Abstract:
The present invention relates to instant messaging (IM) technologies, and provides a system and method for managing an avatar on an instant messaging (IM) platform. The method is based on at least one terminal and includes steps of: A) detecting an area where an action takes place and determining a virtual element of a first avatar which is an object of the action according to the area; and B) performing an operation corresponding to the action on the virtual element, updating a second avatar by combining the second avatar with the virtual element. According to the method and system in the present invention, service experience of users can be improved.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to instant messaging (IM) technologies, and particularly, to a system and method for managing an avatar on an IM platform. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Currently, personal avatars have been widely applied to IM platforms. An avatar can provide variable as-you-please dresses, facial expressions, motions, and various scenarios as well. The avatar service is attracting more and more users due to its strong expressive ability. For example, in QQ show and some game scenarios, a user can dress up his/her avatar according to his/her preference and also to make his image vivid on the Internet. 
         [0003]    Most of current avatars on the Internet include multiple parts, e.g. head, shoes, accessories and scenarios, etc. A user can change his/her avatar via the Internet by changing different parts of the avatar. Furthermore, the Internet provides e-stores, in which a user can purchase all kinds of virtual goods, such as hats, hair, clothes and so on to dress up his/her avatar of his/her style. 
         [0004]    According to the prior art, the avatar is generally displayed by a terminal of the IM platform. When the user wants to update his/her avatar, the user needs to directly log onto an e-store website via a webpage. The e-store website may provide a list of various virtual elements which form an avatar. Then the user may select his/her favorite virtual elements (such as hair, clothes, accessories and scenarios), click on selected items to try them on and preview the avatar, and then purchase the items in the e-store. After purchasing the selected items, the purchased items will be automatically stored in a virtual shopping basket. The user may browse the virtual shopping basket, click on the purchased virtual goods to dress up his/her avatar, and finally save his/her avatar. Thus, each time the user logs onto the IM platform, the virtual items purchased and the avatar updated will be displayed. 
         [0005]    The e-store may update virtual goods at any time to provide more virtual goods. However, most users are not used to logging on the e-store periodically to find new virtual goods. More often, a user wants to visit the e-store only when it jumps into his/her mind or when he/she sees certain virtual goods in an avatar of his/her IM contact via an IM tool and wants to try the virtual goods. The user then has to log onto the e-store directly via a webpage, search for the virtual goods in the e-store, and try on the virtual goods. As can be seen, it is inconvenient and time-consuming to update an avatar. 
         [0006]    Therefore, there is the need for an improved system and method for managing an avatar on an IM platform, which makes it less time-consuming to update an avatar. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In view of the above, embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for managing an avatar on an IM platform, which makes updating an avatar less time-consuming. 
         [0008]    The system includes at least one terminal for displaying an avatar. The terminal includes: 
         [0009]    a management module, configured to detect an area where an action takes place, determine a virtual element of a first avatar which is an object of the action according to the area, perform an operation corresponding to the action on the virtual element, update a second avatar by combining the second avatar with the virtual element. 
         [0010]    The method is based on at least one terminal, including: 
         [0011]    A) detecting an area where an action takes place and determining a virtual element of a first avatar which is an object of the action according to the area; 
         [0012]    B) performing an operation corresponding to the action on the virtual element, updating a second avatar by combining the second avatar with the virtual element. 
