Method and system for controlling message dissemination from public accounts to user accounts

A server with one or more processors and memory receives a template request from a public account in the social networking platform for a message template and determines a category corresponding to the template request based on a characteristic of the public account or a characteristic specified in the template request. The server identifies template(s) according to the category from a template library and sends the template(s) with corresponding template identifiers to the public account. After the sending, the server receives a message request from the public account, including a template identifier for a first message template, recipient information, and respective values for one or more information parameters of the first message template. The server generates a message based on the message request and the first message template and sends the generated message to a user account in the social networking platform that corresponds to the recipient information.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

The present disclosure relates to the field of computer data processing technologies, and in particular, to a method and system for controlling message dissemination from public accounts to user accounts.

BACKGROUND

A social networking platform is a novel platform provided by a social communication application, where individual users or enterprise users in the social communication application are able to create their own accounts on the social networking platform so as to enable others users to subscribe to their account or to provide a service.

A public account is a communication account owned by a media entity, an enterprise, or a public figure in the social communication application. For example, bank A has a public account on the social networking platform, and this public account is followed by user accounts (i.e., individual users) on the social communication application. Continuing with this example, the public account may provide a service such as personal bank query, bill notification, and monetary transaction to user accounts subscribed to the public account. However, in this example, in order to avoid unwanted messages (e.g., spam) from public accounts, the public account of bank A is only able to send messages to the user accounts by using a message template. For example, when a user account uses a credit card to complete a payment, the public account of bank A sends a template message to the user account by using a “credit card payment notification” template, where most of content in the template message is fixed, and only content related to a user name, a payment time, a payment amount, a payment matter, and the like is generated in real time.

As such, the foregoing technology at least has the following problem: A message template used by the public account of bank A needs to be registered with the server providing the social networking platform in advance, and the server allows the public account of bank A to use the message template only when the server determines that the message template meets a template specification. There are many public accounts and many templates need to be audited by the server; as a result, the server needs to consume a great number of resources for proper auditing.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a method of controlling message dissemination from public accounts to user accounts in a social networking platform is performed at a server (e.g., server system108,FIGS. 1-2) with one or more processors and memory. The method includes receiving a template request from a public account in the social networking platform for a message template and determining one or more categories corresponding to the template request based on at least one of a characteristic of the public account or a characteristic specified in the template request. The method includes identifying one or more message templates according to the one or more determined categories from a message template library of approved message templates and sending the one or more identified message templates with corresponding template identifiers to the public account. After sending the one or more identified message templates to the public account, the method includes receiving a message request from the public account, where the message request includes a corresponding template identifier of a first message template, recipient information, and respective values for one or more information parameters of the first message template. The method includes generating a message based on the message request and the first message template and sending the generated message to a user account in the social networking platform that corresponds to the recipient information.

In some embodiments, a server (e.g., server system108,FIGS. 1-2) includes one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors, the one or more programs include instructions for performing, or controlling performance of, the operations of any of the methods described herein. In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which, when executed by a server (e.g., server system108,FIGS. 1-2) with one or more processors, cause the server to perform, or control performance of, the operations of any of the methods described herein. In some embodiments, a server (e.g., server system108,FIGS. 1-2) includes means for performing, or controlling performance of, the operations of any of the methods described herein.

Various advantages of the present application are apparent in light of the descriptions below.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the subject matter presented herein. But it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.

As shown inFIG. 1, data processing for a social networking platform or other application is implemented in a server-client environment100in accordance with some embodiments. In accordance with some embodiments, server-client environment100includes: client-side processing102-1,102-2(hereinafter “client-side modules102”) executed on a client device104-1,104-2; client-side processing105-1,105-2(hereinafter “client-side modules105”) executed on a public account device124-1,124-2; and server-side processing106(hereinafter “server-side module106”) executed on a server system108. In some embodiments, client-side modules102correspond to functionalities performed by individual user accounts, and client-side modules105correspond to functionalities performed by public accounts, which are specialized user accounts. The client-side modules102are distinct from the client-side modules105. Client-side modules102,105communicate with server-side module106through one or more networks110. Client-side modules102,105provide client-side functionalities for the social networking platform (e.g., communications, payment processing, user authentication, etc.) to user account and public accounts, respectively, and communications with server-side module106. Server-side module106provides server-side functionalities for the social networking platform (e.g., communications, payment processing, user authentication, etc.) for any number of client modules102each residing on a respective client device104and any number of client modules105each residing on a respective public account device124.

In some embodiments, server system108manages and operates a social networking platform. For example, the social networking platform is an IM (Instant Messenger) application, an SNS (Social Networking Services) application, or the like, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, client-side module102is associated with a user account (sometimes also herein called a “common account”) in the social networking platform that corresponds to a user of client device104. In some embodiments, client-side module105is associated with a public account in the social networking platform that corresponds to an entity operating public account device124. In some embodiments, the public account is a social account that can broadcast information to one or more users in the social networking platform that subscribe to the social account. However, the public account cannot send targeted or private messages to one or more users in the social networking platform unless a message template approved by server system108is used. In some embodiments, the public account is a communication account owned by a media entity, an enterprise, or a public figure in the social networking platform. In some embodiments, client-side module105is an application client that provides a service or a web page client providing a web page.

For example, a user (i.e., associated with a user account) subscribes to user accounts associated with other users in the social networking platform and/or the user subscribes to public accounts associated with entities in the social networking platform. In this example, the user receives messages and social media posts from user accounts and/or public accounts to which the user is subscribed, and, also, the user is able to send messages and social media posts to user accounts and/or public accounts to which the user is subscribed. In this example, an entity associated with a public account may broadcast social information to one or more user accounts that are subscribed to the public account.

In some embodiments, when the user subscribes to a user account associated with another user in the social networking platform, the other user must allow the user to subscribe to him/her; however, the user is automatically allowed to subscribe to a public account without authorization on behalf of the background server associated with the public account.

Examples of client device104include, but are not limited to, a handheld computer, a wearable computing device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a cellular telephone, a smart phone, an enhanced general packet radio service (EGPRS) mobile phone, a media player, a navigation device, a game console, a television, a remote control, or a combination of any two or more of these data processing devices or other data processing devices.

Examples of public account device124include, but are not limited to, a server, a handheld computer, a wearable computing device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a cellular telephone, a smart phone, an enhanced general packet radio service (EGPRS) mobile phone, a media player, a navigation device, a game console, a television, a remote control, or a combination of any two or more of these data processing devices or other data processing devices.

