KR100559287B1 - Chat system and method using animation of graphic images - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method capable of performing a chat using animation of a graphical image. The chat system includes a server for controlling the chat process, and a plurality of clients connected to the server through a communication network and for chatting with each other according to the chat process. This chat method comprises the steps of: a) performing initialization by the server and a plurality of clients, b) sending a chat request client information and chat counterpart client information used when the server chats with each of the plurality of clients, and c) And, based on the chat request client information and the chat counterpart client information received from the server, a plurality of clients perform a mutual chat.

Character, Character Engine, Chat Engine, Animation File Preprocessing, Chat

Description

Chat system using animation of graphic image and method thereof {CHAT SYSTEM AND METHOD USING ANIMATION OF GRAPHIC IMAGES}

1 (a) and (b) are diagrams showing an example of a character or avatar according to the prior art.

2 (a) and 2 (b) show examples of a list window and a chat window of a chat program according to the prior art;

3 is a schematic block diagram of a chat system according to the present invention;

4 is a block diagram of a character engine in accordance with the present invention.

5 is a block diagram of an animation data preprocessor of the character engine shown in FIG. 4; FIG.

6 is a flow chart for explaining the chat process according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining in detail the steps S602 to S604 shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining in detail the steps S606 to S610 shown in FIG.

9 is a flowchart for explaining the details of the step S816 shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of generating an animation data structure used in a character engine by an animation file preprocessor shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the character module controlled by the character manager in the character engine shown in FIG. 4; FIG.

12 illustrates an example of extracting outline data of a character according to the present invention.

13 shows an example of a character animation according to the present invention.

14 illustrates an example of composite graphical image data generated in accordance with the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

302: server

304: communication network

306, 308, 310: Client

306-1, 308-1, 310-1: Chat Engine

306-2, 308-2, 310-2: Character Engine

402: animation data preprocessing unit

404: character management unit

406: message analysis unit

408: graphic output unit

502: data analysis unit

504: animation file list generation unit

506: animation file preprocessor

The present invention relates to a chat system and method using a communication system, and more particularly to a system and method that can perform a chat using the animation of the graphic image.

Recently, there has been an attempt to chat using a character or an avatar in a virtual space. A typical character or avatar may be displayed according to the control of a chat program in a limited frame (eg, a rectangular window) on a monitor connected to a computing device used for chatting. Displayed only within a limited frame of space.

As shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 1, the character or avatar 102 and 104 according to the related art represent a user as a photograph in a virtual space during a chat, and thus, a chat counterpart. You are not given a role to chat on behalf of the user when chatting with them. In addition, the characters or avatars 102 and 104 may not perform independent motions, that is, animations, and may only change facial expressions preset by a chat program.

Also, as shown in Figs. 2A and 2B, the conventional chat program displays a list window and a chat window on a monitor when chatting. At this time, a character or avatar representing the user may be located in these windows. However, there is a disadvantage that a character or avatar may not exist in an area other than such a window, for example, a desktop area except these windows on a computer monitor, and the character or avatar still does not perform an animation when chatting.

Accordingly, the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and to provide a system and method for chatting with a chat counterpart similar to the real space through the animation of a graphic image representing users chatting in a virtual space. It aims to provide.

According to a feature of the invention, there is provided a chat system using animation of a graphical image. The chat system includes a server for controlling the chat process, and a plurality of clients connected to the server through a communication network and for chatting with each other according to the chat process. The server controls a chat process in response to a chat request from each of the plurality of clients, a first database for storing information about each of the plurality of clients, a second database for storing graphical images representing the plurality of clients, and It includes a chat process control unit for. Each of the plurality of clients includes a communication means for communicating with the server and the plurality of clients through a communication network, a chat engine for performing a mutual chat with the plurality of clients according to the chat process under the control of the server, and a transmission and reception during the chat. Communication message, the communication message comprising chat text consisting of words and / or sentences; and a computer readable medium in which a graphic image engine is implemented for controlling the animation of graphic images and graphic images transmitted from a server. do.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a chat method using animation of a graphic image on a chat system in which a server and a plurality of clients are interconnected through a communication network is provided. The method comprises the steps of: a) performing initialization by the server and the plurality of clients, b) sending the chat request client information and chat counterpart client information used when the server chats to each of the plurality of clients, and c) the server. And, based on the chat request client information and the chat counterpart client information received from the plurality of clients, performing a mutual chat. Here, in step c), graphic images representing a plurality of clients are displayed on a display provided by each of the plurality of clients, and a communication message transmitted and received during a chat—the communication message includes chat text composed of words and / or sentences. Animation of the graphical images is displayed.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 14.

First, referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a schematic block diagram of a chat system using a graphical image according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the chat system 300 according to the present invention includes a server 302, a plurality of clients 306, 308, 310, a server 302, and a plurality of clients 306, 308, 310. And a communication network 304 for interconnection. Here, the communication network 304 should be understood and interpreted to include conventional wired and wireless communication networks. In addition, it should be noted that, for convenience of description, the users who actually perform the chat are referred to as a plurality of clients 306, 308, and 310.

