KR20130087315A - System and method for controlling avatar based on chatting text in chatting service of mobile environment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An avatar service system and a method thereof are provided to supply avatars to chatting service participants in a mobile environment as well as to automatically assign an action corresponding to a chatting word to a relevant avatar. CONSTITUTION: An avatar service system comprises a user terminal (110), a server (120), and a network (130). The user terminal is a wired/wireless communication terminal which is used by a user and communicates with a server using a communication module which is included in the terminal. A server is a chatting service providing system which is capable of expressing an avatar in the user terminal. The server is capable of assigning an action to a corresponding avatar by searching for the matching action in a database in the case that a specific word is used, based on words which are spoken by users in a chatting station. [Reference numerals] (110) User terminal; (120) Server; (130) Network

Description

Avatar service system and method for controlling avatar based on chat content in a chat service in a mobile environment {SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AVATAR BASED ON CHATTING TEXT IN CHATTING SERVICE OF MOBILE ENVIRONMENT}

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an avatar service system and method for controlling an avatar based on a chat content in a chat service in a mobile environment.

In the case of an avatar provided by a service through a wired / wireless web, the avatar may be a combination of clothing, face, and accessories. However, such an avatar of the prior art, even if there is no movement or moving, ignores the combination of clothing / accessories and the like, and the entire avatar moves.

In other words, prior art avatars are composed of simple layers (faces / clothes / accessories), which consist of a combination of images without motion or when there is motion, clothing / accessories except faces are lost, i. This involves a problem that occurs. In addition, there is a problem that a separate plug-in such as flash or 'unity 3D' must be installed in order to animate the motion of the avatar.

In addition, the messenger service is an acquaintance-based service and supports a text-type chat without an avatar. For example, the messenger service adopts a format in which an image set by a user is displayed on behalf of the user, not a concept of an avatar.

Herein, a system and method for more effectively presenting an avatar on a wired or wireless web are provided.

By storing and maintaining a plurality of rotation images according to the movement for each layer constituting the avatar and metadata representing data, and providing metadata and rotation images suitable for the movement on request, various operations of the avatar ( The present invention provides an avatar service system and method capable of expressing an action such as a motion or an expression.

In addition to the layers constituting the avatar's body, items such as accessories or clothing added to the avatar are also composed of separate layers, and a plurality of rotating images are generated and maintained for each item layer, thereby The present invention provides an avatar service system and method for providing a rotation image of item layers corresponding to movements of the rare layers constituting the present invention, as well as solving image breakage caused by image rotation, as well as improving the overall quality of the avatar service.

In the chat service, the user can select an avatar and expand the range for optimizing the avatar, which not only induces the user's interest but also moves the user away from the static text-based chat method through the avatar's movement. The present invention provides an avatar service system and method that can express one's emotions realistically and impart dialogue dynamics.

By providing a random chat function, users can provide a service that allows users to chat randomly with all users, and provides a separate chat log to check past conversations or avatar movements while using the avatar. Provided are an avatar service system and method capable of moving to impart dynamics of conversation.

Recognize specific words in chat contents to automatically express emotions or movements of avatars, provide speech bubbles that are variable according to chat contents instead of the same speech bubbles, and an avatar service that allows users to select their own speech bubbles Provides a system and method.

In the avatar service system for providing an avatar in a chat service in a mobile environment, a chat contents receiver for receiving chat contents from a user terminal of a user connected to a chat stage, and searching for and responding to a word database based on words included in the chat contents An action tag extracting unit for extracting an action tag and an avatar information transmitting unit for transmitting information on the movement of the avatar corresponding to the action tag to user terminals of all users connected to the chat stage; A avatar service system is provided wherein a word and at least one action tag associated with at least one word are stored and maintained.

According to one side, the movement of the avatar can be reproduced on the screen based on the information on the movement of the avatar in each of the user terminals.

According to another aspect, when the chat content includes predetermined text, a speech bubble corresponding to the predetermined text among a plurality of speech bubbles having different shapes may be displayed on the screen of the user terminal, and the chat content may be displayed in the displayed speech bubble. .

According to another aspect, a speech bubble set by a user of a user terminal among a plurality of speech bubbles of different shapes may be displayed on a screen of the user terminal, and chat contents may be displayed in the displayed speech bubble.

In a user terminal provided with an avatar in a chat service of a mobile environment, a chat content transmitter which transmits a chat content input by a user to a server while connected to a chat room, and an avatar that receives information about an avatar's movement from a server. An avatar display unit for displaying the movement of the avatar on the screen based on the information receiving unit and the information on the movement of the avatar, the information on the movement of the avatar, at least one word using a word included in the chat content in the server and At least one action tag associated with the at least one word is stored in the word database stored and maintained corresponding to the extracted action tag, and information about the movement of the avatar is transmitted to the user terminals of all users connected to the chat room. Can be.

An avatar service method performed by an avatar service system for providing an avatar in a chat service in a mobile environment, the method comprising: receiving a chat content from a user terminal of a user connected to a chat stage, and a word database based on a word included in the chat content Searching for and extracting a corresponding action tag; and transmitting information about the movement of the avatar corresponding to the action tag to user terminals of all users connected to the chat stage, wherein the word database includes at least one word. And at least one action tag associated with the at least one word is stored and maintained.

