Method and apparatus for filtering and sorting content

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for filtering and sorting content. A method for filtering and sorting content according to one embodiment of the present invention, in a method performed by a computing device, may include the step of displaying a content area comprising a plurality of contents sorted by items included in a first index, and the step of displaying the first index in response to a first gesture input of flicking a scroll area of ​​the content area in a first direction different from the scroll direction.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for filtering and sorting content. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for filtering and sorting content desired by a user in a content list according to an index serving as a classification criterion, in response to the user inputting a predetermined gesture. Background Technology

[0002] Filtering and sorting the content included in a list of multiple contents is a function frequently performed in the domain to allow the user to browse for desired content.

[0003] Conventional technologies related to content filtering and sorting require cumbersome operations to set classification criteria for filtering and sorting content. In particular, filtering and sorting content according to multiple classification criteria requires these cumbersome operations to be performed multiple times, causing inconvenience to users. Prior art literature

[0004] Korean Registered Patent No. 2151905 "System and method for seeding a search" The problem to be solved

[0005] The technical problem that some embodiments of the present invention aim to solve is to provide a method and apparatus for filtering and sorting content with simple operation.

[0006] Another technical problem that some embodiments of the present invention aim to solve is to provide a method and apparatus for filtering and sorting desired content step by step.

[0007] Another technical problem that some embodiments of the present invention aim to solve is to provide a method and apparatus for filtering and sorting content according to the same criteria.

[0008] Another technical problem that some embodiments of the present invention aim to solve is to provide a method and apparatus for filtering and sorting content with user-friendly operations.

[0009] Another technical problem that some embodiments of the present invention aim to solve is to provide a method and apparatus for filtering and sorting content so that a user can quickly search for desired content.

[0010] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned technical problems will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art from the description below. means of solving the problem

[0011] A content filtering and sorting method according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above technical problem may include, in a method performed by a computing device, a step of displaying a content area including a plurality of contents sorted by items included in a first index, and a step of displaying the first index in response to a first gesture input of flicking a scroll area of ​​the content area in a first direction different from the scroll direction.

[0012] In one embodiment, the step of displaying the first index may include, in response to an input of swiping the first index area in which the first index is listed in a second direction within the scroll direction and reference angle, displaying items included in the first index in the first index area according to a predetermined order corresponding to the second direction. Additionally, it may include the step of displaying a residual index indicating that there is an index different from the first index.

[0013] In one embodiment, the method may further include the steps of: obtaining a first selection input for selecting at least one item included in the first index; filtering so that a first content corresponding to the first selection input is displayed in the content area; and sorting the first content according to the selected item according to the first selection input. Here, after the first selection input is obtained, the method may further include the step of performing the steps of filtering so that the first content is displayed in the content area and sorting the first content in response to a first applied gesture input that causes the first content to be filtered and sorted according to the first selection input.

[0014] In one embodiment, the method may further include the step of displaying a second index, which is a content classification criterion different from the first index, in response to a second gesture input in which the scroll area, whose position is moved by the display of the first index area where the first index is listed, is flicked in a direction within the first direction and a reference angle. Here, the method may further include the step of displaying the first index in response to a third gesture input in which the scroll area, whose position is moved by the display of the second index area where the second index is listed, is flicked in a direction opposite to the first direction.

[0015] Additionally, the step of displaying the second index may include the step of displaying a second index area in which the second index is listed by overlaying it on the first index area. Here, the step of displaying the second index area may include the step of displaying a first index button in the second index area and the step of displaying the first index in response to an input selecting the first index button.

[0016] Additionally, the step of displaying the second index may include, in response to an input of swiping the second index area in a second direction within the scroll direction and reference angle in which the second index is listed, displaying items included in the second index in the second index area in a predetermined order corresponding to the second direction, or displaying a residual index indicating that there is an index different from the first index and the second index.

[0017] In one embodiment, the method may further include the steps of: obtaining a first selection input for selecting at least one item included in the first index; obtaining a second selection input for selecting at least one item included in the second index; filtering so that second content corresponding to the first selection input and the second selection input is displayed in the content area; and sorting the second content according to the selected item according to the second selection input. Here, after the second selection input is obtained, the method may further include the step of filtering so that the second content is displayed in the content area and the step of sorting the second content in response to a second applied gesture input that causes the second content to be filtered and sorted according to the second selection input.

[0018] In one embodiment, the second index may be a lower-level index of the first index.

[0019] In one embodiment, the method may further include the step of displaying a third index, which is a content classification criterion different from the first index and the second index, in response to a fourth gesture input in which the scroll area, whose position is moved by the display of the second index area in which the second index is listed, flicks in a direction within the first direction and a reference angle. Here, the method may further include the step of obtaining a first selection input that selects at least one item among the first index, the step of obtaining a second selection input that selects at least one item among the second index, the step of obtaining a third selection input that selects at least one item among the third index, the step of filtering so that third content corresponding to the first selection input, the second selection input, and the third selection input is displayed in the content area, and the step of sorting the third content according to the item selected according to the third selection input.

[0020] In one embodiment, the content is a photo file, the first index is a criterion for classifying the photo file according to the date the photo file was taken, the second index is a criterion for classifying the photo file according to the shooting mode in which the photo file was taken, and the third index may be a criterion for classifying the photo file according to the person in whom the photo file was taken.