In some embodiments, server-side module106includes one or more processors112, message template library114, public accounts database116, an I/O interface to one or more external devices118, and an I/O interface to one or more external services120. I/O interface to one or more external devices118facilitates the client-facing input and output processing for server-side module106. One or more processors112perform operations for the social networking platform such as routing messages from user accounts to other accounts in the social networking platform or sending targeted messages from public accounts to user accounts based on message templates. Message template library114stores approved message templates and corresponding categories (seeFIG. 5Aand the accompanying for further discussion), and public accounts database116stores registered public accounts and one or more corresponding business categories for each registered public account categories (seeFIG. 5Band the accompanying for further discussion). I/O interface to one or more external services120facilitates communications with one or more external services122(e.g., media content hosting services, merchant websites, credit card companies, and/or other payment processing services).

Examples of one or more networks110include local area networks (LAN) and wide area networks (WAN) such as the Internet. One or more networks110are, optionally, implemented using any known network protocol, including various wired or wireless protocols, such as Ethernet, Universal Serial Bus (USB), FIREWIRE, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, or any other suitable communication protocol.

Server system108is implemented on one or more standalone data processing apparatuses or a distributed network of computers. In some embodiments, server system108also employs various virtual devices and/or services of third party service providers (e.g., third-party cloud service providers) to provide the underlying computing resources and/or infrastructure resources of server system108.

Server-client environment100shown inFIG. 1includes both a client-side portion (e.g., client-side module102and client-side module105) and a server-side portion (e.g., server-side module106). In some embodiments, data processing is implemented as a standalone application installed on client device104or public account device124. In addition, the division of functionalities between the client and server portions of client environment data processing can vary in different embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, client-side module102and client-side module105are thin-clients that provide only user-facing input and output processing functions, and delegate all other data processing functionalities to a backend server (e.g., server system108).

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating server system108in accordance with some embodiments. Server system108, typically, includes one or more processing units (CPUs)112, one or more network interfaces204(e.g., including I/O interface to one or more external device(s)118and I/O interface to one or more external service(s)120), memory206, and one or more communication buses208for interconnecting these components (sometimes called a chipset). Memory206includes high-speed random access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM, or other random access solid state memory devices; and, optionally, includes non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, one or more optical disk storage devices, one or more flash memory devices, or one or more other non-volatile solid state storage devices. Memory206, optionally, includes one or more storage devices remotely located from one or more processing units112. Memory206, or alternatively the non-volatile memory within memory206, includes a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. In some implementations, memory206, or the non-transitory computer readable storage medium of memory206, stores the following programs, modules, and data structures, or a subset or superset thereof:operating system210including procedures for handling various basic system services and for performing hardware dependent tasks;network communication module212for connecting server system108to other computing devices (e.g., client devices104, external service(s)122, and public account device(s)124) connected to one or more networks110via one or more network interfaces204(wired or wireless);server-side module106, which provides server-side data processing and functionalities for the social networking platform, including but not limited to:authentication module222for authenticating user and public accounts access the social networking platform;communications module224for sending messages to users in the social networking platform, including but not limited to:message routing module226for routing messages sent by user accounts in the social networking platform to target recipient users in the social networking platform;template request handling module228for receiving a template request from a public account in the social networking platform;category determining module230for determining one of more categories corresponding to the template request from the public account;category matching module232for determining whether a characteristic specified in the template request, which includes one or more template categories, match any template categories in a set of approved template categories corresponding to a first business category under which the public account is registered;prompting module234for prompting the public account to initiate a message template creation process in accordance with a determination by category matching module232that the one or more template categories specified in the template request do not match any template categories in a set of approved template categories corresponding to a first business category under which the public account is registered;template identifying module236for identifying one or more message templates from message template library114of approved message templates according to the one or more categories determined by category determining module230;template sending module238for sending the one or more message templates identified by template identifying module236to the public account;template creation handling module240for receiving template creation request from a public account in the social networking platform with a new message template or a new message template from a public account in the social networking platform in response to the prompt from prompting module234;approving module242for determining whether to approve the new message template based on one or more predetermined criteria;template adding module244for: (A) determining a second business category corresponding to the respective template category of the new message and determining whether to add the new message template to message template library114and to associate the respective template category of the new message template with a first business category corresponding to the public account, based on a count of shared message templates between the second business category and the first business category, and (B) determining whether to add to the new message template to message template library114based on the modification to one of the one or more message templates previously identified by template identifying module236;message request handling module246for receiving a message request from a public account in the social networking platform, the message request includes a corresponding template identifier of a first message template, recipient information, and respective values for one or more information parameters of the first message template;message generating module248for generating a message based on the message request and the first message template; andmessage sending module250for sending the generated message to a user account in the social networking platform that corresponds to the recipient information;(optionally) payment module252for processing payments associated with transactions initiated by users of client devices104; andserver data260storing data, including but not limited to:message template library114storing approved message templates and corresponding categories;public accounts database116storing registered public accounts and one or more corresponding business categories for each registered public account;messages database262storing messages sent by users in the social networking platform; andprofiles database264storing user profiles for accounts in the social networking platform, where a respective user profile for an account includes a user identifier (e.g., an account name or handle), login credentials to the social networking platform, (optionally) payment data (e.g., linked credit card information, app credit or gift card balance, billing address, shipping address, etc.), an IP address or preferred contact information, contacts list, custom parameters for the user (e.g., age, location, hobbies, etc.), and identified trends and/or likes/dislikes of the user.

FIG. 3is a block diagram illustrating a representative client device104corresponding to a user with a user account in the social networking platform in accordance with some embodiments. Client device104, typically, includes one or more processing units (CPUs)302, one or more network interfaces304, memory306, and one or more communication buses308for interconnecting these components (sometimes called a chipset). Client device104also includes a user interface310. User interface310includes one or more output devices312that enable presentation of media content, including one or more speakers and/or one or more visual displays. User interface310also includes one or more input devices314, including user interface components that facilitate user input such as a keyboard, a mouse, a voice-command input unit or microphone, a touch screen display, a touch-sensitive input pad, a camera, a gesture capturing camera, or other input buttons or controls. Furthermore, some client devices104use a microphone and voice recognition or a camera and gesture recognition to supplement or replace the keyboard. Memory306includes high-speed random access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM, or other random access solid state memory devices; and, optionally, includes non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, one or more optical disk storage devices, one or more flash memory devices, or one or more other non-volatile solid state storage devices. Memory306, optionally, includes one or more storage devices remotely located from one or more processing units302. Memory306, or alternatively the non-volatile memory within memory306, includes a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. In some implementations, memory306, or the non-transitory computer readable storage medium of memory306, stores the following programs, modules, and data structures, or a subset or superset thereof:operating system316including procedures for handling various basic system services and for performing hardware dependent tasks;network communication module318for connecting client device104to other computing devices (e.g., server system108, external service(s)122, and public account device(s)124) connected to one or more networks110via one or more network interfaces304(wired or wireless);presentation module320for enabling presentation of information (e.g., a user interface for application(s)326, widgets, websites and web pages thereof, and/or games, audio and/or video content, text, etc.) at client device104via one or more output devices312(e.g., displays, speakers, etc.) associated with user interface310;input processing module322for detecting one or more user inputs or interactions from one of the one or more input devices314and interpreting the detected input or interaction;web browser module324for navigating, requesting (e.g., via HTTP), and displaying websites and web pages thereof;one or more applications326for execution by client device104(e.g., games, application marketplaces, payment platforms, and/or other applications);client-side module102, which provides client-side data processing and functionalities for a user account in the social networking platform, including but not limited to:authentication module332for authenticating the user account to access the social networking platform;communication system334for sending messages to and receiving messages from other users in the social networking platform (e.g., instant messaging, group chat, message board, message/news feed, and the like); and(optionally) payment processing336for processing payments associated with transactions initiated within the social networking platform or at a merchant's website within web browser module324; andclient data350storing data for the user account, including, but is not limited to:user profile352storing a user profile associated with the user account in the social networking platform including a user identifier (e.g., an account name or handle), login credentials to the social networking platform, (optionally) payment data (e.g., linked credit card information, app credit or gift card balance, billing address, shipping address, etc.), an IP address or preferred contact information, contacts list, custom parameters for the user account (e.g., age, location, hobbies, etc.), and identified trends and/or likes/dislikes of the user account; anduser data354storing data authored, saved, liked, or chosen as favorites in the social networking platform by the user account.

