A service provider device that provides communication with friends using widgets, and a method for operating the service provider device.

Abstract

To provide a service providing apparatus for providing communication with friends by utilizing a widget and a method for operating the service providing apparatus.SOLUTION: A method for providing communication with friends by utilizing a widget according to one embodiment includes the step of displaying a friend widget on a screen of a user and the step of displaying status information of the friend on the friend widget, the status information of the friend including information acquired from a linked game.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0005]

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in this specification relate to a service providing apparatus that provides communication with friends using widgets, and a method of operating the service providing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] A widget means a small element or component with which a user can interact in a user interface. Widgets can be displayed in various forms, such as small apps showing weather information, calendars, clocks, stock prices, news feeds, and the like.

[0003] Widgets are usually added to a desktop or dashboard so that users can quickly check the information they desire. Various widgets can also be used in smartphones, tablets, and computers.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The embodiments disclosed in this specification aim to provide a service providing apparatus that provides communication with friends, which can overcome the limitations of games, such as the annoyance in the process of connecting to games, by using widgets, and a method of operating the service providing apparatus.

[0005] Also, the embodiments disclosed in this specification aim to provide a service providing apparatus that provides communication with friends, which can provide opportunities for interaction and encounter with various friends by matching friends to be displayed on widgets, and can activate the user's character decoration, and a method of operating the service providing apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One embodiment of a method for providing communication with friends using a widget includes the step of displaying a friend widget on the user's screen.

[0007] Furthermore, a method for providing communication with friends using a widget according to one embodiment further includes the step of displaying the friend's status information on the friend widget, wherein the friend's status information includes information obtained from a linked game. The friend's status information may include at least one of the following from the linked game: the friend's last known location, pet information, guild membership information, and level.

[0008] Furthermore, a method for providing communication with friends using a widget according to one embodiment may further include the steps of: displaying the friend's homepage on the user's screen when the user inputs click information for the friend widget; and saving history information of the user's interactions with the friend related to the friend widget. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the service provider device that provides communication with friends using widgets as disclosed herein, and the method of operating the service provider device, the limitations of games, such as the hassle of connecting to a game, can be overcome by utilizing widgets.

[0010] Furthermore, according to the service provider device that provides communication with friends using widgets of the embodiments disclosed herein, and the method of operation of the service provider device, by matching friends to be displayed on the widget, it is possible to provide opportunities for interaction and encounters with various friends, and it is also possible to revitalize the user's character customization. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a service provider that offers communication with friends using a widget according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an example of a friend widget that displays messages sent by friends. [Figure 3] This is an example of a user's homepage. [Figure 4a] This is an example of the friend widget displayed on the user's screen before and after friend matching. [Figure 4b] This is an example of the friend widget displayed on the friend's screen before and after matching with a friend. [Figure 4c] This is an example of the overall screen of a user before and after friend matching. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing communication with friends using a widget, according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The following description, with reference to the attached drawings, details a service provider that provides communication with friends using widgets according to embodiments of the present disclosure, and the operation method of the service provider. The following embodiments of the present disclosure are merely for the purpose of embodying the present disclosure and do not limit or restrict the scope of the rights of the present disclosure. Anything that can be easily inferred by experts in the art to which the present disclosure pertains from the detailed description and embodiments of the present disclosure is construed as falling within the scope of the rights of the present disclosure.

[0013] As used herein, "character" means a virtual person or representative designed to humanize or emotionally create user-to-application interactions. "Character" is also referred to as "avatar," and the terms "character" and "avatar" are used interchangeably herein.

[0014] Figure 1 shows a configuration diagram of a service provider device 10 that provides communication with friends using a widget according to one embodiment.

[0015] The service provider 10, which provides communication with friends using widgets, may be a service provider server, a user terminal, a game system including the service provider server and user terminal, or a single independent device. That is, the service provider 10 may be implemented as a terminal, as a server, or in a structure in which the terminal and server are linked.

[0016] For example, in Figure 1, the service provider 10 is shown with a number of nodes N1, N2, and N3, but the service provider 10 can be configured to include at least one of the number of nodes N1, N2, and N3, and each node N1, N2, and N3 may be either a service provider server or a user terminal.

[0017] Furthermore, each node N1, N2, and N3 can be configured to include at least one processor P, memory M, and communication device C. Memory M contains instruction words that can be executed by at least one processor P, and at least one processor P executes these instruction words. Communication device C is a device for nodes N1, N2, and N3 to communicate with external devices.

