WO2015003605A1

WO2015003605A1 - Systems and methods for content transmission for instant messaging

Info

Publication number: WO2015003605A1
Application number: PCT/CN2014/081788
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yelu LIU; Changlin Li; Yu Peng
Original assignee: Tencent Technology (Beijing) Company Limited
Priority date: 2013-07-08
Filing date: 2014-07-08
Publication date: 2015-01-15
Also published as: CN104283762B; CN104283762A

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for transmitting instant messaging session content. For example, a session sending client downloads an image from a server based on an instruction from a user; the session sending client receives session information related to the image from the user,the session information including session content and corresponding position information related to the image; and the session content is displayed at a position on the image based on the position information related to the image.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTENT TRANSMISSION FOR

INSTANT MESSAGING

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201310283639.0, filed July 8, 2013, incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to computer technology. More particularly, some embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for communication technology. Merely by way of example, some embodiments of the invention have been applied to instant messaging. But it would be recognized that the invention has a much broader range of applicability.

[0003] In an instant messaging process, two or more parties in communication often start a session involving an image. For example, in a communication process related to geographic positions, a sender searches for a location on a map, takes a screenshot and sends the screenshot combined with certain descriptive information (e.g., text, voice, facial expression, etc.) to another party. A receiver takes a position screenshot and sends to the original sender in a similar manner. The parties may exchange visual screenshots to realize communication through traditional channels of communication.

[0004] The above-noted conventional technology has some disadvantages. For example, in an instant messaging session involving an image, two or more parties in the session often need to take screenshots first prior to enter any session input, and send the screenshots and relevant session information together to a server. The parties usually need to receive not only certain session content but also the screenshots, which results in low communication efficiency.

[0005] Hence it is highly desirable to improve the techniques for content transmission for instant messaging.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to one embodiment, a method is provided for transmitting instant messaging session content. For example, a session sending client downloads an image from a server based on an instruction from a user; the session sending client receives session information related to the image from the user, the session information including session content and corresponding position information related to the image; and the session content is displayed at a position on the image based on the position information related to the image. [0007] According to another embodiment, a system for transmitting instant messaging session content includes: a session sending client and a server. The session sending client is configured to download an image from a server based on an instruction from a user, receive session information related to the image from the user, the session information including session content and

corresponding position information related to the image and display the session content at a position on the image based on the position information related to the image. The server is configured to send the image to the session sending client.

[0008] According to yet another embodiment, a client for transmitting instant messaging session content includes: a communication module configured to download an image based on an instruction from a user; a user-side receiving module configured to receive session information related to the image from a user, the session information including session content and corresponding position information related to the image; and a display module configured to display the session content at the position on the image based on the position information related to the image in the session information.

[0009] In one embodiment, a server for transmitting instant messaging session content includes: an image storage module configured to store an image; a session storage module configured to receive and store session information, the session information including session content and corresponding position information related to the image; and an information provision module configured to send the session information or the image.

[0010] In another embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium includes programming instructions for transmitting instant messaging session content. The programming instructions are configured to cause one or more data processors to execute certain operations. For example, a session sending client downloads an image from a server based on an instruction from a user; the session sending client receives session information related to the image from the user, the session information including session content and corresponding position information related to the image; and the session content is displayed at a position on the image based on the position information related to the image.

[0011] For example, the systems and methods disclosed herein are configured to transmit only session content input by a user as well as image identification and position information related to an image in an instant messaging session without repeatedly transmitting the image or making and transmitting screenshots so as to improve the communication efficiency and reduce costs.

[0012] Depending upon embodiment, one or more benefits may be achieved. These benefits and various additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention can be fully appreciated with reference to the detailed description and accompanying drawings that follow. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a simplified diagram showing a method for content transmission for instant messaging according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 is a simplified diagram showing a method for content transmission for instant messaging according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 3 is a simplified diagram for displaying session content for instant messaging according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 4 is a simplified diagram showing a system for content transmission for instant messaging according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 5 is a simplified diagram showing a client for content transmission for instant messaging according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 6 is a simplified diagram showing a server for content transmission for instant messaging according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Figure 1 is a simplified diagram showing a method for content transmission for instant messaging according to one embodiment of the present invention. The diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. The method 100 includes at least processes 101-105.