         [0013]    As can be seen from the above, during the process of managming an avatar in the present invention, the terminal can provide try-it-on function and preview function by dividing and re-combining an avatar. A user can preview his/her favorite virtual goods without logging into the e-store. Thereby, the time needed for updating an avatar is shortened. In addition, during managing the avatar, the terminal can provide purchase function without requiring the user to log into the e-store via a webpage, which makes it more convenient to purchase an avatar and better satisfies requirements of users. Besides, after being purchased, the avatar can be directly saved via the terminal, and the terminal can jump to the position of a virtual element in the e-store by a click of the user on the virtual element. Therefore, the user can quickly locate the virtual element in the e-store, and can also browse other commodities arranged adjacent to the virtual element, which further improves service experience of the user. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustrating a structure of a system for managing an avatar on an IM platform in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustrating an internal structure of a management module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustrating a structure of a system for purchasing an avatar in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a schematic illustrating a structure of a system for purchasing an avatar in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a schematic illustrating an internal structure of a purchasing module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a schematic illustrating an internal structure of a terminal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a method for managing an avatar on an IM platform in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating a method for managing an avatar on an instant messaging platform in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating a method for purchasing an avatar in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating a method for purchasing an avatar in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating a method of jumping from a virtual element to an e-store in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    According to an embodiment, a terminal detects an area where an action takes place, determines a virtual element which is an object of the action according to the area, performs an operation on the virtual element according to the action, updates and displays an avatar. Through the above process, the time needed for updating an avatar can be shortened. 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustrating a structure of a system for managing an avatar on an IM platform in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the system includes a terminal  200 . It should be noted that the system in  FIG. 1  is merely a simplified system of the present invention and should include at least one terminal  200 . 
         [0027]    The terminal  200  is configured to display an avatar and includes a management module  201 . 
         [0028]    The management module  201  is configured to detect an area where an action takes place, determine a virtual element which is an object of the action according to the area, perform an operation corresponding to the action on the virtual element, update and display the avatar. 
         [0029]    It should be noted that the terminal  200  may typically be a client in which dedicated client software (e.g. an instant messenger, an online game, etc.) is installed and running, or may be a web browser which provides a webpage forum or a web chatting tool. When the terminal  200  is a web browser, the above functions are implemented with the assistance of a web server. 
         [0030]    The above mentioned action may be initiated by a user via various kinds of input devices (such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen, etc.), or may be an action initiated in other man-machine interaction modes. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustrating an internal structure of a management module  201  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The management module  201  includes a display module  2011 , a copy module  2012 , a combining module  2013  and a storage module  2014 . 
         [0032]    The display module  2011  is configured to display virtual elements constituting an avatar. 
         [0033]    The copy module  2012 , connected with the display module  2011 , is configured to copy a virtual element which is clicked on to obtain a virtual element copy. 
         [0034]    The combining module  2013 , respectively connected with the display module  2011  and the copy module  2012 , is configured to detect an area which is clicked on or an area where a mouse key is released, determine a virtual element which is an object of the click or the release according to the area, and replace a virtual element which is located in the area with the virtual element copy. 
         [0035]    According to an embodiment, when a user clicks on a certain virtual element of a contact&#39;s avatar, such as a hat, the combining module  2013  detects an area where a click of a mouse key takes place and determines a virtual element which is operated by the user, and the copy module  2012  copies the virtual element determined to obtain a hat copy. Then the user drags the hat copy onto his/her avatar and releases the mouse key. The combining module  2013  detects the area where the mouse key is released, and determines a virtual element which is to be replaced in an original avatar. Then the combining module  2013  replaces the determined virtual element of the original avatar with the hat copy. 
         [0036]    In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the display module  2011  may implement the replacement by hiding a hat in the original avatar and displaying the hat copy. 
         [0037]    The storage module  2014 , respectively connected with the display module  2011 , the copy module  2012  and the combining module  2013 , is configured to store virtual elements constituting an avatar. According to an embodiment, the storage module  2014  is configured to store the virtual elements, including hair, clothes, hats, pants, shoes, accessories and scenarios, etc. In other words, an avatar can be divided into several virtual elements and the virtual elements can be “worn” by an original avatar, so that the avatar of the user can be varied and colorful. 
         [0038]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustrating a structure of a system for purchasing an avatar in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system includes a purchase server  100 , and a plurality of terminals (terminals  200 ,  300 ,  400 , . . . , N) which are respectively connected with the purchase server  100  and capable of interacting data with the purchase server  100 . 