[0021] In one embodiment, the content is a sound file, the first index is a criterion for classifying the sound file according to the date the sound file is stored, the second index is a criterion for classifying the sound file according to the genre of the sound file, and the third index may be a criterion for classifying the sound file according to the number of times the sound file has been played.

[0022] In one embodiment, the content is a received email, the first index is a criterion for classifying the email according to the date the email was received, the second index is a criterion for classifying the email according to the sender of the email, and the third index may be a criterion for classifying the email according to the type of attachment file attached to the email.

[0023] A content filtering and sorting device according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above technical problem comprises a processor, a network interface, a memory, and a computer program loaded into the memory and executed by the processor, wherein the computer program may include an instruction for displaying a content area containing a plurality of contents sorted by items included in a first index, and an instruction for displaying the first index in response to a first gesture input of flicking a scroll area of ​​the content area in a first direction different from the scroll direction. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0024] FIG. 1 is a drawing for illustrating a content filtering and sorting system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining a content filtering and sorting method according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 3 and FIGS. 4 are drawings for illustrating a display screen of a terminal that may be referenced in some embodiments. FIGS. 5 and 6 are drawings for explaining the gesture input operation of the content filtering and alignment method described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the residual index display operation of the content filtering and sorting method described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an index display operation different from the index display operation shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a different gesture input operation of the content filtering and sorting method described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 10 is a diagram for more specifically explaining the gesture input operation illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another gesture input action of the content filtering and sorting method described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the selection input operation of an index item of the content filtering and sorting method described with reference to FIG. 2. FIGS. 13 and FIGS. 14 are drawings for more specifically explaining the selection input operation of an index item described with reference to FIG. 12. FIGS. 15 and FIGS. 16 are example drawings of a photo file filtering and sorting method to which the content filtering and sorting method described with reference to FIG. 2 is applied. FIGS. 17 and FIGS. 18 are example drawings of a music file filtering and sorting method to which the content filtering and sorting method described with reference to FIG. 2 is applied. FIGS. 19 and FIGS. 20 are example drawings of a mail filtering and sorting method to which the content filtering and sorting method described with reference to FIG. 2 is applied. FIG. 21 is a hardware configuration diagram of a content filtering and sorting device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The advantages and features of the present invention, and the methods for achieving them, will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the attached drawings. However, the technical concept of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments but can be implemented in various different forms. The following embodiments are provided merely to complete the technical concept of the present invention and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the present invention, and the technical concept of the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims.

[0026] It should be noted that when assigning reference numerals to the components of each drawing, the same components are assigned the same reference numeral whenever possible, even if they are shown in different drawings. Furthermore, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known components or functions could obscure the essence of the invention, such detailed description is omitted.

[0027] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) may be used in a meaning commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Furthermore, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly and specifically defined otherwise. The terms used herein are for describing embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, the singular form includes the plural form unless specifically stated otherwise in the text.

[0028] Additionally, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc., may be used when describing the components of the present invention. These terms are intended merely to distinguish the components from other components, and the nature, order, or sequence of the components is not limited by such terms. Where it is stated that a component is "connected," "combined," or "joined" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly connected or joined to the other component, but that another component may also be "connected," "combined," or "joined" between each component.

[0029] Hereinafter, several embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a drawing for illustrating a content filtering and sorting system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, the content filtering and sorting system may include a terminal (100) and a server (200). Each component of the content filtering and sorting system disclosed in FIG. 1 represents functionally distinct functional elements, and one or more of these components may be integrated and implemented together in an actual physical environment. Below, the components of the content filtering and sorting system will be described in more detail.

[0032] The terminal (100) can store content. Here, content refers to various types of information that can be displayed on a digital infrastructure. At this time, the information is not limited to text information and may include voice information and video information, etc. For example, content may refer to emails, photo files, music files, document files, and video files, etc. Additionally, the terminal (100) may not store content on the terminal (100) but may receive content transmitted by an external server (not shown) and display it to the user. For example, the terminal (100) may receive a music file transmitted by an external music server (not shown) and play it in a streaming format.

[0033] The terminal (100) may be configured to include a display panel for visually displaying content. Through such a display panel, the terminal (100) may provide content list information to the user. For a detailed explanation regarding this, the following description will be made with reference to FIGS. 3 and FIGS. 4.

[0034] FIGS. 3 and FIGS. 4 are drawings for illustrating a display screen of a terminal that may be referenced in some embodiments.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 3, a display screen displayed on a display panel of a terminal (100) is illustrated. At this time, a content area (10) containing a plurality of contents is displayed on the display screen. This content area (10) may be in the shape of a rectangular shape with a long width, as shown in FIG. 3. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the content area (10) may be in the shape of a square. However, the present invention is not limited to the shape of this content area (10), and any shape of the content area (10) capable of visually displaying information regarding each content may be included in the present invention.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 3, a scroll area (20) including a scroll bar (21) is displayed on a display screen. Here, the scroll bar (21) allows content that is not currently displayed on the screen to be displayed in the content area (10) according to a pre-arranged order of content when there is more content in the content list than is displayed in the content area (10). All prior art related to the scroll bar (21) may be applied to and referenced in the present invention. It should be noted that although the scroll bar (21) shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 is depicted as moving up and down within a limited path of the scroll area (20), the present invention is not limited thereto. Referring again to FIG. 1, the description will be made.