[0020] According to one embodiment, during the process 101, a session sending client downloads an image from a server based on an instruction from a user. For example, during the process 102, the session sending client receives session information related to the image from a user, wherein the session information includes session content and corresponding position information related to the image. As an example, the session content is displayed at the position on the image based on the position information related to the image.

[0021] According to another embodiment, if the user inputs multiple pieces of session information related to one image, the session sending client executes the process 101 before the user inputs the first piece of session information related to the image. For example, when the user inputs follow-up session information, the process 102 can be executed directly. During the process 101, various processes may be implemented for a user to send an instruction to download an image to the server, according to some embodiments. For example, the user directly calls a street view image of a relevant position, or a background component automatically displays the street view image based on the user's input. As an example, the user can input keywords for describing the street view image, and the background component performs matching on locally stored street view images based on the keywords and automatically displays a matching street view image. , ,

sends the session information to the server, and the server stores the session information. For example, during the process 104, the server sends the session information alone, or sends both the session information and the corresponding image to a session receiving client. In another example, during the process 105, the session receiving client displays the session content in the session information at the position on the image based on the position information related to the image in the session information.

[0023] In one embodiment, during the process 104, if the server has sent an image corresponding to the session information to the session receiving client before sending the session information, the server sends the session information alone to the session receiving client. Otherwise, the server sends both the session information and the corresponding image to the session receiving client.

[0024] According to some embodiments, the server only sends the image corresponding to the session information to the client once, and the client needs not send the image corresponding to the session when sending the session information to the server, so as to avoid repeated sending of the image to save system resources. For example, the session content includes text content, audio content, image content (e.g., an emoticon), video content, etc. As an example, the image includes a street view map.

[0025] Figure 2 is a simplified diagram showing a method for content transmission for instant messaging according to another embodiment of the present invention. The diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. The method 200 includes at least processes 201-208.

[0026] According to one embodiment, during the process 201, a session sending client sends a request for downloading an image to a server based on an instruction from a user. For example, during the process 202, the server sends the image to the session sending client. In another example, during the process 203, the session sending client displays the image, and receives session information related to the image from the user. As an example, the session information includes session content, image identification, and position information related to the image corresponding to the session content. As another example, the session content is displayed at the position on the image based on the image identification and the position information related to the image.

[0027] According to another embodiment, the user right-clicks on the image and then inputs the session content in an input box. For example, the image selected by the user is the image

corresponding to the session content, and the position selected by the user is the position on the image for the session content. In another example, during the process 204, the session sending client sends the session information (e.g., including the session content, the image identification and the position information related to the image) to the server, and the server stores the session information. [0028] According to yet another embodiment, during the process 205, the server notifies the session receiving client that new session information is stored locally. For example, during the process 206, the session receiving client sends a read request to the server. In another example, during the process 207, the server sends the session information and an image corresponding to the session information to the session receiving client. The image corresponding to the session information is an image indicated by the image identification in the session information, in some embodiments. For example, if the server has sent the image to the session receiving client previously, then the server only needs to send the session information to the session receiving client.

[0029] In one embodiment, during the process 208, the session sending client displays the session content in the session information at the corresponding position of the corresponding image based on the image identification and the position information related to the image in the session information. The session sending client and the session receiving client can display the session content at the corresponding position of the corresponding image, according to certain embodiments. For example, the image corresponding to the session content needs to be downloaded only once from the server and does not need repeated transmission in an instant messaging session, so that the amount of information transmitted is reduced. As an example, repeated searching of the image and screenshots are not needed in the instant messaging session, thereby ensuring no interruption to a normal communication process, and furthermore improving the communication efficiency.