The server 302 is a database for storing information about each of the plurality of clients and graphical images representing them, and a control unit for controlling the chat process according to the present invention in response to a chat request from the plurality of clients 306, 308, 310. Equipped with. The plurality of clients 306, 308, 310 include, for example, a component for performing a typical computing device function, as well as chat engines according to the present invention that operate when performing a chat process ( 306-1, 308-1, 310-1, and character engines 306-2, 308-2, and 308-2. Here, the chat engines 306-1, 308-1, 310-1 have a function of controlling the character engines 306-2, 308-2, 308-2, and these chat engines 306. Each of -1, 308-1, 310-1 receives an IP (Internet Protocol) address, user information, and chat counterpart information from the server 302.

The user information is information corresponding to the chat party itself who performs the chat and includes chat name data, character data, and chat setting data. The chat name data is, for example, on the monitors of the clients 306 and 308 during the actual chat, independent of the identification of the client 306 when the client 306 chats with the client 308 that is the chat counterpart. Data about the name displayed in the chat window. For example, the chat name data is data used to be displayed as a "dragon arm" in the chat window during the chat even when the ID of the client 306 is "i00XX".

Character data is data that the client 306 uses to express its own characters, and character list data about a list of characters that the client 306 itself can use, and items that can be attached to each of these characters. It contains item data about, animation data about the animation of each available character, and character version data about the version of each available character. Here, the item is to decorate the character, such as the head shape, clothes, shoes, etc. of the character.

The animation data is composed of a plurality of animation files, and each of the plurality of animation files is composed of a header, frame data, and graphic image data. The header contains a unique ID of each animation file, the number of frames for each character animation, and the number of graphical image data inserted in the animation file. Frame data exists for each of the character animations by frames created sequentially through a dedicated editor (e.g., a graphical image generator), each frame data having a graphical image data index, coordinate data, timer, and movement. Contains relative value data. The graphical image data index relates to the index of the graphical image data to be displayed in each frame. Here, the graphic image data further includes outline data of the character, and the graphic image data index and the outline data index are the same. Coordinate data is data about coordinates on the monitor for graphic image data to be displayed in each frame and represents coordinates from a preset monitor reference point. The timer indicates the display time of the graphic image data and may be set differently according to the animation of the character. The moving relative value data moves from the reference point in the current frame to the reference point of the next frame on the monitor when the character's animation is displayed, when switching from the currently displayed frame to the next displayed frame among the frames corresponding to the animation. Indicates a relative value to be done. The graphic image data refers to all graphic images corresponding to each of the frames used for the animation of the character. As described above, these graphic images are previously generated by a dedicated editor and inserted into the animation file.

The chat setting data is data related to the font, size, color, etc. of characters used in the chat. This chat setting data is information that each of the clients 306, 308, 310 can update as needed.

The chat counterpart information includes chat counterpart list data, chat counterpart status data, and chat counterpart user information. The chat partner list data is data about a list of clients to chat with, for example, clients 306 registered as chat partners. The chat partner status data is data indicating a current status (eg, login / logout and away from the server 302) for each of the clients registered in the chat partner list. The chat counterpart user information is composed of the same data as the above-described user information. For example, when the client 306 chats with the client 308, the chat counterpart user information means user information of the client 308 that is the chat counterpart.

4, a block diagram of a character engine in accordance with the present invention is shown. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the character engines 306-2, 308-2, and 308-2 according to the present invention includes an animation data preprocessor 402, a character manager 404, and a message analyzer 406. And a graphic output unit 408.

The animation data preprocessor 402 is a character associated with each character of the clients 306, 308, 310 and their animations among the user information and the chat partner user information received from the server 302 (see FIG. 3) through the chat engine. The data is processed in advance, that is, reconstructed into a predetermined data format, thereby performing a function for increasing processing speed in the character or the animation display step of the character. In detail, the animation data preprocessor 402 operates only when it is necessary to output a new animation for the clients 306, 308, 310 or a new animation of the currently displayed character, thereby indexing the received character data. list). As such, when the animation data preprocessing unit 402 reconstructs the character data into an index list format, the index data corresponding to each character or graphic image required for displaying the animation is extracted in real time, and the index data is not displayed in real time. Graphical images to be displayed and pre-generated outline data having the same indexes as the prepared indexes can be displayed in the form of calling, so that the load of the clients 306, 308, 310 according to the animation display of the character during the chat can be displayed. It has the effect of reducing the speed and processing speed. Details of the structure and operation of the animation data preprocessor 402 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 5 and 10.

The character manager 404 manages the displayed characters when displaying the character and its animation, that is, when displaying the client's own character and its animation and when displaying the character of the chat counterpart client and its animation. do.