An avatar service method performed by a user terminal provided with an avatar in a chat service in a mobile environment, the method comprising: transmitting a chat content input by a user to a server while connected to a chat room, and transmitting information about an avatar's movement from the server; And displaying the movement of the avatar on the screen based on the receiving and information on the movement of the avatar, wherein the movement information of the avatar includes at least one word using a word included in the chat content in the server; At least one action tag associated with the at least one word is stored in the word database stored and maintained corresponding to the extracted action tag, and information on the movement of the avatar is transmitted to the user terminals of all users connected to the chat room. An avatar service method is provided.

By storing and maintaining a plurality of rotation images according to the movement for each layer constituting the avatar and metadata representing data, and providing metadata and rotation images suitable for the movement on request, various operations of the avatar ( It can express an action such as a motion or an expression.

In addition to the layers constituting the avatar's body, items such as accessories or clothing added to the avatar are also composed of separate layers, and a plurality of rotating images are generated and maintained for each item layer, thereby By providing a rotation image of the item layers corresponding to the movement of the rare layers constituting the, it is possible not only to solve the image breakage caused by the image rotation but also to improve the quality of the entire avatar service.

In the chat service, the user can select an avatar and expand the range for optimizing the avatar, which not only induces the user's interest but also moves the user away from the static text-based chat method through the avatar's movement. You can express your feelings realistically and give the dynamics of conversation.

By providing a random chat function, users can provide a service that allows users to chat randomly with all users, and provides a separate chat log to check past conversations or avatar movements while using the avatar. The movement can be made to give the dialogue dynamics.

Recognize specific words in the chat content to automatically express the emotions and movements of the avatar, such as the speech bubbles that are variable according to the chat content instead of the same speech bubble, the user can choose his own speech bubbles.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an environment in which a user terminal and a server are connected through a network according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a view showing a database in an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is an example for explaining image data for each layer in an embodiment of the present invention.
4 illustrates an example of layers constituting a body of an avatar for movement of an avatar according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 illustrates an example of a process of extracting image data from a database according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 illustrates an example of metadata in an embodiment of the present invention.
7 illustrates an example of an avatar's movement according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 and 9 illustrate examples of the front and rear surfaces of an avatar composed of a plurality of layers according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 illustrates an example in which an skeleton layer representing an skeleton of an avatar, a body layer, and an item layer correspond to each other, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for one example of providing an avatar service on a mobile web according to one embodiment of the present invention.
12 is a diagram illustrating another example of providing an avatar service on a mobile web according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 illustrates an example of providing an animal avatar according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
14 is a diagram illustrating an item category structure of an avatar according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 illustrates an example of an avatar on a vehicle. Referring to FIG.
16 shows an example of a chat stage according to an embodiment of the present invention.
17 illustrates an example of a chat log in an embodiment of the present invention.
18 is a diagram showing a method of providing a chat log according to one embodiment of the present invention.
19 is an example for explaining a random chat function in an embodiment of the present invention.
20 is a view showing a chat room, a server, and a word database according to an embodiment of the present invention.
21 illustrates an example of speech bubbles of various shapes in an embodiment of the present invention.
22 is an example in which speech bubbles of various shapes are used in an embodiment of the present invention.
23 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of an avatar service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
24 is a flowchart illustrating an avatar service method performed by an avatar service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
25 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an avatar service method performed by a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an environment in which a user terminal and a server are connected through a network according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 illustrates a user terminal 110, a server 120, and a network 130.

The user terminal 110 may be a wired communication terminal or a wireless communication terminal used by the user. The user terminal 110 may communicate with the server 120 through the network 130 using a communication module included in the user terminal 110. For example, when the user terminal 110 is a wireless communication terminal, the network 130 may be a wireless communication network using a base station and a gateway, or may be a wireless communication network for connecting to the Internet using an access point. . In addition, when the user terminal 110 is a wired communication terminal, the network 130 may be a wired communication network connected to the Internet using a local area network. Since such communication technology is well known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The server 120 may be a system for providing an avatar service to the user terminal 110 in an avatar service or a chat service, a social network service (SNS), or a social network game (SNG). In the present embodiment, the server 120 may provide an avatar service to the user terminal 110. The avatar service according to the present embodiment may perform various actions for each layer used in the combination of avatars. It may mean a service for providing a. For example, the server 120 may be a system for providing a chatting service using an avatar to the user terminal 110. That is, the server 120 may provide an avatar capable of various movements to support the user to realistically express his or her emotions through the avatar.

2 is a view showing a database in an embodiment of the present invention. Here, the database 200 is proposed to enable various movements of the avatar, and as shown in FIG. 2, metadata 210, which is data about the movement of the avatar, and image data for each layer for configuring the avatar ( 220 may be stored and maintained respectively. In this case, the database 210 may be included in the server 120 or in a separate system for providing data to the server 120 in association with the server 120. In this case, the server 120 may extract necessary metadata 210 and image data 220 from the database 200 and provide the extracted metadata 210 and the image data 220 to the user terminal 110. In this case, the server 120 may synthesize the image data 220 for each frame based on the metadata 210 and provide the synthesized animation to the user terminal 110. In addition, the server 120 provides the extracted simply extracted metadata 210 and the image data 220 to the user terminal 110, and based on the metadata 210 in the user terminal 110, the image data ( 220 may be synthesized and displayed for each frame. That is, in the avatar service system and method according to the present embodiment, avatars of various movements may be expressed through a method of synthesizing the layer-specific image data 220 according to the metadata 210.