FIG. 4is a block diagram illustrating a representative public account device124corresponding to an entity with a public account in the social networking platform in accordance with some embodiments. Public account device124, typically, includes one or more processing units (CPUs)402, one or more network interfaces404, memory406, and one or more communication buses408for interconnecting these components (sometimes called a chipset). Public account device124also optionally includes a user interface410. User interface410includes one or more output devices412that enable presentation of media content, including one or more speakers and/or one or more visual displays. User interface410also includes one or more input devices414, including user interface components that facilitate user input such as a keyboard, a mouse, a voice-command input unit or microphone, a touch screen display, a touch-sensitive input pad, a camera, a gesture capturing camera, or other input buttons or controls. Memory406includes high-speed random access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM, or other random access solid state memory devices; and, optionally, includes non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, one or more optical disk storage devices, one or more flash memory devices, or one or more other non-volatile solid state storage devices. Memory406, optionally, includes one or more storage devices remotely located from one or more processing units402. Memory406, or alternatively the non-volatile memory within memory406, includes a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. In some implementations, memory406, or the non-transitory computer readable storage medium of memory406, stores the following programs, modules, and data structures, or a subset or superset thereof:operating system416including procedures for handling various basic system services and for performing hardware dependent tasks;network communication module418for connecting client device104to other computing devices (e.g., client device(s)104, server system108, and external service(s)122) connected to one or more networks110via one or more network interfaces404(wired or wireless);presentation module420for enabling presentation of information (e.g., a user interface for application(s)426, widgets, websites and web pages thereof, and/or games, audio and/or video content, text, etc.) at client device104via one or more output devices412(e.g., displays, speakers, etc.) associated with user interface410;input processing module422for detecting one or more user inputs or interactions from one of the one or more input devices414and interpreting the detected input or interaction;(optionally) web browser module424for navigating, requesting (e.g., via HTTP), and displaying websites and web pages thereof;(optionally) one or more applications426for execution by public account device124(e.g., games, application marketplaces, payment platforms, and/or other applications);client-side module105, which provides client-side data processing and functionalities for a public account in the social networking platform, including but not limited to:authentication module432for authenticating the public account to access the social networking platform;communication system434for sending messages to user accounts in the social networking platform, including but not limited to:broadcasting module436for broadcasting a message to user accounts subscribing to the public account;template request handling module438for sending a template request to server system108and for receiving one or more message templates in response to sending the template request;template creation module440for performing a template creation process and sending a template creation request with a new message template to server system108; andmessage request handling module442for sending a message request to server system108including a corresponding template identifier of a first message template, recipient information, and respective values for one or more information parameters of the first message template; andclient data450storing data for the public account, including, but is not limited to:user profile452storing a user profile associated with the public account in the social networking platform including a user identifier (e.g., an account name or handle), login credentials to the social networking platform, an IP address or preferred contact information, contacts list, custom parameters for the public account (e.g., age, location, hobbies, etc.), and identified trends and/or likes/dislikes of the public account; anduser data454storing data authored, saved, liked, or chosen as favorites in the social networking platform by the public account.

In some embodiments, at least some of the functions of the client-side module105are performed by the server-side module106, and the corresponding sub-modules of these functions may be located within the server-side module106rather than the client-side module105. In some embodiments, at least some of the functions of the server-side module106are performed by the client-side module105, and the corresponding sub-modules of these functions may be located within the client-side module105rather than the server-side module106. Server system108and public account device124shown inFIGS. 2 and 4, respectively, are merely illustrative, and different configurations of the modules for implementing the functions described herein are possible in various embodiments.

FIG. 5Ais block diagram of a message template library114in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, server system108manages and operates a social networking platform. In some embodiments, server system108maintains message template library114with a plurality of entries for approved/audited message templates to be used by public accounts in the social networking platform to send messages to user accounts in the social networking platform.

InFIG. 5A, message template library114includes a plurality of message templates502-A, . . . ,502-N. InFIG. 5A, each message template502is associated with one or more categories504and a template identifier506. For example, a “credit card swiping notification” template502-B is associated with one or more categories504-B including financial services, point-of-sale systems, credit cards, fraud alert, balance alert, and the like. For example, a respective template identifier506is a unique sequence of numbers and/or characters (i.e., a serial number) corresponding to a message template502.

FIG. 5Bis block diagram of public accounts database116in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, server system108manages and operates a social networking platform. In some embodiments, server system108maintains public accounts database116with a plurality of entries for registered public accounts in the social networking platform.

InFIG. 5B, public accounts database116includes a plurality of public account names552-A, . . . ,552-N each associated with an account name or handle for a public account registered in the social networking platform. InFIG. 5B, each public account name552is associated with an entity name554and one or more categories556. For example, the entry in public accounts database116for public account name552-B includes entity name554-B of the enterprise, public figure, or media entity who registered public account name552-B in the social networking platform. Continuing with this example, the entry in public accounts database116for public account name552-B also includes one or more categories556-B input during registration of public account name552-B. For example, during registration of a public account in the social networking platform, an entity selects a public account name and also identifies one or more categories corresponding to its services provided, business, or social networking goals (e.g., financial services for a bank, radio and sports for a sports talk radio channel, or fashion and celebrity for a public figure or socialite).

FIGS. 6A-6Billustrate user interfaces for a template obtaining method in accordance with some embodiments. InFIGS. 6A-6B, the user interfaces are displayed by a client-side module105executed on a public account device124associated with a public account.

