e.g., voice calls, video calls, etc.) through an instant messaging application. Then, the information processing system 130 may transmit a group event participation request through an instant messaging application to all users invited to the group event or users who have accepted the invitation message at a time corresponding to the event start time. According to an embodiment, the information processing system 130 may transmit the group event participation request through a push notification. For example, the user terminal may receive the group event participation request from the information processing system 130 and display it on a display in the form of a call reception notification. The call reception notification may be a voice call reception notification, a video call reception notification, etc., depending on the call type information included in the group event creation request.

[0051] In one embodiment, if the event generating terminal selects to use the advance notification receiving function, the information processing system 130 may transmit a reminder message for the group event to the user terminals 112, 114, 116 through an instant messaging application prior to the time point corresponding to the event start time. For example, the reminder message for the group event may be sent by push notification a predetermined time (e.g., one hour) prior to the event start time. The user terminal that receives the reminder message may provide the reminder message to the user in the form of an alarm, a message, an action message, or the like.

[0052] As described above, by providing a reminder message by push notification through an instant messaging application prior to the start time of a group event, participants in the group event can be reminded not to forget about the group event. Also, by providing a participation request by push notification at the time the group event is announced, users can immediately check the start time of the group event and be guided to participate in the group event.

[0053] 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a user terminal 112 and an information processing system 130 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The user terminal 112 may include a memory 216, a processor 218, a communication module 220, and an input / output interface 214. Similarly, the information processing system 130 may include a memory 234, a processor 236, a communication module 238, and an input / output interface 232. As shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal 112 and the information processing system 130 may be configured to communicate information and / or data over the network 120 using the respective communication modules 220, 238. In addition, the input / output device 212 may be configured to input information and / or data to the user terminal 112 and output information and / or data generated from the user terminal 112 through the input / output interface 214. Although FIG. 2 illustrates memory 234, processor 236, communication module 238 and input / output interface 232 as internal components of user terminal 112, other user terminals (e.g., user terminals 114, 116 of FIG. 1) may also include internal components that are the same as or similar to the internal components of user terminal 112.

[0054] The memories 216 and 234 may include any non-transitory computer-readable recording medium. According to an embodiment, the memories 216 and 234 may include a permanent mass storage device such as a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a disk drive, a solid state drive (SSD), a flash memory, etc. As another example, the permanent mass storage device such as a ROM, an SSD, a flash memory, a disk drive, etc. may be a separate permanent storage device separate from the memories 216 and 234 and may be included in the user terminal 112 or the information processing system 130. In addition, the memories 216 and 234 may store an operating system and at least one program code (e.g., code for a browser installed and operated in the user terminal 112, a dedicated application installed in the user terminal 112 to provide an instant messaging service, etc.).

[0055] Such software components may be loaded from a computer-readable recording medium separate from the memory 216, 234. Such separate computer-readable recording medium may include a recording medium directly connectable to the user terminal 112 and the information processing system 130, and may include, for example, a computer-readable recording medium such as a floppy drive, a disk, a tape, a DVD / CD-ROM drive, a memory card, etc. As another example, the software components may be loaded into the memory 216, 234 through a communication module 220, 238 that is not a computer-readable recording medium. For example, at least one program may be loaded into the memory 216, 234 based on a computer program (for example, an application dedicated to an instant messaging service) that is installed by a file provided through the network 120 by a developer or a file distribution system that distributes an installation file for the application.

[0056] The processors 218, 236 may be configured to process instructions of a computer program by performing basic arithmetic, logic, and input / output operations. The instructions may be provided to the processors 218, 236 by the memory 216, 234 or the communication modules 220, 238. For example, the processors 218, 236 may be configured to execute instructions received by program code stored in a storage device, such as the memory 216, 234.

[0057] The communication modules 220 and 238 may provide a configuration or function for the user terminal 112 and the information processing system 130 to communicate with each other through the network 120, and may provide a configuration or function for the user terminal 112 and / or the information processing system 130 to communicate with other user terminals or other systems (e.g., a separate push notification server, etc.). For example, a request (e.g., a group event creation request) generated by the processor 218 of the user terminal 112 according to a program code stored in a storage device such as the memory 216 may be transmitted to the information processing system 130 through the network 120 under the control of the communication module 220. Conversely, a control signal or command provided under the control of the processor 236 of the information processing system 130 may be received by the user terminal 112 through the communication module 220 of the user terminal 112 via the communication module 238 and the network 120. For example, the user terminal 112 may receive information related to the group event creation request from the information processing system 130 through the communication module 220.

[0058] The input / output interface 214 may be a means for interfacing with the input / output device 212. For example, the input device may include a device such as a camera, a keyboard, a microphone, a mouse, and the output device may include a device such as a display, a speaker, a haptic feedback device, and the like. As another example, the input / output interface 214 may be a means for interfacing with a device having a configuration or function for performing input and output integrated into one, such as a touch screen. For example, when the processor 218 of the user terminal 112 processes the instructions of a computer program loaded in the memory 216, a service screen or content configured using information and / or data provided by the information processing system 130 or another user terminal may be displayed on the display through the input / output interface 214. The input / output device 212 may be configured as one device together with the user terminal 112. Also, the input / output interface 232 of the information processing system 130 may be a means for interfacing with a device for input or output (not shown) that may be connected to the information processing system 130 or may be included in the information processing system 130. Although the I / O interfaces 214, 232 are illustrated in FIG. 2 as elements configured separately from the processors 218, 236, this is not limiting, and the I / O interfaces 214, 232 may be configured to be included in the processors 218, 236.

