WO2015043412A1

WO2015043412A1 - Information processing method, apparatus, terminal device, and system

Info

Publication number: WO2015043412A1
Application number: PCT/CN2014/086797
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yi SHAN; Bohan CAI
Original assignee: Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited
Priority date: 2013-09-26
Filing date: 2014-09-18
Publication date: 2015-04-02
Also published as: CN104144197B; CN104144197A

Abstract

Method and device of creating electronic name cards are disclosed. The method includes: acquiring name card information for a user account that is registered with a server； creating a first name card document in accordance with the name card information, wherein the first name card document, when opened by a first predetermined program, displays a first barcode corresponding to the user account and at least part of the name card information, and wherein the first barcode is configured to trigger downloading of user information related to the user account from the server by a second device when the first barcode is scanned by the second device； and storing the first name card document for the user account at the server.

Description

INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, APPARATUS, TERMINAL DEVICE, AND SYSTEM

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201310461270.8, entitled "INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, APPARATUS, TERMINAL DEVICE, AND SYSTEM" filed on September 26, 2013, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

The present technology relates to the technical field of computer information, and more particularly to an information processing method, apparatus, terminal device, and system.

BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY

A relationship chain among users is one of the basic functions of a network application, such as an instant messaging application, or a social networking site. To make a network application convenient for a user to establish a friendship, the instant messaging application or the social networking site is usually provided with a friend mechanism that is used to accomplish friend. For example, user A is friends with both user B and user C. User B and C are not friends. User A may recommend User C to user B.

Before a user recommends a friend to another user, personal information of the recommended user is usually saved in a server. When the recommendation is initiated, an account of the recommended user is sent to the other user, or the invited user. The other user or invited user searches the server for the recommended user information. Based on the account the recommended user created the other user or invited user can find information on the recommended user. For example user C already created an account that is saved on the server. User A recommended user C to user B. User B then receives user C’s account information. User B can search user C’s information that was created on the server.

In the current process of recommending a friend, the ability to view personal information of a recommended user, the receiver need to first record information of the recommended user and then open a contact search function to view the personal information corresponding to the account of the recommended user in a server. It can be seen that in the prior art, a personal information viewing process based on friend recommendation requires a manual search operation.

In addition, the existing electronic name cards cannot be shared offline. Traditional paper name cards cannot send online. Traditional electronic barcodes do not include plainly readable text and graphics and do not include any program functions. Therefore, it is desirable to have a solution that enables users to flexibly create and share name cards.

SUMMARY

In accordance with some implementations of the disclosed technology, a method of creating electronic name cards, comprising: acquiring name card information for a user account that is registered with a server； creating a first name card document in accordance with the name card information, wherein the first name card document, when opened by a first predetermined program, displays a first barcode corresponding to the user account and at least part of the name card information, and wherein the first barcode is configured to trigger downloading of user information related to the user account from the server by a second device when the first barcode is scanned by the second device； and storing the first name card document for the user account at the server.

In another aspect, a device comprises one or more processors, memory, and one or more program modules stored in the memory and configured for execution by the one or more processors. The one or more program modules include instructions for performing the method described above. In another aspect, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions, which, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform the method described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The aforementioned features and advantages of the application, as well as additional features and advantages, thereof will be more clearly understood, hereinafter as a result of a detailed description of preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the drawings.

To illustrate the technical solutions according to the embodiments application or in the prior art more clearly, the accompanying drawings for describing the embodiments or the prior art are introduced briefly in the following.

FIG. 1 is a schematic flow chart of an information processing method (e. g. , including establishing contact using an electronic business card containing a barcode) in accordance with some embodiments；

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural view of a display interface used to display an electronic business card containing a barcode；

FIG. 3 is a schematic flow chart of an information processing method (e. g. , including establishing contact using an electronic business card containing a barcode) in accordance with some embodiments；

FIG. 4 is a schematic flow chart of an information processing method (e. g. , including establishing contact using an electronic business card containing a barcode) in accordance with some embodiments；

FIG. 5 is a schematic flow chart of a method for generating a personal information interface (including an electronic business card containing a barcode) in accordance with some embodiments；

FIG. 6 is a schematic flow chart of an method for generating a personal information interface (including an electronic business card containing a barcode) in accordance with some embodiments；

FIG. 7 is a schematic flow chart of a method of creating electronic name cards；

FIG. 8 is a schematic structural view of an information processing apparatus in accordance with some embodiments；

FIG. 9 is a schematic structural view of a generation module in FIG. 8；

FIG. 10 is a schematic structural view of the generation module in FIG. 8；

FIG. 11 is a schematic structural view of a terminal device in accordance with some embodiments；

FIG. 12 is a diagram of an example implementation of a device for creating electronic name cards； and

FIG. 13 is a schematic structural view of an information processing system in accordance with some embodiments.

Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

References will now be made in detail to the embodiments, and examples, 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 the illustration will be apparent to one skilled in the art, and 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.

FIG. 1 is a schematic flow chart of an information processing method in accordance with some embodiments. The method is applicable to smart terminal devices such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a smart wearable device, and a personal computer. Specifically, the method includes the following steps.

In accordance with some embodiments, in step 101, a first terminal generates an electronic business card containing a barcode used to identify personal information.

Personal information of a user includes information such as an avatar, a nickname, an account, a location, and a personal signature. The personal information that needs to be identified may be user information of a current user, or may also be personal information of a recommended user. After a corresponding electronic business card and barcode are generated in S101, subsequently user recommendation may be performed every time through a personal information interface including the electronic business card and barcode, instead of needing to generate a personal information interface of the electronic business card containing the barcode every time. For example, user A creates an account using an avatar, or nickname, location, or any information that creates an identity. User A’s information can be identified by user C, a current user, or user B a recommended user. User A’s identity can be found through personal information interface of electronic business card and barcode.

Several manners of determining personal information are included: acquiring personal information entered by a user by displaying an input interface to the user； or automatically searching a database used to save personal information of users for corresponding personal information in a terminal or server based on account information of a user. A barcode may be a two-dimensional code.

In accordance with some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, the generated electronic business card 202 containing a barcode 204 (also referred to as a graphical code) is displayed on a display interface 200 of the user device (e. g. , the device of the owner of the personal information) . The business card 202 includes abstract information (e. g. , encoded information in the barcode 204) , displayed information such as text 208 (e. g. , a user name, location information) , graphical information 204 (e. g. , a user avatar) , and control elements 210 for causing additional operations on the user device (e. g. , the buttons for adding the user referred to in the electronic name card as a contact, or send a message to that user, etc. ) .

In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic business card containing a barcode may correspond to a storage address (URL) of the personal information. When subsequently an electronic business card is clicked and a barcode is scanned, personal information identified by the electronic business card containing the barcode is acquired through the corresponding URL. In some embodiments, personal information may also be directly carried in an electronic business card or a barcode. When a user clicks an electronic business card or scans a barcode, a secondary interface set in a personal information interface is used to display corresponding personal information. For example, user A has a choice in sharing personal information. First, user A’s personal information is not displayed to user B or user C until they B or C scan of clicks the electronic business card and correspond to the URL. Second, user A may choose to have personal information in the electronic business card or barcode.

In accordance with some embodiments, in step 102, the first terminal loads the generated electronic business card and barcode into a display interface to generate a personal information interface, wherein the personal information interface includes a part for displaying the personal information and a part for displaying the barcode.

Specifically, one or more display interfaces may be preset, and one interface may be selected based on a demand of a user to carry the generated electronic business card and barcode.

In accordance with some embodiments, corresponding "click" trigger logic is configured for the electronic business card in the personal information interface, so that after the personal information interface is sent to another user subsequently, the other user can acquire the personal information identified by the electronic business card by clicking.

The display interface is a preset human-machine interaction interface and may have several formats, specifically, a structural form shown in FIG. 2. The display interface may display the electronic business card containing the barcode acquired in S102 simultaneously to meet different demands of users. The display interface may further display current location information of a user.

In accordance with some embodiments, after generating the personal information interface including the electronic business card containing the barcode in S102, the first terminal may further load a relationship confirming link and/or a message sending link into a personal information interface. Specifically, after S102 is executed, the method may further include: loading, by the first terminal, a relationship confirming link and/or a message sending link into the generated personal information interface, wherein the relationship confirming link includes a relationship adding link and/or a relationship canceling link.