[0018] Furthermore, at least some of each node N1, N2, and N3 may be equipped with various input devices, including keyboards, for receiving data input, and various output devices, such as displays, for displaying data on a screen.

[0019] The service provider 10 can receive setting information for a friend widget from the user, generate the friend widget, and display it on the user's screen, i.e., the desktop. The friend widget is a tool that facilitates interaction with friends.

[0020] The setting information of the friend widget from the user can be information for selecting a specific friend to display in the friend widget, or information for requesting friend matching without separately selecting a friend.

[0021] The friend widget can display a number of the friend's status information, the friend's character, the friend's chat window, the user's character, and an icon indicating history information not viewed by the user. Also, the user's chat window can further be displayed in the friend widget.

[0022] The status information of the friend can be uploaded and displayed in the friend widget. The status information of the friend means the activity information of the friend online.

[0023] The status information of the friend can include information obtained from an associated game. That is, the status information of the friend can include the activity information of the friend in the associated game. The associated game refers to a game associated with an application installed in the service providing device 10. Also, the information between the service providing device 10 and the associated game is unidirectional.

[0024] Also, the status information of the friend as the activity information of the friend in the associated game can include at least one of the position where the connection ended, pet information, guild membership information, and level of the friend in the associated game.

[0025] Furthermore, the friend's status information in the linked game may also include either whether the friend is currently connected to the linked game or their current location. Using the friend's location where they last connected or their current location in the linked game (i.e., map information), users can easily play the game with their friend by moving to that location. The friend's pet information, guild membership information, and level in the linked game can be usefully used as material for communication with that friend.

[0026] Incidentally, a Pet is an animal or living creature that accompanies the player in the game and provides various benefits. Pets can fulfill roles such as assisting in combat, helping to collect items, or improving the player's abilities. Pet information can include detailed information about the pet, such as its type, level, abilities, evolution status, and owner.

[0027] A guild is a group formed by multiple players. Guild members can help each other achieve in-game goals and participate in guild-exclusive content such as guild wars and guild missions. Guild membership information can include details about the guild, such as which guild the player belongs to, their rank and role within the guild, and the date they joined the guild.

[0028] Level refers to a numerical value that increases each time a player or pet's experience points (XP) reach a certain threshold.

[0029] By integrating with games, the hassle of connecting to games, especially PC games, can be overcome using the friend widget. Furthermore, since friends' game information can be easily checked in daily life, opportunities to play games together with friends can be easily provided.

[0030] Furthermore, the service provider 10 can also obtain items for use in the game from the game server by linking with the game. This makes it possible to customize characters not only using unique items within the application, but also using items from within the game.

[0031] Furthermore, the friend's status information may also include activity information in the application operated by the service provider 10.

[0032] The chat window included in the friend widget can display the friend's comments. A friend's comments are messages displayed by that friend in their own character widget. A friend's character widget may be a widget displayed on that friend's homepage. Similarly, a user's comments can be displayed on a friend's screen using the chat window included in the friend widget. A user's comments are messages displayed by that user in their own character widget. A user's character widget may be a widget displayed on that user's homepage.

[0033] The chat window can be displayed as a speech bubble, and users and friends can chat by monitoring each other's chat window comments, allowing them to stay informed of each other's messages.

[0034] Furthermore, if you display not only your friend's character but also your own character in the friend widget, you can monitor each other's chats by having their respective chat windows appear adjacent to each other's characters. Also, depending on the user's settings, comments displayed in the friend widget's chat window can be automatically translated and displayed in the user's chosen language.

[0035] The service provider 10 can store history information about the user's friends related to the friend widget on the user's screen.

[0036] The history information can include at least one of the following: messages sent by the friend, and records of pre-configured events associated with the friend widget. This saved history information for each friend can be viewed on the homepage to reminisce. This is because it's difficult to constantly monitor when the friend widget's history will be displayed, and providing push notifications would be considered spam. Therefore, it's used as communication material, simply to preserve records of chance encounters. By recording and saving history information, the user's settings are also saved, allowing them to see the circumstances under which they encountered that friend. Furthermore, it's not just about placing the friend widget; users can actually log in and see who they've met.