FIG. 6Ashows a user interface600for selecting characteristics (i.e., template categories) for a template request. InFIG. 6A, the public account adds a main industry “IT technology-electronic technology”602and a subsidiary industry “financial industry-banking”604into the template request.

FIG. 6Bshows a user interface620for selecting from one or more message templates provided by the server (e.g., server system108,FIGS. 1-2) in response to sending the template request inFIG. 6A. InFIG. 6B, the one or more message templates displayed on user interface620correspond to the characteristics selected by the public account that were included in the template request. InFIG. 6B, the one or more message templates displayed on user interface620include “membership notification,” “membership expiration reminder,” “member recharging notification,” “member consumption notification, and “subscription success notification.” InFIG. 6B, the user interface620also includes affordance624(i.e., “Don't see a template that you want? Create a new template.”), which the user may select to initiate the template creation process. For example, none of the one or more messages templates may be suitable for the public account's messaging purpose and thus the public account creates a new message template.

For example, the public account clicks on or otherwise interacts with a respective message template of the one or more displayed messages templates in order to select the respective message template, Continuing with this example, inFIG. 6B, when the user intends to select the “membership notification” message template, the user check box622corresponding to the “membership notification” message template.

FIG. 6Cillustrates a user interface of a message from a public account a message from a public account in accordance with some embodiments. InFIG. 6C, a user interface650is displayed by a client-side module102executed on a client device104associated with a user account.

InFIG. 6C, a message652is displayed on user interface650. InFIG. 6C, message652is a goods purchasing notification from public account652that includes the goods purchases, the unit price, quantity of goods purchases, the total purchase price, the source shop for the purchase, and a recommendation grade for the goods.

FIG. 7Aillustrate a flowchart diagram of a method700of obtaining a message template in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, method700is performed by a device with one or more processors and memory that is associated with a public account. For example, in some embodiments, method700is performed by a public account device124(FIGS. 1 and 4) or a component thereof (e.g., communications module434,FIG. 4). In some embodiments, method700is governed by instructions that are stored in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium and the instructions are executed by one or more processors of the device.

In some embodiments, data processing for a social networking platform is implemented in client-server environment100(FIG. 1) with a server system108, one or more client device104, and one or more public account devices124. In some embodiments, server system108(FIGS. 1-2) manages and operates a social networking platform. For example, the social networking platform is an IM (Instant Messenger) application, an SNS (Social Networking Services) application, or the like, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, client-side module102(FIGS. 1 and 3) is associated with a user account in the social networking platform that corresponds to a user of client device104(FIGS. 1 and 3). In some embodiments, client-side module105(FIGS. 1 and 4) is associated with a public account in the social networking platform that corresponds to an entity operating public account device124(FIGS. 1 and 4).

In general, there are many same or similar message templates that need to be audited by a server (i.e., server system108(FIGS. 1-2). For example, a “credit card swiping notification” template is essentially the same as a “credit card transaction notification” template submitted by a public account associated with a bank to be audited. Therefore, the present disclosure provides a mechanism for creating a template library by using audited message templates, for use by a public account. In one aspect, the public account device does not need to repeatedly create a template similar to an existing template, and, in another aspect, the server does not need to consume a great number of resources to audit similar templates.

The public account obtains (702) one or more message templates from a server. In some embodiments, a message template is used by the public account to send a message to one or more user accounts in the social networking platform. For example, the one or more message templates include a “credit card swiping notification” template or a “transaction success notification” template.

The public account receives (704) a selection signal acting on the at least one of the one or more message templates. For example, the public account selects at least one of the one or more message templates obtained from the server to use to send a message to one or more user accounts in the social networking platform.

The public account sends (706) an identifier request used to obtain a template identifier for the selected message template from the server.

The public account receives (708) a template identifier from the server in response to the identifier request. In some embodiments, the template identifier is used to invoke the server to send a message based on the corresponding message template. For example, after receiving the template identifier, the public account stores the template identifier. Continuing with this example, at a time subsequent to the storing, the public account sends a message request to the server with the template identifier, one or more information parameters, and recipient information. In this example, in response to receiving the message request, the server generates a message based on the message template corresponding to the template identifier and the one or more information parameters and sends the generated message to one or more user accounts in the social networking platform that correspond to the recipient information.

To sum up, according to method700, a public account obtains one or more message templates from a server and obtains a template identifier from the server for a selected message template of the one or more message templates from the server. As such, the server does not need to consume resources to audit messages templates submitted by public account. Also, the public account is able to select a message template without creating and registering the message template itself.

It should be understood that the particular order in which the operations inFIG. 7Ahave been described is merely exemplary and is not intended to indicate that the described order is the only order in which the operations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize various ways to reorder the operations described herein. Additionally, it should be noted that details of other processes described herein with respect to other methods described herein (e.g., methods750and800) are also applicable in an analogous manner to method700described above with respect toFIG. 7A.

FIG. 7Billustrate a flowchart diagram of a method750of providing a message template in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, method750is performed by a server with one or more processors and memory that manages and operations a social networking platform. For example, in some embodiments, method750is performed by a server system108(FIGS. 1-2) or a component thereof (e.g., communications module224,FIG. 2). In some embodiments, method750is governed by instructions that are stored in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium and the instructions are executed by one or more processors of the server.

In some embodiments, data processing for a social networking platform is implemented in client-server environment100(FIG. 1) with a server system108, one or more client device104, and one or more public account devices124. In some embodiments, server system108(FIGS. 1-2) manages and operates a social networking platform. For example, the social networking platform is an IM (Instant Messenger) application, an SNS (Social Networking Services) application, or the like, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, client-side module102(FIGS. 1 and 3) is associated with a user account in the social networking platform that corresponds to a user of client device104(FIGS. 1 and 3). In some embodiments, client-side module105(FIGS. 1 and 4) is associated with a public account in the social networking platform that corresponds to an entity operating public account device124(FIGS. 1 and 4).

The server provides (752) one or more message templates to a public account. In some embodiments, a message template is used by the public account to send a message to one or more user accounts in the social networking platform. For example, the one or more message templates include a “credit card swiping notification” template or a “transaction success notification” template.

The server receives (754) an identifier request sent by the public account. In some embodiments, the identifier request is a request sent by the public account to the server after the public account selects at least one of the one or more message templates so as to obtain a template identifier for the at least one selected template.

In response to the identifier request, the server provides (752) a template identifier to the public account. In some embodiments, the template identifier is used to invoke the server to send a message based on the corresponding message template.

To sum up, according to method750, a public account obtains one or more message templates from a server and obtains a template identifier from the server for a selected message template of the one or more message templates from the server. As such, the server does not need to consume resources to audit messages templates submitted by public account. Also, the public account is able to select a message template without creating and registering the message template itself.