In accordance with some embodiments, the first terminal may specifically generate relevant function buttons according to relationship confirming links corresponding to processing functions such as add as a friend, follow, and unfollow. These function buttons are then set in the personal information interface and clicking accomplishes the step of loading the relationship confirming links into the personal information interface. Through these relationship confirming links, a user clicks buttons corresponding to these relationship confirming links in the personal information interface to initiate processing functions such as add as a friend, follow, and unfollow on a user account corresponding to the electronic business card or barcode. For example, user A has sent a request to user C. User C has several options to respond to user A. User C may choose to add as a friend, follow, and unfollow. User C may choose all three or one. If user C choose accepts user A, and make the choice to follow user A, then their friendship personal information interface will be linked as follow.

Similarly, in accordance with some embodiments, the message sending link is a message interaction interface in which a user account corresponding to the electronic business card and barcode in the personal information is used as a target account. After configuring the click trigger logic for the interaction interface, the first terminal accomplishes loading the message sending link into the personal information interface. Through the message sending link, a user clicks the message sending link in the personal information interface to initiate chat communication with the user account corresponding to the electronic business card or barcode. For example, once user A is link to user C they can use the message link through the personal information interface to chat.

In accordance with some embodiments, in step 103, when detecting a personal information exchange operation with a second terminal, the first terminal sends the personal information interface to the second terminal.

Specifically, a personal information exchange operation between the first terminal and the second terminal may be that the first terminal sends, during conversation with the second terminal, the personal information exchange operation, or a business card exchange operation, among others. When detecting these operations, the first terminal sends the generated personal information interface to the second terminal through server.

In accordance with some embodiments, in step 104, after receiving the personal information interface, the second terminal acquires the corresponding personal information according to the electronic business card and/or barcode in the personal information interface.

After receiving the personal information interface, the second terminal acquires, according to the electronic business card in the personal information interface, the personal information identified by the electronic business card； or may also scan the barcode and acquire the personal information from a server where personal information is stored based on a scan result.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments, the personal information interface may further be converted into image data. Specifically, after the personal information interface is obtained, the method further includes: when the first terminal or second terminal detects a click operation of an image generation function, converting the display interface loaded with the electronic business card containing the barcode into an image. After the conversion into an image, it may become convenient for a user of the first terminal or second terminal to save the personal information interface in a manner of saving the image. The user may also acquire detailed personal information based on the barcode in the display interface in a scanning manner.

In some embodiments, an electronic business card and a barcode for identifying personal information are generated separately, and the electronic business card containing the barcode are loaded and displayed in a personal information display interface. In this manner, during friend recommendation, personal information of a recommended user can be obtained through an electronic business card or a barcode in a personal information display interface.

FIG. 3 is a schematic flow chart of another information processing method in accordance with some embodiments. The method in accordance with some embodiments is applicable between a smart terminal device such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, and a smart wearable device and a corresponding application server. Specifically, the method includes the following steps.

In accordance with some embodiments, in step 201, a server generates a relationship confirming page for a target user account, wherein the relationship confirming page includes personal information corresponding to the target user account and an added relationship confirming link, and the relationship confirming link includes a relationship adding link and/or a relationship canceling link.

In accordance with some embodiments, the server may be an application server of a type such as an instant messaging application and a social communication application. The server has stored personal information corresponding to all registered user accounts, and has generated relationship confirming pages for all accounts including a mentioned target user account. The relationship confirming page includes portals for various relationship confirming operations, for example, operation portals formed of buttons such as add as a friend, follow, and unfollow.

In accordance with some embodiments, in step 202, a first terminal generates an electronic business card and a barcode used to identify the personal information.

Also, furthermore, the electronic business card and barcode may include abstract information. Specifically, in some embodiments, the step 202 may specifically include the following steps.

The first terminal acquires personal information input by a user in a preset information input interface. The first terminal sends the input personal information to the server by using the target user account, so that the server stores the input personal information based on the target user account. The first terminal generates, according to a storage address of the input personal information in the server, an electronic business card and a barcode used to identify the input personal information. The generated electronic business card and barcode display abstract information retrieved from the input personal information, and the abstract information includes an avatar and/or a user name. For example, user A creates and account which is done in the first terminal. Based on the information put in by user A, a business card is generated and a barcode. Terminal two creates an abstract image such as an avatar and a user name of the information that is in terminal one. Terminal two stores the personal information that is terminal one.