[0037] A message generated by such a friend is a type of direct message (memo) and may include at least one of the following: a message left by the friend on the user's homepage, and a log file that is automatically generated when the friend accesses the user's homepage.

[0038] Furthermore, event occurrences can be recorded in the form of snapshots. That is, a snapshot is a record of the scene when the event occurred. In addition, examples of pre-configured events include at least one of the following: when the user character's coordination or background changes, when the user's chat window changes, and when the chat window of a friend displayed in the friend widget changes.

[0039] Additionally, history information that the user has not viewed can be displayed in the friend widget using icons such as direct messages.

[0040] Figure 2 shows an example of a friend widget that displays messages sent by friends.

[0041] For reference, Figure 2 displays messages generated by at least one friend in the form of direct messages, and currently there are no matched or selected friends. As can be seen from Figure 2, a large number of messages can accumulate. However, Figure 2 only displays five memo icons, and the upper limit of the icons displayed can be set in advance if a certain number of messages accumulate.

[0042] This method allows for the indication that a message is available without requiring the user to open the application. Since pushing or displaying messages generated by friends as badges might create a sense of obligation and burden, displaying messages as icons without notifications is a less burdensome and more emotionally appealing approach.

[0043] When a user clicks on the relevant history information, i.e., the icon, they are redirected to their homepage, where they can view the relevant history information.

[0044] In other words, by displaying history information in the friend widget, it's possible to encourage more casual communication with friends rather than real-time communication. Moreover, the history information allows users to look back on past memories.

[0045] When the service provider 10 receives click information from the user regarding a friend widget on the user's screen, it can move to the friend's homepage and display the friend's homepage on the user's screen. In other words, by connecting directly to the other person's homepage with a single click on the friend widget, without going through multiple steps, user convenience can be greatly increased.

[0046] The homepage is the page displayed when a user first runs an application after installing it for the operation of the service provider device 10, or when the application is first run after initialization. Specifically, the homepage, also known as "My Room," refers to a function or section where a user can set up and manage a personalized space. This space can be decorated to the user's liking and provides various tools and functions for interaction with other users.

[0047] Figure 3 is an example of a user's homepage.

[0048] A user's homepage can display information such as widgets that the user has decorated, including their character, friend information, and visitor logs (footprints) of visitors to the homepage.

[0049] Additionally, depending on the user's settings, the characters of currently matched friends can also be displayed on the user's homepage. In this case, the friends' characters can be displayed on the user's homepage in the same way as the friends widget.

[0050] Specifically, in Figure 3, circle 1 shows whether the currently matched friend's character is displayed, circle 2 is the FAQ, circle 3 shows the current status of the maple leaf icon, which represents the "likes" the user has received from other friends, circle 4 is the ability to move to the user character decoration screen, circle 5 shows whether the user's character widget is shared, circle 6 is a menu where friend information can be provided and friends can be selected, circle 7 is a visitor record of visitors who have visited the user's homepage, and circle 8 shows the visitor's character coordination. Furthermore, circle 9 shows the connection information left by the visitor.

[0051] Similarly, a friend's homepage displays widget information, including their own character, friend information, and visitor records to their homepage. Depending on the friend's settings, the characters of currently matched users may also be displayed.

[0052] The following explains in detail how to select specific friends to display in the friend widget if the user's friend widget settings information is what determines which friends are displayed in the friend widget.

[0053] Users can select which friends to display in the friend widget from their friend list. The friend list may include at least one of the following: friends using the application; friends obtained from linked games; and friends set by the user using a unique identifier.

[0054] Unique identifiers can include phone numbers, virtual IDs, nicknames, etc. Because users can use unique identifiers to set friends, it's possible to add a friend even if that friend doesn't use the application or linked game.

[0055] When a user selects a specific friend, that friend's character will be displayed in the friends widget.

[0056] The following provides a specific explanation of the case where the user's friend widget settings information requests friend matching without requiring the selection of separate friends to be displayed in the friend widget.

[0057] For example, when a user selects a menu item requesting pre-configured friend matching, such as "Random Friend Widget," the service provider 10 periodically randomly matches a new friend, and the friend's character is displayed in the friend widget. If necessary, the information of the matched friend can also be saved to the user's friend list.

[0058] The service provider 10 can also perform friend matching using information such as the user's hobbies, preferences, and character coordination.