In detail, the character manager 404 has three functions as described later. The first function of the character manager 404 is responsible for the generation and destruction of character modules, which are independent modules that control each character representing a plurality of clients 306, 308, 310. The character manager 404 receives a generation and destruction command for the character module from the chat engine that controls the character engine. That is, when the character manager 404 needs to display the chat counterpart client and the client's own characters and their animations on the monitor or perform a new character when performing the chat process according to the present invention, The animation data preprocessor 402 generates new character modules based on the character data reconstructed in the index list format, and when the chat process client no longer needs to display the characters of the chat partner client and their own characters due to the termination of the chat process. Destroy the corresponding character modules.

The second function of the character manager 404 is to check whether the graphic image index and coordinate data required to implement animations for the characters of the client itself and / or the chat partner client through frame switching over time is updated, i.e. The current state of the character module is inspected, coordinate data and graphic image data indexes necessary to implement the animation of the character are extracted from the character data in the index list format, and then transferred to the graphic output unit 408. The third function of the character manager 404 sets an animation index on the generated character module to perform a new animation on the corresponding character. Here, the animation index is transmitted from the message analyzer 406 which will be described later. For example, when an animation index and a character identifier of the animation for which the character is smiling are transmitted from the message analyzer 406, the character manager 404 sets the received animation index to the corresponding character module to display the currently displayed character. Let's perform a new animation for A detailed description of the operation of the character module generated by the character manager 404 will be described later with reference to FIG. 11.

The message analyzer 406 analyzes a communication message transmitted and received during the chat operation. The message analyzer 406 starts an operation when a communication message is input from the chat engines 306-1, 308-1, 310-1 provided in the plurality of clients 306, 308, 310. The communication message is sent from the chat engines 306-1, 308-1, 310-1 and includes an identifier of the character and chat text. For example, if the client 306 wants to send the chat text to the client 308, when the chat text is completed (e.g., an enter key is input), the identifier of the character representing the entered client ( That is, a communication message is generated that includes the identifier of the client 306) and the input text. At this time, the generated communication message is input to the chat engine 306-1 of the client 306. This communication message is used by both the client 306 as a chat party and the client 308 as a chat counterpart.

The chat engine 306-1 of the client 306 analyzes the chat text in the input communication message as relating to the character for the client 306 and uses it as information about its character animation. The chat engine 308-1 of the client 308 analyzes the communication message received through the communication network 304 and uses it as information about the character animation of the client 306. In this manner, the communication message analysis of the client 306 and the communication message analysis of the client 308 are performed based on the same communication message. The communication message is the same animation information in the clients 306 and 308, namely, the chat text input by the client 306 and the animation text for the character of the character. Used as character animation information.

The message analyzer 406 analyzes a communication message in two ways as described below. The first method analyzes the communication message transmitted and received by the message analyzer 406 provided to each of the clients participating in the chat, that is, the words and / or sentences registered in the chat text list provided to each of the clients, and the communication transmitted and received. By comparing words and / or sentences included in the chat text of the message, a corresponding animation index is extracted. Here, the chat text list is a set of words and / or sentences previously registered and stored in a predetermined place of clients according to the animation index, and the animation index is linked with the animation file list to be described later. In the second method, the clients participating in the chat analyze the chat text contained in the chat message directly before sending the communication message to the chat counterpart client and insert the animation index obtained directly into the communication message to be transmitted. The message analysis unit 406 skips the communication message analysis process and immediately uses the animation index, and the message analysis unit 406 provided in the chat counterpart client immediately extracts and uses the animation index inserted in the received communication message. to be. That is, the message analyzing unit 406 analyzes the chat text in the communication message, compares the words and / or sentences in the analyzed chat text with a list of already prepared chat texts, and if the corresponding words and / or sentences are found, the corresponding message and / or sentences are detected. The animation index and the identifier of the character are transmitted to the character manager 404.

The graphic output unit 408 receives the graphic image data index, the coordinate data, and the identifier of the character (ie, integrated data) from the character manager 404, and then the character manager 404 of the characters currently displayed on the monitor. The character corresponding to the identifier received from is updated based on the integrated data, that is, the animation state is updated, and the remaining characters are not updated. For example, the graphic output unit 408 is outline data corresponding to the graphic image data index among the integrated data received from the character manager 404 (included in the graphic image data as described above), and displays the characters currently being displayed. The outline data for the character corresponding to the received identifier is updated and then displayed. Since the character manager 404 transmits the identifier and the integrated data of the character at a predetermined timing, the graphic output unit 408 updates and displays the corresponding character only when there is a data change. The reason for doing this is to speed up the animation process by updating the character to a minimum.

Referring to FIG. 5, a block diagram of the animation data preprocessor 402 shown in FIG. 4 is shown. As shown in FIG. 5, the animation data preprocessor 402 according to the present invention includes a data analyzer 502, an animation file list generator 504, and an animation file preprocessor 506.