[0037] The terminal (100) may be configured to include a display panel for receiving touch input from a user. In this case, in response to the user's touch input, the content may be filtered and aligned. Such user touch input operation and content filtering and alignment operation will be further specified through description in the specification.

[0038] The terminal (100) may have a web browser or a dedicated application installed to display a screen or receive touch input from a user. In some embodiments of the present invention, the terminal (100) may be any device capable of displaying a screen or receiving touch input. For example, in some embodiments of the present invention, the terminal (100) may be any one of a desktop, workstation, server, laptop, tablet, smartphone, or phablet, but is not limited thereto, and may be a device such as a portable multimedia player (PMP), personal digital assistant (PDA), or e-book reader.

[0039] The operations performed by the terminal (100), including the operation of displaying content list information, the operation of filtering content, and the operation of sorting content, which are performed by the terminal (100) described above, may be performed via the server (200).

[0040] For example, an external music server transmits music file list information to the terminal (100). The terminal (100) displays the received music file list information to the user through a display panel. At this time, the terminal (100) receives touch input from the user, and the terminal (100) transmits the received user touch input information to the server (200). The server (200) filters and sorts the music files using the user touch input information received from the terminal (100). The server (200) transmits the filtered and sorted music file list information to the terminal (100), and the terminal (100) displays the filtered and sorted music file list information received from the server (200) to the user through a display panel.

[0041] According to the content filtering and sorting system according to the present embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 1, content can be filtered and sorted by a user's touch input. Hereinafter, a content filtering and sorting method according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2.

[0042] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a content filtering and sorting method according to another embodiment of the present invention. The content filtering and sorting method according to this embodiment may be performed by a computing device. Additionally, the method according to this embodiment may be performed by a first computing device and a second computing device. Hereinafter, when performing each operation of the method according to this embodiment, if the subject is omitted, the subject may be interpreted as the computing device.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 2, in step S100, a content area containing multiple contents sorted by items included in the first index is displayed. Here, the index refers to a classification criterion for filtering and sorting the content. Additionally, the first index refers to a classification criterion determined as default.

[0044] For a specific example, if the content is a photo file and the first index is the date the photo file is saved, the photo files may be placed and displayed in the content area according to the order in which they are saved in step S100. For another example, if the content is a music file and the first index is the title of the music, the music files may be placed and displayed in the content area according to the order of titles (e.g., alphabetical order) in step S100.

[0045] In step S100, the content area containing the contents may be concretized through the description previously explained with reference to FIGS. 3 and FIGS. 4.

[0046] Next, in step S200, a first index is displayed in response to a first gesture input that flicks the scroll area of ​​the content area in a first direction different from the scroll direction. Here, the scroll direction means a direction parallel to the direction in which the scrollbar moves.

[0047] At this time, the first direction may mean a direction perpendicular to the scroll direction. However, the first direction of the present invention is not limited to a direction perpendicular to the scroll direction, but may include both a direction perpendicular to the scroll direction and a direction within a reference angle. The terminal can receive the first gesture input of a user flicking in such a first direction by the touch input of the display panel described above.

[0048] In response to such a first gesture input, a first index, which is a default classification criterion for sorting initial contents, is displayed. To explain more specific details regarding this, we will refer to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the gesture input operation of the content filtering and sorting method described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 5, in response to a first gesture input of flicking the scroll area (20) in a first direction (23), an index A, which is a first index (31), is displayed in the first index area (30). At this time, index A, which is the first index (31), includes first index items (33), such as A, B, C, D, and E. Specific operations for filtering and sorting the contents included in the content area (10) in response to an input selecting the first index item (33) will be specified later through the description in the specification.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 5, a first position-moving scrollbar (21(a)) is shown, which is moved by a first index area (30) displayed in response to a first gesture input of flicking the scroll area (20) in a first direction (23).

[0051] In some embodiments related to step S200, a first residual index (35) may be displayed to indicate that there is an index different from the first index (31). According to the present embodiment, the user can intuitively recognize that there is an index different from the first index (31) for filtering and sorting content. The user may recognize the first residual index (35) and, by performing a flicking input on the scroll area once again, filter and sort content to a second index, which is a classification criterion different from the first index (31). Referring to FIG. 5, an index B, which is the first residual index (35) different from index A, which is the first index (31), is shown.

[0052] By the operation of steps S100 and S200, the user can have an index, which is a classification criterion for filtering and sorting content, displayed on the display screen with simple operation. The cumbersome operation of the conventional method for filtering and sorting content is reduced to a single gesture, thereby increasing user convenience. This will be explained again with reference to FIG. 2.

[0053] Next, in step S300, a first selection input is obtained for selecting at least one item included in the first index. As previously described with reference to FIG. 5, the first index includes multiple items. For a more specific example, if the first index is a date, index items may be organized by date. Additionally, index items may be organized by month. Additionally, index items may be organized by year. For another specific example, if the first index is a music genre, items may be organized by music genre. As in these examples, the criteria for classifying content can be the index, and the categories distinguished according to this criterion can be the items.

[0054] A first selection input for selecting at least one item included in such a first index can be received by the terminal via the touch input of the display panel described above. To explain more specific details related thereto, we will refer to FIG. 12.