[0059] The user terminal 112 and the information processing system 130 may include more components than those in FIG. 2. However, it is not necessary to clearly illustrate most of the conventional components. According to an embodiment, the user terminal 112 may be embodied to include at least some of the above-mentioned input / output devices. The user terminal 112 may further include other components such as a transceiver, a global positioning system (GPS) module, a camera, a microphone, various sensors, a database, and the like. For example, if the user terminal 112 is a smartphone, it may include components that are generally included in a smartphone, and may further include various components such as an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a camera module, a microphone module, various physical buttons, buttons using a touch panel, an input / output port, and a vibrator for vibration.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the processor 218 of the user terminal 112 may be configured to operate an instant messaging application or a web browser application that provides a group event scheduling service. At this time, program code related to the application may be loaded into the memory 216 of the user terminal 112. During operation of the application, the processor 218 of the user terminal 112 may receive information and / or data provided from the input / output device 212 through the input / output interface 214 or may receive information and / or data from the information processing system 130 through the communication module 220, process the received information and / or data, and store it in the memory 216. Also, such information and / or data may be provided to the information processing system 130 through the communication module 220.

[0061] According to an embodiment, while the instant messaging application is operating, the processor 218 may receive text, images, sounds, etc. input or selected through an input device such as a touch screen or keyboard connected to the input / output interface, and may store the received text, images, sounds, etc. in the memory 216 or provide them to the information processing system 130 through the communication module 220 and the network 120. For example, the processor 218 may receive information for generating a group event generation request through an input device such as a touch screen or keyboard. Accordingly, the received text, images, sounds, etc. may be provided to the information processing system 130 through the communication module 220 and the network 120.

[0062] The processor 218 may be configured to output the processed information and / or data through an output device of the user terminal 112, such as a display capable device (e.g., a touch screen, display, etc.), a sound capable device (e.g., a speaker), etc. According to one embodiment, the information and / or data provided by the instant messaging application or the web browser application may be displayed through a display capable device, etc. According to another embodiment, the information and / or data provided by the instant messaging application or the web browser application may be output through a sound capable device, etc.

[0063] According to an embodiment, the processor 236 of the information processing system 130 may be configured to manage, process and / or store information and / or data received from a plurality of user terminals including the user terminal 112 and / or a plurality of external systems. For example, the processor 236 may be configured to generate a group event based on a group event generation request received from a plurality of user terminals and store related information. As yet another example, the processor 236 may be configured to transmit a reminder message and a participation request associated with the group event generated in the user terminal 112. A specific manner in which the processor 236 of the information processing system 130 provides a group event scheduling service based on a group event generation request will be described in detail below.

[0064] 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing a group event scheduling service among a generating terminal 310, an information processing system 320, and an inviting terminal 330 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the generating terminal 310 can transmit a group event creation request 312 to the information processing system 320 using an instant messaging application operated on the generating terminal. In one embodiment, the group event creation request 312 can include various information related to the group event, such as an event start time, an event end time, an event name, an invited user account, a call type (e.g., voice call, video call, live broadcast, etc.), a description phrase, an event type (e.g., business meeting, birthday party, etc.), etc.

[0065] In response to receiving the group event creation request 312 from the generating terminal 310, the information processing system 320 may transmit an invitation message 322 to the inviting terminal 330 through an instant messaging application. Here, the inviting terminal 330 may be a user terminal that has been invited by the user of the generating terminal 310 and is associated with a user account included in the group event creation request 312. In one embodiment, the invitation message 322 may include various information for a user to determine whether or not to participate in the group event, such as an event start time, an event end time, an event name, an invited user account, a call type (e.g., voice call, video call, live broadcast, etc.), a description phrase, an event type (e.g., business meeting, birthday party, etc.), and an event host.

[0066] In response to receiving the invitation message 322 from the information processing system 320, the inviting terminal 330 may transmit a response message 324 to the information processing system 320 through the instant messaging application. The response message 324 may be an acceptance message, a rejection message, an unscheduled message, etc. According to an embodiment, based on the user selecting the acceptance message, the inviting terminal 330 may transmit the response message 324 to the information processing system 320 and automatically register the group event schedule in a calendar application (or calendar module) that can manage the user schedule provided within the instant messaging application. Additionally or alternatively, the inviting terminal 330 may automatically register the group event schedule in a calendar application separate from the instant messaging application.

[0067] In one embodiment, the response message 324 of the inviting terminal 330 may be provided to the generating terminal 310 and other inviting terminals in real time through an instant messaging application. In this case, the user of the generating terminal 310 may check the current participation status of the invited users and, if necessary, modify information about the group event (e.g., the event start time, etc.). When modifying information about the group event, the information processing system 320 may transmit a modified invitation message (not shown) to the inviting terminal 330 through the instant messaging application and receive a modified response message (not shown).

[0068] The information processing system 320 may transmit reminder messages 314, 326 for the group event to the generating terminal 310 and the inviting terminal 330 based on the response message received from the inviting terminal 330 through the instant messaging application. According to an embodiment, the reminder messages 314, 326 may be transmitted to the generating terminal 310 and the inviting terminal 330 a predetermined time (e.g., one hour) before the start time of the group event. Here, the reminder messages 314, 326 preferably include information on the event start time, the event name, etc., to remind participants participating in the group event the time when the group event will be opened.