3 is an example for explaining image data for each layer in an embodiment of the present invention. That is, FIG. 3 illustrates an example in which a total of 360 rotating images may be generated from 1 ° to 360 ° in 1 ° increments based on the central axis 310 for one layer. If necessary, it is too natural that the rotation unit may be preset to another value (eg 2 ° or 5 °).

4 illustrates an example of layers constituting a body of an avatar for movement of an avatar according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 4, the avatar's body is divided into ten layers: head, torso, upper right arm, lower right arm, upper left arm, lower left arm, upper right leg, lower right leg, upper left leg and lower left leg. An example comprised with these is shown. Here, each of the layers includes a central axis, and may rotate along the central axis. Of course, the avatar shown in FIG. 4 is only one example, and if necessary, the avatar may be configured with more layers to control more sophisticated motion.

5 illustrates an example of a process of extracting image data from a database according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows that 360 rotation images for each layer are stored in a database as image data, and that rotation images necessary for representing a requested motion can be extracted and provided. First, in the database described in the example of FIG. 5, for each of the layers, a total of 360 rotating images are stored, from 1 ° to 360 °, in units of 1 °. In this case, “layer code” may mean an identifier for identifying each layer. That is, FIG. 7 illustrates rotation images of 59 ° to 64 ° among rotation images of the layer having the “layer code” of “bd_x_a1_01”, and 251 ° to 251 of rotation images of the layer having the “layer code” of “bd_x_a2_00”. An example of extracting rotated images up to °, and rotated images from 346 ° to 351 °, respectively, among the rotated images of the layer having the "layer code" of "bd_x_a5_00" is shown.

Each layer can not only rotate about the central axis according to the application of the rotating image, but also move the layers according to where the central axis is located on the screen. Information about the rotation of the central axis or the position of the central axis may be included in the metadata. For example, the metadata may include information (coordinates) of where the center axis of the rotated image having an angle (rotation value, angle) of each layer should be located on the screen.

6 illustrates an example of metadata in an embodiment of the present invention. First, in FIG. 6, "ani01.xml" may mean that metadata is provided in the form of an eXtensible MarkUp Language (XML) for the identifier "ani01" for the requested movement. Also, the value of "scene frame" may be an identifier for identifying a frame. That is, "scene frame = 1" may mean the first frame of the motion corresponding to "ani01". "layer code" may mean an identifier for identifying a layer, as described above. "z_order" may indicate the depth of layers in a frame. That is, as the value of "z_order" increases, this may mean that it is displayed on the front of the screen. "angle" may correspond to an identifier of the rotation image to be applied. That is, "angle = 0" may mean that a rotation image corresponding to 360 ° is applied. "offset_x" and "offset_y" may indicate coordinates. These coordinates may be absolute coordinates corresponding to the coordinates of the screen, or may be relative to the reference position of the area where the avatar is represented.

1 and 2, when the user terminal 110 accesses the server 120 through the network 130 and receives the avatar service, the server 120 moves the avatar from the user terminal 110. Receive a request associated with the. In this case, in one embodiment, the server 120 may synthesize the image of the avatar with the requested movement and provide the synthesized image to the user terminal 110.

In another embodiment, the server 120 may extract metadata 210 and image data 220 related to the requested movement from the database 200 and provide them to the user terminal 110, and the user terminal 110. The image data 220 may be displayed on the screen for each frame based on the metadata 210. For example, the metadata 210 may be provided in the form of XML as described with reference to FIG. 6, and thus, an avatar service capable of various movements may be provided through a wired or wireless web. That is, the server 120 may generate an xml file through the metadata 210 and the image data 220 and provide the generated xml file to the user terminal 110. In this case, the server 120 may add the web address for the image data 220 to the XML file and provide it to the user terminal 110. The user terminal 110 may process an xml file through a web standard protocol such as HTML (HyperText Markup Language) 5, and at this time, the image data 220 is connected to the user terminal 110 through a web address added to the xml file. It may be provided as.

7 illustrates an example of an avatar's movement according to an embodiment of the present invention. As described above, the avatar 700 may determine a movement based on the coordinates and rotation values of the layers constituting the avatar. When the coordinates and the rotation value of the rotation images of the layers are determined for each frame and each frame is sequentially displayed on the screen, an animation according to the movement of the avatar may be provided to the user. In addition, the position of the avatar may be moved by changing the same overall coordinate value of the avatar.