         [0039]    It should be noted that connections between devices shown in the figures of the present invention are for explaining the process of information interaction and controlling more clearly, thus can be regarded as logical connections and should not be limited to physical connections. In addition, all modules may communicate with each other in any means of communication, and should not be limited to one specific type of communication manner. 
         [0040]    The purchase server  100  is configured to run an e-store, and may be any purchase server which provides a purchase service, such as a purchase server of a large-scale e-store website capable of providing purchase service. 
         [0041]    Each of the terminals (terminals  200 ,  300 ,  400 , . . . , N), connected with the purchase server  100  and capable of performing data interaction with the purchase server  100 , is configured to display an avatar. Each of the terminals may typically be a client in which dedicated client software (e.g. an instant messenger or online game) is installed and running, or may be a web browser providing a webpage forum or a cyber-chatting tool. When each of the terminals is a web browser, the data interaction with the purchase server  100  is implemented via a web server. 
         [0042]      FIG. 4  is a schematic illustrating a structure of a system for purchasing an avatar in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system is a simplified system for purchasing an avatar, and includes a purchase server  100  and a terminal  200 . 
         [0043]    The purchase server  100  is configured to run an e-store, make a purchase according to a received serial number of a virtual element and received security information of a user, and return a result of the purchase. 
         [0044]    The terminal  200 , connected with the purchase server  100  and capable of interacting data with the purchase server  100 , includes a management module  201 , a purchase module  202  and a save module  203 . 
         [0045]    The management module  201  is configured to detect an area of an action, determine a virtual element which is the object of the action according to the area, perform an operation on the virtual element according to the action, update and display an avatar. 
         [0046]    The purchase module  202 , connected with the management module  201 , is configured to obtain the serial number of the virtual element to be purchased and the security information of the user, and send the serial number and the security information to the purchase server  100 . 
         [0047]    The save module  203 , respectively connected with the management module  201  and the purchase module  202 , is configured to send a saving protocol to the purchase server  100  requesting to save the avatar. The purchase server  100  saves the avatar which is requested to be saved by the save module  203 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 5  is a schematic illustrating an internal structure of a purchase module  202  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The purchase module  202  includes a serial serial number obtaining module  2021 , a security check module  2022  and a protocol encapsulating module  2023 . 
         [0049]    The serial number obtaining module  2021  is configured to obtain a serial number of a virtual element to be purchased. According to an embodiment, when the user needs to purchase a virtual element such as clothes, the user clicks on it to purchase it and the serial number obtaining module  2021  obtains the serial number of the virtual element in the e-store. After receiving the serial number, the purchase server  100  then knows which virtual element the user is to purchase. 
         [0050]    The security check module  2022 , connected with the serial number obtaining module  2023 , is configured to obtain the security information of the user according to a security check policy selected by the purchase server  100 . According to an embodiment, after receiving a purchase request, the purchase server  100  may determine which security check policy should be adopted according to network conditions between the purchase server  100  and the terminal  200 . 
         [0051]    According to an embodiment, the purchase server  100  does not require the user to log into the e-store. Instead, the security check module  2022  directly obtains a login check code of the user to form the security information of the user. According to another embodiment, the purchase server  100  requires the user to log into the e-store. Then, after the terminal  200  pops up a login box and the user inputs login information, the security check module  2022  obtains the security information of the user to implement e-store logon. 
         [0052]    The protocol encapsulation module  2023 , connected with the serial number obtaining module  2021  and the security check module  2022  respectively, is configured to perform protocol encapsulation on the serial number of the virtual element to be purchased and the security information of the user, and transmit a protocol packet obtained by the protocol encapsulation to the purchase server  100 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 6  is a schematic illustrating an internal structure of a terminal  200  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Besides the management module  201 , the purchase module  202  and the save module  203 , the terminal  200  further includes a link address query module  204  and a webpage jump module  205 . 
