Method and apparatus for messaging service

Abstract

A messaging service method and apparatus are disclosed. A method of operation of a terminal running an instant messenger according to one embodiment may include the steps of obtaining information regarding the time period in which a participant in a chat room corresponding to the recipient of a scheduled message is located, setting the time of sending of the scheduled message based on the time period in which the participant in the chat room is located, and registering a record regarding the scheduled message corresponding to a user account.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The following embodiments relate to a messaging service method and device. Background Technology

[0002] With the recent development of mobile smart devices, the use of online platform services for interacting with other users through networks is increasing. Representative examples of online platform services for interacting with other users include social networking services (SNS), which are online platforms that create and strengthen social relationships through communication, information sharing, and the expansion of social networks among users, and instant messaging services (IMS), which are online platforms for real-time content communication between two or more users.

[0003] As communication through these mobile devices increases, online platform services support not only one-on-one communication in the form of text with other users but also functions to share various types of data and assist in communication. The problem to be solved

[0005] Through the following embodiments, a chat room interface technology for displaying information about the time period where a participant in the chat room is located can be provided.

[0006] Through the embodiments below, a scheduled message function can be provided that allows the sending time to be set based on the recipient's time zone when setting a scheduled message to send a pre-written message to a designated recipient at a set time.

[0007] However, technical challenges are not limited to the technical challenges described above, and other technical challenges may exist. means of solving the problem

[0009] A method of operation of a terminal running an instant messenger according to one side includes: a step of obtaining information regarding the time period in which a participant in a chat room corresponding to the recipient of a scheduled message is located; a step of setting the time of sending of the scheduled message based on the time period in which the participant in the chat room is located; and a step of registering a record regarding the scheduled message corresponding to a user account.

[0010] The step of setting the time of sending the scheduled message may include: providing a time zone list including an item of the region where each participant of the chat room is located; and setting the time of sending the scheduled message based on the time zone of the region corresponding to the item selected in the time zone list.

[0011] The above time zone list may include items from regions sorted based on the number of participants located in the region corresponding to each item.

[0012] The recipients of the above scheduled message may include other user accounts subscribed to the instant messaging service; and at least one of the chat rooms created in the instant messaging service.

[0013] The record regarding the above reservation message may include content information of the above reservation message, information on the recipient of the above reservation message, and information on the time of dispatch of the above reservation message.

[0014] The above reservation message can be transmitted to the chat room corresponding to the recipient at the time of sending the reservation message, based on whether the chat room corresponding to the recipient of the reservation message is valid.

[0016] A method of operation of a terminal running an instant messenger according to one side includes: identifying a participant in a chat room entered by a user account who is located in a different time zone from the user account; adding an indicator to the interface of the chat room indicating that a participant located in a different time zone from the user account exists; and displaying information regarding the time zone in which the participant in the chat room is located based on the indicator.

[0017] The step of displaying information regarding the time period in which a participant in the chat room is located may include the step of displaying current time information corresponding to the location of the participant in the chat room.

[0018] The step of displaying information regarding the time period in which a participant in the chat room is located may include the step of displaying information regarding the region corresponding to the time period in which the participant in the chat room is located.

[0019] Information regarding the above region may include at least one of the identification value of the above region and weather information of the above region.

[0020] The step of displaying information regarding the time period in which the participants of the above chat room are located may include the step of displaying information regarding the participants of the above chat room located in each time period.

[0021] The step of adding the indicator may include updating the indicator based on at least one of a change in the time zone of the user account and a change in the time zone of the participant in the chat room.

[0023] A terminal that executes an instant messenger according to one side includes a processor that obtains information regarding the time period in which a participant in a chat room corresponding to the recipient of a scheduled message is located, sets the time of sending of the scheduled message based on the time period in which the participant in the chat room is located, and registers a record regarding the scheduled message corresponding to a user account.

[0024] The processor can set the time of sending the scheduled message by providing a time zone list including an item of the region where each participant of the chat room is located, and setting the time of sending the scheduled message based on the time zone of the region corresponding to the item selected in the time zone list.

[0025] The above time zone list may include items from regions sorted based on the number of participants located in the region corresponding to each item.

[0027] A terminal running an instant messenger according to one side includes a processor that identifies a participant in a chat room entered by a user account who is located in a different time zone from the user account, adds an indicator to the interface of the chat room indicating the presence of a participant located in a different time zone from the user account, and displays information regarding the time zone in which the participant in the chat room is located based on the indicator.