[0030] According to certain embodiments, an image corresponding to an instant messaging session includes a street view image. For example, during a process 1, a session sending user starts a street view chat mode on a chat window interface. In another example, during a process 2, the session sending user inputs a street view name to be loaded. In yet another example, a session sending client calls one or more street view interfaces for the user to choose, and then loads the street view that the user wants to enter. In yet another example, in the street view, the user can operate the display of the street view as in a WEB street view, e.g., going forwards, going backwards, and looking around.

[0031] According to some embodiments, during a process 3, a server sends a street view map selected by the session sending user to the session sending client. For example, the session sending user right-clicks on the street view map to display an input box, and inputs session content in the input box. As an example, the identification of the street view map is an image identification corresponding to the session content, and the selected position is the corresponding position information related to the image. In another example, if the session sending user continues operation in the process 3 or exits the street view chat mode, session information of the user is stored. In yet another example, the session information includes the session content as well as image identification and the position information related to the image corresponding to the session content. rnn^_{i 4 4 i} .

[0032] According to certain embodiments, during the process 4, based on a request rrom tne session receiving client, the server sends the session information alone or both the session information and the corresponding image to the session receiving client, and the session receiving client displays the session content in the session information at the position on the image based on the image identification and the position information related to the image in the session information.

[0033] According to some embodiments, two or more parties enter into a street view mode about one same target location. For example, inputted communication content (e.g., text, voice, facial expression, video, etc.) can be directly associated with and posted to a corresponding street view position by any party. As an example, the receiver can view the information posted to the street view map, and directly responds at the corresponding position for instant communication. As another example, when communication at the current position ends, certain street view direction coordinates are moved, and a next target location is selected, so that a new round of content exchange is performed.

[0034] Figure 3 is a simplified diagram for displaying session content for instant messaging according to one embodiment of the present invention. The diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications.

[0035] Figure 4 is a simplified diagram showing a system for content transmission for instant messaging according to one embodiment of the present invention. The diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. The system 400 includes a session sending client 401, a server 402 and a session receiving client 403.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the session sending client 401 is configured to download an image from the server 402 based on an instruction from a user, receive session information related to the image from the user, the session information including session content and corresponding position information related to the image and display the session content at a position on the image based on the position information related to the image. For example, the server is configured to send the image to the session sending client 401.

[0037] According to another embodiment, the session sending client 401 is further configured to send the session information input by a user to the server 402. For example, the server 402 is further configured to store the session information, and send the session information alone or both the session information and the corresponding image to the session receiving client 403. As an example, the session receiving client 403 is configured to display the session content in the session information at the position on the image based on the position information related to the image in the session information. As another example, the session content includes text content, audio content, image content or video content. As yet another example, the image includes a street view map. [0038] Figure 5 is a simplified diagram showing a client for content transmission for instant messaging according to one embodiment of the present invention. The diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. The client 500 includes a communication module 501, a user-side receiving module 502 and a display module 503.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the communication module 501 is configured to download an image based on an instruction from a user. For example, the user-side receiving module 502 is configured to receive session information related to the image from a user. As an example, the session information includes session content and corresponding position information related to the image. As another example, the display module 503 is configured to display the session content at the position on the image based on the position information related to the image in the session content in the session information received by the user-side receiving module 502.

[0040] According to another embodiment, the communication module 501 is further configured to send session information input by the user, and receive the session information alone or both the session information and a corresponding image. For example, the display module 503 is further configured to display the session content at the position on the image based on the position information related to the image in the session information. As another example, the session content includes text content, audio content, image content or video content. As yet another example, the image includes a street view map.