[0069] Also, the information processing system 320 may transmit group event participation requests 316, 328 to the generating terminal 310 and the inviting terminal 330 through an instant messaging application at a time corresponding to the event start time. According to an embodiment, the information processing system 320 may transmit a push notification to a user account that responded to participate in the corresponding group event and a user account that generated the group event at a time corresponding to the event start time. In this case, the generating terminal 310 and the inviting terminal 330 may display the received group event participation request on a display in the form of a call reception notification.

[0070] 3, one inviting terminal 330 is illustrated as receiving the invitation message 322 from the information processing system 320, but is not limited thereto. For example, a plurality of inviting terminals may receive the invitation message 322 from the information processing system 320. That is, when a plurality of user accounts are invited by the user of the generating terminal 310 and included in the group event generation request 312, the information processing system 320 may transmit an invitation message, a reminder message, and a participation request to each inviting terminal.

[0071] 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of reserving a group event using a group event reservation button 418 in a chat room according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. A user can reserve a group event through a first operation 410, a second operation 420, and a third operation 440 using an instant messaging application operating on a user terminal. In one embodiment, a user can reserve a group event using the group event reservation button 418 provided in a group chat room of the instant messaging application.

[0072] A first operation 410 shows a user selecting a group event reservation button 418 displayed in a group chat room in order to transmit a request to create a group event to an information processing system through an instant messaging application. As shown, the group chat room screen may display a button 412 for immediately starting a voice call with users in the group chat room, a button 414 for immediately starting a video call, a button 416 for immediately starting a live broadcast, and a group event reservation button 418. When a user selects the group event reservation button 418 through touch input, etc., a user interface for reserving a group event may be displayed.

[0073] A second operation 420 shows transmitting a group event creation request to the information processing system using a user interface for reserving a group event. As shown, a user can input an event name 422, an event start time 424, an event end time 426, a call type 428 (e.g., voice call, video call, live broadcast, etc.), and a description phrase 432 through touch input, etc. For example, when a user wants to automatically perform a "Brown's birthday party" video call at a specific time in the future, the user can input the group event name "Brown's birthday party", the event start time "2019.11.28 (Thu) 7:00 PM", the event end time "2019.11.28 (Thu) 8:00 PM", the call type "video call", and the description phrase "How about celebrating Brown's birthday in the evening?" through touch input, typing input, etc.

[0074] In one embodiment, the user may select the participation confirmation button 434 through touch input, etc. In this case, the information processing system may be configured to transmit an invitation message to the invited users through an instant messaging application and transmit a group event participation request only to users who accept the invitation. On the other hand, if the participation confirmation function is not used, the information processing system may transmit a group event participation request to all invited users without collecting the invitation response results of the invited users. Also, if the user selects the advance notification reception button 436 through touch input, etc., the information processing system may transmit a reminder message to the user or participants through an instant messaging application to remind them of the time when the group event will be opened before the event start time.

[0075] After inputting necessary information using the user interface for reserving a group event, the user may select a done button 438 through touch input or the like to transmit a request for creating a group event to the information processing system through an instant messaging application. In one embodiment, the request for creating a group event may include information regarding the event name, event start time, event end time, call type, description phrase, whether or not to use a function for confirming participation, whether or not to use a function for receiving advance notification, etc., input by the user. In response to receiving the request for creating a group event, the information processing system may transmit an invitation message to invite the invited user account to the group event through the instant messaging application.

[0076] A third operation 440 shows an invitation message 442 displayed on a group chat room screen. For example, the invitation message 442 may be provided in the form of an action message on an instant messaging application including a user interface for moving to a screen where the details of the group event can be confirmed. Additionally or alternatively, the invitation message 442 may be provided in the form of an action message on an instant messaging application including a user interface for inputting whether or not to participate in the group event (e.g., accept, decline, undecided, etc.). In one embodiment, the information processing system may display the invitation message 442 in the group chat room in the form of a user account (e.g., "James") that has transmitted the request to create the group event inputting the invitation message 442 in the group chat room. In this case, the invitation message 442 may include a message saying "A group event has been created" and information such as the event name, the call type, and the event start time.

[0077] In one embodiment, the information processing system may transmit the invitation message 442 to all user accounts included in the group chat room (e.g., "Sally", "Cony", "Moon", "Brown", and "James"). In another embodiment, the information processing system may transmit the invitation message 442 to the remaining user accounts (e.g., "Sally", "Cony", "Moon", and "Brown") excluding the user account (e.g., "James") that transmitted the request to create the group event. In this case, the information processing system may determine that the user account (e.g., "James") that transmitted the request to create the group event has accepted the group event.

[0078] 4 illustrates that all user accounts included in the group chat room are automatically invited to the group event, but is not limited thereto, and a user interface that allows a user to select users invited to the group event may be provided. For example, the user interface that allows a user to select users invited to the group event may display "James," "Sally," "Cony," "Moon," and "Brown" included in the group chat room in a selected state, and the user may additionally select other users through touch input, or deselect the selected users (e.g., "Sally," "Cony," "Moon," and "Brown").

[0079] Alternatively or additionally, a user interface may be provided that allows a user to select users invited to a group event from a friend list, and if a chat room including the user and all users selected through the user interface does not exist, a group chat room including the user and all users selected through the user interface may be automatically created, and members of the group chat room may be associated with the group event.