[0028] The processor may perform at least one of the following operations when displaying information regarding the time period in which a participant in the chat room is located: displaying current time information corresponding to the location of the participant in the chat room; and displaying information regarding the region corresponding to the time period in which the participant in the chat room is located.

[0029] The above processor can display information regarding the time periods in which the participants of the chat room are located, and can display information regarding the participants of the chat room located at each time period.

[0030] The processor may update the indicator based on at least one of a change in the time zone of the user account and a change in the time zone of the participant in the chat room when adding the indicator. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0032] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a system for an instant messaging service according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the operation method of a terminal running an instant messenger according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an interface screen of a chat room that indicates the existence of a participant located in a different time zone from the user account according to one embodiment. FIGS. 4a and 4b are drawings illustrating an interface screen of a chat room for displaying information regarding the time period in which a participant of the chat room is located according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation method of a terminal running an instant messenger according to one embodiment. FIGS. 6a and 6b are drawings illustrating screens of an interface for setting a reservation message according to one embodiment. FIG. 7 is an example diagram of the hardware configuration of a system for an instant messaging service according to one embodiment. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0033] Specific structural or functional descriptions of the embodiments are disclosed for illustrative purposes only and may be modified and implemented in various forms. Accordingly, actual implementations are not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and the scope of this specification includes modifications, equivalents, or substitutions that fall within the technical concept described by the embodiments.

[0034] Terms such as "first" or "second" may be used to describe various components, but these terms should be interpreted solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, the first component may be named the second component, and similarly, the second component may be named the first component.

[0035] When it is stated that a component is "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected to or joined to that other component, or that there may be other components in between.

[0036] The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as "comprising" or "having" are intended to specify the existence of the described features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0037] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this specification.

[0038] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the description with reference to the attached drawings, identical components are given the same reference numeral regardless of the drawing number, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0040] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a system for an instant messaging service according to one embodiment.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 1, a system (100) for an instant messaging service according to one embodiment may include a terminal (110), a server (120), and a network (130). Specific hardware configurations of the server (120) and the terminal (110) will be described in detail below.

[0042] A server (120) according to one embodiment may include a server that provides an instant messaging service through a network (130). The instant messaging service may include a service that enables multiple users to perform real-time chat by transmitting instant messages, such as text messages, voice messages, media files, etc., in real time through a network (130), such as a wireless internet or a wireless communication network, and related services.

[0043] The server (120) may be linked with an application (hereinafter referred to as "app") or a web related to an instant messaging service executed on a terminal (110) for a user interface (UI), function, operation, or service. Hereinafter, the app related to an instant messaging service or the web related to an instant messaging service may be referred to as an instant messenger.

[0044] The terminal (110) may refer to any electronic device capable of installing and running an app or running the web, such as a computer, portable computer, wireless phone, mobile phone, smartphone, PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), web tablet, or wearable device. At this time, the terminal (110) may receive services and / or content through the app or the web. For example, the terminal (110) may perform overall service operations, such as configuring a service screen, inputting data, transmitting and receiving data, and storing data, under the control of the app or the web. For example, the terminal (110) may process a user interface or user interaction through a processor, and may output or transmit the processing results through the output device of the terminal (110).

[0045] The terminal (110) can be operated by an instant messenger provided by the server (120). The user can use the instant messaging service provided by the server (120) by running the instant messenger on the terminal (110). The user can create a user account by subscribing to the instant messaging service through the instant messenger. The user can use the instant messaging service through the terminal (110) of the account subscribed to the instant messaging service. The terminal (110) of the account subscribed to the instant messaging service may refer to a terminal logged in with the account subscribed to the instant messaging service.

[0046] According to one embodiment, a chat interface may be provided to the terminal (110) via an instant messenger. The chat interface is an interface for sending and receiving messages regarding an instant messaging service, and may include, for example, an interface that provides the function of sending messages and displaying received messages through a chat room in which at least one user account participates. The chat interface may correspond to a chat room, which is a virtual space in which at least one user account participates and chatting takes place between participants.

[0048] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the operation method of a terminal running an instant messenger according to one embodiment.

[0049] A terminal that runs an instant messenger according to one embodiment is a terminal of a user account logged in with a user account, and can correspond to the terminal (110) of FIG. 1.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 2, the operation method of a terminal according to one embodiment may include the step (210) of identifying a participant in a chat room entered by a user account who is located in a different time zone from the user account. The participants in the chat room are other user accounts participating in the chat room, and may include one or more other user accounts.