Alternatively, the step 202 may specifically include: searching for, by the first terminal based on the target user account, personal information that matches with the target user account in the server； generating, by the first terminal, according to a storage address of the found personal information in the server, an electronic business card and a barcode used to identify the found personal information. The generated electronic business card and barcode display abstract information retrieved from the found personal information. The abstract information includes an avatar and/or a user name.

In accordance with some embodiments, in step 203, the first terminal loads the generated electronic business card and barcode into a display interface to generate a personal information interface, wherein the personal information interface includes a part for displaying the personal information and a part for displaying the barcode.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments, there is an option in the first terminal, to display information of a user’s location in the personal information display interface. The location information includes an administrative region information obtained on a current IP address or phone number of the user. Based on an IP address location or a phone number location of a mobile phone, the location of the user may be obtained, so as to display, for example, the location information "Guangzhou, Guangdong" in FIG. 2. Specifically, it may be determined based on a selection operation of a user whether to display location information of the user in the personal information interface.

In accordance with some embodiments, in step 204, when detecting a personal information exchange operation with a second terminal, the first terminal sends the personal information interface to the second terminal.

Specifically, the first terminal may send the personal information interface loaded with the electronic business card containing the barcode to a conversation window of a target device； or stores the display interface loaded with the electronic business card containing the barcode in a sharing application server on a network side.

In accordance with some embodiments, in step 205, after receiving the personal information interface, the second terminal detects whether a personal information viewing operation exists, wherein the viewing operation includes a click viewing operation for the electronic business card or a scan operation for the barcode.

In accordance with some embodiments, in step 206, if yes, the second terminal acquires the corresponding personal information according to the electronic business card and/or barcode in the personal information interface from the corresponding server.

In accordance with some embodiments, in step 207, when detecting a click operation of an image generation function, the first terminal converts the display interface loaded with the electronic business card containing the barcode into an image.

Also, a server further generates a relationship confirming page based on personal information, so that when viewing personal information of a recommended user, a user can accomplish operations related to relationship confirmation and cancelation according to needs.

Also, by adopting a manner of loading an electronic business card and a barcode in a display interface simultaneously, it is ensured that a user not only can directly view personal information of a recommended user from an electronic business card, but also can view personal information of a recommended user carried in a barcode by scanning the barcode.

FIG. 4 is a schematic flow chart of an information processing method in accordance with some embodiments. The method is applicable in a smart terminal device. Specifically, the method includes the following steps.

In accordance with some embodiments, in step 301, the device generates an electronic business card and a barcode.

In accordance with some embodiments, in step 302, the terminal device loads the generated electronic business card and barcode into a display interface to generate a personal information interface, wherein the personal information interface includes a part for displaying the personal information and a part for displaying the barcode.

In accordance with some embodiments, after the personal information interface including the electronic business card containing the barcode is generated in the step 302, a relationship confirming link and/or a message sending link may be further loaded into the personal information interface. Specifically, after the step 302 is executed, the method may further include: loading a relationship confirming link and/or a message sending link into the generated personal information interface.

In accordance with some embodiments, in step 303, when the personal information exchange operation with a second terminal is detected. The terminal device sends the personal information interface to the second terminal. The second terminal acquires the corresponding personal information.

FIG. 5 is a schematic flow chart of a method for generating a personal information interface in accordance with some embodiments. The method corresponds to S301 in FIG. 4. Specifically, the method includes the following steps.

In accordance with some embodiments, in step 401, the terminal device acquires personal information input by a user in a preset information input interface.

A user inputs information in corresponding items in a provided information input interface according to personal information of the user or personal information of a recommended user.

In accordance with some embodiments, in step 402, the terminal device sends the input personal information to a server by using a target user account, so that the server stores the input personal information based on the target user account.

A terminal sends an existing message input by a user to a corresponding application server, and the server stores personal information. After storing the input personal information, the server returns information such as a storage address (URL) to the terminal. It should be noted that the user only needs to execute entry of personal information once. Subsequently a personal information interface loaded with an electronic business card containing a barcode is generated, the user or other users may all acquire corresponding personal information directly through the personal information interface.

In accordance with some embodiments, in step 403, the terminal device generates an electronic business card containing a barcode used to identify the input personal information according to the storage address of the input personal information in the server.