[0055] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the selection input operation of an index item of the content filtering and sorting method described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 12, in response to a first gesture input of flicking the scroll area (20) in a first direction, a first index area (30) including a first index (31) is displayed, and first selection items (37) selected according to a first selection input (37(a)) are displayed. More specifically, among the plurality of first index items included in index A, which is the first index (31), the first selection items (37) selected according to the first selection input (37(a)) include G, H, L, and N. Referring again to FIG. 2, the description will be explained.

[0057] Next, in step S400, the first content corresponding to the first selection input is filtered so that it is displayed in the content area. As previously described with reference to FIG. 12, at least one item included in the first index is selected according to the first selection input, and the initial content displayed in the content area is filtered to correspond to the selected item.

[0058] To explain with a more specific example, if the content is a photo file, the first index is a date, and the items included in the first index are monthly dates, then based on the user's input selecting January 2020, only photos saved in January 2020 are filtered to be displayed in the content area. As another example, if the content is a music file, the first index is a music genre, and the items included in the first index are individual music genres, then based on the user's input selecting Jazz and Dance, only Jazz and Dance music are filtered to be displayed in the content area.

[0059] Next, in step S500, the first content is sorted according to the selected item based on the first selection input. As previously described with reference to FIG. 12, at least one item included in the first index is selected according to the first selection input, and the filtered content is sorted according to the selected item.

[0060] To explain with a more specific example, if the content is a music file, the first index is a music genre, and the items included in the first index are individual music genres, then based on the user's input selecting Jazz and Dance, the content area is filtered so that only Jazz and Dance music are displayed, and Jazz music is sorted by Jazz music and Dance music by Dance music within the content area. As another example, if the content is an email, the first index is a sender, and the items included in the first index are individual senders, then based on the user's input selecting Sender B, Sender C, and Sender Z, the content area is filtered so that only emails sent by Sender B, Sender C, and Sender Z are displayed, and the emails sent by Sender B are sorted by Sender B, the emails sent by Sender C are sorted by Sender C, and the emails sent by Sender Z are sorted by Sender Z within the content area.

[0061] In some embodiments related to steps S400 and S500, after a first selection input is obtained, the content may be filtered and aligned so that the first content is displayed in a content area in response to a first application gesture input that causes the first content to be filtered and aligned according to the first selection input. That is, rather than being filtered and aligned immediately by the first selection input, a first application gesture input to apply the content may be additionally required after the first selection input. Here, the first application gesture input may include any input that can be distinguished from other touch inputs of the present invention. Additionally, the first application gesture input may refer to an input that selects a separately provided first application button. According to the present embodiment, a user-friendly UI environment can be provided for filtering and aligning content.

[0062] Next, in step S600, in response to a second gesture input that flicks a scroll area, whose position is moved by the display of the first index area where the first index is listed, in a direction within the first direction and reference angle, a second index, which is a content classification criterion different from the first index, is displayed. In this step, the description related to the second gesture input and the display of the second index may be described in the same manner as the description of step S200 described above.

[0063] To explain the details regarding step S600 in more detail, we will refer to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the gesture input operation of the content filtering and sorting method described with reference to FIG. 2, just like FIG. 5.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 6, in response to a second gesture input of flicking a scroll area including a first position-moving scroll bar (21(a)) in a first direction (23), an index B, which is a second index (41), is shown in a second index area (40). At this time, index B, which is the second index (41), includes second index items (43) such as 75,000, 50,000, 25,000, 10,000, and 8,000. Specific operations for filtering and sorting the contents included in the content area (10) in response to an input selecting a second index item (43) will be specified later through description in the specification.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 6, a second position-shifting scrollbar (21(b)) is shown, which is positioned by a second index area (40) displayed in response to a second gesture input of flicking the scroll area in the first direction (23). Additionally, an index C, which is a second residual index (45), is shown, which is different from both index A, which is the first index (31), and index B, which is the second index (41).

[0066] By the operation of step S600, the user can display an index on the display screen with simple operation. In particular, even if there are multiple classification criteria for filtering and sorting content, different indices can be displayed on the display screen with simple operation. According to the present embodiment, content can be filtered and sorted using a common type of gesture (e.g., flicking) without the cumbersome operation of filtering and sorting content by multiple classification criteria. Accordingly, user convenience can be increased.

[0067] In some embodiments related to step S600, a second index area in which a second index is listed may be displayed by overlaying it on a first index area. At this time, a first index button may be displayed in the second index area, and a first index may be displayed in response to an input selecting the first index button. To explain more specific details related to this, reference will be made to FIG. 7.

[0068] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the residual index display operation of the content filtering and sorting method described with reference to FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 7, a second index area (40) is displayed on the display screen. Here, the second index area (40) is displayed overlaid on the first index area (30). As such, by displaying the second index area (40) overlaid on the first index area (30), the first index area (30) is not displayed on the display screen, and only the second index area (40) is displayed. Here, the first index button (47) is displayed, and the first index area (30) can be displayed again in response to an input selecting the first index button (47).

[0069] According to the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 7, a first index item included in the first index (31) can be selected, and a second index item (43) included in the second index (41) displayed according to the second gesture input can be selected. At this time, by displaying the second index area (40) overlaying it on the first index area (30), the second index item (43) can be selected on a wider screen. Additionally, by providing a first index button (47) in the second index area (40), the first index can be displayed for re-selection of the first index item during the selection of the second index item (43). The user's convenience for selecting content classification criteria can be further enhanced.