8 and 9 illustrate examples of the front and rear surfaces of an avatar composed of a plurality of layers according to an embodiment of the present invention. That is, FIGS. 8 and 9 are examples in which the outer appearance of the avatar is implemented as a layer structure. A central axis may be preset for each layer, and a plurality of rotating images about the central axis preset for one layer may be provided. May exist. The plurality of rotated images may be stored as image data 220 for each layer in the database 200 described with reference to FIG. 2. That is, a plurality of rotation images exist for each of the plurality of layers, and the server 120 may provide rotation images and metadata necessary for the movement of the avatar. As described above, the user terminal 110 may combine and display the rotated images based on the metadata.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example in which an skeleton layer representing an skeleton of an avatar, a body layer, and an item layer correspond to each other, according to an embodiment of the present invention. That is, the avatar according to the present embodiment indicates that the body and items attached to the bone can move together at the same time as the bone moves. That is, by changing the coordinates and angles of the body layer and the item layer corresponding to the coordinates and angles at which the layer representing the skeleton is moved, it is possible to prevent the image from being broken.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for one example of providing an avatar service on a mobile web according to one embodiment of the present invention. The screen 1100 is an example of a screen of a user's mobile terminal. In more detail, the screen 1100 shows an example of setting an avatar instead of a picture as a profile representative image of a social network service. In this case, the avatar may express its emotional state or situation by the avatar's movement (action such as expression or gesture).

12 is a diagram illustrating another example of providing an avatar service on a mobile web according to one embodiment of the present invention. The screen 1200 is an example of a screen of a user's mobile terminal. In more detail, the screen 1200 shows an example of a chat service screen using an avatar. That is, not only chatting via text, but also through the movement of the avatar, the other party can convey his or her emotional state or situation. FIG. 12 illustrates an example in which preset movements of the avatar are provided in advance, and a selected movement among the provided movements is reflected in the avatar of the user. However, the movement of the avatar can be selected through various methods. For example, the movement of the avatar may be selected by analyzing text input by the user.

As described above, the prior art avatar service provided on the web is simply a combination of images, and like a messenger, a web service is an acquaintance-based service, which supports chatting in a text form without an avatar or displays an image set by a user. Only support the technology. However, in the present exemplary embodiment, as shown in the example of FIGS. 11 and 12, even on a wired or wireless web, an avatar capable of expressing various movements and expressions without installing a separate program such as a plug-in may be supported. In particular, in a mobile web service An avatar service capable of moving an avatar may be provided.

Hereinafter, the mobile chat service including the avatar service according to the embodiments of the present invention will be described.

Referring back to FIG. 12, when the avatar mounts an item, the movement of the avatar may also be applied to the item. That is, when the avatar is moving, items such as clothes or accessories mounted on the avatar are moved or rotated in response to the avatar's movement, thereby preventing the image from being broken.

In addition, in the chat service according to the present embodiment, not only the profile image of the other party but also his / her profile image may be displayed in the area where the chat log is displayed. That is, FIG. 12 further shows how the image 1210 of the user is displayed.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of providing an animal avatar according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. That is, FIG. 13 illustrates a first user interface 1310 through which a user can select not only a humanoid male avatar and a humanoid female avatar, but also an animal avatar. In addition, FIG. 13 further illustrates a second user interface 1310 in which a user can set a name of the selected avatar. The user interfaces may be provided to the user by an application installed on the user terminal.

14 is a diagram illustrating an item category structure of an avatar according to an embodiment of the present invention. That is, in the avatar system according to the present embodiment, a gender may be assigned to the avatar, and a race (animal, etc.) attribute may be given in addition to the gender to generate a race avatar other than the humanoid avatar like the animal avatar. It is natural that other virtual races can be added as racial attributes as needed. In addition, it is possible to change or wear individual elements using various items such as avatar's appearance or clothes, and the user can also control the avatar's movement.

In addition, the application described with reference to FIG. 13 may further include at least one of user interfaces (not shown) of (1) to (7) below. Also, the user interfaces below (1) to (7) may be combined with each other.

(1) A closet interface for identifying items (or movements) provided to the user, items (or movements) purchased by the user. Here, the items may include not only items for setting an avatar's face such as a face shape, eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth, hair, and skin color, but also items such as clothes and accessories or pet items. . At this time, the pet may have its own movement and movement is also possible. In addition, the wardrobe interface may display items that can be worn and items that cannot be worn according to gender or race. Items (or movements) held by the user may be provided by being classified by category.

(2) Combination interface for pre-combining various items.

(3) avatar rotation interface for rotating the avatar. That is, the user may check the avatars combined through the combination interface while rotating the avatar using the avatar rotation interface.

(4) Random combination interface in which items are randomly combined. For example, when the random combination interface is selected in the upper category step, the application may randomly select and combine items from all items of the lower categories of the category. As another example, when a random combination interface is selected after entering a specific category, the application may randomly select and combine items from items of the corresponding category. In addition, the random combination interface may further include a function for combining items at random from among items owned by the user or a function for combining items at random among items sold.

(5) Item purchase interface for purchasing items such as clothing or accessories. At this time, the purchase interface may include a combination interface of (2). That is, users can pre-combine items in their avatars prior to purchase through the combination interface. In addition, the purchase interface may further include a shopping cart interface for storing the selected item. In this case, the items stored through the shopping cart interface may be automatically combined with their avatars in advance. The purchased item may be given a duration.

(6) Motion purchase interface for purchasing movements possible with avatars in combination with costumes. That is, the user may purchase and use additional movements in addition to the movements basically provided. The movement purchase interface may further include a pre-purchase movement execution interface for instructing his avatar to perform the selected movement even before purchasing the movement. That is, the application may play and show an animation in which the user's avatar performs a specific movement before the user purchases the movement.

(7) User interface for presenting items or movements to other users.