The data analyzer 502 analyzes character data among user information and chat counterpart information received from the server 302 (see FIG. 3) through the chat engine and transmits the character data to the animation file list generator 504. In other words, the data analyzer 502 analyzes the received character data, obtains IDs of each of the plurality of animation files, and then transmits the IDs to the animation file list generator 504. The animation file list generation unit 504 generates an animation file list to be used when displaying the animation of the character based on IDs of each of the plurality of animation files received from the data analysis unit 502, and generates the animation file preprocessor 506. To send. The animation file preprocessor 506 preprocesses all animation files included in the animation file list received from the animation file list generator 504 to generate an animation data structure, that is, a hierarchical data structure in an index list format.

Referring to FIG. 10, when the animation file preprocessor 506 preprocesses all animation files included in the animation file list received from the animation file list generator 504 to display an animation of the character, the character manager 404. And a flowchart for explaining a process of generating an animation data structure used in the graphic output unit 408.

First, in step S1002, the animation file preprocessor 506 receives the animation file list from the animation file list generation unit 504, and then proceeds to step S1004.

In step S1004, the animation file preprocessor 506 extracts frame data from each of the plurality of animation files included in the received animation file list and stores the frame data in a predetermined place. A preset place for storing the extracted frame data may be provided in each of the plurality of clients 306, 308, 310. Since one animation for the character is composed of a plurality of frames, the animation file preprocessor 506 extracts frame data as many as the number of frames. Each of these frame data has an index. Specifically, the frame data indexes are 1, 2, 3,... It is incremented by 1 sequentially as shown in the order of creation in the dedicated editor used when creating animation files.

In step S1006, the animation file preprocessor 506 extracts the graphic image data from each of the plurality of animation files included in the received animation file list and stores the graphic image data in a pre-formed place. As described above, the graphic image data further includes outline data of the character. Each of these graphic image data has an index (i.e., graphic image data index) like frame data. The animation file preprocessor 506 extracts the graphic image data corresponding to the graphic image data index of the frame data extracted from each of the plurality of animation files based on the frame data index, and then stores the graphic image data in a predetermined place in association with the graphic image data index. do.

In step S1008, the animation file preprocessor 506 determines whether there is item data corresponding to IDs of each of the plurality of animation files, that is, item data to be synthesized with graphic image data included in the animation file. If the determination result in step S1008 is negative, that is, there is no item data to be synthesized with the graphic image data, the animation file preprocessor 506 proceeds to step S1016. On the contrary, if the determination result in step S1008 is affirmative, that is, the item data to be synthesized with the graphic image data exists, the animation file preprocessor 506 proceeds to step S1010.

In step S1010, the animation file preprocessor 506 synthesizes graphic image data and corresponding item data. For example, as shown in Fig. 14, the graphic image data as shown in (a) and the item data as shown in (b) are synthesized to generate composite graphic image data as shown in (c). The synthetic graphic image data generated in this way is replaced with the original graphic image data (eg, FIG. 4A). At this time, the original graphic image data is discarded, and the composite graphic image data has a discarded graphic image data index. For example, when the graphic image data index corresponding to the character to be displayed is 0, the generated composite graphic image data is set to index 0, and the coordinate data included in the frame data corresponding thereto is updated.

In step S1012, the animation file preprocessor 506 determines whether there is item data to be synthesized in addition to the composite graphic image data generated in step S1010. If the determination result in step S1012 is affirmative, i.e., as shown in Fig. 14, the composite graphic image data c generated in step S1010 and the item data d to be synthesized exist, the animation file preprocessing The unit 506 returns to step S1010 to perform the above-described operation, thereby generating composite graphic image data as shown in FIG. On the contrary, when the determination result in step S1012 is negative, that is, there is no longer the composite graphic image data and the item data to be further synthesized, the animation file preprocessor 506 proceeds to step S1014.

In step S1014, the animation file preprocessor 506 extracts outline data from the composite graphic image data. For example, as shown in Fig. 12, in the composite graphic image data (see Fig. 12A), an area to be filled with a desktop (shown in black) and a graphic image area (shown in white) representing a character are shown. Are separated (see FIG. 12 (b)).

Meanwhile, the animation file preprocessor 506 extracts outline data from each of the graphic image data included in the plurality of animation files in step S1016. That is, the animation file preprocessing unit 506 extracts the outline data from each of the original graphic image data included in the plurality of animation files since there is no item data to be synthesized any more, as a result determined in step S1008. do.

In step S1018, the animation file preprocessor 506 stores the outline data extracted in step S1014 or S1016 in a predetermined place. A preset location for storing the extracted outline data may be provided in each of the clients 306, 308, 310 as described above.

In step S1020, the animation file preprocessor 506 determines whether the currently processed graphic image data is the last graphic image data, that is, whether or not the preprocessing has been completed for all the graphic image data included in the plurality of animation files. To judge. If the determination result in step S1020 is negative, that is, the graphic image data to be preprocessed still remains, the animation file preprocessor 506 returns to step S1008 to perform the operation as described above. In contrast, when the determination result in step S1020 is affirmative, that is, preprocessing for all of the graphic image data included in the plurality of animation files is completed, the animation file preprocessor 506 proceeds to step S1022. .