[0070] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an index display operation different from the index display operation illustrated in FIG. 7. Referring to FIG. 8, the second index area (40) is not displayed overlaid on the first index area (30), but is displayed in parallel. By displaying the first index area (30) and the second index area (40) in parallel, different content classification criteria can be selected on the same screen. Additionally, the user can check what the first index item already selected is while selecting the second index item. This can further enhance user convenience for selecting content classification criteria.

[0071] In some other embodiments related to step S600, the first index may be displayed in response to a third gesture input that flicks a scroll area, whose position is moved by the display of the second index area where the second index is listed, in the direction opposite to the first direction. To explain more specific details regarding this, reference will be made to FIG. 9.

[0072] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a different gesture input operation of the content filtering and sorting method described with reference to FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 9, in response to a third gesture input that flicks a scroll area including a second position-moving scroll bar (21(b)) in the opposite direction (25) of the first direction, an index A, which is the first index (31), is displayed in the first index area (30). According to the present embodiment, the reverse process of the second index area (40) being displayed by the second gesture input while the first index area (30) is being displayed can be performed by a third gesture input that flicks the scroll area in the opposite direction to the second gesture input. That is, the first index area (30) can be displayed while the second index area (40) is being displayed by the third gesture input. A UI that conforms to the user's conventional conception can be provided. Through such a UI, the user can quickly move between multiple index areas with simple operation. This will be explained again with reference to FIG. 2.

[0073] Next, in step S700, a second selection input is obtained for selecting at least one item included in the second index, and second content corresponding to the first selection input and the second selection input is filtered so that it is displayed in the content area, and the second content is sorted according to the items selected according to the second selection input. This step can be described in the same manner as the description of steps S300 to S500 described above.

[0074] In some embodiments related to step S700, after the first selection input and the second selection input are obtained, the content may be filtered and the second content may be aligned so that the second content is displayed in the content area in response to a second application gesture input that causes the second content to be filtered and aligned according to the first selection input and the second selection input. That is, rather than being filtered and aligned immediately by the first selection input and the second selection input, a second application gesture input may be additionally required to apply them after the first selection input and the second selection input. Here, since the second application gesture input can be understood in the same way as the first application gesture input described above, a detailed description is omitted.

[0075] According to a content filtering and sorting method according to another embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIG. 2, a method for filtering and sorting content can be provided so that a user can quickly search for desired content. In particular, the problem of cumbersome operation that inevitably occurred in the prior art to filter and sort content according to two or more content classification criteria can be resolved by providing a UI that can be operated using simple gestures.

[0076] In some embodiments related to FIG. 2, a hierarchical structure between indices may be formed. More specifically, the second index may be a lower-level index of the first index. For example, if the first index is a date by year, the second index may be a date by month. That is, if the first index includes first index items such as 2020, 2019, and 2018, the second index may include second index items for each month from January to December 2020, from January to December 2019, and from January to December 2018, respectively. According to the present embodiment, by using an index with a hierarchical structure, the user can search for desired content more effectively.

[0077] In some other embodiments related to FIG. 2, a third index, which is a content classification criterion different from the first index and the second index, may be displayed in response to a fourth gesture input that flicks a scroll area, whose position is moved by the display of the second index area where the second index is listed, in a direction within the first direction and reference angle. This embodiment may be described in the same manner as the description of step S200 described above. An example related thereto will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a diagram for more specifically describing the gesture input operation illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. Referring to FIG. 10, in response to a fourth gesture input that flicks a scroll area including a second position-moving scrollbar (21(b)) in the first direction (23), an index C, which is the third index (51), is displayed in the third index area (50). At this time, index C, which is the third index (51), includes third index items (53), such as within 1 km, within 2 km, and within 3 km. The specific operation of filtering and sorting the contents included in the content area (10) in response to an input selecting the third index item (53) will be specified later through the description in the specification. Referring to FIG. 10, a third position moving scrollbar (21(c)) is also shown, which is moved by the position of the displayed third index area (50) in response to a fourth gesture input of flicking the scroll area in the first direction (23).

[0078] Hereinafter, exemplary drawings of a content filtering and alignment method according to another embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 11 and FIG. 13 to 20 will be described in more detail.

[0079] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another gesture input action of the content filtering and sorting method described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0080] In some embodiments related to FIG. 11, in response to an input swiping the N-index area (60) in which the N-index (61) is listed in a second direction within a reference angle and a scroll direction, the N-index items (63) included in the N-index (61) may be displayed in the N-index area (60) according to a predetermined order so as to correspond to the second direction. In this case, the second direction may mean an upward direction (27(a)) or a downward direction (27(b)). According to the present embodiment, the index items included in the index may be scrolled.

[0081] It should be noted that the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 11 can be applied to the first index area, the second index area, and the third index area, as well as all displayed index areas.

[0082] FIGS. 13 and FIGS. 14 are drawings for more specifically explaining the selection input operation of an index item described with reference to FIG. 12.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 13, in response to a first gesture input of flicking the scroll area (20) in a first direction, a first index area (30) including a first index (31) is displayed, and first selection items (37) selected according to a first selection input (37(a)) are displayed. More specifically, among the plurality of first index items included in index A, which is the first index (31), the first selection items (37) selected according to the first selection input (37(a)) include G, H, L, and N. At this time, the content displayed in the content area (10) is the initial content (10(a)), which is content arranged according to the first index items included in the first index (31).