Items held by the user may be deleted through a delete function. In addition, at least some items may introduce a concept of recycling as needed to provide a user with a certain level of compensation when the items are deleted.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of an avatar on a vehicle. Referring to FIG. That is, the moving means may be included as an item combined with the avatar. As described above, the avatar may be moved. For example, the avatar may be changed according to the movement of the avatar or a user input in a chat stage such as a chat window or a chat room. At this time, the avatar equipped with the vehicle item may move in the chat stage by the vehicle. In this specification, "chat window", "chat room" and "chat stage" are used interchangeably.

Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2, the server 120 may extract metadata 210 and image data 220 required from the database 200 according to a request transmitted from the user terminal 120. In this case, the request may be generated through control of an application installed in the user terminal 120.

The server 120 may generate the necessary animation using the extracted metadata 210 and the image data 220 and transmit the generated animation to the user terminal 120. In this case, the user terminal 120 may display the animation on the corresponding service screen like a chat window under the control of the application.

In this case, the server 120 may store and maintain the generated animation for a preset period. If the requested animation is already stored, the server 120 may transmit the stored animation to the user terminal 120 according to the request. That is, when the animation is not stored, the server 120 may generate the animation by extracting data from the database 200.

16 shows an example of a chat stage according to an embodiment of the present invention. The first screen 1610 and the second screen 1620 are examples of the screen of the user's mobile terminal, respectively. Here, the first screen 1610 shows the avatars of the users displayed in a chat room accessed by a plurality of users and the chat contents displayed on the heads of the avatars. In this case, the user may move the avatar 1630 by setting a location 1640 for moving the user's avatar 1630. The second screen 1620 shows a state in which the avatar 1630 has moved to the location 1640 set by the user. In this case, the position of the avatar 1630 may be performed by collectively modifying the coordinates of the central axis of the rotated images constituting the avatar 1630. For example, when the user terminal 110 requests the server 120 to move the avatar 1630, the user terminal 110 may transmit coordinates for moving the avatar 1630 to the server 120. In this case, the server 120 may control the avatar 1630 to move using the received coordinates. In addition, the server 120 may transmit the changed location information of the avatar 1630 to other users participating in the chat. In this case, the position of the avatar 1630 may be changed on the screens of user terminals of other users.

As described above, according to embodiments of the present invention, the user can realistically express his or her emotions through the movement of the avatar, and the avatar service can be reflected not only in the chat service but also in the SNS or the SNG. In addition, by selecting an avatar in the chat service and expanding the range for optimizing the avatar, the user can not only induce user's interest but also communicate by moving the avatar in the chat window away from the static text-based chat method. It can give the dynamics of.

17 illustrates an example of a chat log in an embodiment of the present invention. When the chat is performed using the chat stage and the avatars as shown in FIG. 16, the application may include a separate chat log view interface. The screen 1700 is an example of a screen of a user's mobile terminal, and a chat log is displayed. In this case, the chat log may include not only text input by the users for chatting, but also movements 1710 such as emotions or actions of the avatar.

18 is a diagram showing a method of providing a chat log according to one embodiment of the present invention. When N users are connected to one chat room (chat stage) 1810, the server 120 may generate a chat log 1820 for the chat stage 1810. In addition, the server 120 may record the text transmitted from the user terminals of the users or information on the movement of the avatar in the chat log 1820. In this case, when at least one of the users selects the chat log view interface, the server 120 may provide the chat log 1820 to the user terminal of the corresponding user. The user terminal receiving the chat log 1820 displays the received chat log 1820 on the screen, so that the user can check the conversation or the movement of the avatar as shown in the screen 1700 of FIG. 17.

19 is an example for explaining a random chat function in an embodiment of the present invention. The server 120 may identify users who request a random chat among the plurality of users 1900 using the chat service. That is, the server 120 may check whether there is a random chat requestor in step 1910, and generate a random chat room in step 1920 when the random chat requester exists. If there is no random chat requester, the server 120 may wait and perform step 1910. In this case, the server 120 may allow users to enter the random chat room in the order in which the random chat is requested, and may limit the number of people who can enter one random chat room. Accordingly, the server 120 may support random chats between users who request random chats at similar timings. In this case, when there are two or more random chat requesters in step 1910, the server 120 may generate a random chat room in step 1920.

20 is a view showing a chat room, a server, and a word database according to an embodiment of the present invention. The server 120 may transfer the chat contents received from the user terminals of the users entering the chat room 2100 to the user terminals of all users existing in the chat room 2100. In addition, the server 120 processes the avatar's movement in response to a request for the movement of the avatar received from the user terminals of users entering the chat room 2100, and transmits the avatar's movement to the chat room 2100. It can be delivered to the user terminals of all existing users.

In this case, the server 120 may include the word database 2200 or use the word database 2200 in association with a separate system including the word database 2200. In this case, the word database 2200 may store a predetermined word and an action tag which is a tag for the movement of the avatar. That is, when the chat content generated in the chat room 2100 includes a word stored in the word database 2200, the server 120 may check the word word in the word database 2200 to check the action tag of the associated avatar. have. In this case, the server 120 may apply a corresponding motion to the avatar through the identified action tag of the avatar.

