KR20080043585A - Message exchange service method and apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a message exchange service method and apparatus that can quickly and accurately transfer messages between members in a specific group. When the message server receives a message from a calling client, the receiving client checks whether a called client is logged in. If the called client is not logged in, the message is stored. If the called client is not logged in, the message is sent from the stored message to the destination, and the message is sent to the logged-in called client. The plug-in of the called client receiving the message from the message server checks whether the received message has passed the expiration date and, if it is determined that the expiration date has not passed, pops up the message on the display device. Displaying and waiting for input of a processing operation of the user with respect to the popped-up message.

Description

Message exchange service method and apparatus therefor {Method and Apparatus for message exchanging}

1A is a diagram illustrating an intranet type system in which a plurality of clients using the message exchange service are connected to one message server performing a message exchange service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1B is a block diagram showing a system in the form of the Internet in which a plurality of message servers are connected to each other through a separate network according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which a plurality of clients are connected;

 2 is a flowchart illustrating a process of providing a message exchange service to a client connected to the message server by a message server according to another embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of providing a message exchange service to a called party client connected to the plug-in when a plug-in is provided with a message from a message server according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a process of providing a message exchange service between clients connected to a message server in an intranet system in which a plurality of clients are connected to one message server according to another embodiment of the present invention. Procedure flow chart,

5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a plug-in for performing a message exchange service according to another embodiment of the present invention;

6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a message server for performing a message exchange service according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a message exchange service method and apparatus capable of transferring messages quickly and accurately between members in a particular group.

Electronic mail (email) and instant messaging services are the most common form of communication over the Internet. E-mail generally has a web-based form with a browser-based client. Computers connected to the Internet can access web email services using a web browser. A user with an account to access the web email service provides the user ID and password to the user interface rendered by the browser. After verifying the user ID and password for the user account, an email service is provided to the user through an interface loaded by the browser. Web-based email services enable users to maintain a list of email contacts, send and receive emails, or manage email accounts through an interface.

Instant messaging services allow users to send and receive messages almost instantly with other instant messaging service users over a network or network set, such as the Internet. Computers connected to the Internet can use a client application to access instant messaging services. To use an instant messaging service, a user establishes an account by providing account information including ID, password, and contact list. The particular client then displays an interface representing the user's connection status, a messenger contact list and the contact status of each contact's counterpart. The user can select a contact from the contact list to initiate a conversation. Once selected, the client application associated with each chat member provides a chat window. When a conversation member sends a message, the system receives the message, locates the recipient member's computer location, and routes the message to a particular computer.

However, there is a limit to urgent and compulsory information sharing among members in designated groups by using such email or instant messaging service. In the case of e-mail, since there is no compulsion for receiving a message, there is a problem that the called party has to perform a separate operation in order to confirm the contents of the message because the message arrives at the called party. In addition, there was a limit that the accuracy and speed of information transmission could not be secured because the called party should monitor whether the message was received through a separate program from time to time.

In the case of using the instant messaging service to deliver a message to the called party, the message can be delivered in real time, so the promptness of the message can be secured. However, the called party is logged in as a member of the same instant messaging system. There was a limit that the message can only be delivered if it is maintained.

An object of the present invention for solving the above problems is to provide a message exchange service method and an apparatus therefor that can quickly and accurately transfer messages between members in a specific group.

In order to achieve the object of the present invention as described above, the message exchange service method of the present invention,

A1 step of receiving a message from an originating client;

A second step of checking whether the called client is in a state capable of receiving a message;

A3 step of storing the message when the called client is not logged in and checking a message destined for the called client as a destination among the stored messages if the called client is logged in; And,

And a4th step of transmitting a message to the logged-in called party.

In order to achieve the object of the present invention as described above, the message exchange service method of the present invention,

B1, receiving a message from a message server;

B2 step of checking whether the received message has passed the validity period;

A step b3 of pop-up displaying the message on a display device when it is determined that the valid period has not elapsed as a result of the checking in step b2; And,

And step b4 of waiting for an input for a processing operation of a user with respect to the popped-up message.