[0051] For example, the time zone of a user account may be determined from the location of the user account's terminal. The terminal's location is the geographical location where the terminal is situated, and can be determined through various methods for positioning the terminal's location. For example, the terminal's location may be determined based on at least one of the terminal's GPS information, information regarding the network the terminal is connected to (e.g., base station, Wi-Fi AP), and information regarding the country of the number used by the terminal. Once the location of the user account's terminal is specified, the time zone of the user account may be determined according to the time zone to which that location belongs. For example, the time zone of the user account may be determined according to a time zone set by the user or a predetermined time zone, regardless of the terminal's location.

[0052] According to one embodiment, a server (e.g., the server (120) of FIG. 1) can obtain location information of a terminal using an instant messaging service. The location information of a terminal using an instant messaging service may be transmitted to the server at regular intervals, or it may be transmitted to the server when the terminal connects to the instant messaging service or when the terminal connects to the instant messaging service and performs a predetermined action. For example, if the terminal is configured not to transmit location information to the server, the terminal's location information may not be transmitted to the server.

[0053] According to one embodiment, information regarding the time zone of a user account may be shared with other user accounts. For example, information regarding the time zone of a user account may be shared with other user accounts through a server. Information regarding the time zone is information that can be obtained from the time zone and may include, for example, at least one of a time zone identification value, current time information of the time zone, and information regarding a region corresponding to the time zone. For example, information regarding a region may include at least one of a region identification value (e.g., region name) and weather information of the region.

[0054] For example, information regarding a user account's time zone may be shared with participants in chat rooms the user account is in. Information regarding a user account's time zone may be shared with other user accounts that are friends with the user account. For example, information regarding a user account's time zone may be shared with other user accounts that the user account has set as targets for time zone sharing. For example, if a specific user account is set not to share time zone information with other user accounts, that specific user account's time zone information may not be shared with other user accounts.

[0055] A terminal of a user account according to one embodiment can obtain information regarding the time zone of a participant in a chat room entered by the user account through a server. Based on the information regarding the time zone of the participant in the chat room, the terminal can identify a participant located in a time zone different from the time zone of the user account.

[0056] A method of operation of a terminal according to one embodiment may include the step (220) of adding an indicator to the interface of a chat room that indicates that there is a participant located in a different time zone from the user account.

[0057] For example, referring to the screen (301) of FIG. 3, a first indicator (310) indicating that there is a participant located in a different time zone from the user account may be added to the interface of the chat room. For example, a second indicator (320) indicating that there is a participant located in a different time zone from the user account may be added to the interface of the chat room. For example, if there is a participant located in a different time zone from the user account, only one of the first indicator (310) and the second indicator (320) may be displayed on the interface of the chat room, or both the first indicator (310) and the second indicator (320) may be displayed.

[0058] For example, the second indicator (320) may be displayed when the user account enters the chat room. The message displayed above the second indicator (320) may correspond to a message sent through the chat room before the user account entered the chat room. Messages sent through the chat room after the user account entered the chat room may be displayed below the second indicator (320).

[0059] The step (220) of adding an indicator according to one embodiment may include the step of updating the indicator based on a change in at least one of the time zone of the user account and the time zone of the participant in the chat room.

[0060] For example, referring to the screen (301) of FIG. 3, the first indicator (310) may change its display based on the changed time zone when at least one of the time zones of the user account and the participant changes. For example, the display of the first indicator (310) may change by changing the shape of the first indicator (310), changing the color, or adding animation effects (e.g., blinking).

[0061] For example, if there are no participants located in a different time zone from the user account due to a change in time zone, the display of the first indicator (310) may be removed. For example, if the status of participants located in a different time zone from the user account changes, the display of the first indicator (310) may change. Cases where the status of participants located in a different time zone from the user account changes may include cases where the number of participants located in a different time zone from the user account changes, where a new participant is identified as a participant located in a different time zone from the user account, or where the time zone of a participant located in a different time zone from the user account changes from the first time zone to the second time zone.

[0063] A method of operation of a terminal according to one embodiment may include a step (230) of displaying information regarding the time period in which a participant in a chat room is located based on an indicator.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the step (230) of displaying information regarding the time period in which a participant in a chat room is located may include the step of displaying current time information corresponding to the location of the participant in the chat room.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the step (230) of displaying information regarding the time period in which a participant in a chat room is located may include the step of displaying information regarding a region corresponding to the time period in which the participant in the chat room is located. The information regarding the region may include at least one of a region identification value and weather information of the region.

[0066] For example, information regarding the time zone where a participant in the chat room is located can be displayed by an input selecting an indicator. For example, by an input selecting the second indicator (320) of FIG. 3, the screen (401) of FIG. 4a can be switched.