[0080] Additionally, a user can use the user interface for reserving a group event to input information about the event type (e.g., business meeting, birthday party, etc.) and the event host. For example, a user can select the group event type as "birthday party". Also, the user can select "Brown", the main character of the birthday party, as the event host. In this case, the video call screen of "Brown" may be displayed in the center of the user terminal display, or the video call screen of "Brown" may be displayed larger than the video call screens of the other participants. Additionally, visual effects (background screens, emoticons, animation effects, etc.) and sound effects (background music, sound effects, etc.) that match the event type "birthday party" may be applied to the group event.

[0081] 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of reserving a group event using an action message 512 in a chat room according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A user can reserve a group event through a first operation 510 and a second operation 520 using an instant messaging application operating on a user terminal. The first operation 510 indicates that a user selects an action message 512 associated with a completed group video call in a group chat room of the instant messaging application using a touch input, etc.

[0082] A second operation 520 shows that a user interface 522 for starting a new call is displayed on the display of the user terminal in response to a user selecting an action message 512 associated with the group video call that has ended. The user interface 522 may include a button 524 for immediately starting a voice call with a user in the group chat room, a button 526 for immediately starting a video call, and a button 528 for reserving a group event. When a user selects the button 528 for reserving a group event through touch input, etc., a user interface (see 420 in FIG. 4) for reserving a group event may be displayed on the display of the user terminal. In this case, a user in the corresponding group chat room may be automatically selected as a user to be invited to the group event.

[0083] 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of reserving a group event using an action message 612 in a 1:1 chat room according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A user can reserve a group event using an instant messaging application operating on a user terminal through a first operation 610 and a second operation 620. The first operation 610 indicates that a user selects an action message 612 associated with a voice call that the other party has not answered in a 1:1 chat room of the instant messaging application using a touch input or the like.

[0084] A second operation 620 shows that a user interface 622 for starting a new call is displayed on the display of the user terminal in response to a user selecting an action message 612 associated with a voice call to which the other party has not responded. The user interface 622 may include a button 624 for immediately starting a voice call with a user in the 1:1 chat room, a button 626 for immediately starting a video call, and a button 628 for reserving a group event. When a user selects the button 628 for reserving a group event through touch input, etc., a user interface (see 420 in FIG. 4) for reserving a group event may be displayed on the display of the user terminal. In this case, users in the corresponding group chat room may be automatically selected as users to be invited to the group event.

[0085] 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of reserving a group event using a button 728 for reserving a group event in a user's profile screen according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. A user can reserve a group event using an instant messaging application operating on a user terminal through a first action 710 and a second action 720. The first action 710 shows a user (e.g., "James") selecting a user account 714 in a friend list 712.

[0086] A second operation 720 shows that in response to a user selecting one user account 714 from the friend list 712, a profile screen of the corresponding user (e.g., "Brown") is displayed on the display of the user terminal. The profile screen may include a button 722 for creating a 1:1 chat room with the corresponding user (e.g., "Brown"), a button 724 for immediately starting a voice call, a button 726 for immediately starting a video call, and a button 728 for reserving a group event. When a user selects the button 728 for reserving a group event through touch input, etc., a user interface (see 420 in FIG. 4) for reserving a group event may be displayed on the display of the user terminal. In this case, the corresponding user (e.g., "Brown") may be automatically selected as a user to be invited to the group event.

[0087] 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of accepting a group event invitation at an inviting terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A user can accept the group event invitation through a first operation 810, a second operation 820, and a third operation 840 using an instant messaging application operating on the user terminal. The first operation 810 shows that the inviting terminal displays an invitation message 812 received through the instant messaging application on a display.

[0088] As illustrated, the invitation message 812 may be provided in the form of an action message on an instant messaging application including a user interface for moving to a screen where the details of the group event can be confirmed. In one embodiment, the invitation message 812 may include a message saying "A group event has been created" and information such as the event name (e.g., "Brown's birthday party"), the call type (e.g., video call), and the event start time (e.g., "11.28 (Thu) 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM") The user can move to a screen where the details of the group event can be confirmed by selecting the invitation message 812 through touch input or the like.

[0089] A second operation 820 shows a screen on which the user can check the details of the group event. As shown, a first area 822 of the screen may display information about the group event (e.g., event name, call type, event start time, event end time, description phrase, event type, etc.) for a user who receives an invitation message to decide whether or not to participate in the group event. In addition, a second area 824 of the screen may display a Join button 826, a Reject button 828, and an Undecided button 830 for responding to the invitation.

[0090] In one embodiment, a user may select a "Save to Calendar" button 832 through touch input, etc., to save the corresponding group event schedule in a calendar application. The calendar application may be an additional function provided within an instant messaging application, or a separate application independent of the instant messaging application. Also, a user may select a "Register as Public" button 834 through touch input, etc., to register a group event-related message as a public item in the group chat room. Alternatively, in response to a user selecting the Join button 826, the inviting terminal may transmit an acceptance message to the information processing system and automatically save the group event schedule in the calendar application. Here, the calendar application may be a calendar application (or calendar module) capable of managing a user schedule provided within an instant messaging application, or a calendar application separate from the instant messaging application.