In step S1022, the animation file preprocessing unit 506 constructs an animation data structure in which the extracted frame data, graphic image data, and graphic image data index are associated with a corresponding animation file, that is, a hierarchical data structure in the form of an index list. Store it in a preset location. In other words, the animation file preprocessor 506 is included in each animation file, constructs a data structure in which all data for displaying the animation of the character is organized in an index list format, and stores the data structure in a predetermined place.

Referring to Fig. 11, a flowchart for explaining the operation of the character module controlled by the character manager 404 shown in Fig. 4 is shown.

First, in step S1102, the character module is generated under the control of the character manager 404 to receive a character identifier and an animation index from the character manager 404.

In step S1104, the character module retrieves an animation file corresponding to the received animation index from a preset storage location, and extracts a frame data index having the first index among the frame data indexes in the retrieved animation file. For example, if an animation file about a smiley character is composed of five frames, one smiley animation is completed by connecting to frame data 0, frame data 1, frame data 2, frame data 3, and frame data 4, The first frame data index, i.e., frame data index 0, of these frame data is extracted.

In step S1106, the character module retrieves the extracted first frame data index, that is, the graphic image data index associated with the frame data index 0. As described above, since the original graphic image data index is used as it is when the composite graphic image is generated, even if only the graphic image data index is searched, the synthesized graphic image data generated when the character is implemented may be used.

In step S1108, the character module retrieves outline data corresponding to the retrieved graphic image data index. Here, the outline data corresponds one-to-one to the graphic image data index.

In operation S1110, the character module transmits the coordinate data of the character corresponding to the character identifier received from the frame data corresponding to the extracted frame data index and the retrieved graphic image data index to the character manager 404. At this time, the character module also transmits the character identifier to the character manager 404. Then, the character manager 404 transmits the coordinate data, the graphic image data index, and the character identifier received from the character module to the graphic output unit 408. As described above, the graphic output unit 408 calls the graphic image data corresponding to the received coordinate data and the graphic image data index from the animation file, and uses the called graphic image data to animate the character corresponding to the character identifier. Is displayed. In this case, since the outline data has the same index as the graphic image data index, the graphic output unit 408 calls the outline data from the animation file and uses the same to implement the animation of the character.

In step S1112, the character module maintains the standby state of the animation currently displayed for the time set by the timer of the frame data.

In step S1114, after the end of the waiting state, the character module increments the frame data index by one to complete the animation of the currently displayed character.

In step S1116, the character module determines whether there is an increased frame data index. If the determination result in step S1116 is affirmative, that is, there is an increased frame data index, the character module returns to step S1106 to perform the above-described operation. On the contrary, if the determination result in step S1116 is negative, that is, there is no increased frame index, the character module terminates the process according to the present invention and is destroyed under the control of the character manager 404.

Referring to FIG. 6, a flow diagram for describing a chat process between multiple clients 306, 308, 310 in accordance with the present invention is shown.

First, in step S602, the server 302 and the plurality of clients 306, 308, 310 perform initialization to perform the chat process according to the present invention.

In step S604, the plurality of clients 306, 308, 310 maintain a standby state after performing the initialization step S602. Detailed description of the above-described step (S602) and step (S604) will be described later with reference to FIG.

In step S606, any one of the plurality of clients 306, 308, 310, for example client 306, requests the server 302 to chat with the client 308. In the present specification, for convenience of description, it is described that one client requests a chat to the server 302. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a person skilled in the art can simultaneously manage a plurality of clients 306, 308, and 310. It will be appreciated that) may make a chat request to the server 302.

In step S608, the server 302 responds to the chat request from the client 306 to provide information to both clients 306 and 308 that the client 306 and client 308 are required to perform the chat. To send. Chatting between these clients 306, 308 can be, for example, in a peer-to-peer manner, and the information that server 302 sends to clients 306, 308 is described above. As one can see is user information and chat counterpart information for each of these clients 306 and 308. In detail, the server 302 transmits an IP address for the client 308, chat counterpart information including character data and animation data, and user information to the client 306, and an IP address for the client 306. And the other party's information including character data and animation data and user information to the client 308.

In step S610, each of the plurality of clients 306 and 308 chats with each other based on the IP address received from the server 302, user information, and chat counterpart information. This chat process is based on a character operating in accordance with the present invention, as described below, which performs an animation upon chat. Detailed description of the above-described step (S606) to step (S610) will be described later with reference to FIG.

In step S612, the clients 306 and 308 terminate the chat process by terminating the interconnection through the communication network 304. At this time, each of the clients 306 and 308 transmits the changed user information to the server 302 so that the server 302 can obtain the latest information about the clients 306 and 308.

Referring to FIG. 7, a flowchart for describing in detail S602 and S604 of FIG. 6 is shown. Here, as in FIG. 6, it is assumed that each of the clients 306 and 308 performs the chat process according to the present invention.