[0067] According to one embodiment, information regarding the time zone may be displayed for each participant in a chat room. For example, referring to FIG. 4a, information regarding the time zone where each participant in the chat room is located may be displayed. The information regarding the time zone may include at least one of current time information (412), a regional identification value (413), and regional weather information (411). FIG. 4a illustrates a case where the current time information (412), regional identification value (413), and regional weather information (411) corresponding to each participant in the chat room are all displayed, but alternatively, at least one of the current time information (412), regional identification value (413), and regional weather information (411) may be displayed.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the step (230) of displaying information regarding the time period in which a participant in a chat room is located may include the step of displaying information regarding a participant located in each time period.

[0069] For example, a list of participants by time zone may be displayed through the chat room interface. If a first participant and a second participant are located in the same time zone, a list of participants including the first participant and the second participant may be provided in correspondence with information regarding that time zone. For example, even if the time zone where the first participant is located and the time zone where the second participant is located are the same, if the identification value of the region where the first participant is located and the identification value of the region where the second participant is located are different, the first participant may be included in the list of participants corresponding to information regarding the first time zone, and the second participant may be included in the list of participants corresponding to information regarding the second time zone.

[0070] According to one embodiment, information regarding the time zone corresponding to a selected participant among participants located in a time zone different from the user account may be displayed on the terminal of the user account. The selection of a participant may include an input to select a specific participant's profile in the chat room interface or to select an item corresponding to a specific participant from a list of information regarding each participant's time zone, as exemplified in FIG. 4a. For example, if an input to select an item (420) corresponding to a specific participant in FIG. 4a is received, weather information included in the information regarding the time zone of the participant corresponding to the selected item (420) may be displayed as the background of the chat room, as shown in the screen (402) of FIG. 4b. In addition to the example illustrated in FIG. 4b, when a specific participant is selected, information regarding the time zone of the selected participant (e.g., current time information, regional identification value, or weather information) may be displayed through the chat room interface provided on the terminal of the user account.

[0072] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation method of a terminal running an instant messenger according to one embodiment.

[0073] A terminal that runs an instant messenger according to one embodiment is a terminal of a user account logged in with a user account, and can correspond to the terminal (110) of FIG. 1.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 5, the method of operation of a terminal according to one embodiment may include the step (510) of obtaining information regarding the time period in which a participant in a chat room corresponding to the recipient of a scheduled message is located.

[0075] An instant messaging service provided by a server (e.g., the server (120) of FIG. 1) according to one embodiment may include a scheduled message function. A scheduled message function refers to a function of sending a pre-written message to a designated recipient at a designated time. For example, the scheduled message function may include not only a function for sending scheduled messages but also a scheduled message management function for registering, viewing, and editing scheduled messages corresponding to a user account.

[0076] A scheduled message according to one embodiment may correspond to a message sent to a chat room corresponding to a recipient at the time of sending the scheduled message, based on whether the chat room corresponding to the recipient of the scheduled message is valid.

[0077] For example, a terminal logged in with a user account can create a record regarding a scheduled message by executing the scheduled message function provided through an instant messenger. The record regarding the scheduled message may include information about the scheduled message, such as content information, sending time information, recipient information, and / or whether a reminder is set for the scheduled message. The created record may be registered or stored in correspondence with the user account. For example, the terminal of the user account may request the server to create a record regarding the scheduled message, and the server may register the record regarding the scheduled message created in correspondence with the user account.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the content of the scheduled message may include content to be transmitted as a scheduled message. For example, the content to be transmitted as a scheduled message may include various types of content such as text, emoticons, videos, and / or images.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the recipients of a scheduled message may include other user accounts subscribed to an instant messaging service. For example, the other user account designated as the recipient of the scheduled message may correspond to a user account registered as a friend in relation to the user account. Any user utilizing the instant messaging service may register identification information regarding other user accounts subscribed to the instant messaging service, such as phone numbers and IDs, as a friend user account through the app. The user may designate any one of the user accounts registered as a friend through the app as the recipient of the scheduled message.

[0080] According to one embodiment, when the recipient of a scheduled message is determined to be another user account, the chat room corresponding to the recipient of the scheduled message may refer to a chat room in which the other user account and the user account participate. For example, the chat room in which the other user account and the user account participate may be a 1:1 chat room. Participants in the chat room corresponding to the recipient of the scheduled message may include the other user account determined to be the recipient of the message. The terminal of the user account may obtain information regarding the time zone in which the other user account determined to be the recipient is located. For example, the information regarding the time zone in which the other user account is located may be the time zone in which the other user account's terminal is located, or it may be a time zone set by the user regardless of the location of the other user account's terminal, or a predetermined time zone. For example, if the other user account is set not to share information regarding the time zone, information regarding the other user account's time zone may not be obtained, or information regarding the other user account's time zone may be obtained as a predetermined value. According to one embodiment, information regarding the time zone in which the other user account is located may be obtained through a server.