         [0054]    The link address query module  204  is configured to obtain the serial number of the virtual element, query the e-store for a link address of the virtual element according to the serial number of the virtual element. 
         [0055]    The webpage jump module  205 , connected with the link address query module  204 , is configured to obtain the security information of the user and jump to the position of the virtual element in the e-store according to the link address. 
         [0056]    In this embodiment, because virtual elements are arranged on a virtual shelf in the e-store, commodities belonging to the same category are usually arranged to be adjacent to each other. For example, the virtual elements are classified into different categories including clothes, pants and hair, or the newest commodities are classified into one category. When the user clicks on or drags a certain virtual element, the webpage jump module  205  automatically starts a browser which jumps to the position of the virtual element in the e-store, and enables the user to enter the e-store in a having-logged-on state. Thus, the user can browse commodities adjacent to the virtual element in the e-store. 
         [0057]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a method for managing an avatar on an IM platform in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The method is carried out in the system structure shown in  FIG. 1  and is as follows. 
         [0058]    In step S 701 , the management module  201  detects an area where an action takes place, and determines a virtual element which is the object of the action according to the area. 
         [0059]    In step S 702 , the management module  201  performs an operation on the virtual element according to the action, updates and displays an avatar. 
         [0060]    The above action may be initiated by a user via various input devices (such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen, etc.), or via other man-machine interaction means. 
         [0061]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating a method for managing an avatar on an IM platform in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The method is carried out based on the system structure shown in  FIG. 2  and is as follows. 
         [0062]    In step S 801 , the combining module  2013  detects an area where an action takes place, and determines a virtual element which is the object of the action according to the area. According to an embodiment, when a user clicks on a certain virtual element of a contact&#39;s avatar, the combining module  2013  detects an area where a click takes place and determines the virtual element to be operated by the user according to the area. 
         [0063]    In step S 802 , the copy module  2012  copies the determined virtual element to obtain a virtual element copy. According to an embodiment, when a user clicks on a certain virtual element using a mouse and then drags the virtual element onto his/her avatar, the copy module  2012  copies the virtual element clicked on to obtain the virtual element copy. 
         [0064]    In step S 803 , the combining module  2013  detects an area where a mouse key is released, and determines a virtual element in the area which is the object of the action. According to an embodiment, the user drags the virtual element copy onto his/her avatar using the mouse and releases the mouse key; the combining module  2013  detects the area where the mouse key is released to determine a virtual element to be replaced in an original avatar. 
         [0065]    In step S 804 , the combining module  2013  replaces the virtual element in the area with the virtual element copy, refreshes and displays the avatar. According to an embodiment, detailed process of step S 804  may be as follows: the display module  2011  hides the original virtual element in the area where the mouse key is released and displays the virtual element copy obtained. Meanwhile, the combining module  2013  may perform logic adjustment to the virtual element copy to adapt the virtual element copy to the avatar. Then, the display module  2011  refreshes and displays the avatar. 
         [0066]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating a method for purchasing an avatar in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The method is based on the system structure shown in  FIG. 4  and includes steps as follows. 
         [0067]    In step S 901 , a serial number of a virtual element to be purchased by a user and security information of the user are obtained and sent to a purchase server  100 . 
         [0068]    In step S 902 , the purchase server  100  makes a purchase according to the serial number of the virtual element and the security information of the user, and returns a result of the purchase. 
         [0069]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating a method for purchasing an avatar in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The method is based on the system structure shown in  FIG. 4  and includes steps as follows. 
         [0070]    In step S 1001 , a terminal  200  obtains a serial number of a virtual element to be purchased by a user, and obtains security information of the user according to a security check policy selected by a purchase server  100 . 
         [0071]    According to an embodiment, detailed process of the step S 1001  may include: after the user drags a certain virtual element from a contact&#39;s avatar onto his/her avatar and previews the avatar with the dragged virtual element, if the user clicks on the virtual element to purchase it, the serial number obtaining module  2021  obtains the serial number of the virtual element to be purchased and meanwhile queries the purchase server  100  for a security check policy to be used. The purchase server  100  may select different security policies according network conditions between the purchase server  100  and the terminal  200 . 