For example, suppose that the word database "laugh" and the action tag "laugh" are stored in association with each other in the word database 2200. In this case, when the word "laugh" exists in the chat content of the user A in the chat room 2100, the server 120 may check the action tag "smiley expression" through the word database 2200, and the user A May control the avatar to perform the movement of the "laughing facial expression". In this case, the word database 2200 may store a plurality of words in association with one action tag.

  As such, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the avatar may be controlled to express the related movement by using the action tag even if the user does not directly select the movement of the avatar.

21 illustrates an example of speech bubbles of various shapes in an embodiment of the present invention. In the chat service according to the present embodiment, a user may select and use a specific speech bubble among various speech bubbles 2100 according to a preference. In addition, the speech balloon may be changed according to a specific character. For example, speech bubbles may be preset according to exclamation marks or question marks. In this case, when an exclamation point or question mark enters the user's chat content, the user's speech bubble may be automatically selected as preset speech bubbles.

22 is an example in which speech bubbles of various shapes are used in an embodiment of the present invention. The screen 2200 is an example of a screen of a user's mobile terminal. In this case, when the input chat content includes an exclamation point, the first speech bubble 1810 automatically shows a preset speech bubble according to the exclamation point. In addition, the second speech bubble 1820 shows a state in which the speech bubble directly selected by the user is provided.

23 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of an avatar service system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The avatar service system 2300 according to the present embodiment is a system corresponding to the server 120 described with reference to FIG. 1, and may provide an avatar to a user in a chat service in a mobile environment. As illustrated in FIG. 23, the avatar service system 2300 may include a chat content receiver 2310, an action tag extractor 2320, and an avatar information transmitter 2330.

The chat content receiver 2310 receives chat content from a user terminal of a user connected to the chat stage.

The action tag extractor 2320 searches a word database based on the words included in the chat content and extracts a corresponding action tag. Here, the word database stores and maintains at least one word and at least one action tag associated with the at least one word. That is, the action tag extractor 2320 may extract an action tag according to a word included in chat content from a database in which words and action tags are associated with each other.

The avatar information transmitter 2330 transmits information on the movement of the avatar corresponding to the action tag to user terminals of all users connected to the chat stage. At this time, the movement of the avatar may be reproduced on the screen based on the information on the movement of the avatar in each of the user terminals. Here, the information on the movement of the avatar may be determined based on whether the movement is applicable to the avatar of the user (the user who transmitted the chat contents). That is, when the avatar of the user is an avatar to which the motion of the avatar corresponding to the extracted action tag cannot be applied, information about the motion of the avatar may not be provided.

According to the present embodiment, even in a chat service of a mobile environment, a specific word of a chat content is recognized to automatically express a movement such as an emotion or an action of an avatar.

In addition, when the chat contents include preset characters, speech bubbles corresponding to the preset characters among the plurality of speech bubbles having different shapes may be displayed on the screen of the user terminal, and the chat contents may be displayed within the displayed speech bubbles. For example, if a speech bubble of a specific shape is set in response to an exclamation mark and an exclamation mark is displayed in the chat content, the chat content is provided to all users connected to the chat stage through the predetermined speech bubble of a predetermined shape. Can be.

In addition, a speech bubble set by the user of the user terminal among the plurality of speech bubbles of different shapes may be displayed on the screen of the user terminal, and chat contents may be displayed in the displayed speech bubble. That is, the user can directly select the speech bubble he wants.

24 is a flowchart illustrating an avatar service method performed by an avatar service system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The avatar service method according to the present embodiment may be performed by the avatar service system 2300 described with reference to FIG. 23.

In operation 2410, the avatar service system 2300 receives chat contents from a user terminal of a user connected to a chat stage.

In operation 2420, the avatar service system 2300 searches a word database based on a word included in the chat content and extracts a corresponding action tag. Here, the word database stores and maintains at least one word and at least one action tag associated with the at least one word. That is, the avatar service system 2300 may extract an action tag according to a word included in chat content from a database in which words and action tags are associated with each other.

In operation 2430, the avatar service system 2300 transmits information on the movement of the avatar corresponding to the action tag to user terminals of all users connected to the chat stage. At this time, the movement of the avatar may be reproduced on the screen based on the information on the movement of the avatar in each of the user terminals. Here, the information on the movement of the avatar may be determined based on whether the movement is applicable to the avatar of the user (the user who transmitted the chat contents). That is, when the avatar of the user is an avatar to which the motion of the avatar corresponding to the extracted action tag cannot be applied, information about the motion of the avatar may not be provided.

According to the present embodiment, even in a chat service of a mobile environment, a specific word of a chat content may be recognized to automatically express a movement such as an emotion or an action of an avatar.

In addition, when the chat contents include preset characters, speech bubbles corresponding to the preset characters among the plurality of speech bubbles having different shapes may be displayed on the screen of the user terminal, and the chat contents may be displayed within the displayed speech bubbles. For example, if a speech bubble of a specific shape is set in response to an exclamation mark and an exclamation mark is displayed in the chat content, the chat content is provided to all users connected to the chat stage through the predetermined speech bubble of a predetermined shape. Can be. That is, the user can proceed with the chat using a variety of speech bubbles according to the chat content.