First, in step S702, the client 306 runs a program for performing the chat process according to the present invention. That is, the client 306 drives the chat engine 306-1 and the character engine 306-2 provided therein.

In step S704, the chat engine 306-1 of the client 306 logs in to the server 302 using the ID and password of the client 306.

In step S706, the server 302 searches for a user database (not shown) provided in a predetermined place and checks whether the ID and password received from the chat engine 306-1 of the client 306 exist in the user database. Determine whether or not. If the result of the determination in step S706 is affirmative, that is, the ID and password of the client 306 exist on the user database, the server 302 proceeds to step S708. Alternatively, if the determination result in step S706 is negative, that is, the ID and password of the client 306 do not exist in the user database, the server 302 terminates all processes according to the present invention.

In step S708, the server 302 sends an authentication confirmation message to the client 306. Then, the chat engine 306-1 of the client 306 receives the authentication confirmation message and transmits it to the character engine 306-2. For example, in the case of controlling chat between clients 306 and 308 in the above-described peer-to-peer manner, server 302 stores the IP address for client 306 in its own predetermined location. .

In step S710, the chat engine 306-1 and the character engine 306-2 of the client 306 respond to the authentication confirmation message received from the server 302 to obtain their current version information. Send to server 302.

In step S712, the server 302 stores the current version information received from the chat engine 306-1 and the character engine 306-2 of the client 306 and the client 306 stored in its preset location. ) Compare the latest version information for the chat engine and character engine. As a result of the comparison in step S712, if the received current version information does not match the latest version information, that is, the client 306 has the latest version of the chat engine 306-1 and the character engine 306-2; If no, the server 302 proceeds to step S714. On the contrary, when the current version information of the received chat engine 306-1 and the character engine 306-2 matches the latest version information, that is, the client 306 is connected to the latest version of the chat engine 306-1 and If it has the character engine 306-2, the server 302 proceeds to step S718.

In step S714, the server 302 sends the latest version of the chat engine and character engine to the client 306. Then, in step S716, the client 306 updates its chat engine 306-1 and character engine 306-2 with the latest version of the chat engine and character engine received from the server 302. At this time, the server 302 may perform the above-described step S712 once more to confirm whether the client 306 has updated the chat engine 306-1 and the character engine 306-2 to the latest versions. have.

In step S718, the server 302 sends a version confirmation message to the client 306 confirming that the chat engine 306-1 and the character engine 306-2 of the client 306 are up to date.

In step S720, the client 306 completes the version check for its chat engine 306-1 and the character engine 306-2 in response to the version check message sent from the server 302. Proceed to step S722. Steps S710 to S720 as described above are similarly performed for the client 308 which is the chat counterpart of the client 306. As such, the checking and updating of the version information for the chat engine and the character engine is to enable clients to chat with the same character and animation information about the chat engine.

In step S722, the chat engine 306-1 of the client 306 requests the server 302 for user information and chat counterpart information necessary for a chat with the client 308.

In step S724, the server 302 retrieves corresponding user information and chat counterpart information from the user database in response to a request for user information and chat counterpart information from the client 306, and sends it to the client 306. .

In step S726, the chat engine 306-1 of the client 306 transmits the user information and the chat counterpart information received from the server 302 to the character engine 306-2, and among the received information, Select and receive only the information you need and store it in a preset location.

In step S728, the character engine 306-2 of the client 306 stores the user information and the chat counterpart information received from the server 302 in a predetermined storage location, and then proceeds to step S730.

In step S730, the character engine 306-2 of the client 306 performs initialization for displaying the character of the client 306 based on the user information received through the chat engine 306-1. In this case, performing initialization means that the animation data preprocessor 402 of FIG. 4 performs the process described with reference to FIG. 10.

In step S732, the character engine 306-2 of the client 306 displays a character representing the client 306 on the monitor of the client 306.

In step S734, the chat engine 306-1 and the character engine 306-2 of the client 306 maintain a standby state for chatting with the client 308.

Referring to FIG. 8, a flowchart for describing in detail the steps S606 to S610 of FIG. 6 is shown.

In step S802, for example, when performing a chat in a peer-to-peer manner, the chat engine 306-1 of the client 306 receives the ID of the client 308 included in the chat party list of the chat party information. Request a chat by sending to server 302. Then, the server 302 determines whether the ID of the client 308 received from the client 306 exists in the user database. If the ID of the client 308 exists in the user database, the server 302 proceeds to step S804, and if none exists, terminates all processes according to the present invention.

In step S804, the server 302 receives the client (306) received from the client 306 to update the user information of the clients 306, 308 if the ID of the client 308 exists in the user database. The ID of 308 is used to request clients 306 and 308 the current character version data that each of them is storing.

In step S806, the client 306 transmits the current character version data to the server 302 for the client 308, which is the chat partner being stored, in response to the current character version data request from the server 302. do.

In step S808, the client 308, in response to the current character version data request from the server 302, similarly to the client 306, stores the current character version data for the client 306, which is the stored chat partner. Send to server 302.