         [0072]    According to an embodiment, the purchase server  100  does not require the user to log into the e-store. Instead, the security check module  2022  directly obtains a login check code of the user. According to another embodiment, the purchase server  100  requires the user to log into the e-store. In this case, after the terminal  200  pops up a login box and the user inputs login information, the security check module  2022  obtains the security information of the user for e-store login. 
         [0073]    In step S 1002 , the protocol encapsulation module  2023  performs protocol encapsulation on the serial number of the virtual element to be purchased and the security information of the user, and transmits a protocol packet obtained by the protocol encapsulation to the purchase server  100 . 
         [0074]    In step S 1003 , the purchase server  100  makes the purchase according to the serial number of the virtual element to be purchased and the security information of the user, and returns a result of the purchase. 
         [0075]    According to an embodiment, the step S 1003  specifically includes: the purchase server  100  receives the protocol packet, obtains the serial number of the virtual element to be purchased and the security information of the user, and finishes the purchase process in the e-store. During the purchase process, the cost of the virtual element may be automatically deducted from his/her virtual coins according to the price of the virtual element, and the purchased virtual element is automatically placed in a shopping basket of the user in the e-store. After the purchase is made, the purchase server  100  returns purchase success information to the terminal  200 , for example by prompting an information box to indicate the user that the purchase is successful. If the user&#39;s account balance is insufficient or the purchase is failed due to network failure, the purchase server  100  returns information about balance insufficiency or about purchase failure to the terminal  200 , for example by prompting an information box indicating the user that the user&#39;s account balance is insufficient or that the operation is failed, etc. 
         [0076]    In step S 1004 , the save module  203  sends a saving protocol to the purchase server  100  requesting saving the avatar; the purchase server  100  stores the avatar which is requested to be saved by the save module  203 . 
         [0077]    According to an embodiment, the step S 1004  may specifically includes: after the user successfully purchased the virtual element, the save module  203  transmits the saving protocol to the purchase server  100  requesting to save the avatar, and the purchase server  100  stores the avatar which is requested to be saved by the save module  203 . Each time the user logs onto the IM platform, the purchase server  100  transmits the stored latest avatar to the terminal  200  for being displayed. 
         [0078]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating a method of a virtual element jumping to an e-store in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The method is based on the structure shown in  FIG. 5  and is described as follows. 
         [0079]    In step S 1101 , a link address query module  204  obtains a serial number of a virtual element, and queries the e-store for a link address of the virtual element. 
         [0080]    According to an embodiment, the purchase server  100  stores the serial number of the virtual element in the e-store. In addition, each virtual element has a link address in the e-store, and the link address is associated with the position of the virtual element in the e-store. 
         [0081]    In step S 1102 , the webpage jump module  205  obtains security information of the user, and jumps to the position of the virtual element in the e-store according to the link address. 
         [0082]    According to an embodiment, the webpage jump module  205  obtains the security information of the user to enable the user to enter the e-store in a having-logged-on state, and jumps to the position of the virtual element in the e-store according to the link address obtained by the link address query module  204 . Because commodities belonging to the same category are usually arranged to be adjacent to each other in the e-store, the user can browse other commodities adjacent to the virtual element when the user is directed to the shelf where the virtual element is located according to the link address; or the user may be directed to the e-store via the virtual element and directly make the purchase in the e-store. 
         [0083]    It should be noted that the present invention can be applied to, but not limited to, the instant messenger, and can also be applied to other similar tools capable of displaying an avatar, such as a webpage forum and a game scenario. 
         [0084]    The foregoing is only embodiments of the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention, however, is not limited to the above description. Any change or substitution, easily occurring to those skilled in the art, should be covered by the protection scope of the present invention.