In order to achieve the object of the present invention as described above, the plug-in for the message exchange service of the present invention,

An interface module for data communication between the plug-in and a message server to which a client including the plug-in is connected;

A control unit for controlling the relationship between the components constituting the plug-in to allow the plug-in to perform the message exchange service of the present invention;

A message creation module providing an environment for creating a reply message to a destination of a sender of a message received from a message server according to a request of the controller;

A display module which pops up and displays a message received from the message server on a display device so that a user can easily recognize the message; And,

And a login management module configured to log the client or the user of the client into the message server according to a request of the controller.

In order to achieve the object of the present invention as described above, the message server for the message exchange service of the present invention,

An interface unit for data communication between the plug-in included in the client terminal and the message server;

A subscriber information storage unit which stores information about a client terminal or a user that can access a message server and receive a message exchange service according to the present invention;

A message data storage unit for storing messages which have not been delivered to the called client from among the message destined for the called client from the calling client when the called client cannot receive the message;

A control unit for controlling the relationship between components constituting the message server so that the message server 200 performs the message exchange service of the present invention;

A user login manager to perform a necessary task when a login request is requested from a client or a user of the client; And,

And a message management unit that performs processing related to message transmission to the called client based on the message data included in the message.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, in describing in detail the operating principle of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, if it is determined that the detailed description of the related known functions or configurations may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, the same reference numerals are used for parts having similar functions and functions throughout the drawings.

1A and 1B are block diagrams illustrating the configuration of an entire system for performing a message exchange service method according to the present invention, respectively. 1A illustrates an intranet type system in which a plurality of clients 101 to 10N using the message exchange service are connected to one message server 200 performing a message exchange service according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1B illustrates that a message server 201 according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which a plurality of clients 101 to 10N are connected, is connected to a plurality of different message servers 202 to 20M through a separate network. Represents an Internet-style system.

In a preferred embodiment applicable to the present invention, the client 101 to 10N performs data communication with the message server 200 or 201 to 20M via a wired or wireless network, and the message server 200 or As a device capable of outputting data relating to a message received from 201 to 20M to a display device, for example, a device such as a personal computer (PC), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile communication terminal or a network terminal can be mentioned. In this case, each of the clients 101-10N may include plug-ins 111-11N that perform data communication with the message server 200 or 201-20M.

In FIG. 1A, one client 101 may exchange messages with another client connected to the message server 200 to which he is directly connected. In FIG. 1B, one client 101 may be directly connected to one another. A message may be exchanged with another message server 201 or another client (not shown) connected to another message server 202- 20M connected to the message server 201. In this case, the client may receive a plurality of messages.

The originating client sending a message first logs in to the message server through a plug-in capable of data communication with the message server, and then sends a message to the message server for the receiving client.

The message server checks whether the receiving client is able to receive the message, for example, whether the user is logged in to the message server through a plug-in. If it is determined that the receiving client cannot receive the message, the message server temporarily stores the message in a memory device provided separately in the memory server, and waits until the receiving client can receive the message. To this end, the message server may periodically check whether a situation in which the receiving client can receive the message occurs.

When the receiving client is able to receive the message, the message server examines the memory device of the message server, collects all the messages waiting to be provided to the receiving client, and then provides them to the receiving client. .

When the receiving client receives the message from the message server, the plug-in of the receiving client displays the content of the message to the user by popping up the contents of the message on the display device included or connected to the client. At this time, if there are two or more messages received from the message server, the message contents are displayed in a pop-up manner in order according to a predetermined priority. In an embodiment applicable to the present invention, the priority is determined according to selection criteria such as importance, dispatch date, sender, etc., wherein the selection criteria are determined by the user of the receiving client within the scope according to the object of the present invention. It can be chosen easily.

In addition, the plug-in of the receiving client may provide list information on the message received by the receiving client after the user of the receiving client confirms all the received messages. In an embodiment applicable to the present invention, the list information may include at least one selected from among information regarding a reception date, an expiration date, a sender, a title of a message, whether or not a message is confirmed and a confirmation date, and whether or not to reply to a message. can do.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a process of providing a message exchange service to a client connected to the message server according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, a message server first receives a message from a calling client (S200). The method may further include logging in to the message server through a separate plug-in before step S200. At this time, the calling client delivers the message to the message server through the plug-in.