[0041] Figure 6 is a simplified diagram showing a server for content transmission for instant messaging according to one embodiment of the present invention. The diagram is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications. The server 600 includes an image storage module 601, a session storage module 602 and an information provision module 603.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the image storage module 601 is configured to store an image. For example, the session storage module 602 is configured to receive and store session information, wherein the session information includes session content as well as corresponding image identification and corresponding position information related to the image. As an example, the information provision module 603 is configured to send an image, and further configured to send session information or the session information and a corresponding image. As another example, the session content includes text content, audio content, image content or video content. As yet another example, the image includes a street view map. In some embodiments, for a street view instant messaging session, street view space is expressed clearly and directly at certain geographical positions. In certain embodiments, instant messaging related to the street view space is related to a combination of a communication topic and a street view WYSIWYG mode. [0043] According to one embodiment, a method is provided for transmitting instant messaging session content. For example, a session sending client downloads an image from a server based on an instruction from a user; the session sending client receives session information related to the image from the user, the session information including session content and corresponding position information related to the image; and the session content is displayed at a position on the image based on the position information related to the image. For example, the method is implemented according to at least Figure 1 and/or Figure 2.

[0044] According to another embodiment, a system for transmitting instant messaging session content includes: a session sending client and a server. The session sending client is configured to download an image from a server based on an instruction from a user, receive session information related to the image from the user, the session information including session content and

corresponding position information related to the image and display the session content at a position on the image based on the position information related to the image. The server is configured to send the image to the session sending client. For example, the system is implemented according to at least Figure 4.

[0045] According to yet another embodiment, a client for transmitting instant messaging session content includes: a communication module configured to download an image based on an instruction from a user; a user-side receiving module configured to receive session information related to the image from a user, the session information including session content and corresponding position information related to the image; and a display module configured to display the session content at the position on the image based on the position information related to the image in the session information. For example, the client is implemented according to at least Figure 5.

[0046] In one embodiment, a server for transmitting instant messaging session content includes: an image storage module configured to store an image; a session storage module configured to receive and store session information, the session information including session content and corresponding position information related to the image; and an information provision module configured to send the session information or the image. For example, the server is implemented according to at least Figure 6.

[0047] In another embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium includes programming instructions for transmitting instant messaging session content. The programming instructions are configured to cause one or more data processors to execute certain operations. For example, a session sending client downloads an image from a server based on an instruction from a user; the session sending client receives session information related to the image from the user, the session information including session content and corresponding position information related to the image; and the session content is displayed at a position on the image based on the position . „ , . _^ , , . . ,

information related to the image. For example, the storage medium is implemented according to at least Figure 1 and/or Figure 2.

[0048] The above only describes several scenarios presented by this invention, and the description is relatively specific and detailed, yet it cannot therefore be understood as limiting the scope of this invention. It should be noted that ordinary technicians in the field may also, without deviating from the invention's conceptual premises, make a number of variations and modifications, which are all within the scope of this invention. As a result, in terms of protection, the patent claims shall prevail.

[0049] For example, some or all components of various embodiments of the present invention each are, individually and/or in combination with at least another component, implemented using one or more software components, one or more hardware components, and/or one or more combinations of software and hardware components. In another example, some or all components of various embodiments of the present invention each are, individually and/or in combination with at least another component, implemented in one or more circuits, such as one or more analog circuits and/or one or more digital circuits. In yet another example, various embodiments and/or examples of the present invention can be combined.

[0050] Additionally, the methods and systems described herein may be implemented on many different types of processing devices by program code comprising program instructions that are executable by the device processing subsystem. The software program instructions may include source code, object code, machine code, or any other stored data that is operable to cause a processing system to perform the methods and operations described herein. Other implementations may also be used, however, such as firmware or even appropriately designed hardware configured to perform the methods and systems described herein.

[0051] The systems' and methods' data (e.g., associations, mappings, data input, data output, intermediate data results, final data results, etc.) may be stored and implemented in one or more different types of computer-implemented data stores, such as different types of storage devices and programming constructs (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, flat files, databases, programming data structures, programming variables, IF-THEN (or similar type) statement constructs, etc.). It is noted that data structures describe formats for use in organizing and storing data in databases, programs, memory, or other computer-readable media for use by a computer program.

[0052] The systems and methods may be provided on many different types of computer-readable media including computer storage mechanisms (e.g., CD-ROM, diskette, RAM, flash memory, computer's hard drive, etc.) that contain instructions (e.g., software) for use in execution by a processor to perform the methods' operations and implement the systems described herein.