[0081] According to one embodiment, the recipients of a scheduled message may include chat rooms created in an instant messaging service. For example, a chat room designated as the recipient of a scheduled message may correspond to a chat room in which a user account participates. A chat room is a virtual chat space provided by an instant messaging service, in which at least one user account may participate. Any user utilizing the instant messaging service may access the app and participate in a chat room with their user account, and the chat room in which a user account participates may be stored in correspondence with the user account. For example, the identification information of a chat room in which a user account participates may be mapped to the identification information of the user account and stored in a messaging server or a database accessible from the server. For example, the identification information of a chat room in which a user account participates may be mapped to the identification information of the user account and stored on a terminal. A user may set any one of the chat rooms they are participating in through the app as the recipient of a scheduled message.

[0082] According to one embodiment, when the recipient of a scheduled message is determined to be a chat room, the terminal of the user account can obtain information regarding the time zone of the participants in the chat room determined to be the recipient of the scheduled message. For example, if there are multiple participants in the chat room determined to be the recipient of the scheduled message, information regarding the time zone of each of the multiple participants can be obtained.

[0084] A method of operation of a terminal according to one embodiment may include a step (520) of setting the time of sending a scheduled message based on the time of a participant in a chat room.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the sending time of a scheduled message may include date and time values ​​indicating the time when the scheduled message is sent. The sending time of a scheduled message may be set based on the time zone where the participants of the chat room are located. For example, if a terminal of a user account located in a first time zone intends to send a scheduled message through a chat room containing another user account located in a second time zone, the sending time of the scheduled message may be set based on the second time zone. Setting the sending time of a scheduled message based on a specific time zone may mean setting the scheduled message to be sent at z:u:00 on x:y:00 based on the specific time zone.

[0086] Referring to the screen (601) illustrated in FIG. 6a, when the scheduled message function is called through the interface of the chat room, an interface for setting the scheduled message (hereinafter, scheduled message setting interface) may be displayed in a part of the interface of the chat room. The scheduled message setting interface is not limited to the shape of the screen (601) illustrated in FIG. 6a. For example, the scheduled message setting interface may be displayed overlapping the chat interface corresponding to the chat room, or may be displayed through a part of the chat interface (for example, the top of the virtual keyboard, the bottom of the virtual keyboard, or the area where the virtual keyboard is displayed).

[0087] The scheduled message setting interface may provide a function to input (or configure) information regarding a scheduled message in order to create (or register) a new scheduled message. For example, through the scheduled message setting interface, a user can input information regarding a new scheduled message (e.g., the content of the scheduled message, the time of sending the scheduled message, the recipient of the scheduled message, and / or whether to set a reminder for the scheduled message).

[0088] According to one embodiment, when setting a scheduled message, the user can input the time of sending the scheduled message through a scheduled message setting interface. By inputting a time zone item (611) for the time of sending, an interface for selecting a reference time zone for the time of sending can be provided, as shown in the screen (602) illustrated in FIG. 6b.

[0089] Referring to the screen (602) of FIG. 6b, an interface for selecting a reference time zone for sending may include a time zone list (620). The time zone list (620) may include regional item(s) for selecting a reference time zone for sending a scheduled message. For example, if an item (621) labeled 'San Francisco, United States' is selected in the time zone list (620), the reference time zone for sending a scheduled message may be determined to the time zone of San Francisco, United States. If the reference time zone is determined to be the time zone of San Francisco, United States, and the time of sending a scheduled message is determined to be 10:30 a.m. on May 1, 2023, the scheduled message may be sent at 10:30 a.m. on May 1, 2023, in San Francisco, United States time.

[0090] Referring again to FIG. 5, the step (520) of setting the time of sending a scheduled message according to one embodiment may include the step of providing a time zone list containing items of the regions where each participant of the chat room is located, and the step of setting the time of sending a scheduled message based on the time zone of the region corresponding to the item selected from the time zone list.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the time zone list may include items for the region where each participant in the chat room is located. For example, the time zone list may display only items for the region where the chat room participant is located, and items not for the region where the chat room participant is located may not be displayed. For example, the time zone list may display items not for the region where the chat room participant is located, but items for the region where the chat room participant is located may be displayed preferentially. The fact that a specific item is displayed preferentially in the time zone list may mean that the specific item is displayed with higher visibility than other items, such as being displayed at the top of the time zone list, being displayed most prominently on the screen where the time zone list is displayed, or being displayed in the center.