It should be understood that the particular order in which the operations inFIG. 7Bhave been described is merely exemplary and is not intended to indicate that the described order is the only order in which the operations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize various ways to reorder the operations described herein. Additionally, it should be noted that details of other processes described herein with respect to other methods described herein (e.g., methods700and800) are also applicable in an analogous manner to method750described above with respect toFIG. 7B.

FIGS. 8A-8Billustrate a flow diagram of a process800for obtaining a message template in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, method800is performed at least in part by a server with one or more processors and memory that manages and operations a social networking platform and at least in part by a device with one or more processors and memory that is associated with a public account. For example, in some embodiments, method800is performed at least in part by a server system108(FIGS. 1-2) or a component thereof (e.g., communications module224,FIG. 2) and at least in part by a public account device124(FIGS. 1 and 4) or a component thereof (e.g., communications module434,FIG. 4).

In some embodiments, data processing for a social networking platform is implemented in client-server environment100(FIG. 1) with a server system108, one or more client device104, and one or more public account devices124. In some embodiments, server system108(FIGS. 1-2) manages and operates a social networking platform. For example, the social networking platform is an IM (Instant Messenger) application, an SNS (Social Networking Services) application, or the like, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, client-side module102(FIGS. 1 and 3) is associated with a user account in the social networking platform that corresponds to a user of client device104(FIGS. 1 and 3). In some embodiments, client-side module105(FIGS. 1 and 4) is associated with a public account in the social networking platform that corresponds to an entity operating public account device124(FIGS. 1 and 4).

The public account sends (802) a template request to the server, where the template application request includes categorical information. In some embodiments, the public account is related to one or more industries. For example, the public account is associated with a bank which is related to financial services, mortgages, loans, currency exchange, and the like. In some embodiments, the categorical information identifies at least industry related to the public account. In another example, the public account is associated with an electronics enterprise. Continuing with this example, when generating the template request, the public account adds a main industry “IT technology-electronic technology”602and a subsidiary industry “financial industry-banking”604into the template request, as shown inFIG. 6A.

After receiving the template request, the server searches (804) a message template library so as to identify one or more message templates corresponding to the categorical information. For example, the message template library (e.g., message template library114,FIGS. 1-2 and 5A) includes previously approved/audited message templates classified according to category (i.e., industry). For example, if the categorical information indicates “IT technology-electronic technology” for the public account, the server searches the message template library for all message templates that are associated with “IT technology” and/or “electronic technology.” In another example, if the categorical information indicates “financial industry-banking,” the server searches the message template library for all message templates that are associated with “financial industry” and/or “banking.”

The server provides (806) the one or more identified message templates corresponding to the categorical information to the public account. For example, if the categorical information includes “recreational and sports entertainment/culture/media” and the server finds five message templates: “membership notification,” “membership expiration reminder,” “member recharging notification,” “member consumption notification,” and “subscription success notification” matching the categorical information, the server provides these five messages templates to the public account.

The public account receives (808) the one or more message templates from the server. In some embodiments, after receiving the one or more message templates, the public account displays the one or more message templates corresponding to categorical information in the template request. InFIG. 6B, for example, the one or more message templates received by the public account, including “membership notification,” “membership expiration reminder,” “member recharging notification,” “member consumption notification, and “subscription success notification,” are displayed.

The public account receives (810) a selection signal acting on at least one of the one or more message templates. In some embodiments, the public account receives a selection signal triggered by a user associated with the public account. For example, the user clicks on or otherwise interacts with at least one of the one or more displayed messages templates. InFIG. 6B, for example, when the user intends to select the “membership notification” message template, the user check box622corresponding to the “membership notification” message template.

The public account sends (812) an identifier request used to obtain a template identifier for the selected message template from the server. After the at least one message template is selected, the public account sends the identifier request used to the server in order to obtain a template identifier corresponding to the selected template.

In response to the identifier request, the server provides (814) a template identifier to the public account. In some embodiments, the template identifier is used to invoke the server to send a message based on the corresponding message template.

At this point, after obtaining the template identifier, the public account can use the message template corresponding to the template identifier to send a message to one or more user accounts in the social networking platform.

The public account detects (816) a user input to initiate a template creation process when none of the one or more messages templates are selected. For example, after the public account displays the one or more message templates provided by the server in operation806, none of the one or more messages templates may be suitable for the public account's messaging purpose. In this case, the public account may create a message template by triggering a template creation process, and the public account detects a user input to initiate the template creation process triggered by the public account. InFIG. 6B, for example, user interface620includes affordance624(i.e., “Don't see a template that you want? Create a new template.”), which the public account may select to initiate the template creation process.

The public account creates (818) a new message template according to the template creation process. In some embodiments, inputs for the template creation process may be made using a peripheral such as a mouse, a keyboard, or a touch screen.

In this example, the “goods,” “unit price,” “quantity,” “total,” “source shop,” and “recommendation grade” are fixed fields to be filled in with information parameters. That is, the fixed content will not change in all template messages that are generated according to the template. However, in this example, “Goods.DATA,” “Unit_price,DATA,” “Quantity.DATA,” “Total.DATA,” “Source.Shop.DATA,” and “Source.Recommend.DATA” are information parameters corresponding to the fixed fields which are filled in with particular values be generated in real time when the template message is generated.

The public account sends (820) a template creation request to the server so as to register the new message template.

After receiving the template creation request, the server determines (822) whether the new message template satisfies predefined template registration criteria. In some embodiments, the predefined template registration criteria are determined by the server (i.e., the provider in the social networking platform such as an instant messaging service). For example, the predefined template registration criteria include a format limit for templates, a quantity limit of parameter content for templates, a total length limit for templates, a limit of content that cannot appear in the template, an access limit in the template, and the like.

In accordance with a determination that the new message template satisfies the predefined template registration criteria, the server generates (824) a template identifier for the new message template and provides the template identifier to the public account. In some embodiments, the template identifier is used to invoke the server to send a message based on the corresponding message template. At the same time, the server performs creates an entry in a message template library (e.g., message template library114,FIGS. 1-2 and 5A) that associates the template and the template identifier. Moreover, the server further associates the entry, including the template and the template identifier, with one or more categories (e.g., according to the categorical information provided by the public account).

In accordance with a determination that the new message template does not satisfy the predefined template registration criteria, the server sends a registration failure notification to the public account.

After receiving the template identifier and detecting a user input to invoke the new message template using template identifier in order to send a message using the new message template, the public account generates and sends (826) a message request to the server including the template identifier of the template, the target account (i.e., one or more recipient user accounts), and the one or more information parameters.

For example, when the public account intends to use a message template in order to send a message using the message template, the public account extracts from personal information data corresponding to the target user account, at least one parameter needed to fill the message template. In view of the requirements of different templates, the information parameters may include at least one of an event time, an event address, an event name, an event type, event content, a link, a message parameter, and the like.