[0053] The computer components, software modules, functions, data stores and data structures described herein may be connected directly or indirectly to each other in order to allow the flow of data needed for their operations. It is also noted that a module or processor includes but is not limited to a unit of code that performs a software operation, and can be implemented for example as a subroutine unit of code, or as a software function unit of code, or as an object (as in an object- oriented paradigm), or as an applet, or in a computer script language, or as another type of computer code. The software components and/or functionality may be located on a single computer or distributed across multiple computers depending upon the situation at hand.

[0054] The computing system can include client devices and servers. A client device and server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of client device and server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client device-server relationship to each other.

[0055] This specification contains many specifics for particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations, one or more features from a combination can in some cases be removed from the combination, and a combination may, for example, be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

[0056] Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.

[0057] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is understood by those of skill in the art that there are other embodiments that are equivalent to the described embodiments. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited by the specific illustrated embodiments, but only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting instant messaging session content, the method comprising: downloading, by a session sending client, an image from a server based on an instruction from a user;

receiving, by the session sending client, session information related to the image from the user, the session information including session content and corresponding position information related to the image; and

displaying the session content at a position on the image based on the position information related to the image.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending, by the session sending client, the session information to the server;

storing, by the server, the session information;

sending, by the server, the session information or the image to a session receiving client; and displaying, by the session receiving client, the session content in the session information at the position on the image based on the position information related to the image in the session information.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the session content includes text content, audio content, image content or video content.

4. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the image includes a street view map.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the server sends the session information and the image to the session receiving client.

6. A system for transmitting instant messaging session content, the system comprising: a session sending client; and

a server;

wherein:

the session sending client is configured to download an image from a server based on an instruction from a user, receive session information related to the image from the user, the session information including session content and corresponding position information related to the image and display the session content at a position on the image based on the position information related to the image; and the server is configured to send the image to the session sending client.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising:

a session receiving client;

wherein:

the session sending client is further configured to send the session information to the server;

the server is further configured to store the session information, and send the session information or the image to the session receiving client; and

the session receiving client is configured to display the session content in the session information at the position on the image based on the position information related to the image in the session information.

8. The system of claim 6 or 7, wherein the session content includes text content, audio content, image content or video content.

9. The system of claim 6 or 7, wherein the image includes a street view map.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the server is further configured to send the session information and the image to the session receiving client.

11. A client for transmitting instant messaging session content, the client comprising: a communication module configured to download an image based on an instruction from a user;

a user-side receiving module configured to receive session information related to the image from a user, the session information including session content and corresponding position information related to the image; and

a display module configured to display the session content at the position on the image based on the position information related to the image in the session information.

12. The client of claim 11, wherein:

the communication module is further configured to send the session information and receive the session information or the image; and

the display module is further configured to display the session content at the position on the image based on information of the position on the image in the session information.

13. The client of claim 11 or 12, wherein the session content includes text content, audio content, image content or video content.

14. The client of claim 11 or 12, wherein the image includes a street view map.

15. The client of claim 11, further comprising:

one or more data processors; and

a computer-readable storage medium;

wherein one or more of the communication module, the user-side receiving module, and the display module are stored in the storage medium and configured to be executed by the one or more data processors.

16. A server for transmitting instant messaging session content, the server comprising: an image storage module configured to store an image;

a session storage module configured to receive and store session information, the session information including session content and corresponding position information related to the image; and

an information provision module configured to send the session information or the image.

17. The server of claim 16, wherein the session content includes text content, audio content, image content or video content.

18. The server of claim 16, wherein the image includes a street view map.

19. The server of claim 16, further comprising:

one or more data processors; and

a computer-readable storage medium;

wherein one or more of the image storage module, the session storage module, and the information provision module are stored in the storage medium and configured to be executed by the one or more data processors.

20. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising programming instructions for transmitting instant messaging session content, the programming instructions configured to cause one or more data processors to execute operations comprising:

downloading an image from a server based on an instruction from a user; receiving session information related to the image from the user, the session information including session content and corresponding position information related to the image; and