In addition, a speech bubble set by the user of the user terminal among the plurality of speech bubbles of different shapes may be displayed on the screen of the user terminal, and chat contents may be displayed in the displayed speech bubble. That is, the user can directly select the speech bubble he wants.

25 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. The user terminal 2500 according to the present embodiment is a device corresponding to the user terminal 110 described with reference to FIG. 1, and may be a device that receives an avatar in a chat service of a mobile environment. As illustrated in FIG. 25, the user terminal 2500 may include a chat content transmitter 2510, an avatar information receiver 2520, and an avatar display unit 2530.

The chat content transmitter 2510 transmits the chat content input by the user to the server while connected to the chat room. Here, the server may correspond to the avatar service system 2300 described with reference to FIG. 23.

The avatar information receiver 2520 receives information on the movement of the avatar from the server. Here, the information about the movement of the avatar is an action extracted by searching a word database where at least one word and at least one action tag associated with the at least one word are stored and maintained using a word included in a chat content in a server. May correspond to a tag. That is, the server may search the word database using words included in the chat content to extract action tags associated with specific words, and the user terminal 2500 may provide information on the movement of the avatar corresponding to the extracted action tags. Can be sent to.

At this time, the information on the movement of the avatar is transmitted to the user terminals of all users connected to the chat room. At this time, the movement of the avatar may be reproduced on the screen based on the information on the movement of the avatar in each of the user terminals. In this case, the information on the movement of the avatar may be determined based on whether the movement is applicable to the avatar of the user (the user who transmitted the chat contents). That is, when the avatar of the user is an avatar to which the motion of the avatar corresponding to the extracted action tag cannot be applied, information about the motion of the avatar may not be provided.

The avatar display unit 2530 displays the movement of the avatar on the screen based on the information about the movement of the avatar.

In addition, when the chat content includes the preset text, the avatar display 2530 may display a speech bubble corresponding to the preset text among a plurality of speech bubbles having different shapes, and display the chat content in the displayed speech bubble. . That is, the user can proceed with the chat using a variety of speech bubbles according to the chat content.

In addition, the avatar display unit 2530 may display a speech bubble set by the user among a plurality of speech bubbles having different shapes on the screen, and display chat contents in the displayed speech bubble. That is, the user can directly select the speech bubble he wants.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an avatar service method performed by a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. The avatar service method according to the present embodiment may be performed by the user terminal 2500 described with reference to FIG. 25.

In operation 2610, the user terminal 2500 transmits the chat content input by the user to the server while connected to the chat room. Here, the server may correspond to the avatar service system 2300 described with reference to FIG. 23.

In operation 2620, the user terminal 2500 receives information on the movement of the avatar from the server. Here, the information about the movement of the avatar is an action extracted by searching a word database where at least one word and at least one action tag associated with the at least one word are stored and maintained using a word included in a chat content in a server. May correspond to a tag. That is, the server may search the word database using words included in the chat content to extract action tags associated with specific words, and the user terminal 2500 may provide information on the movement of the avatar corresponding to the extracted action tags. Can be sent to.

At this time, the information on the movement of the avatar is transmitted to the user terminals of all users connected to the chat room. At this time, the movement of the avatar may be reproduced on the screen based on the information on the movement of the avatar in each of the user terminals. In this case, the information on the movement of the avatar may be determined based on whether the movement is applicable to the avatar of the user (the user who transmitted the chat contents). That is, when the avatar of the user is an avatar to which the motion of the avatar corresponding to the extracted action tag cannot be applied, information about the motion of the avatar may not be provided.

In operation 2630, the user terminal 2500 displays the movement of the avatar on the screen based on the information about the movement of the avatar.

In addition, when the chatting content includes predetermined text, the user terminal 2500 may display a speech bubble corresponding to the predetermined text among a plurality of speech bubbles having different shapes, and display the chatting content in the displayed speech bubble. . That is, the user can proceed with the chat using a variety of speech bubbles according to the chat content.

In addition, the user terminal 2500 may display a speech bubble set by the user among a plurality of speech bubbles having different shapes on the screen, and display chat contents in the displayed speech bubble. That is, the user can directly select the speech bubble he wants.

23 to 26, reference may be made to the contents of FIGS. 1 to 22.

As described above, according to embodiments of the present invention, metadata and data representing movement and a plurality of rotating images according to the movement for each layer constituting the avatar are stored and maintained in a database, and metadata corresponding to the movement is requested. By providing and rotating images, it is possible to express a variety of movements, such as the avatar's various movements, facial expressions (emotions). In addition, not only the layers constituting the avatar's body, but also items such as accessories and clothes added to the avatar are composed of separate layers, and a plurality of rotated images are generated and maintained for each item layer. In addition, by providing a rotation image of the item layers corresponding to the movement of the layers constituting the body, not only the image breakage caused by the image rotation can be solved, but also the quality of the entire avatar service can be improved. In addition, in the chat service, the user can select an avatar and expand the range in which the avatar can be optimized, thereby inducing the user's interest, and moving away from the static text-based chat method through the avatar's movement. The user can express his or her feelings realistically and can impart dynamics of conversation. In addition, by providing a random chat function, users can provide a service that allows users to chat randomly with the entire user, and by providing a separate chat log, you can check the conversation or the movement of the avatar while using the avatar, It is possible to move the avatar to give the dialogue dynamics. In addition, by recognizing a certain word in the chat content can automatically express the emotions and movements of the avatar, such as not the same speech bubble, but provides a variable speech bubble according to the chat content, the user can directly choose his own speech bubble. .