In step S810, the server 302 compares the current character version data for the chat counterpart received from each of the clients 306, 308 with the latest character version data, and if necessary, the clients 306, 308. By updating the data related to the character of the chat partner stored therein, the clients 306 and 308 can be provided with data related to the latest character of the chat partner.

In step S812, the server 302 sends an IP address for the chat counterpart to each of the clients 306, 308.

In step S814, the client 306 connects to the client 308 in a peer-to-peer manner based on the IP address of the client 308, which is the chat counterpart received from the server 302.

In step S816, the client 306 and the client 308 use each chat engine and character engine to chat with each other in a peer-to-peer manner. Step S816 performed between the clients 306 and 308 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 9.

Referring to FIG. 9, a flowchart for describing step S816 of FIG. 8 in detail is shown.

In step S902, the character engine 306-2 initializes the character of the client 306 (hereinafter referred to as character A) and displays it on the monitor of the client 306. In addition, the character engine 306-2 initializes a character (hereinafter referred to as a character B) of the client 308 based on the character data for the client 308 received from the server 302, and then executes the character of the client 306. Display on the monitor. That is, the character engine 306-2 displays the character using the animation data structure reconstructed based on the user information and the chat partner information. This process is similarly performed in the client 308 which is the chat counterpart.

The character engine 306-2 uses the moving relative value data contained in the character data in step S902. For example, the character engine 306-2 initially has reference point coordinate data for each client as a constant, but performs an animation, that is, one animation that needs to change the character's reference coordinate (eg, the lower coordinate of the character). For animations that need to return to their original coordinates (eg, jumps and rounds, etc.), move relative value data (e.g., X coordinates -30, +40) to move the reference coordinates. Move the character's reference coordinate accordingly.

In step S904, the client 308 sends a chat message to the client 306. That is, in the state where the character engine 306-2 of the client 306 controls the characters A and B so as to output the animation of the waiting state, the chat engine 306-1 of the client 306 receives the client 308. Receive a chat message.

In step S906, the chat engine 306-1 of the client 306 searches for a word included in the chat text of the chat message received from the client 308 to retrieve a corresponding animation index from the animation data structure. Next, the received chat text and the searched animation index are transmitted to the character engine 306-2.

In step S908, the character engine 306-2 of the client 306 is based on the chat text of the client 308 sent from the chat engine 306-1 so that the character B is in a predetermined form, for example, a speech bubble form. Control to output words or sentences included in the chat text.

In step S910, the character engine 306-2 of the client 306 retrieves graphic image data corresponding to the animation index received from the chat engine 306-1, and corresponds to the chat text output on the monitor. The character B is controlled to perform the animation.

In step S912, the chat engine 306-1 of the client 306 searches for a word included in the chat text of the chat message when a chat message to be sent from the client 306 to the client 308 occurs. Generate an animation index and send the generated animation index and chat text to the client 308. Then, the client 308 controls the character A to display the received chat text on the monitor in a preset form and perform an animation corresponding thereto. Thus, clients 306 and 308 can display the chat text and animation of the same character A and character B on each monitor. In the present specification, the chat is performed only between the clients 306 and 308, but those skilled in the art will fully understand that a plurality of clients may perform the chat through the above-described process.

Referring to FIG. 13, an example of characters displayed on a monitor when a chat is performed according to the chat process of the present invention is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 13, when performing a chat according to the present invention, the characters displayed on the monitor are present on the desktop rather than the chat window provided on the upper right side, and display the chat text in the form of speech bubbles, and the chat text. Perform an animation associated with a specific word contained within. Thus, chat parties can perform a chat in an environment very similar to what is actually done off-line.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to more freely display the appearance and emotion suitable for the chat situation through the animation of the character representing the user, thereby obtaining the same effect as the situation actually performed offline. In addition, according to the present invention has the effect of realizing the animation of the character in real time. In addition, there is an effect that can visualize the emotional changes of the chat participants through the animation of the character suitable for the chat situation.

While the present invention has been described and illustrated by way of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (16)

