Patent ID: 12206638

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiment 1

The present invention provides a time and location based message management method for application in a network system.FIG.1discloses a schematic view of a network system architecture in which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in the figure, the network system10includes at least one electronic device100and a message server110. The electronic device100can access the message server110through the Internet. Firstly, an electronic device is used to obtain a user account number, a location data and a time data.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in the figure, the message server110comprises a map database112, a user database114, and a message database116. The map database112stores map data of a plurality of areas. The user database114stores data about the users, including a list of names, avatars and related users. Related users include but are not limited to friends, relatives, colleagues, or classmates of a specific user. The user database114also stores the names and avatars of the related users. The message database116stores a plurality of data, each data including such information as sender, sending time and sending location, wherein, the sender data in the message database116corresponds to the user data stored in the user database114. It is to be noted that, the message server110can include a processor (not shown in the figure) and a network access interface (not shown in the figure), to control the operation of the message server110, and to access the Internet.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in the figure, the electronic device100at least includes a display102, a memory104and a processor106. The display102can display the relevant information, such as a screen page. The memory104can be used to store an application software program, wherein, the application software program can include a message announcement program. The processor106can be electrically connected to the display102and the memory104respectively, to control the operation of the display102and the memory104and to execute the application software program. In some embodiments, the electronic device130can further include a network access unit (not shown in the figure), to provide network connection for the electronic device100to access the Internet. It is to be noted that, in some embodiments, the electronic device130can be a personal computer, a tablet computer, a smart phone or a smart bracelet etc. The present invention does not have limitation on the type of the electronic device, nor does it have limitation on the software or hardware installed in the electronic device.

FIG.2discloses a flow chart of the time and location based message management method according to the embodiment of the present invention. Firstly, as indicated in Step S410, an electronic device is used to obtain a user account number, a location data and a time data. In some embodiments, the electronic device can install and execute an application software program. The application software program can record the user account number. The application software program includes a message announcement program. It is to be noted that, in some embodiments, the location data is obtained through the GPS of the electronic device. The time data can be obtained through the operating system or application software program of the electronic device. As indicated in Step S420, the electronic device is used to send the user account number, the location data and the time data to the message server. Then, as indicated in Step S430, based on the location data, a map data is obtained from the map database of the message server, and an area range of the map data is displayed on the screen of the electronic device. After that, as indicated in Step S440, on the screen page of the display, using the user account number, the time data and the area range as the screening conditions, a name of the related user and an avatar of the related user are obtained from the user database of the message server, and a data of the related user is obtained from the message database of the message server. In some embodiments, the screen page can include a timeline to select the time data. Based on the selected time data, the messages whose sending time falls within the range of the time data can be obtained from the message database. Then, as indicated in Step S450, based on the sending location of the messages, the names, avatars and messages of the related users can be collectively displayed on the screen page of the display.

Embodiment 2

FIG.3discloses a flow chart of the time and location based message management method according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the user can access the message pages of the related users. Firstly, as indicated in Step S510, on the screen page of the display, the messages of the related user are selected, and a confirmation command is sent through the electronic device. As indicated in Step S520, the message server receives a confirmation command, to connect the screen page to a message page of the related user and obtain all messages of the related user, and the messages are displayed on the message page through the display of the electronic device. Then, as indicated in Step S530, it is judged if an operating command to shift the page is received. It is to be noted that, in some embodiments, the page shifting operating command can include left and right swiping and/or clicking on the preset buttons. If the message server does not receive the page shifting operating command from the electronic device (“No” in Step S530), go back to Step S520. When the message server receives the page shifting operating command from the electronic device (“Yes” in Step S530), as indicated in Step S540, the screen changes to the message page of another related user. All messages of this related user are obtained and displayed on the screen of the electronic device.

FIG.4AtoFIG.4Cdisclose an example of the time and location based message management method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Based on the location data of the electronic device, a map data can be obtained from the map database of the message server, and displayed on the screen of the electronic device, as shown in the screen page810inFIG.4A. Specifically, the screen page can include a timeline812. Through the timeline812, the user can select the time data. Messages and avatars (814,816) of all related users within the area range meeting the selected time data will be collectively displayed. When the user selects a specific message (such as message816), the screen page820can display all information of the user related to the selected message816, as shown inFIG.4B. It is to be noted that, the screen page820includes a page shifting operating button (822,824). When the user clicks the page shifting operating button, the screen page will shift to all information of another related user, as shown in the screen page830inFIG.4C.

FIG.5discloses the flow chart of the method to send future messages according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the user can edit a future message to a specific user, to be sent only when the specific user is at a specific location. Firstly, as indicated in Step S610, through the electronic device, a designated message is edited and sent to the message database. Specifically, the designated message includes a designated user and a designated location to receive the message. In some embodiments, when the message database of the message server receives the designated message, it can send a notifier to the designated user as a reminder. As indicated in Step S620, it is judged if the designated receiving user is at the designated location. When the designated receiving user is not at the designated location (“No” in Step S620), continue the judgement in Step S620. When the designated receiving user is at the designated receiving location (“Yes” in Step S620), as indicated in Step S630, the message database sends the designated message to the designated receiving user. It is to be noted that, the message server will receive the location data sent by the related user via the electronic device, and will compare it with the designated receiving location, to judge if the designated receiving user is at the designated location.

FIG.6discloses the flow chart of the method to send an event invitation according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the user can send an invitation to the related user through a message. As indicated in Step S710, through the electronic device, the user can create and send an event invitation to the message database. Specifically, the event invitation at least includes an event location. Then, as indicated in Step S720, the message database of the message server will send the event invitation to a related user. It is to be noted that, in some embodiments, only when the related user is at the location of the event will the message server send the event invitation to the related user. The method to judge if the related user is at the location of event is as disclosed above and is not repeated here.

Embodiment 3

FIG.7discloses an example of sending a future message according to the embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, through the electronic device, the user can edit and send a designated message to the message database. When the message database of the message server receives the designated message, it can send a notifier to the designated receiving user as a reminder, as shown in the screen page910inFIG.7. Specifically, the designated message912includes a designated receiving user and a designated receiving location. When the designated receiving user is at the designated receiving location, the message database will send the designated message to the designated receiving user.

Embodiment 4

FIG.8AtoFIG.8Bdisclose an example to send the event invitation according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, through the electronic device, the user can create and send the event invitation to the message database. Specifically, the event invitation at least includes an event location. When the message database of the message server receives the event invitation, it can send a notifier to the related user as a reminder, as shown in the screen page1010inFIG.8A. The screen page1010can include related information1012of the event. When the user clicks the related information1012, all information about the event will be displayed on the screen page1020, as shown in the information1022inFIG.8B. The user can click the “attend” button1024to attend the event.

It is to be noted that, the present invention is a social network platform integrating timeline and map, wherein the user can see the news feed of the friends within the range of the map displayed based on the selected time. The present invention uses the timeline as the core element. Based on different time points, the event information at the searched location may be changed. Even if the information is searched on the Internet, the credibility cannot be confirmed due to different time of publication. By using the present invention to select a specific date, the user can see the posts created by friends at this specific date, and therefore can avoid the above problem. For instance, there are different events at a specific sightseeing location in different seasons. Such events are not available on the map. When reading articles shared by other people on the Internet, the time difference may also affect the accuracy of the information. However, through the present invention, the user can see the posts created at a specific date, thus enhancing the credibility of the information.