[0091] A third operation 840 shows that, in response to the user selecting the join button 826, information of other invited members and invitation response results are displayed on the screen. For example, profile pictures, chat names, and invitation response results (e.g., accepted, rejected, pending, not responded) of all user accounts invited to the group event "Brown's Birthday Party" (e.g., "Brown", "James", "Sally", "Moon", "Cony") may be displayed in a third area 842 of the screen. The invitation response result selected by the user in the second operation 820 may be transmitted to the information processing system in real time through an instant messaging application. In one embodiment, the information processing system may provide the received invitation response result to other users through the instant messaging application.

[0092] In FIG. 8, when a user selects the Join button 826, information about the other invited members and the invitation response result are illustrated as being displayed on the screen, but this is not limited to this, and information about the other invited members and the invitation response result may be displayed on a screen where the user can check the details of the group event without having to enter an invitation response.

[0093] 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of rejecting a group event invitation at an inviting terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A user can reject a group event invitation through a first operation 910, a second operation 920, and a third operation 940 using an instant messaging application operating on the user terminal. The first operation 910 shows the inviting terminal displaying an invitation message 912 received through the instant messaging application on a display.

[0094] As illustrated, the invitation message 912 may be provided in the form of an action message on an instant messaging application including a user interface for moving to a screen where the details of the group event can be confirmed. In one embodiment, the invitation message 912 may include a message saying "A group event has been created" and information such as the event name (e.g., "Brown's birthday party"), the call type (e.g., video call), and the event start time (e.g., "11.28 (Thu) 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM"). The user can move to a screen where the details of the group event can be confirmed by selecting the invitation message 912 through touch input or the like.

[0095] A second operation 920 displays a screen on which the user can check the details of the group event. As shown, a first area 922 of the screen may display information about the group event (e.g., event name, call type, event start time, event end time, description phrase, event type, etc.) for a user who has received an invitation message to decide whether or not to participate in the group event. In addition, a second area 924 of the screen may display a join button 926, a reject button 928, and an undecided button 930 for responding to the invitation.

[0096] A third operation 940 shows that, in response to the user selecting the reject button 928, information of the other invited members and the invitation response results are displayed on the screen. For example, the profile pictures, chat names, and invitation response results (e.g., accepted, rejected, pending, not responded) of all user accounts invited to the group event "Brown's Birthday Party" (e.g., "Brown", "James", "Sally", "Moon", "Cony") may be displayed in a third area 942 of the screen. The invitation response result selected by the user in the second operation 920 may be transmitted to the information processing system in real time through an instant messaging application. In one embodiment, the information processing system may provide the received invitation response result to other users through the instant messaging application.

[0097] In FIG. 9, when the user selects the Reject button 928, information about the other inviting members and the invitation response result are illustrated as being displayed on the screen, but this is not limited to this, and information about the other inviting members and the invitation response result may be displayed on a screen where the user can check the details of the group event without having to enter an invitation response.

[0098] 9, the invitation message 912 is illustrated as being provided in the form of an action message in a chat room including the invited user, but is not limited thereto. For example, the invitation message 912 may be provided in the form of a message (or action message) in a personal chat room (such as a chat room for me only) or a chat room with a schedule bot.

[0099] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of adjusting a scheduled group event at a generating terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The generating terminal can modify the scheduled group event through a first operation 1010, a second operation 1020, and a third operation 1030 using an instant messaging application. In one embodiment, the generating terminal can modify information related to the group event, such as the event name, invited user accounts, call type, description phrase, event type, event host, whether to confirm participation, whether to receive advance notification, etc., as well as the group event schedule.

[0100] A first operation 1010 shows a user of the production terminal (e.g., “James”) selecting an action message 1012 displayed in the group chat room to navigate to a user interface where the user can view details related to the scheduled group event. In response to the user selecting the action message 1012, a user interface where the user can view details related to the scheduled group event may be displayed on the display of the production terminal.

[0101] A second operation 1020 shows that a user (e.g., "James") of the generating terminal selects an edit button 1022 included in a user interface that allows the user to check details related to the group event in order to edit information related to the group event. As shown in the figure, the user interface that allows the user to check details related to the group event may display an edit button 1022 and a delete button 1024 along with an event start time, an event end time, an event name, a call type, and a description phrase. When the user selects the edit button 1022 through a touch input, a user interface for editing information related to the group event may be displayed on the display. On the other hand, when the user selects the delete button 1024 through a touch input, the corresponding group event may be deleted. In this case, the information processing system may transmit a message notifying the deletion of the group event to a user associated with the corresponding group event through an instant messaging application.

[0102] In one embodiment, a user of the generating terminal (e.g., "James") can check the invitation response results of users who have been invited to a group event. The invitation response results of invited users may be transmitted to the user of the generating terminal in real time or may be transmitted upon request of the user of the generating terminal. In this case, the user of the generating terminal can check the invitation response results of invited users and modify information related to the group event or delete the group event.

[0103] A third operation 1030 shows that a user interface for modifying a group event is displayed on the display of the generating terminal in response to a user (e.g., “James”) of the generating terminal selecting a modify button 1022. As shown, the user can modify the event name, event start time, event end time, call type, whether or not to confirm participation, whether or not to receive advance notification, and description phrases through touch input or the like. For example, if the response from invited users is low or there are few users accepting participation, the user of the generation device can change the event start time from "Thursday, November 28, 2019, 7:00 PM" to "Friday, November 29, 2019, 7:00 PM", the event end time from "Thursday, November 28, 2019, 8:00 PM" to "Friday, November 29, 2019, 8:00 PM", the call type from video call to voice call, and the description from "How about celebrating Brown's birthday in the evening?" to "It's Brown's birthday, so join us!".