In the chat system using the animation of the graphic image, A server for controlling the chat process, A plurality of clients connected to the server through a communication network for performing a chat between each other according to the chat process Including but not limited to: The server, A first database for storing information about each of the plurality of clients; A second database for storing graphical images representing the plurality of clients; A chat process control unit for transmitting the information and the graphic images to the plurality of clients and controlling the chat process in response to a chat request from each of the plurality of clients; Including; Each of the plurality of clients, Communication means for communicating with the server and the plurality of clients via the communication network; A chat engine for performing a mutual chat with the plurality of clients in accordance with the chat process controlled by the server, and a communication message transmitted and received during the chat, wherein the communication message includes chat text consisting of words and / or sentences. A computer-readable medium in which a graphic image engine is implemented for controlling the graphic images transmitted from the server and animation of the graphic images. Including, the graphic image engine, First image programming code for preprocessing and reconstructing graphical image data associated with the graphical images and animation of the graphical images from the information into a predetermined data format; Second image programming code for generating integrated data for managing the graphical images and animation of the graphical images based on the reconstructed data; Third image programming code for analyzing the communication message and extracting the chat text; Fourth image programming code for updating and displaying animations of the graphical images and the graphical images based on the integrated data Chat system comprising a. The method of claim 1, The chat engine, First chat programming code for receiving the information sent from the server and used to conduct the chat; Second chat programming code for transmitting the communication message and the graphic images sent from the server to the graphic image engine; Third chat programming code for controlling the graphical image engine Chat system comprising a. delete The method of claim 1, The first image programming code is A first code segment for analyzing the graphic animation data to obtain animation data regarding animation of the graphic images; A second code segment for generating an animation file list based on the animation data; A third code segment for generating an animation data structure used when animating the graphic images based on the animation file list Chat system comprising a. The method of claim 4, wherein And the graphical images are characters or avatars representing the plurality of clients. The method of claim 4, wherein And the animation data structure is configured in an index list format. The method of claim 4, wherein And the graphic image engine implements an animation of the graphic images corresponding to the extracted chat text with reference to the animation data structure and displays the extracted chat text together. In a chat method using animation of a graphic image on a chat system in which a server and a plurality of clients are interconnected through a communication network, a) performing initialization by the server and the plurality of clients; b) the server transmitting chat request client information and chat counterpart client information used for chatting to each of the plurality of clients; c) each of the plurality of clients preprocessing graphical images representing the plurality of clients and graphical animation data associated with animation of the graphical images to reconstruct into a predetermined data format; d) each of the plurality of clients displaying the graphical image on a display based on the information; e) the plurality of clients chatting with each other using the graphical images and animation of the graphical images; f) generating, by each of the plurality of clients, integrated data for managing the graphical images and animation of the graphical images based on the reconstructed data; g) each of the plurality of clients updating and displaying the graphical images and the animation of the graphical images based on the unified data. Including but not limited to: In step d), graphic images representing the plurality of clients are displayed on a display provided by each of the plurality of clients, and communication messages transmitted and received during the chat, wherein the communication message is a chat consisting of words and / or sentences. And text, wherein an animation of the graphical images is displayed. The method of claim 8, The chat request client information includes chat related data, graphic image data, and animation data, and the chat counterpart client information includes a chat counterpart list, a chat counterpart status data, a chat related data for a chat counterpart, a chat counterpart graphic image data, and a chat. Include opponent animation data, Wherein each of said data has a unique index. The method of claim 9, Step a) is a1) the plurality of clients logging in to the server for mutual chat; a2) storing each of the plurality of clients in a predetermined place, and transmitting current version information of the chat program to the server; a3) comparing, by the server, the latest version information for the program stored in its preset location with the current version information received from the plurality of clients; a4) the server transmits the latest version of the program stored in the predetermined place to the client of which the latest version information does not match the current version information among the plurality of clients based on the comparison result; Updating the program with the latest version of the program Chat method that includes. The method of claim 10, B), The server transmitting an Internet Protocol (IP) address for each of the plurality of clients stored in the predetermined place to chat counterpart clients; Chat method that includes. The method of claim 11, Step d), d1) each of the plurality of clients displaying on the display the graphical image representing itself based on the graphical image data; d2) each of the plurality of clients displaying counterpart graphic images representing the chat counterpart clients on the display based on the chat counterpart graphic image data; d3) each of the plurality of clients performing the chat by sending and receiving the communication message with the chat counterpart client through the updated chat program based on the IP address; Chat method that includes. The method of claim 9, F) step, f1) determining whether the server updates the graphic image data and the chat counterpart graphic image data; f2) when the graphic image data and the chat partner graphic image data are updated, transmitting the data about the graphic image data to the corresponding ones of the plurality of clients. Include more, And updating the graphic image data and the chat counterpart graphic image data by corresponding ones of the plurality of clients. The method of claim 9, C), c1) each of the plurality of clients reconstructs the chat request client information and the chat counterpart client information to generate an animation data structure; c2) extracting the chat text contained in the communication message by each of the plurality of clients; c3) each of the plurality of clients searching for the animation data structure corresponding to a word and / or sentence included in the extracted chat text; c4) each of the plurality of clients referring to the retrieved animation data structure to display the graphic images, the animation of the counterpart graphic images, and the extracted chat text; Chat method that includes. The method of claim 14, The animation data structure is configured to construct the animation based on the graphic image data and the animation data of the chat request client information, the chat partner graphic image data and the chat partner animation data of the chat partner client information. A chat method that is a data structure that reconstructs the data associated with a frame into an index list format. The method of claim 15, Step c1), Extracting contour data of the graphic image and the chat partner graphic image from the graphic image data and the chat partner graphic image data, respectively; Include more, The outline data has a same index as that of the corresponding graphic image data or the chat counterpart graphic image data and is included in the animation data structure to be used when implementing the animation.

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