The methods according to embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed through various computer means and recorded in a computer-readable medium. The computer readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, etc. alone or in combination. The program instructions recorded on the medium may be those specially designed and constructed for the present invention or may be available to those skilled in the art of computer software.

As described above, the present invention has been described by way of limited embodiments and drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains various modifications and variations from such descriptions. This is possible.

Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be determined by the equivalents of the claims, as well as the claims.

110: user terminal
120: Server
130: Network

Claims (17)

In the avatar service system for providing an avatar in a chat service in a mobile environment,
A chat content receiver configured to receive chat content from a user terminal of a user connected to the chat stage;
An action tag extractor configured to search a word database based on a word included in the chat content and extract a corresponding action tag; And
Avatar information transmission unit for transmitting information about the movement of the avatar corresponding to the action tag to the user terminals of all users connected to the chat stage
Lt; / RTI >
And at least one word and at least one action tag associated with the at least one word are stored and maintained in the word database. The method of claim 1,
The avatar service system, characterized in that the movement of the avatar is reproduced on the screen based on the information on the movement of the avatar in each of the user terminals. The method of claim 1,
When the chat content includes a predetermined text, a speech bubble corresponding to the predetermined text among a plurality of speech bubbles having different shapes is displayed on the screen of the user terminal, and the chat content is displayed within the displayed speech bubble. Avatar service system. The method of claim 1,
A speech bubble set by a user of the user terminal among a plurality of speech bubbles of different shapes is displayed on the screen of the user terminal, and the chat content is displayed in the displayed speech bubble. In a user terminal provided with an avatar in a chat service of a mobile environment,
Chat content transmission unit for transmitting the chat content input by the user in the state connected to the chat room to the server;
An avatar information receiver configured to receive information about the movement of the avatar from the server; And
An avatar display unit which displays the movement of the avatar on a screen based on the information on the movement of the avatar
Lt; / RTI >
The information on the movement of the avatar is extracted by searching the word database in which the server stores and maintains at least one word and at least one action tag associated with the at least one word by using a word included in the chat content. Corresponds to the specified action tag,
The information on the movement of the avatar, the user terminal, characterized in that transmitted to the user terminals of all users connected to the chat room. The method of claim 5,
And the movement of the avatar is reproduced on the screen based on the information on the movement of the avatar in each of the user terminals. The method of claim 5,
The avatar display unit,
When the chat content includes a predetermined character, the user of the plurality of speech bubbles of different shapes, the speech bubble corresponding to the predetermined character is displayed on the screen, the user characterized in that to display the chat content in the displayed speech bubble terminal. The method of claim 5,
The avatar display unit,
The user terminal of the plurality of speech bubbles of different shapes is displayed by the user on the screen, the user characterized in that the chat content is displayed in the displayed speech bubble. In the avatar service method performed by the avatar service system for providing an avatar in a chat service in a mobile environment,
Receiving chat contents from a user terminal of a user connected to the chat stage;
Extracting a corresponding action tag by searching a word database based on the words included in the chat contents; And
Transmitting information about the movement of the avatar corresponding to the action tag to user terminals of all users connected to the chat stage;
Lt; / RTI >
At least one word and at least one action tag associated with the at least one word are stored and maintained in the word database. 10. The method of claim 9,
And the movement of the avatar is reproduced on the screen based on the information on the movement of the avatar in each of the user terminals. 10. The method of claim 9,
When the chat content includes a predetermined text, a speech bubble corresponding to the predetermined text among a plurality of speech bubbles having different shapes is displayed on the screen of the user terminal, and the chat content is displayed within the displayed speech bubble. Avatar service method. 10. The method of claim 9,
A speech bubble set by a user of the user terminal among a plurality of speech bubbles of different shapes is displayed on the screen of the user terminal, and the chat content is displayed in the displayed speech bubble. In the avatar service method performed by a user terminal provided with an avatar in a chat service in a mobile environment,
Transmitting the chat contents input by the user while connected to the chat room to the server;
Receiving information about the movement of the avatar from the server; And
Displaying the movement of the avatar on the screen based on the information on the movement of the avatar
Lt; / RTI >
The information on the movement of the avatar is extracted by searching the word database in which the server stores and maintains at least one word and at least one action tag associated with the at least one word by using a word included in the chat content. Corresponds to the specified action tag,
Information on the movement of the avatar, the avatar service method, characterized in that transmitted to the user terminals of all users connected to the chat room. The method of claim 13,
And the movement of the avatar is reproduced on the screen based on the information on the movement of the avatar in each of the user terminals. The method of claim 13,
Displaying the movement of the avatar on the screen,
When the chat content includes a predetermined text, the avatar corresponding to the predetermined text among the plurality of speech bubbles of different shapes on the screen, the avatar characterized in that to display the chat content in the displayed speech bubble Service method. The method of claim 13,
Displaying the movement of the avatar on the screen,
A speech service set by the user among a plurality of speech bubbles having different shapes is displayed on the screen, and the chat content is displayed within the displayed speech bubble. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for performing the method of any one of claims 9 to 16.

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