[0104] After the user modifies the information related to the group event, the user may select a done button 1032 through touch input, etc., so that the generating terminal may transmit the modified group event generation request to the information processing system through the instant messaging application. In this case, the information processing system may transmit the modified group event invitation message to the invited user's account through the instant messaging application, and may again receive a response to the invitation from the invited user. Thereafter, the information processing system may transmit a reminder message to the associated user through the instant messaging application before the time point corresponding to the modified event start time, and transmit a group event participation request to the associated user through the instant messaging application at the time point corresponding to the modified event start time.

[0105] 11 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a user terminal displays a reminder message 1110 received from an information processing system in a chat room through an instant messaging application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. If a user selects to use a pre-notification receiving function through an instant messaging application, the information processing system may transmit a reminder message 1110 for a group event to an invitee terminal through the instant messaging application before a time point corresponding to the event start time. In one embodiment, the information processing system may send the reminder message 1110 for a group event by push notification a predetermined time (e.g., one hour) before the event start time.

[0106] For example, the information processing system may transmit a reminder message 1110 to related user terminals (e.g., user terminals associated with all invited user accounts or user accounts that accepted the invitation) at 6 p.m. on November 28, 2019, which is one hour before 7 p.m. on November 28, 2019, which is the start time of the group event "Brown's Birthday Party," via an instant messaging application. The time at which the reminder message 1110 is transmitted may be automatically determined by the information processing system. Alternatively, the time at which the reminder message 1110 is transmitted may be determined based on a group event generation request received from the generation terminal.

[0107] As shown, the user terminal may provide the reminder message 1110 to the user in the form of an action message in a chat room. The reminder message 1110 may include a message such as "The group event will start in one hour," as well as information such as the event name (e.g., "Brown's birthday party"), the call type (e.g., video call), and the event schedule (e.g., "11.28 (Thu) 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM"). In other embodiments, the user terminal may provide the reminder message 1110 to the user in the form of an alarm, a message, a voice guide, or the like.

[0108] In one embodiment, a user may select the reminder message 1110 through touch input, etc., to move to a screen where the details of the group event can be confirmed. The reminder message 1110 may be provided as a push notification through an instant messaging application prior to the start time of the group event, thereby reminding group event participants not to forget about the group event.

[0109] 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of joining a group event using a group event participation response button 1218 displayed on the display of a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A user can join a group event through a first operation 1210 and a second operation 1220 on the user terminal. In one embodiment, the information processing system can transmit a request to join the group event to related users by push notification through an instant messaging application at the start of the event. For example, the information processing system can transmit a request to join the group event to user terminals of user accounts (e.g., “Brown”, “James”, “Sally”, and “Moon”) that have accepted an invitation to the group event “Brown’s Birthday Party”.

[0110] A first operation 1210 shows that the user terminal displays a video call incoming screen on the display of the user terminal in response to receiving a request to join a group event. The video call incoming screen may include a group event name (e.g., "Brown's Birthday Party"), a call type (e.g., video call), a watch later button 1212, a message button 1214, a reject button 1216, and an answer button 1218. The user can enter the group event (e.g., "Brown's Birthday Party" proceeding as a video call) by selecting the answer button 1218 through touch input, etc. Conversely, the user can not enter the group event by selecting the reject button 1216 through touch input, etc.

[0111] In one embodiment, the user may reserve the group event participation request by selecting the watch later button 1212. For example, the user may select the watch later button 1212 and set the information processing system to transmit the group participation request again after a certain period of time (e.g., 5 minutes) has elapsed. When the group participation request is received again after the certain period of time has elapsed, the user terminal may display the video call incoming call screen again on the display of the user terminal.

[0112] In one embodiment, a user can select message button 1214 to input a message to be sent to users who have joined the group event. For example, if a user is unable to participate in a group event, the user can select message button 1214 and input a message that the user is unable to participate due to other schedule issues. In this case, the message input by the user may be displayed on the screen of the ongoing video call or provided as audio output.

[0113] A second operation 1220 indicates that a video call is established through an instant messaging application in response to a user selecting an answer button 1218. In one embodiment, a video call screen of users participating in a group event may be displayed on a display. For example, a video call screen of users (e.g., "Brown's Birthday Party") participating in a group event "Brown's Birthday Party" may be displayed. At this time, the name of the group event (e.g., "Brown's Birthday Party") and the number of participants currently participating in the group event are displayed on the display, allowing the user's current participation status to be confirmed.

[0114] 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of applying a visual effect to a video call performed through an instant messaging application according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A user can apply a visual effect to a video call through a first operation 1310 and a second operation 1320 on a user terminal. In one embodiment, when a user accepts a group event participation request and enters a group event (e.g., a video call), the user terminal can arrange the video call screens of participants on a display based on event host information.

[0115] The first operation 1310 indicates displaying a user's video call screen on the display of the user terminal based on the designated event host information. For example, if the event host of the group event "Brown's Birthday Party" is designated as "Brown", the main character of the birthday party, as shown in the figure, the video call screen of "Brown" may be displayed in the center of the display of the user terminal, and the video call screens of the other participants ("James", "Sally", "Moon", "Cony") may be displayed on the periphery of the display. Additionally or alternatively, the video call screen of "Brown" may be displayed larger than the video call screens of the other participants ("James", "Sally", "Moon", "Cony"). The layout of such a video call may be automatically determined based on the number of participants, the event type, and the call type. Additionally or alternatively, the layout of the video call may be determined based on the user's selection.