The generated electronic business card and barcode display abstract information retrieved from the input personal information, and the abstract information includes an avatar and/or a user name.

In accordance with some embodiments, after the personal information interface is generated, the method may further include: loading a relationship confirming link and/or a message sending link in the generated personal information interface.

The terminal retrieves, according to, the storage address of the input personal information in the server； and based on information of a corresponding avatar input item； and a user name input item in the input personal information. The information, such as an avatar and a user name is use as abstract information. The information generates in combination with the storage address, an electronic business card, and a barcode used to identify the input personal information separately.

FIG. 6 is a schematic flow chart of another method for generating a personal information interface in accordance with some embodiments. The method corresponds to S301 in FIG. 4. Specifically, the method includes the following steps.

In accordance with some embodiments, in step 501, the terminal device search is based on a target user’s account, and personal information that matches with the target user’s account in a server.

In accordance with some embodiments, a user may search for personal information by using their account. The user may search another user account of a recommended user as a keyword in a corresponding application server. It should be noted that the user only executes a search for personal information once, and after subsequently a personal information interface loaded with an electronic business card containing a barcode is generated, the user or other users may all acquire corresponding personal information directly through the personal information interface.

In accordance with some embodiments, in step 502, the terminal device generates, according to the storage address of found personal information in the server, an electronic business card containing a barcode used to identify the found personal information.

The terminal retrieves, according to, the storage address of the found personal information in the server； and based on information of a corresponding avatar input item； and a user name input item in the input personal information. Information such as an avatar and a user name for use as abstract information, and generates, in combination with the storage address, an electronic business card, and a barcode used to identify the found personal information separately.

A server further generates a relationship confirming page based on personal information. When viewing personal information of a recommended user, a user can accomplish operations related to relationship confirmation and cancelation.

The information processing apparatus and terminal device according to the embodiments are described in detail in the following.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of creating electronic name cards in accordance with some embodiments. The method is performed at a server having one or more processors and memory storing instructions for execution by the one or more processors.

In accordance with some embodiments, a whole process of one device sending a name card document to another device includes a device that sends, a device that receives, and a server. The sending device initially stores or controls a name card document, either by generating a name card by itself or by receiving one from somewhere else. The server manages the name card and supports a social network platform. The receiving device receives the name card document. In some embodiments, a device can be both a sending device and a receiving device. The sending device can be desktop computer, a laptop, a tablet, a mobile phone, etc. The receiving device can be a computing device equipped with a camera or configured to be connected with a camera or optical reading machine.

In accordance with some embodiments, both the sending device and the server can generate the name card document. The generation process includes four steps. In the first step, the sending device acquires name card information for a user account that is registered with the server. The acquiring process can involve user entry of information or automatically. For example, the user can be provided with an interface to select the fields (e. g. , name, title, online status, IM ID, current location, phone number, etc. ) that will appear on the name card, and select the functions (e. g. , initiate a chat session, start a phone call, add as a contact, etc. ) may be provided with the name card. In some embodiments, the server provides a number of name card templates that the user can select from, and the server populates the name card based on the information known about the user. For another example, at least part of the name card information is pre-stored in the sending device and/or the server. For example, a smart phone may store the email address, home address and social network ID along with other personal information of its owner. The smart phone may acquire those pre-stored personal information automatically, and if necessary, ask the user to provide supplemental information by displaying a template. In some embodiments, acquiring name card information for a user account that is registered with the server includes the sending device scans a paper name card, and recognizes the personal information scanned from the paper name card.

In the second step, in some embodiments, the server or the sending device generates a barcode corresponding to the user account registered with the server. In some embodiments, the barcode corresponds to the user account and, or at least part of the name card information. In some embodiments, the first barcode is configured to trigger downloading of user information related to the user account from the server by a second device when the first barcode is scanned by the second device. In some embodiments, the user information related to the user account includes the name card document.

In the third step, in some embodiments, the sending device creates the name card document in accordance with the name card information by generating it by itself, or by asking the server to do it. In some embodiments, the name card document is generated in the server. For example, the sending device sends a name card generation request along with an identifier for the user account to the server, the card generation request includes the acquired name card information； and in response to the name card generation request, the sending device receives the name card document from the server. For example, the user instructs the device to create a name card document, the device sends a name card generation to the server, the server creates the name card document and sends it to the device. In some embodiments, the sending device generates the name card document and sends it to the server. The name card creation method in FIG. 7 illustrates a method of the server generating the name card document.