[0092] According to one embodiment, the time zone list may include items of regions sorted based on the number of participants located in the region corresponding to each item. For example, the item of the region with the most participants may be located at the top of the time zone list.

[0093] According to one embodiment, each item included in the time zone list can be sorted according to various criteria. For example, an item representing the region where a participant in a chat room set by a user account as a favorite account is located may be displayed preferentially in the time zone list. For example, an item representing the region where the participant with the highest number of messages exchanged with the user account is located may be placed at the very top of the time zone list.

[0094] A method of operation of a terminal according to one embodiment may include the step (530) of registering a record regarding a reservation message corresponding to a user account.

[0095] As described above, a record regarding a scheduled message may include content information of the scheduled message, information on the recipient of the scheduled message, and information on the time of dispatch of the scheduled message.

[0096] For example, referring to the screen (601) of FIG. 6a, a record regarding a reservation message containing information about the entered reservation message can be registered in correspondence with a user account through input by selecting the 'Register' button (612) of the reservation message setting interface. For example, the terminal can transmit the content information of the entered reservation message, the destination information of the reservation message, and the time information of the reservation message to the server, and the server can register a record regarding the reservation message in correspondence with a user account.

[0097] According to one embodiment, a scheduled message may be transmitted based on a record regarding a registered scheduled message. Based on the content information, sending time information, and sending destination information of the scheduled message included in the record, the scheduled message may include content information and be transmitted to the recipient at the time of sending. For example, the scheduled message may be transmitted if the recipient's chat room is valid at the time of sending.

[0098] For example, if there is a history of messages being sent or received through a chat room corresponding to the recipient of a scheduled message (hereinafter referred to as the recipient chat room), the chat room may be determined to be valid, and if there is no history of messages being sent through the recipient chat room, the chat room may be determined to be invalid.

[0099] For example, if the target chat room is deleted before a scheduled message is sent, if a user account leaves the target chat room, or if all participants other than the user account leave the target chat room or withdraw from the instant messaging service, the target chat room may be deemed invalid.

[0100] For example, even if the participant information of the target chat room changes because at least one user account participating in the target chat room leaves the target chat room or withdraws from the instant messaging service, the target chat room may be determined to be invalid.

[0102] FIG. 7 is an example diagram of the hardware configuration of a system for an instant messaging service according to one embodiment.

[0103] Referring to FIG. 7, a system according to one embodiment (e.g., system (100) of FIG. 1) may include a terminal (110) and a server (120) connected via a network (130).

[0104] A terminal (110) according to one embodiment may be a mobile terminal implemented as a computer device. For example, the terminal (110) may communicate with a server (120) and / or other electronic devices through a network (130) using a wireless or wired communication method.

[0105] A server (120) according to one embodiment may be implemented as a computer device or a plurality of computer devices that communicate with a terminal (110) and / or another server via a network (130) to provide commands, code, files, content, services, etc. The communication method is not limited and may include a communication method utilizing a communication network (e.g., mobile communication network, wired internet, wireless internet, broadcasting network) that the network (130) may include, and a short-range wireless communication method between devices. For example, the network (130) may include any one or more networks such as a PAN (personal area network), LAN (local area network), CAN (campus area network), MAN (metropolitan area network), WAN (wide area network), BBN (broadband network), and the Internet.

[0106] According to one embodiment, the server (120) may provide a file for installing an application to a terminal (110) connected via a network (130). In this case, the terminal (110) may install an application (e.g., an instant messenger) using the file provided by the server (120). Additionally, the terminal (110) may connect to the server (120) and receive services or content provided by the server (120) under the control of an operating system (OS) and at least one program (e.g., a browser or an installed application) included in the terminal (110). For example, if the terminal (110) transmits a service request message to the server (120) via the network (130) under the control of an application, the server (120) may transmit a code corresponding to the service request message to the terminal (110), and the terminal (110) may provide content to the user by configuring and displaying a screen according to the code under the control of the application.

[0108] According to one embodiment, the terminal (110) and the server (120) may include a memory (711, 721), a processor (713, 723), a communication module (715, 725), and an input / output interface (717, 727).