That is, a value of the information parameter “Goods” is “Apple,” a value of the information parameter “Unit_price” is “RMB 20.13,” a value of the information parameter “Quantity is “5,” a value of the information parameter “Total” is “RMB 100.65,” a value of the information parameter “Source.Shop” is “Jas diaosi shop,” and a value of the information parameter “Source.Recommend” is “5 stars.”

After receiving the message request, the server generates (828) a message according to the template identifier and the one or more information parameters. After receiving the sending request of the public account, the server searches the message template library according to identify a message template corresponding to the template identifier. In some embodiments, the message template is a message template selected by the public account from among the one or more message template provided by the server in operation806or the new message template registered by the server in operation822. For example, the public account can invoke a message template as long as the public account has the template identifier corresponding to the message template. In some embodiments, the server fills the message template with the one or more information parameters included in the message request to generate the message.

The server sends (830) the generated message to the target account. In some embodiments, the server forwards the generated message to a user account corresponding to the target account included in the message request.

The “goods purchasing notification” template is used as an example, and the message generated by the server is as follows:Goods: AppleUnit price: RMB 20.13Quantity: 5Total: RMB 100.65Source shop: Jas diaosi shopRecommendation grade: 5 stars

InFIG. 6C, for example, the message corresponding to the “goods purchasing notification” template is displayed by the user account corresponding to the target account.

To sum up, according to method800, a public account obtains one or more message templates from a server and obtains a template identifier from the server for a selected message template of the one or more message templates from the server. As such, the server does not need to consume resources to audit messages templates submitted by public account. Also, the public account is able to select a message template without creating and registering the message template itself.

According to the template obtaining method provided by this embodiment, a message template library is further provided by using the categorical information selected by the public account. In different industries, templates with a same function may be registered, for example, a “transaction success reminder” template is provided by both the electronic retailing industry and the conventional offline retailing industry. Although the templates submitted by the two have a similar function, actual information parameters for the templates vary greatly; therefore, if the message template library is provided by using a function as a category, it is difficult to meet a requirement of all industries; as a result, the audit resources of the server are still wasted to a great extent. However, when the message template library is constructed by using the industry information as a category, functions and specific parameter content of templates needed by industries of a same type are very similar; therefore, a message template provided to the public account according to the industry information has very high repeating utilization, and the audit resources of the server are effectively saved.

It should be understood that the particular order in which the operations inFIGS. 8A-8Bhave been described is merely exemplary and is not intended to indicate that the described order is the only order in which the operations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize various ways to reorder the operations described herein. Additionally, it should be noted that details of other processes described herein with respect to other methods described herein (e.g., methods700and750) are also applicable in an analogous manner to method800described above with respect toFIGS. 8A-8B.

FIGS. 9A-9Dillustrate a flowchart diagram of a method900of controlling message dissemination from public accounts to user accounts in a social networking platform in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, method900is performed by a server with one or more processors and memory. For example, in some embodiments, method900is performed by a server system108(FIGS. 1-2) or a component thereof (e.g., communications module224,FIG. 2). In some embodiments, method900is governed by instructions that are stored in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium and the instructions are executed by one or more processors of the server. Optional operations are indicated by dashed lines (e.g., boxes with dashed-line borders).

In some embodiments, data processing for a social networking platform is implemented in client-server environment100(FIG. 1) with a server system108, one or more client device104, and one or more public account devices124. In some embodiments, server system108(FIGS. 1-2) manages and operates a social networking platform. For example, the social networking platform is an IM (Instant Messenger) application, an SNS (Social Networking Services) application, or the like, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, client-side module102(FIGS. 1 and 3) is associated with a user account (sometimes also herein called a “common account”) in the social networking platform that corresponds to a user of client device104(FIGS. 1 and 3). In some embodiments, client-side module105(FIGS. 1 and 4) is associated with a public account in the social networking platform that corresponds to an entity operating public account device124(FIGS. 1 and 4).

The server receives (902) a template request from a public account in the social networking platform for a message template. In some embodiments, server system108or a component thereof (e.g., template request handling module228,FIG. 2) receives a template request from a public account in the social networking platform. In some embodiments, the template request includes a characteristic (i.e., one or more template categories).

The server determines (904) one or more categories corresponding to the template request based on at least one of a characteristic of the public account or a characteristic specified in the template request. In some embodiments, server system108or a component thereof (e.g., category determining module230,FIG. 2) determines one of more categories corresponding to the template request from the public account based on a characteristic of the public account and/or a characteristic specified in the template request. In some embodiments, the characteristic of the public account includes one or more categories or industries selected during registration of the public account that are related to the public account's business or provided service(s). For example, during registration, the public account is associated with financial services, mortgages, loans, currency exchange, and the like. In some embodiments, the template request specifies a characteristic (i.e., one or more template categories). In another example, the template request includes an indication for a fashion related template.

In some embodiments, the characteristic of the public account includes (906) one or more registered business categories of the public account, and the server determines the one or more categories corresponding to the template request based on at least one of a characteristic of the public account or a characteristic specified in the template request by determining the one or more categories corresponding to the template request based on the one or more registered business categories of the public account. In some embodiments, during registration of a respective public account, server system108or a component thereof creates an entry in public accounts database116(FIGS. 1-2 and 5B) for the respective public account including one or more registered business categories (i.e., industries or categories) for the respective public account. In some embodiments, in response to receiving a template request from a respective public account, server system108or a component thereof (e.g., category determining module230,FIG. 2) determines one of more categories corresponding to the template request by searching for an entry in public accounts database116that corresponds to the respective public account that sent the template request and identifying the one or more registered business categories corresponding to the respective public account in the entry.

In some embodiments, the characteristic specified in the template request includes (908) one or more template categories, and the server determines one or more categories corresponding to the template request based on at least one of a characteristic of the public account or a characteristic specified in the template request by determining the one or more categories corresponding to the template request based on the one or more template categories specified in the template request. In some embodiments, in response to receiving a template request from a respective public account, server system108or a component thereof (e.g., category determining module230,FIG. 2) determines one of more categories corresponding to the template request according to the one or more template categories specified in the template request.

The server identifies (910) one or more message templates according to the one or more determined categories from a message template library of approved message templates. In some embodiments, server system108maintains a message template library114that stores approved message templates and corresponding categories. In some embodiments, server system108or a component thereof (e.g., template identifying module236,FIG. 2) identifies one or more message templates from message template library114with corresponding categories that match the one or more categories determined by category determining module230in one of operations904-908.

The server sends (912) the one or more identified message templates with corresponding template identifiers to the public account. After template identifying module236identifies one or more message templates, server system108or a component thereof (e.g., template sending module238,FIG. 2) sends the one or more identified message templates to the public account.