In a preferred embodiment applicable to the present invention, the message provided from the originating client to the message server includes not only the body information and the destination client identification information to be delivered to the called client, but also the subject information and the attached file of the message. Or additionally selectively include additional information such as validity information of the message, and the plug-in provides a function of including the additional information in a message transmitted to a message server.

The message server, which has received the message, first checks whether the called terminal included in the message is in a state capable of receiving the message (S201). To this end, the message server checks whether the called client is logged in to the corresponding message server through a plug-in. At this time, in the present invention, as a method that can be applied to the client to log in to the message server through the plug-in, a method of allowing the user of the client to operate the client terminal and immediately log in when the corresponding plug-in is activated, or inputs an ID and password. Methods known in the art can be easily determined by those of ordinary skill in the art to implement the present invention in a way that can specify a user for the client, such as a method requiring a separate operation for user confirmation. Can be selected.

In a preferred embodiment applicable to the present invention, between steps S200 and S201, a message server to which a called party client to receive the message is directly connected with reference to the called party client identification information included in the message. After confirming, the method may further include transmitting the message to the corresponding message server. This is for smoothly performing the message exchange service according to the present invention when the calling client and the called client are connected to different message servers and are connected to the network between the message servers.

In addition, in a preferred embodiment applicable to the present invention, between the step S200 and S201, comparing the current time and the information corresponding to the validity period of the additional information included in the message transmitted from the originating client It may further include a step (S206). This is to provide a message delivery service according to the present invention in response to the case that the message should be delivered to the called party within a certain period, and that the message does not need to be delivered to the called party, or should not be delivered after the period has passed. It is for. If it is confirmed that the validity period has passed, the corresponding message is transmitted to the calling client (S207).

As a result of the checking in step S201, if the called client is not logged in to the message server, the message is stored in a separate storage device included in the message server (S202). In an embodiment applicable to the present invention, it is preferable that the message server periodically checks whether the called client logs in to the message server.

If the called client is logged in to the message server as a result of checking in step S201, it is checked whether there is an additional message to be provided to the called client in the storage device included in the message server (S203). As a result of checking in step S203, if there are more messages that are not delivered yet while the destination is the destination client, all of them are collected (S204).

Next, the message is transmitted to the called client (S204). To this end, the message server according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, by providing a wake-up message (message) to the plug-in of the called client to prepare the receiving client to receive the message, the called party through the plug-in Provide the message to the client.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of providing a message exchange service to a called party client connected to the plug-in when a plug-in is provided with a message from a message server according to another embodiment of the present invention.

3 is particularly related to a process in which the called client receives a message exchange service from the message server after logging in to the corresponding message server through a plug-in.

First, when a message destined for the called client is provided from the corresponding message server, the plug-in of the called client receives the message (S300). At this time, the message received from the message server may be two or more as described above.

The plug-in receiving the message first compares the current time with information corresponding to the expiration date from the additional information included in the message (S301). This is to provide a message delivery service according to the present invention in response to the case that the message should be delivered to the called party within a certain period, and that the message does not need to be delivered to the called party, or should not be delivered after the period has passed. It is for. If it is confirmed that the validity period has passed, the processing for the message is stopped. In this case, in the embodiment applicable to the present invention, if the validity period for the message has elapsed as described above, a process of notifying the calling client through the message server may be further added.

As a result of checking in step S301, if the message has not passed the expiration date, the main body of the message is displayed on a display device included in the called client or a separate display device connected to the called client. Pop-up so that all can be confirmed (S302). At this time, not only the method of popping the message but also an additional means such as an alarm indication, a signal or the like that can remind the user's surroundings can be easily selected by the person skilled in the art to implement the present invention.