[0116] In one embodiment, visual effects and sound effects may be applied to a group event based on the event type. For example, if the event type is a "birthday party," a confetti effect 1312 may be automatically applied to the event host's video call screen, and birthday-related background music, sound effects, etc. may be automatically played. On the other hand, if the event type is a "business meeting," visual effects such as beauty filters may not be applied, and sound effects such as background music may not be applied.

[0117] In one embodiment, a customized additional function may be provided based on the event type. As shown in the figure, if the event type is a "birthday party", a present button 1314 displaying a present image on the event host's video call screen, a firecracker button 1316 displaying a firecracker image on the event host's video call screen, and a cake button 1318 displaying an image of a cake on the event host's video call screen may be displayed on the user terminal display. On the other hand, if the event type is a "business meeting", a button for sharing documents may be displayed on the screen.

[0118] A second operation 1320 indicates that a cake is displayed as a visual effect on the video call screen of the event host in response to the user selecting the cake button 1318. In one embodiment, the information processing system may provide an interactive function (e.g., Face Play) associated with the event type "Birthday Party". For example, when "Brown", the event host, blows out the candles on the cake displayed on the screen, the candles may be displayed on the screen as if they are being extinguished. In one embodiment, after the group event ends, the information processing system may transmit recorded data / audio recording data of the group event to the group event participants through an instant messaging application.

[0119] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a group event participation method 1400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, the group event participation method 1400 may be performed by a user terminal (invitation terminal) invited to a group event. As illustrated, the group event participation method 1400 may be started by receiving a group event invitation message from an information processing system through an instant messaging application (S1410). Here, the invitation message may include various information for a user to decide whether or not to participate in the group event, such as an event start time, an event end time, an event name, an invited user account, a call type (e.g., voice call, video call, live broadcast, etc.), a description phrase, an event type (e.g., business meeting, birthday party, etc.), and an event host. In one embodiment, the invitation message may be provided in the form of an action message on an instant messaging application including a user interface for a user to input whether or not to participate in the group event.

[0120] Thereafter, a step (S1420) of receiving a response to the invitation message from a user through a touch input or the like may be performed. In one embodiment, the user may check the content of the invitation message displayed on the display of the user terminal and then decide whether or not to participate in the group event. For example, the user may decide to participate in one of accepting, declining, and not yet deciding. In response to the user accepting the invitation message, a step (S1430) of the user terminal transmitting an acceptance message to the information processing system through an instant messaging application may be performed. In one embodiment, the information processing system may transmit a response result of the inviting terminal to the terminal of another user through the instant messaging application in real time or upon request of the other user terminal.

[0121] In step S1440, the user terminal may receive a reminder message for the group event through an instant messaging application prior to a time point corresponding to the event start time. In one embodiment, the user terminal may provide the reminder message received from the information processing system to the user in the form of an action message in a chat room. Here, the reminder message may include information regarding the event start time, the event name, etc., to remind participants participating in the group event of the time when the group event will be opened.

[0122] Thereafter, a step (S1450) may be performed in which the user terminal receives a request to join the group event through an instant messaging application at a time corresponding to the event start time. In response to receiving the request to join the group event, the user terminal may provide a notification to the user. For example, the user terminal may display an incoming call screen on the display. Finally, in response to the user accepting the request to join the group event, a step (S1460) may be performed in which the user joins the group event. When joining the group event, one of a voice call, a video call, and a live broadcast may be performed depending on the call type of the corresponding group event.

[0123] 15 is a flowchart illustrating a group event generating method 1500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the group event generating method 1500 may be performed by a user terminal (generating terminal) transmitting a group event generating request. As illustrated, the group event generating method 1500 may be started in step S1510 in which the user terminal transmits a group event generating request to an information processing system through an instant messaging application. Here, the group event generating request may include various information related to the group event, such as an event start time, an event end time, an event name, an invited user account, a call type (e.g., voice call, video call, live broadcast, etc.), a description phrase, an event type (e.g., business meeting, birthday party, etc.), an event host, whether or not to confirm participation, and whether or not to receive a prior notification (e.g., a reminder message).

[0124] Thereafter, a step of receiving an invitation response result (S1520) may be performed in which the user terminal receives the invitation response result of the invited user from the information processing system through the instant messaging application, and the user terminal may provide the invitation response result received through the instant messaging application to the invited user. In one embodiment, the information processing system may transmit the response result of the inviting terminal to the generating terminal through the instant messaging application in real time, or may transmit the response result upon request of the generating terminal.

[0125] In step S1530, the user terminal may transmit information on the modified event start time to the information processing system through the instant messaging application. In one embodiment, the user may modify the group event start time after checking the invitation response results of the invited users through the instant messaging application. In this case, the information processing system may transmit a modified group event invitation message including information on the modified event start time to the inviting terminal through the instant messaging application.

[0126] Next, in step S1540, a reminder message for the group event may be received through an instant messaging application prior to a time point corresponding to the event start time. In one embodiment, the user terminal may provide the reminder message received from the information processing system to the user in the form of an action message in a chat room. Here, the reminder message may include information regarding the event start time, the event name, etc., to remind participants participating in the group event of the time when the group event will be opened.