In some embodiments, the characteristic specified in the template request includes (914) one or more template categories, and, in accordance with a determination that the one or more template categories specified in the template request do not match any template categories in a set of approved template categories corresponding to a first business category under which the public account is registered, the server prompts the public account to initiate a message template creation process. In some embodiments, server system108or a component thereof (e.g., category matching module232,FIG. 2) determines whether a characteristic specified in the template request (i.e., one or more template categories) matches any template categories in a set of approved template categories corresponding to a first business category under which the public account is registered. If category matching module232determines that the one or more template categories specified in the template request do not match any template categories in a set of approved template categories corresponding to a first business category under which the public account is registered, server system108or a component thereof (e.g., prompting module234,FIG. 2) prompts the public account to initiate a message template creation process. For example, during registration, the public account is associated with financial services. In this example, the financial services category is associated with a set of frequently used and closely related characteristics such as mortgages, banking, securities, and the like. However, continuing with this example, the template request includes an indication for a fashion related template, which is unrelated to the set of characteristics corresponding to the financial services category. Continuing with this example, in response, server system108discards the templates request and prompts the public account to initiate the template creation process. As such, the server system108avoids sending messages to user accounts following the public account that are far afield from the categories associated with a public account during registration.

In some embodiments, after prompting the public account to initiate the message template creation process, the server receives (916) a new message template from the public account, and, after receiving the new message template, the server: determines a respective template category for the new message template; determining a second business category corresponding to the respective template category of the new message template, where the second business category is different from the first business category; and determines whether to add the new message template to the new message template library and to associate the respective template category of the new message template with the first business category, based on a count of shared message templates between the second business category and the first business category. In some embodiments, in response to sending the prompt to the public account in operation914, server system108or a component thereof (e.g., template creation handling module240,FIG. 2) receives a new message template from the public account in the social networking platform. In some embodiments, after receiving the new message template, server system108or a component thereof (e.g., template adding module244,FIG. 2) determines a second business category corresponding to the respective template category of the new message. In some embodiments, template adding module244also determines whether to add the new message template to message template library114and to associate the respective template category of the new message template with a first business category corresponding to the public account, based on a count of shared message templates between the second business category and the first business category. In some embodiments, template adding module244also takes into account a number of votes for the shared message templates before making the association. For example, user accounts in the social networking platform vote on the relatedness of messages via a feedback mechanism. See operation934for further discussion of the feedback mechanism.

In some embodiments, after sending the one or more identified message templates to the public account, the server receives (918) a template creation request from the public account. In some embodiments, the template creation request includes a new message template different from the one or more identified message templates. In some embodiments, after receiving the template creation request, the server approves the new message template based on predetermined criteria and, after approving the new message template, sends a corresponding template identifier to the public account for the approved new message template. In some embodiments, after sending the one or more identified message templates to the public account in operation912, system108or a component thereof (e.g., template creation handling module240,FIG. 2) receives a template creation request from the public account in the social networking platform with a new message template. For example, the public account does not select any of the one or more message templates received from server system108as they are not suitable to the public account's messaging goals or intentions. After receiving the template creation request, system108or a component thereof (e.g., approving module242,FIG. 2) determines whether to approve the new message template based on one or more predetermined registration criteria. For example, the one or more predetermined registration criteria include template formatting specifications, template input specifications, and template content specifications that the new message template must satisfy in order to be approved, in this example, server system108(i.e., the operator and manager of the social networking platform) determines the one or more predetermined registration criteria in advance so as to protect user accounts from harassing messages from public accounts. After approving the new message template, system108or a component thereof generates a template identifier for the new message template, stores the new message template in message template library114(FIGS. 1-2 and 5A), and sends the generated template identifier for the new message template to the public account. As such, the public account can invoke the template identifier for the new message template at a time in the future to send a message to one or more user accounts in the social networking platform using the new message template.

After sending the one or more identified message template s to the public account, the server receives (920) a message request from the public account, the message request including a corresponding template identifier of a first message template, recipient information, and respective values for one or more information parameters of the first message template. In some embodiments, server system108or a component thereof (e.g., message request handling module246,FIG. 2) receives a message request from a public account in the social networking platform. In some embodiments, the message request includes a corresponding template identifier of a first message template, recipient information, and respective values for one or more information parameters of the first message template.

In some embodiments, operations910-912occur well before the message request is sent to server system108. However, once the public account knows the template identifier, it can send a message request at any time using the template identifier, and values for the information parameters in the corresponding message template. In some embodiments, the “information parameters” refer to values used to fill in the variables or fields in the message template. In some embodiments, the first message template is one of the one or more message identified message templates in operation910. In some embodiments, the first message template is the new message template in operations916or918that was created by the public account.

In some embodiments, the public account is able to broadcast messages to subscribers/followers of the public account in the social networking platform without sending a message request to server system108. However, in some embodiments, when the public account intends to send a targeted message to a select group of one or more user accounts in the social networking platform, the public account is required to send a message request to server system108with a corresponding template identifier for the targeted message.

In some embodiments, the first message template is (922) one of the one or more message templates identified in accordance with the one or more determined categories. In some embodiments, the first message template is one of the one or more message identified message templates in operation910.

In some embodiments, the first message template is (924) the approved new message template, and where template creation request includes one or more template parameters. In some embodiments, the first message template is the new message template in operations916or918that was created by the public account. For example, if the public account does not select one of the one or more message identified message templates in operation910, the public account automatically initiates a message template creation process to create a new message template or server system108prompts the public account to initiate the message template creation process to create a new message template.

In some embodiments, the first message template is (926) a new message template created based on a modification to at least one of the one or more message template identified according to the one or more determined categories, and the server determines whether to add to the new message template to the message template library based on the modification to the at least one message template. For example, the public account does not select one of the one or more message identified message templates in operation910and, instead, modifies a respective message template of the one of the one or more message identified message templates. In some embodiments, server system108or a component thereof (e.g., template adding module244,FIG. 2) determines whether to add to the new message template to message template library114based on the modification to one of the one or more message templates previously identified by template identifying module236. In some embodiments, sever system108also identifies a previous person or group that reviewed/approved the respective message template, and sends the modification to the respective template to the previous group or person that reviewed/approved the respective message template for approval so as to save auditing time.

In some embodiments, prior to determining whether to add the new message template to the message template library, the server identifies (928) differences between the respective message template and the new message template and sends the new message template for approval with the identified differences highlighted to an approving entity corresponding to the respective message template. In some embodiments, server system108identifies the differences between the respective message template and the modified new message template further reduces auditing time.