[0109] A processor (713, 723) according to one embodiment may perform at least one operation described above through FIGS. 1 to 6. For example, the processor (713) may perform at least one operation performed at a terminal (110) that executes the instant messenger described above through FIGS. 1 to 6, and the processor (723) may perform at least one operation to provide an instant messaging service to the terminal (110) described above through FIGS. 1 to 6. The processor (713, 723) may be configured to process instructions of a computer program by performing basic arithmetic, logic, and input / output operations. Instructions may be provided to the processor (713, 723) by a memory (711, 721) or a communication module (715, 725).

[0110] The memory (711, 721) is a computer-readable recording medium and may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory. The memory (711, 721) according to one embodiment may store information for operating the instant messenger described above through FIGS. 1 to 6. For example, the memory (721) may store user account information and chat room information registered with the instant messaging service.

[0111] A memory (711) according to one embodiment may include code for an instant messenger installed and operated on a terminal (110) by files provided by a server (120) through a network (130).

[0112] A memory (721) according to one embodiment can store a program in which operations for the instant messaging service described above through FIGS. 1 to 6 are implemented.

[0113] A communication module (715, 525) according to one embodiment may provide a function for a terminal (110) and a server (120) to communicate with each other through a network (130), and may provide a function for communicating with other electronic devices or other servers.

[0114] For example, a request generated by the processor (713) of the terminal (110) according to program code for an instant messenger stored in a recording device such as memory (711) can be transmitted to a server (120) through a network (130) under the control of a communication module (715).

[0115] For example, control signals, commands, content, files, etc. provided under the control of the processor (723) of the server (120) can be received by the terminal (110) through the communication module (715) of the terminal (110) via the communication module (725) and the network (130).

[0116] The input / output interface (717, 527) may be a means for interfacing with an input / output device (719). For example, the input device may include a device such as a keyboard or a mouse, and the output device may include a device such as a display for displaying a communication session of an application. As another example, the input / output interface (717) may be a means for interfacing with a device in which the functions for input and output are integrated into one, such as a touchscreen. As a more specific example, the processor (713) of the terminal (110) may display a service screen or content configured using data provided by the server (120) in processing instructions of a computer program loaded in memory (711) on the display through the input / output interface (717). Input received from the user through the input / output device (719) may be provided in a form that can be processed by the processor (713) of the terminal (110) through the input / output interface (717).

[0117] According to one embodiment, the terminal (110) and the server (120) may include other components not shown in FIG. 7. For example, the terminal (110) may be implemented to include at least some of the input / output devices (719) described above, or may further include other components such as a transceiver, a Global Positioning System (GPS) module, a camera, various sensors, a database, etc.

[0119] The embodiments described above may be implemented as hardware components, software components, and / or combinations of hardware and software components. For example, the devices, methods, and components described in the embodiments may be implemented using a general-purpose computer or a special-purpose computer, such as, for example, a processor, a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic unit (PLU), a microprocessor, or any other device capable of executing and responding to instructions. The processing unit may execute an operating system (OS) and software applications executed on said operating system. Additionally, the processing unit may access, store, manipulate, process, and generate data in response to the execution of the software. For ease of understanding, the processing unit may be described as being used as a single unit, but those skilled in the art will understand that the processing unit may include multiple processing elements and / or multiple types of processing elements. For example, the processing unit may include multiple processors or one processor and one controller. In addition, other processing configurations, such as parallel processors, are also possible.

[0120] Software may include computer programs, code, instructions, or a combination of one or more of these, and may configure a processing unit to operate as desired or instruct the processing unit independently or collectively. Software and / or data may be stored on any type of machine, component, physical device, virtual equipment, computer storage medium, or device so as to be interpreted by the processing unit or to provide instructions or data to the processing unit. Software may be distributed over networked computer systems and stored or executed in a distributed manner. Software and data may be stored on computer-readable recording media.

[0121] The method according to the embodiment may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed through various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may store program instructions, data files, data structures, etc., either individually or in combination, and the program instructions recorded on the medium may be those specifically designed and configured for the embodiment or those known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes; optical recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magneto-optical media such as floptical disks; and hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, and flash memory. Examples of program instructions include machine code, such as that generated by a compiler, as well as high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc.

[0122] The hardware device described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operation of the embodiment, and vice versa.

[0123] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the limited drawings, those skilled in the art can apply various technical modifications and variations based thereon. For example, suitable results may be achieved even if the described techniques are performed in a different order than described, and / or if the components of the described system, structure, device, circuit, etc. are combined or assembled in a form different from described, or replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents.

[0124] Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents to the claims also fall within the scope of the claims set forth below.