[0127] Thereafter, a step (S1550) may be performed in which the user terminal receives a request to join the group event through an instant messaging application at a time corresponding to the event start time. In response to receiving the request to join the group event, the user terminal may provide a notification to the user. For example, the user terminal may display an incoming call screen on the display. Finally, in response to the user accepting the request to join the group event, a step (S1560) may be performed in which the user joins the group event. When joining the group event, one of a voice call, a video call, and a live broadcast may be performed depending on the call type of the corresponding group event.

[0128] The group event generating method and the group event participating method described above may be embodied as computer readable codes in a computer readable recording medium. The computer readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Examples of the computer readable recording medium include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage device, etc. Also, the computer readable recording medium may be distributed among computer systems connected to a network, so that the computer readable codes are stored and executed in a distributed manner. Functional programs, codes, and code segments for implementing the above-described embodiments may be easily construed by a programmer skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

[0129] The disclosed methods, operations, or techniques may be embodied by a variety of means. For example, such techniques may be embodied in hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various exemplary logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithmic steps described in connection with the beginning of this application may be embodied in electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both. To clearly illustrate such alternatives between hardware and software, the various exemplary components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is embodied in hardware or software will depend on the particular application and design requirements imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art may implement the described functionality in various ways for each particular application, but such implementations should not be interpreted as departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0130] In a hardware implementation, the processing units used to perform the techniques may be embodied within one or more ASICs, DSPs, digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, electronic devices, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described in this disclosure, computers, or any combination thereof.

[0131] Thus, the various example logic blocks, modules and circuits described in connection with this disclosure may be embodied or implemented as a general purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be embodied as a combination of computing devices, such as a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other configuration.

[0132] In a firmware and / or software implementation, the techniques may be embodied with instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disc (CD), magnetic or optical data storage devices, etc. The instructions may be executable by one or more processors and may cause the processors to perform certain aspects of the functions described in this disclosure.

[0133] If embodied in software, the techniques may be stored on or transmitted through a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or code. A computer-readable medium includes any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another, and includes both computer storage media and communication media. A storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of non-limiting example, such computer-readable media 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 transport or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Additionally, any connection may be made appropriately with a computer-readable medium.

[0134] For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, lead wire, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio and microwave, the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, lead wire, digital subscriber line, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio and microwave are included within the definition of media. As used herein, disk and disc include CDs, laser discs, optical disks, digital versatile discs (DVDs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs, where disks typically reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0135] A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium may be coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from, and record information on, the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. Alternatively, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a user terminal.

[0136] Although the embodiments described above have been described as utilizing aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter on one or more stand-alone computer systems, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and may be implemented in connection with any computing environment, such as a network or distributed computing environment. Additionally, aspects of the subject matter in the present disclosure may be implemented on multiple processing chips or devices, and storage may be affected across multiple devices in the same manner. Such devices may include PCs, network servers, and handheld devices.

[0137] Although the present disclosure has been described in relation to some embodiments, various modifications and changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, and such modifications and changes should be understood to fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto. [Explanation of symbols]

[0138] 112, 114, 116: User terminal 120: Network 130, 320: Information processing systems 212: Input / output device 214, 232: Input / output interface 216, 234: Memory 218, 236: Processor 220, 238: communication module 310: Generation terminal 330: Invited terminal

Claims

1. In a method for participating in a group event through an instant messaging application running on a user terminal, receiving a group event invitation message, the group event invitation message including information regarding an event start time and information regarding an event type, via the instant messaging application; receiving a response to the invitation message from a user of the user terminal; transmitting an acceptance message through the instant messaging application in response to the user accepting the invitation message; receiving a request to join the group event through the instant messaging application at a time corresponding to a start time of the event; and A method for participating in a group event, comprising the steps of: applying at least one of a visual effect or a sound effect based on the information on the event type; or providing additional functionality within the group event based on the information on the event type.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of: entering the group event in response to the user accepting the request to participate in the group event.

3. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: in response to the user suspending the request to join the group event, re-receiving the request to join the group event through the instant messaging application after a predetermined time has elapsed.

4. the group event invitation message further includes information on at least one user account invited to the group event; The method for participating in a group event includes: displaying information for the at least one user account; and The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising displaying an invitation response result of the at least one user account.

5. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: registering a schedule for the group event in a calendar application based on information about a start time of the event.

6. 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a reminder message for the group event through the instant messaging application prior to a predetermined time from a start time of the event.

7. The method of claim 2 , further comprising receiving at least one of recorded data or audio data of the group event through the instant messaging application.

8. the invitation message further includes information for a host of the group event; The method for participating in a group event includes:

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of displaying a plurality of video call screens on a display of the user terminal based on the information about the host.

9. displaying a plurality of video call screens on a display of the user terminal based on information about the host, displaying a video call screen of the host at a center of the display; and The method of claim 8, further comprising displaying video call screens of remaining participants excluding the host on a periphery of the display.

10. displaying a plurality of video call screens on a display of the user terminal based on information about the host, 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising displaying a size of the host's video call screen larger than the sizes of the remaining participants' video call screens.

11. The method of any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising receiving a modified group event invitation message including information regarding a modified event start time via the instant messaging application.

12. A computer program stored on a computer-readable recording medium for executing the group event participation method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 on a computer.

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