[0059] Figures 4a and 4b show example diagrams of the friend widget displayed on the user's screen before and after friend matching, and the friend widget displayed on the friend's screen, respectively. Figure 4c is an example diagram of the user's entire screen after friend matching.

[0060] The Friend Widget can display not only the friend's character but also the user's character, if necessary. Multiple Friend Widgets can also be displayed on the user's screen. Furthermore, after matching with a friend, the background of the Friend Widget can change from the background set by the user to the background set by the friend.

[0061] The service provider 10 can match friends to be displayed in the friend widget and display the character of the matched friend in the friend widget on the user's screen. Furthermore, the service provider 10 displays the user's character in the friend widget on the screen of the matched friend. From the user's perspective, the matched friend is the one who was matched, and from the friend's perspective, the user is the one who was matched. In other words, the service provider 10 matches two people from a large number of people who have requested friend matching and displays the other person's character in the friend widget on the screens of both of the matched users' terminals.

[0062] Matching in this case can be done randomly, and no separate notifications such as message pushes or badges are set for the user when a match is made. In other words, a matched friend may appear in the friend widget at a moment when the user is not looking at it. By not setting up notifications in this way, the aim is to encourage users to frequently check the friend widget with anticipation of matching friends.

[0063] By using the Friend Widget to automatically and randomly encounter virtual avatars, it becomes possible to encourage matching friends to be added to the application's friend list. In other words, friend matching can be done in a way that feels like accidentally meeting a friend while walking around town.

[0064] Additionally, since randomly matched friends can visit a user's homepage, it can help activate the user's character decorations.

[0065] After matching a friend to the friend widget, the service provider 10 can display the friend's comments on the user's screen using the chat window included in the friend widget. Similarly, after matching with the user, the friend can display the user's comments on their screen using the chat window included in the friend widget. By mutually monitoring each other's chat windows, users and friends can continue to see each other's messages, enabling them to chat.

[0066] Furthermore, when a user clicks on their history information, they are redirected to their homepage where they can view that history information. This allows the system to guide users to add matched friends as friends based on their records of encounters with those friends.

[0067] Depending on the user's settings, the service provider 10 can also display on the user's homepage whether or not there are currently any friends matched with the user, as well as the characters of those friends.

[0068] The service provider 10 matches new friends to be displayed in the friend widget and updates the friend widget by displaying the character of the new friend in the user's friend widget. By continuously matching new friends periodically and updating the friend widget, the user can continue to meet various new friends through the friend widget.

[0069] The following describes a method for providing communication with friends using a widget according to one embodiment. Since the method for providing communication with friends using a widget according to one embodiment is performed by the service provision device 10 described above, it naturally includes all the features of the service provision device 10 without further explanation. Furthermore, each step of the method for providing communication with friends using a widget is a method of operation of the service provision device 10 and can be performed by at least one processor P. That is, the method for providing communication with friends using a widget can be realized in the form of a computer program performed by at least one processor P, and each step included in the method for providing communication with friends using a widget can be performed by one of the at least one processor P.

[0070] Furthermore, a method for providing communication with friends using a widget according to one embodiment can be implemented on a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for execution on a computer is stored. Alternatively, the method for providing communication with friends using a widget according to one embodiment can also be implemented using a computer program stored on the recording medium.

[0071] Figure 5 shows a flowchart illustrating a method for providing communication with friends using a widget according to one embodiment.

[0072] As can be seen from Figure 5, one embodiment of a method for providing communication with friends using a widget may include the step (S110) of receiving setting information for the friend widget from the user, and generating and displaying the friend widget on the user's screen.

[0073] The friend widget settings information from the user in step S110 could be information to select specific friends to display in the friend widget, or information to request friend matching without selecting any friends separately. If the friend widget settings information from the user is information to select specific friends to display in the friend widget, the user can select the friends to display in the friend widget from the friend list.

[0074] A method for providing communication with friends using a widget according to one embodiment may further include the steps of displaying the friend's homepage on the user's screen when the user receives click information on the friend widget (S120), and saving history information of the user's interactions with the friend related to the friend widget (S130).

[0075] The history information may include at least one of the following: messages sent by the friend, and records of pre-configured events associated with the friend widget.

[0076] Furthermore, a method for providing communication with friends using a widget according to one embodiment may further include the step (S140) of displaying history information that the user has not viewed as an icon in the user's friends widget.

[0077] Furthermore, a method for providing communication with friends using a widget according to one embodiment may further include the step (S150) of displaying the friend's status information in the friend widget.