Next, the plug-in waits for an input regarding processing of the pop-up message from the user of the called client (S303). At this time, in the preferred embodiment applicable to the present invention, the plug-in may limit the type of processing of the message to the user and present the user with the user's selection to perform the corresponding processing. Processes that can be performed by the plug-in include confirmation, hold, and reply. The confirmation processing is to prevent the user from confirming the contents of the message body and to pop up the message again, and the hold process specifies that the user has not currently confirmed the contents of the message body and the message is popped up again. In the reply processing, the user requests the originating client of the message to perform a task for creating a reply message.

If the input to step S303 is a value corresponding to the reply processing, the message creation module required to create the reply message is called (S304), and then the message created through the module is provided to the calling client through the message server. Request to be (S305).

If the input to step S303 is not a value corresponding to reply processing but a value corresponding to confirmation or hold, or after the processing of steps S304 and S305, the message received from the message server through step S300. It is checked whether there is a next message that has not been popped up, that is, whether there is a next message that has not passed through steps S301 and S302 (S306).

When it is confirmed that there is a next message through step S306, the processes of steps S301 to S305 are repeated for each subsequent message in order.

If it is confirmed in step S306 that there is no next message, it is checked whether there is a message whose input for step S303 corresponds to a hold process (S307). As a result of the check in step S307, if there is a message in which a value corresponding to the hold process is input, pop-up pops up again in the order of the corresponding messages, and then receive a response to the processing of the message from the user, for example, the steps S303 to S305. Repeat the process of steps in order. In this case, the time may be delayed in order to wait for a predetermined time before popping the corresponding message on the display device again (S308).

If there is no message in which the value corresponding to the hold process is no longer input through step S307, it waits whether a new message is received.

FIG. 4 illustrates a process of providing a message exchange service between clients connected to a message server in an intranet system in which a plurality of clients are connected to one message server according to another embodiment of the present invention. Procedure flow chart.

First, the plug-in 110 of the calling client 100 provides the message server 200 with a request to log in the calling client (S400). The request message may include information for identifying the corresponding originating client 100 user, for example, ID and password information. The message server 200 receiving the login request sends a response message thereto (S401), and maintains a login state for the calling client 100.

Next, the plug-in 110 requests a message transmission to the destination client 300 together with the message data destined for the destination client 300 (S402). The message data may further include additional information such as title information of the message, attachment file, or valid period information of the message, as well as body information and destination client identification information to be delivered to the called client. have.

The message server 200 that has received the message transmission request in step S402 compares the current time with information corresponding to the validity period among the additional information included in the message data transmitted from the originating client, so that the message is valid. Check whether it has passed (S403). This is to provide a message delivery service according to the present invention in response to the case that the message should be delivered to the called party within a certain period, and that the message does not need to be delivered to the called party, or should not be delivered after the period has passed. It is for. If it is confirmed that the expiration date has passed, the corresponding message is transmitted to the calling client 100 (S404).

If it is confirmed in step S403 that the message has not passed the validity period, it is checked whether the called client 300 is logged in to the message server 200 through the plug-in 310 (S405). .

If the called client is not logged in to the message server as a result of checking in step S405, the message is stored in a separate storage device included in the message server (S406), and the called client is sent to the message server. Check periodically to see if you are logged in.

If the called client is logged in to the message server as a result of checking in step S405, it is checked whether there is an additional message to be provided to the called client in the storage device included in the message server (S407). As a result of checking in step S407, if there are more messages that are not delivered yet while the destination is a destination client, all of them are collected (S408).

Next, the message is transmitted to the plug-in 310 of the called client 300 (S409). The plug-in 310 receiving the message checks again whether the message has expired (S410). If it is confirmed that the message has passed the validity period, the message is sent to the calling client 100 through the message server 200. If it is confirmed that the validity period has not elapsed, the display of the called client is displayed. The message is displayed on the device 320 while being popped up (S413).

5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a plug-in for performing a message exchange service according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the plug-in 110 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an interface module 11, a controller 12, a message writing module 13, a display module 14, and a login management module 15. It is configured by.

The plug-in 110 according to the present invention is preferably present inside the client terminal, but may be connected to the client and the message server by wire or wireless network as a separate device separate from the client terminal.