[0084] Next, in response to a second gesture input that flicks a scroll area in a first direction, which includes a first position-shifting scrollbar (21(a)) whose position is moved by the display of the first index area (30), a second index area (40) including a second index (41) is displayed, and second selection items (47) selected according to a second selection input (47(a)) are displayed. More specifically, among the plurality of second index items included in index B, which is the second index (41), the second selection items (47) selected according to the second selection input (47(a)) include 2000, 1000, and <500. At this time, the content displayed in the content area (10) is the first content (10(b)) which is the content filtered by the first selection item (37). At this time, the first content (10(b)) is sorted by the selected first selection item (37).

[0085] Referring to FIG. 14, in response to a fourth gesture input flicking in a first direction a scroll area including a second position-moving scrollbar (21(b)) whose position is moved by the display of the second index area (40), a third index area (50) including a third index (51) is displayed, and third selection items (57) selected according to a third selection input (57(a)) are displayed. More specifically, among the plurality of third index items included in index C, which is the third index (51), the third selection items (57) selected according to the third selection input (57(a)) include within 2km, within 5km, and within 10km. At this time, the content displayed in the content area (10) is content filtered by the second selection item (47) as second content (10(c)). At this time, the second content (10(c)) is sorted by the selected second selection item (47).

[0086] Next, the third content (10(d)) is displayed in the content area (10) according to the third selection item (57) selected according to the third selection input (57(a)). At this time, the third content (10(d)) is sorted according to the selected third selection item (57).

[0087] That is, in FIGS. 13 and 14, a first content (10(b)) is displayed in the content area (10) by the first selection input (37(a)), a second content (10(c)) is displayed in the content area (10) by the second selection input (47(a)), and a third content (10(d)) is displayed in the content area (10) by the third selection input (57(a)). More specifically, the first content (10(b)) is content filtered by the first selection item (37), the second content (10(c)) is content filtered by the first selection item (37) and the second selection item (47), and the third content (10(d)) is content filtered by the first selection item (37), the second selection item (47), and the third selection item (57). By selecting index items step by step in this way, the user can more easily search for the desired content. Furthermore, by enabling users to select step-by-step index items using simple gestures, users can navigate to their desired content more easily.

[0088] FIGS. 15 to 20, which will be described below, are examples to which the content filtering and sorting method described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 14 is applied. FIGS. 15 and 16 are example drawings of a photo file filtering and sorting method to which the content filtering and sorting method described with reference to FIG. 2 is applied.

[0089] FIGS. 15 and 16 may be applied in the same manner as described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. Here, the content is a photo file, the first index is a criterion for classifying photo files according to the date the photo file is saved, the second index is a criterion for classifying photo files according to the shooting mode in which the photo file was taken, and the third index is a criterion for classifying photo files according to the person in whom the photo file was taken.

[0090] More specifically, a first content (10(b)) is displayed in the content area (10) by the first selection input (37(a)). Here, the first content (10(b)) is a photo file saved in July and August 2020, and is displayed in the content area (10) sorted by saved month.

[0091] Additionally, a second content (10(c)) is displayed in the content area (10) by the second selection input (47(a)). Here, the second content (10(c)) is a photo file saved in July and August 2020, and a photo file taken in portrait mode is displayed in the content area (10).

[0092] Additionally, a third content (10(d)) is displayed in the content area (10) by the third selection input (57(a)). Here, the third content (10(d)) is a photo file saved in July and August 2020, and is a photo file taken in portrait mode, and the file in which the first person and the third person are photographed is displayed in the content area (10). At this time, the photo files are sorted by person and displayed in the content area (10).

[0093] FIGS. 17 and FIGS. 18 are example drawings of a music file filtering and sorting method to which the content filtering and sorting method described with reference to FIG. 2 is applied.

[0094] FIGS. 17 and 18 may be applied in the same manner as described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. Here, the content is a music file, the first index is a criterion for classifying music files according to the date the music file is stored, the second index is a criterion for classifying music files according to the genre of the music file, and the third index is a criterion for classifying music files according to the number of times the music file has been played.

[0095] More specifically, the first content (10(b)) is displayed in the content area (10) by the first selection input (37(a)). Here, the first content (10(b)) is a music file saved in January, February, November, and December of 2019, and is displayed in the content area (10) sorted by the saved month.

[0096] Additionally, a second content (10(c)) is displayed in the content area (10) by the second selection input (47(a)). Here, the second content (10(c)) is a music file saved in January, February, November, and December of 2019, and music files of the jazz and hip-hop genres are displayed in the content area (10) sorted by genre.

[0097] Additionally, a third content (10(d)) is displayed in the content area (10) by the third selection input (57(a)). Here, the third content (10(d)) is a music file saved in January, February, November, and December of 2019, and is a music file of the jazz and hip-hop genres, and is a music file that has been played 200 times or more, and is displayed in the content area (10). At this time, the music files are sorted by the number of plays and displayed in the content area (10).

[0098] FIGS. 19 and FIGS. 20 are example drawings of a mail filtering and sorting method to which the content filtering and sorting method described with reference to FIG. 2 is applied.