In some embodiments, the server determines (930) whether the first message template is one of the one or more message templates identified in accordance with the one or more determined categories, where generation of the message based on the message request and the first message template is in accordance with a determination that the first message template is one of the one or more message templates identified in accordance with the one of the one or more determined categories. In some embodiments, after receiving the message request, server system108determines whether the first message template is one of the one of the one or more message templates identified in accordance with the one of the one or more determined categories in operation910. In accordance with a determination that the first message template is not one of the one or more identified message templates, server system108rejects the message request. In other words, if the public account tries to use a template identifier that does not belong to its business category, the message will not be generated. For example, if the “banking” business category is associated with five message templates, and a public account associated with a bank sends a template request to server system108, server system108provides the five message templates to the public account. Continuing with this example, if the public account sends a message request with a template identifier corresponding to a message template that is not one of the five message templates associated with the “banking” category, server system108rejects the message request.

The server generates (932) a message based on the message request and the first message template. In some embodiments, server system108or a component thereof (e.g., message generating module248,FIG. 2) generates a message based on the first message template corresponding to the template identifier in the message request and the respective values included in the message request for one or more information parameters of the first message template.

In some embodiments, the generated message includes (934) a feedback mechanism for the user account to provide feedback for the generated message. In some embodiments, the message generated by message generating module248in operation932includes a feedback mechanism. For example, the feedback mechanism is used to provide statistics to public accounts and also to remove irrelevant or harassing message templates from message template library114(FIGS. 1-2 and 5A).

The server sends (936) the generated message to a user account in the social networking platform that corresponds to the recipient information. After generating the message, in some embodiments, server system108or a component thereof (e.g., message sending module250,FIG. 2) sends the generated message to one or more user accounts in the social networking platform according to the recipient information included in the message request.

It should be understood that the particular order in which the operations inFIGS. 9A-9Dhave been described is merely exemplary and is not intended to indicate that the described order is the only order in which the operations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize various ways to reorder the operations described herein. Additionally, it should be noted that details of other processes described herein with respect to other methods described herein (e.g., methods750and800) are also applicable in an analogous manner to method900described above with respect toFIGS. 9A-9D.

FIG. 10Ais a block diagram of a template obtaining apparatus according in accordance with some embodiments. For example, the template obtaining apparatus corresponds to communications module434(FIG. 4) of a public account device124(FIGS. 1 and 4). In some embodiments, the template providing apparatus may be implemented in whole or in part on a device (e.g., public account device124,FIGS. 1 and 4) through software, hardware, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the template obtaining apparatus includes template obtaining module1002, template selection module1004, identifier request module1006, and identifier receiving module1008.

In some embodiments, template obtaining module1002is configured to obtain one or more message templates from a server (e.g., server system108,FIGS. 1-2).

In some embodiments, template obtaining module1002includes: a request sending unit and a template receiving unit (not shown inFIG. 10A). In some embodiments, the request sending unit is configured to send a template request to the server, where the template application request includes categorical information. In some embodiments, the template receiving unit is configured to receive one or more message templates provided by the server that correspond to the categorical information.

In some embodiments, template selection module1004is configured to receive a selection signal acting on the at least one of the one or more message templates.

In some embodiments, identifier request module1006is configured to send an identifier request used to obtain a template identifier for the selected message template from the server.

In some embodiments, identifier receiving module1008is configured to receive a template identifier from the server in response to the identifier request. In some embodiments, the template identifier is used to invoke the server to send a message based on the corresponding message template.

In some embodiments, the template obtaining apparatus also includes operation receiving module1010, template creating module1012, template registration module1014, and message sending module1016.

In some embodiments, operation receiving module1010is configured to detect a user input to initiate a template creation process when none of the one or more messages templates are selected.

In some embodiments, template creating module1012is configured to create a new message template according to the template creation process.

In some embodiments, template registration module1014is configured to send a template creation request to the server so as to register the new message template.

In some embodiments, message sending module1016is configured to generate and send a message request to the server including the template identifier of the message template, the target account (i.e., one or more recipient user accounts), and the one or more information parameters.

It should be noted that, the template obtaining apparatus provided by the foregoing embodiment is an example of the division of the foregoing functions, and, in an actual application, the foregoing functions may be accomplished by different functional modules as required. That is, the structure of the template obtaining apparatus is divided into different functional modules, so as to accomplish all or a part of the functions in the foregoing description. In addition, the template obtaining apparatus provided by the foregoing embodiment belongs to a same concept as the embodiment of the template obtaining method, and for the specific implementation process, reference may be made to methods700and800, which is not described herein again.

FIG. 10Bis a block diagram of a template providing apparatus in accordance with some embodiments. For example, the template providing apparatus corresponds to communications module224(FIG. 2) of a server system108(FIGS. 1-2). In some embodiments, the template providing apparatus may be implemented in whole or in part on a server (e.g., server system108,FIGS. 1-2) through software, hardware, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the template providing apparatus includes template providing module1052, request receiving module1054, and identifier feedback module1056.

In some embodiments, template providing module1052is configured to provide one or more message templates to a public account. For example, template providing module1052provides the one or more message templates to the public account in response to a template request from the public account.

In some embodiments, template providing module1052includes: a request receiving unit, a template query unit, and a template feedback unit (not shown inFIG. 10B).

In some embodiments, request receiving unit is configured to receive a template request sent by the public client, where the template request includes categorical information. In some embodiments, the template query unit is configured to search a message template library for one or more message templates corresponding to the categorical information. In some embodiments, the template feedback unit is configured to provide the one or more identified message templates corresponding to the categorical information to the public account.

In some embodiments, request receiving module1054is configured to receive an identifier request sent by the public account.

In some embodiments, identifier feedback module1056is configured to provide a template identifier to the public account in response to receiving the identifier request. In some embodiments, the template identifier is used to invoke the server to send a message based on the corresponding message template.

In some embodiments, the template providing apparatus also includes registration receiving module1058, template determination module1060, message module1062, and message sending module1064.

In some embodiments, registration receiving module1058is configured to receive a template creation request to register a new message template created by the public account.

In some embodiments, template determination module1060is configured to determine whether the new message template satisfies predefined template registration criteria. In some embodiments, identifier feedback module1056is configured to generate a template identifier for the new message template and provide the template identifier to the public account in accordance with a determination by template determination module1060that the new message template satisfies the predefined template registration criteria.

In some embodiments, message generating module1062is configured to generate a message according to the template identifier and the one or more information parameters after receiving a message request from the public account with a template identifier for a message template, a target account (i.e., one or more recipient user accounts), and one or more information parameters.

In some embodiments, message sending module1064is configured to send the generated message to the target account.

It should be noted that, the template providing apparatus provided by the foregoing embodiment is an example of the division of the foregoing functions, and, in an actual application, the foregoing functions may be accomplished by different functional modules as required. That is, the structure of the template providing apparatus is divided into different functional modules, so as to accomplish all or a part of the functions in the foregoing description. In addition, the template providing apparatus provided by the foregoing embodiment belongs to a same concept as the embodiment of the template obtaining method, and for the specific implementation process, reference may be made to methods750and800, which is not described herein again.