Claims

Claim 1 A method of operation of a terminal running an instant messenger, comprising: a step of obtaining information regarding the time zone of a recipient of a scheduled message; a step of setting a time for sending the scheduled message based on the information regarding the time zone of the recipient; and a step of requesting the registration of a record regarding the scheduled message corresponding to a user account, wherein the scheduled message is transmitted through a chat room determined to be valid based on whether there is a history of sending and receiving messages through a chat room corresponding to the recipient of the scheduled message. Claim 2 A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of setting the time of sending the scheduled message comprises: providing a time zone list including an item of the region where each participant of the chat room corresponding to the recipient of the scheduled message is located; and setting the time of sending the scheduled message based on the time zone of the region corresponding to the item selected in the time zone list. Claim 3 In paragraph 2, the above time zone list includes items of regions sorted based on the number of participants located in the region corresponding to each item. Claim 4 A method according to claim 1, wherein the recipient of the scheduled message includes another user account subscribed to the instant messaging service; and at least one of the chat rooms created in the instant messaging service, and when the recipient is the other user account subscribed to the instant messaging service, the chat room corresponding to the recipient of the scheduled message includes a chat room in which the user account and the other user account participate. Claim 5 A method according to claim 1, wherein the record regarding the reservation message includes content information of the reservation message, information on the recipient of the reservation message, and information on the time of dispatch of the reservation message. Claim 6 A method according to paragraph 2, wherein the time zone list comprises items of multiple regions sorted in descending order based on the number of participants located in the region corresponding to each item. Claim 7 A method of operation of a terminal running an instant messenger, comprising: a step of identifying a participant in a chat room entered by a user account who is located in a different time zone from the user account; a step of adding an indicator to the interface of the chat room indicating that a participant located in a different time zone from the user account exists; and a step of displaying information regarding the time zone in which the participant in the chat room is located based on the indicator, wherein the step of adding the indicator includes a step of updating at least some of the visual elements of the indicator or whether the indicator is displayed based on at least one of a change in the time zone of the user account and a change in the time zone of the participant in the chat room. Claim 8 In claim 7, the step of displaying information regarding the time period in which a participant of the chat room is located includes the step of displaying current time information corresponding to the location of the participant of the chat room. Claim 9 In claim 7, the step of displaying information regarding the time period in which a participant in the chat room is located includes the step of displaying information regarding a region corresponding to the time period in which a participant in the chat room is located. Claim 10 In claim 9, the method wherein information regarding the said region includes at least one of an identification value of the said region and weather information of the said region. Claim 11 In claim 7, the step of displaying information regarding the time period in which the participants of the chat room are located includes the step of displaying information regarding the participants of the chat room located in each time period. Claim 12 delete Claim 13 A computer program stored on a computer-readable non-transient recording medium in combination with hardware to execute the method of any one of claims 1 to 11. Claim 14 A terminal that runs an instant messenger, comprising a processor that obtains information regarding the time zone of a recipient of a scheduled message, sets the time of sending the scheduled message based on the information regarding the time zone of the recipient, and requests the registration of a record regarding the scheduled message corresponding to a user account, wherein the scheduled message is transmitted through a chat room that is determined to be valid based on whether there is a history of messages being sent and received through a chat room corresponding to the recipient of the scheduled message. Claim 15 In paragraph 14, the processor, in setting the time of sending the scheduled message, provides a time zone list including an item of the region where each participant of the chat room corresponding to the recipient of the scheduled message is located, and sets the time of sending the scheduled message based on the time zone of the region corresponding to the item selected in the time zone list. Claim 16 In paragraph 15, the above time zone list includes items of regions sorted based on the number of participants located in the region corresponding to each item, terminal. Claim 17 A terminal that runs an instant messenger, comprising a processor that identifies a participant in a chat room entered by a user account who is located in a different time zone from the user account, adds an indicator to the interface of the chat room indicating that a participant located in a different time zone from the user account exists, and displays information regarding the time zone in which the participant in the chat room is located based on the indicator, wherein, in adding the indicator, the processor updates at least some of the visual elements of the indicator or whether the indicator is displayed based on at least one of a change in the time zone of the user account and a change in the time zone of the participant in the chat room. Claim 18 In claim 17, the processor performs at least one of the following operations: displaying current time information corresponding to the location of the participant in the chat room in displaying information regarding the time period in which the participant in the chat room is located; and displaying information regarding the region corresponding to the time period in which the participant in the chat room is located. Claim 19 In paragraph 17, the processor is a terminal that displays information regarding the time zone where the participants of the chat room are located, and displays information regarding the participants of the chat room located at each time zone. Claim 20 delete

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