[0099] FIGS. 19 and 20 may be applied in the same manner as described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. Here, the content is a mail, the first index is a criterion for classifying mail according to the date the mail was received, the second index is a criterion for classifying mail according to the sender of the mail, and the third index is a criterion for classifying mail according to the type of file attached to the mail.

[0100] More specifically, the first content (10(b)) is displayed in the content area (10) by the first selection input (37(a)). Here, the first content (10(b)) is mail received in January, February, March, and April 2020, and is displayed in the content area (10) sorted by the month received.

[0101] Additionally, a second content (10(c)) is displayed in the content area (10) by the second selection input (47(a)). Here, the second content (10(c)) is an email received in January, February, March, and April 2020, and an email in which the sender's last name contains 'ㅂ' is displayed in the content area (10).

[0102] Additionally, a third content (10(d)) is displayed in the content area (10) by the third selection input (57(a)). Here, the third content (10(d)) is an email received in January, February, March, and April 2020, in which the sender's last name contains 'ㅂ', and the attached file type is JPEG, PNG, GIF, and SVG. At this time, the emails are sorted by attachment file type and displayed in the content area (10).

[0103] In an actual example where the content filtering and sorting method according to another embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 20 is applied, the user can more easily search for desired content by selecting index items step by step. Furthermore, the user can more easily search for desired content by enabling step-by-step index items to be selected using simple gestures.

[0104] Up to now, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 20, a content filtering and sorting method according to another embodiment of the present invention and its application fields have been described. Below, an exemplary computing device (1500) capable of implementing a content filtering and sorting device according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 21 is a drawing for illustrating a computing device (1500) capable of implementing a content filtering and sorting device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0105] As illustrated in FIG. 21, a computing device (1500) may include one or more processors (1510), a bus (1550), a communication interface (1570), a memory (1530) for loading a computer program (1591) executed by the processor (1510), and a storage (1590) for storing the computer program (1591). However, FIG. 21 illustrates only the components related to the embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will understand that other general-purpose components may be included in addition to the components illustrated in FIG. 21.

[0106] The processor (1510) controls the overall operation of each component of the computing device (1500). The processor (1510) may be configured to include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), an MCU (Micro Controller Unit), a GPU (Graphic Processing Unit), or any form of processor well known in the art of the present invention. Additionally, the processor (1510) may perform operations for at least one application or program for executing the method according to the embodiments of the present invention. The computing device (1500) may have one or more processors.

[0107] The memory (1530) stores various data, commands and / or information. The memory (1530) may load one or more programs (1591) from storage (1590) to execute a method according to embodiments of the present invention. The memory (1530) may be implemented as volatile memory such as RAM, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0108] The bus (1550) provides communication functions between components of the computing device (1500). The bus (1550) can be implemented as various types of buses, such as an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus.

[0109] The communication interface (1570) supports wired and wireless internet communication of the computing device (1500). Additionally, the communication interface (1570) may support various communication methods other than internet communication. To this end, the communication interface (1570) may be configured to include a communication module well known in the technical field of the present invention.

[0110] According to some embodiments, the communication interface (1570) may be omitted.

[0111] Storage (1590) can store one or more of the above programs (1591) and various data non-temporarily.

[0112] The storage (1590) may be configured to include non-volatile memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), flash memory, a hard disk, a removable disk, or any form of computer-readable recording medium well known in the art to which the present invention belongs.

[0113] A computer program (1591) may include one or more instructions that cause a processor (1510) to perform a method / operation according to various embodiments of the present invention when loaded into memory (1530). That is, the processor (1510) may perform a method / operation according to various embodiments of the present invention by executing the one or more instructions.

[0114] In the above case, a content filtering and sorting device according to another embodiment of the present invention can be implemented through a computing device (1500).

[0115] Various embodiments of the present invention and effects according to those embodiments have been described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 21. The effects according to the technical concept of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by a person skilled in the art from the description below.

[0116] The technical concept of the present invention, as described so far with reference to FIGS. 1 to 21, can be implemented as computer-readable code on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable recording medium may be, for example, a removable recording medium (CD, DVD, Blu-ray disc, USB storage device, removable hard disk) or a fixed recording medium (ROM, RAM, computer-equipped hard disk). The computer program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium may be transmitted to another computing device via a network such as the Internet and installed on the other computing device, thereby being used on the other computing device.

[0117] Although it has been described above that all components constituting the embodiments of the present invention are combined as one or operate in combination, the technical concept of the present invention is not necessarily limited to such embodiments. That is, within the scope of the objectives of the present invention, all components may be selectively combined in one or more ways to operate.

[0118] Although operations are depicted in a specific order in the drawings, it should not be understood that the operations must be executed in the specific order depicted or in a sequential order, or that all depicted operations must be executed to obtain the desired result. In certain situations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Furthermore, the separation of the various configurations in the embodiments described above should not be understood as a necessary separation, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together into a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.

[0119] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be implemented in other specific forms without altering the technical concept or essential features thereof. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of protection of the present invention shall be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical concepts within the equivalent scope shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of rights of the technical concept defined by the present invention.