[0078] Here, the friend's status information may include information obtained from the linked game. Specifically, the friend's status information may include at least one of the following from the linked game: the friend's last connected location, pet information, guild membership information, and level. The linked game refers to a game linked to an application installed for the purpose of communicating with friends.

[0079] Furthermore, if the user's settings information for the friend widget is information for selecting a specific friend to display in the friend widget, the method of providing communication with a friend using the widget according to one embodiment may further include the step (S210) of displaying the character of that friend in the friend widget.

[0080] The friend list may include at least one of the following: friends using the application, friends obtained from linked games, and friends set by the user using a unique identifier. The unique identifier can include a phone number, virtual ID, nickname, etc. Because users can set friends using unique identifiers, it is possible to add a friend even if that friend does not use the application or linked game.

[0081] If the user's friend widget settings information is information that requests friend matching without the selection of a separate friend to display in the friend widget, then a method for providing communication with a friend using a widget according to one embodiment may further include the steps of: matching a friend to display in the user's friend widget (S310); displaying the character of the matched friend in the user's friend widget (S320); displaying the user's character in the friend widget on the matched friend's screen (S330); displaying the chat window included in the friend widget after the friend has been matched in the user's friend widget (S340); matching a new friend to display in the user's friend widget (S350); and updating the friend widget by displaying the character of the new friend in the user's friend widget (S360).

[0082] As described above, the service provider device that provides communication with friends using widgets as described in the embodiment, and the method of operation of the service provider device, not only can the limitations of games, such as the hassle of connecting to the game, be overcome by utilizing widgets, but by matching friends displayed on the widget, it is possible to provide opportunities for interaction and meeting various friends, thereby revitalizing the customization of the user's character. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 10 Service provision device N1, N2, N3 nodes

Claims

1. A method of providing communication with friends using widgets, The steps include displaying the widget on the user's screen, The steps include matching the user's friends to be displayed in the widget, The steps include displaying the character of the friend matched to the user's widget, The steps include: displaying a chat window on the widget of the user after matching with the friend, in which the friend's comments can be displayed; The steps include displaying the friend's status information, which is the friend's online activity information, on the user's widget, The steps include matching new friends to be displayed in the widget of the user, The steps include updating the widget by displaying the new friend's character on the user's widget, The widget described above is A method for providing communication, including a friend widget which is a widget for interacting with friends, and which displays the friend's character and status information.

2. The status information of the friend is: A method for providing the communication described in claim 1, including information obtained from a linked game.

3. The friend's status information is used in the linked game for that friend. Location where connection ended, Pet information, Guild joining information, and A method for providing the communication described in claim 2, comprising at least one of the levels.

4. The method of providing the aforementioned communication is, A method for providing communication according to claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying the friend's homepage on the user's screen when the user has input click information for the widget.

5. The method of providing the aforementioned communication is, The step further includes saving the user's history information with the friend related to the widget, The aforementioned historical information is, A method for providing communication according to claim 1, comprising at least one of a message generated by the friend and a record of a pre-configured event related to the widget.

6. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for performing the method described in any one of claims 1 to 5 is stored.

7. A computer program stored on a recording medium for performing the method described in any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. A service provider device that provides communication with friends using widgets, The widget is displayed on the user's screen, Match the friends to be displayed in the widget and display the character of the said friend in the user's widget. After matching with the friend, a chat window that can display the friend's comments will be displayed on the user's widget. The widget of the user displays the friend's online activity information, which is the friend's status information. The system matches the user with a new friend to display in the widget, updates the widget to display the character of the new friend in the user's widget, The widget described above is A friend widget is a widget that allows interaction with friends, and it is a service provider that displays the character and status information of the friend.

9. The status information of the friend is: The service provision device according to claim 8, which includes information obtained from a linked game.

10. The friend's status information is used in the linked game for that friend. Location where connection ended, Pet Information Guild joining information, and The service provider according to claim 9, comprising at least one of the levels.

11. The aforementioned service provider is The service provider according to claim 8, which, upon receiving click information from the user for the widget, displays the friend's homepage on the user's screen.

12. The aforementioned service provider is The user saves the history information of the friend related to the widget of the user, The aforementioned historical information is, The service provider according to claim 8, comprising at least one of a message generated by the friend and a record of a pre-configured event related to the widget.

Images