The interface module 11 is responsible for data communication between the corresponding plug-in 110 and the message server to which the client including the plug-in 110 is connected. In an embodiment applicable to the present invention, the interface module 11 may be directly connected to a network line with a message server to transmit and receive packet data, or may communicate with a message server through an interface device in a client terminal. .

The control unit 12 is a device for controlling the relationship between the components constituting the plug-in 110 so that the plug-in 110 performs the message exchange service of the present invention. To this end, the controller 12 manages a process in which a message transmitted from a message server is stored in a storage device 120 existing inside or outside the plug-in 110, and reads message data included in the message. The display module 14 is requested to collect the necessary information and then pop up and display the message to the user. In addition, in response to a user's request, the message creation module 13 requests a reply message writing operation for the corresponding message, or the login management module 15 sends the client or the user to the login management module 15 based on the user's request or the status of the client terminal. Request to log in.

The message composition module 13 provides an environment in which a reply message destined for the sender of the message received from the message server can be created at the request of the controller 12. To this end, the message creation module 13 may include a document editing function or call an external text editor.

The display module 14 is received from the message server on a display device included in the client terminal or present as a separate device outside the client terminal and connected to a separate wired / wireless network from the client terminal. The message is popped up and displayed for easy recognition by the user. At this time, the display management module 14 controls the details such as pop-up period, time, size of the pop-up screen, etc. for popping the body information of the message on the display device by the controller 12.

The login management module 15 performs a task of logging in the client or the user of the client to the message server at the request of the controller 12. To this end, the login management module 15 provides the message server with identification information about the client terminal, such as a network address or device ID of the client terminal, or identification information about the user of the client such as a user ID and password. can do.

In a preferred embodiment applicable to the present invention, a storage device for storing a program executed in the plug-in 110, or for storing data processed by the program or information about the message received from the message server ( 120) may be included separately. More preferably, a separate storage device installed in the client terminal can be used. At this time, in order to perform the message exchange service of the present invention, the operation of viewing or recording the storage device 120 existing inside or outside the plug-in 110 is managed by the controller 12.

6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a message server for performing a message exchange service according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the message server 200 includes an interface unit 210, a subscriber information storage unit 220, a message data storage unit 230, a control unit 240, a user login manager 250, and a message manager 260. It is configured to include).

The interface unit 210 is responsible for data communication between the plug-in included in the client terminal and the message server. In addition, the interface unit 210 is responsible for data communication with other message servers connected through a network.

The subscriber information storage unit 220 stores information about a client terminal or a user who can access a message server and receive a message exchange service according to the present invention. In a preferred embodiment applicable to the present invention, the subscriber information storage unit 220 is identification information of each client terminal, such as a network address or a device ID of the client terminal, or the user's ID and password, such as a user's ID and password. Stores identification information for each user.

The message data storage unit 230 stores the messages which are not delivered to the called client from among the messages destined for the called client from the calling client when the called client cannot receive the message. Is a database.

The controller 240 is a device for controlling the relationship between the components constituting the message server 200 so that the message server 200 performs the message exchange service of the present invention.

If there is a login request from the client or the user of the client, the user login manager 250 performs necessary tasks. The login is an operation of notifying that the client or the user of the client can provide or receive a message to receive the message exchange service of the present invention.

The message manager 260 performs necessary processing for message transmission to the called client based on the message data included in the message in order to provide the message exchange service of the present invention. That is, it is checked whether the message has passed the expiration date, whether the called client is in a state capable of receiving the message, and also storing the message data with information about the message that was not delivered to the called client. Collect in section 230.

The present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings, and it is common in the art that various substitutions, modifications, and changes can be made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

According to the present invention, when a message exchange service is used between members in a specific group, there is a problem of an e-mail service in which there is no information sharing error and an instant messaging service in which both members must keep a logon state. Overcome the problem and deliver messages quickly and accurately.