Claims

Claim 1 A method for filtering and sorting content, performed by a computing device, comprising: a step of displaying a content area containing a plurality of contents sorted by items included in a first index; a step of displaying the first index in response to a first gesture input of flicking a scroll area of ​​the content area in a first direction different from the scroll direction; a step of obtaining a first selection input for selecting at least one item included in the first index; and a step of filtering so that a first content corresponding to the first selection input is displayed in the content area, wherein the first selection input is obtained while the input regarding the interior of the first index area containing the plurality of items is continuously maintained, and the plurality of items to which the first selection input is applied are displayed visually distinguished from items to which the first selection input is not applied. Claim 2 A content filtering and sorting method according to claim 1, wherein the step of displaying the first index comprises, in response to an input of swiping the first index area in which the first index is listed in a second direction within the scroll direction and reference angle, displaying items included in the first index in the first index area according to a predetermined order corresponding to the second direction. Claim 3 A content filtering and sorting method according to claim 1, wherein the step of displaying the first index includes the step of displaying a residual index within the first index area indicating that an index different from the first index exists, wherein the residual index is displayed together with the first index and a plurality of items of the first index. Claim 4 A content filtering and sorting method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of sorting the first content by item selected according to the first selection input. Claim 5 A content filtering and alignment method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of filtering the first content so that it is displayed in the content area and the step of aligning the first content in response to a first applied gesture input that causes the first content to be filtered and aligned according to the first selection input after the first selection input is obtained. Claim 6 A content filtering and sorting method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying a second index, which is a content classification criterion different from the first index, in response to a second gesture input in which the scroll area, whose position is moved by the display of the first index area in which the first index is listed, is flicked in a direction within the first direction and a reference angle. Claim 7 A content filtering and sorting method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of displaying the first index in response to a third gesture input that flicks the scroll area, whose position is moved by the display of the second index area in which the second index is listed, in the direction opposite to the first direction. Claim 8 A content filtering and sorting method according to claim 6, wherein the step of displaying the second index includes the step of displaying a second index area in which the second index is listed by overlaying it on the first index area. Claim 9 A content filtering and sorting method according to claim 8, wherein the step of displaying the second index area comprises: the step of displaying a first index button in the second index area; and the step of displaying the first index in response to an input selecting the first index button. Claim 10 A content filtering and sorting method according to claim 6, wherein the step of displaying the second index comprises, in response to an input of swiping the second index area in a second direction within the scroll direction and reference angle, displaying items included in the second index in the second index area according to a predetermined order corresponding to the second direction. Claim 11 A content filtering and sorting method according to claim 6, wherein the step of indicating the second index includes the step of indicating a residual index that indicates that an index different from the first index and the second index exists. Claim 12 A content filtering and sorting method according to claim 6, further comprising: a step of obtaining a first selection input for selecting at least one item included in the first index; a step of obtaining a second selection input for selecting at least one item included in the second index; a step of filtering so that second content corresponding to the first selection input and the second selection input is displayed in the content area; and a step of sorting the second content according to the selected item according to the second selection input. Claim 13 A content filtering and alignment method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of filtering the second content so that it is displayed in the content area and the step of aligning the second content in response to a second applied gesture input that causes the second content to be filtered and aligned according to the second selection input after the second selection input is obtained. Claim 14 In claim 6, the second index is a lower-level index of the first index, a content filtering and sorting method. Claim 15 A content filtering and sorting method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of displaying a third index, which is a content classification criterion different from the first index and the second index, in response to a fourth gesture input in which the scroll area, whose position is moved by the display of the second index area in which the second index is listed, is flicked in a direction within the first direction and a reference angle. Claim 16 A content filtering and sorting method according to claim 15, further comprising: a step of obtaining a first selection input for selecting at least one item among the first index; a step of obtaining a second selection input for selecting at least one item among the second index; a step of obtaining a third selection input for selecting at least one item among the third index; a step of filtering so that third content corresponding to the first selection input, the second selection input and the third selection input is displayed in the content area; and a step of sorting the third content according to the selected item according to the third selection input. Claim 17 A content filtering and sorting method according to claim 16, wherein the content is a photo file, the first index is a criterion for classifying the photo file according to the date the photo file was taken, the second index is a criterion for classifying the photo file according to the shooting mode in which the photo file was taken, and the third index is a criterion for classifying the photo file according to the person in whom the photo file was taken. Claim 18 A content filtering and sorting method according to claim 16, wherein the content is a sound file, the first index is a criterion for classifying the sound file according to the date the sound file is stored, the second index is a criterion for classifying the sound file according to the genre of the sound file, and the third index is a criterion for classifying the sound file according to the number of times the sound file has been played. Claim 19 A content filtering and sorting method according to claim 16, wherein the content is a received email, the first index is a criterion for classifying the email according to the date the email was received, the second index is a criterion for classifying the email according to the sender of the email, and the third index is a criterion for classifying the email according to the type of attachment file attached to the email. Claim 20 A content filtering and sorting device comprising: a processor; a network interface; a memory; and a computer program loaded into the memory and executed by the processor, wherein the computer program comprises: an instruction for displaying a content area containing a plurality of contents sorted by items included in a first index; an instruction for displaying the first index in response to a first gesture input flicking a scroll area of ​​the content area in a first direction different from the scroll direction; an instruction for obtaining a first selection input for selecting at least one item included in the first index; and an instruction for filtering so that a first content corresponding to the first selection input is displayed in the content area, wherein the first selection input is obtained while the input regarding the interior of the first index area containing the plurality of items is continuously maintained, and the plurality of items to which the first selection input is applied are displayed visually distinguished from items to which the first selection input is not applied.

Images