Claims (18)

A1 step of receiving a message from an originating client; A second step of checking whether the called client is in a state capable of receiving a message; A3 step of storing the message when the called client is not logged in and checking a message destined for the called client as a destination among the stored messages if the called client is logged in; And, And a fourth step of transmitting a message to the logged-in called party. The method of claim 1, Before the step a1, the originating client further comprises the step of logging into the message server through the plug-in. The method of claim 2, The plug-in, An interface module for data communication between the plug-in and a message server to which a client including the plug-in is connected; A control unit controlling a relationship between components of the plug-in; A message creation module providing an environment for creating a reply message to a destination of a sender of a message received from a message server according to a request of the controller; A display module for popping up and displaying a message received from the message server on a display device so that a user can easily recognize the message; And, And a login management module configured to log a corresponding client or a corresponding user of the client into a message server according to a request of the controller. The method of claim 1, The message received in step a1 includes at least one additional information selected from the subject information, the attachment file, or the expiration date information of the message, as well as body information and destination client identification information to be delivered to the called client. Message exchange service method characterized in that it further comprises. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Checking the validity period of the message received from the originating client between steps a1 and a2, notifying the originating client if the validity period has elapsed, and then ending the processing of the message; If the validity period has not elapsed, further comprising the step a2. The method of claim 5, The checking of the validity period of the message may further include comparing a current time with information corresponding to the validity period of additional information included in the message transmitted from the originating client. Way. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The message server to which the called client to receive the message is directly connected is identified by referring to the called client identification information included in the message between steps a1 and a2. The message exchange service method further comprises the step of transmitting to. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Step a2 is carried out by checking whether the called client is logged in to the corresponding message server through the plug-in. B1, receiving a message from a message server; B2 step of checking whether the received message has passed the validity period; A step b3 of pop-up displaying the message on a display device when it is determined that the valid period has not elapsed as a result of the checking in step b2; And, And a step b4 of waiting for an input for a processing operation of a user with respect to the popped-up message. The method of claim 9, The message received in step b1 further includes at least one additional information selected from the subject information of the message, the attachment file or the validity period information of the message, as well as the body information to be delivered to the called client. Message exchange service method. The method according to claim 9 or 10, The step b2 is performed by comparing the current time and information corresponding to the validity period of the information included in the message. The method according to claim 9 or 10, Step b4, the user input value for the processing operation Confirming the contents of the message body and preventing the message from popping up again; The user has not checked the content of the message body and is on hold to specify that the message will pop up again; or Message exchange, characterized in that the user is presented to the user limited to the reply requesting to perform the operation to create a reply message to the sender client of the message, and then waiting for the user's selection value input Service method. The method of claim 12, Invoking a module for composing a reply message, if the value entered in step b4 is a reply; And, And requesting the created reply message to be transmitted to a diverging client through a message server. The method of claim 12, If the value input in step b4 is pending, step b2 to step b4 are sequentially performed for each message. The method according to claim 9 or 10, If there are two or more messages received in step b1, step b2 to step b4 for each message sequentially; An interface unit for data communication between the plug-in included in the client terminal and the message server; A subscriber information storage unit which stores information about a client terminal or a user that can access a message server and receive a message exchange service according to the present invention; A message data storage unit for storing messages which have not been delivered to the called client from among the message destined for the called client from the calling client when the called client cannot receive the message; A control unit for controlling the relationship between components constituting the message server so that the message server 200 performs the message exchange service of the present invention; A user login manager to perform a necessary task when a login request is requested from a client or a user of the client; And, And a message management unit that performs processing related to message transmission to the called client based on the message data included in the message. The method of claim 16, The plug-in, An interface module for data communication between the plug-in and a message server to which a client including the plug-in is connected; A control unit controlling a relationship between components of the plug-in; A message creation module providing an environment for creating a reply message to a destination of a sender of a message received from a message server according to a request of the controller; A display module for popping up and displaying a message received from the message server on a display device so that a user can easily recognize the message; And, And a login management module configured to log the client or the user of the client into the message server according to a request of the controller. The method according to claim 16 or 17, The message manager checks whether the message has passed the validity period, checks whether or not the called client can receive the message, and also provides information on the message that has not been delivered to the called client. Message server, characterized in that collected in the storage.

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