In the fourth step, in some embodiments, the sending device stores the name card document for the user account at the server. In some embodiments, when the name card document is generated in the server, storing the name card document for the user account at the server includes sending a storing request to server. In some embodiments, when the name card document is generated or revised in the sending device, storing the name card document for the user account at the server includes sending the name card document to the server, and the server storing the name card document in a storage location that corresponds to the user account. In some embodiments, the name card document is stored in a storage space of the user account corresponding to the barcode.

In accordance with some embodiments, the name card document includes at least two kind of information. The first kind is name card information or personal information. The name card information includes a name, a title, telephone numbers, a home address, a work address, organizations, an email address, program codes, functions, and other information that is suitable to be displayed in a physical name card or contained in an electronic name card. In some embodiments, the second kind of information is a barcode. In some embodiments, the barcode corresponds to a user account registered with a server.

In some embodiments, the name card document, when opened by a predetermined program, displays the barcode corresponding to the user account. In some embodiments, the name card document, when opened by a second predetermined program, display the name card information. In some embodiments, the first predetermined program can display the name card document including the first barcode and the at least part of the name card information. For example, the displayed name card document may include the barcode and a name or a network ID which is part of the name card information, as shown in FIG. 2. The sending device and receiving device may have multiple programs to serve as the first predetermined program and/or the second predetermined program. In some embodiments, when a user wants to display the first barcode so that another device can scan the first barcode, the user chooses to open the name card document with a first predetermined program. When the user wants to view or use the name card information, e. g. , calling the telephone number contained in the name card information, the user opens the name card document with a second predetermined program.

In some embodiments, a user may open the name card document with a social network application in a smart phone. The social network application serves as both the first determined program and the second determined program. The user can use the social network application to display an email address in a name card document and then selects the email address to compose an email addressed to the email address. The user can also use the phone to display the barcode so that a person next to the user can use another smart phone to scan the barcode. For example, user A opens a name card document using a social network application.

In addition, in some embodiments, the first and second predetermined programs are configured to print the name card. The first predetermined program is configured to print at least the barcode while the second predetermined program is configured to print at least the name card information. The barcode can be displayed on a third device, or printed out alone, printed in a name card or displayed in any other ways that can be scanned. In some embodiments, the second predetermined program is further configured to save the name card information. For example, the name card information includes multiple types of information. The second predetermined program saves the multiple types of information into multiple storage locations. The second predetermined programs may store the social network ID into a social network application, the email address into an email program, several information items combined into outlook express, telephone number into a phone book application, and the whole name card document into a folder.

In accordance with some embodiments, once the sending device acquires a name card document, either by creating the name card document or receiving the name card document, the sending device has two methods to transfer the name card document to the receiving device. In some embodiments, with Method 1 shown in FIG. 7, the sending device displays a barcode and the receiving device scans the barcode. In response to scanning the barcode, the receiving device downloads the name card document from the server, the name card document including at least part of name card information and the barcode. When the barcode corresponds to a specific storage location in the server, the receiving device may download the name card document from the specific storage location in the server.

In some embodiments, the receiving device receives a name card document including a barcode from the sending device through a network. For example, the sending device may send the name card document to the receiving device as a document. The sending device can send the name card document by attaching it an email, transferring with a document transfer program, sending a link containing the name card document, an IM message, or a sharing function provided by a social networking client application, etc.

In some embodiments, name card document includes information that causes the receiving device to display at least one affordance for an additional function related to the user account, when the name card document is opened by the receiving device. In some embodiments, the receiving device receives a user input directed to the name card document displayed at the receiving device； and in response to the user input, the receiving device displays at least one affordance for an additional function related to a user account associated with the name card document. In some embodiments, the affordance is only displayed when a user input directed to the name card document is received by the receiving device. (e. g. , when a user touches a predetermined portion of the displayed name card on the second device) . For example, the sending device creates a name card document including a user ID which is shown as normal text. When the receiving device receives and displays the user ID, it is shown in red in contrast to some other text shown in black. The red text indicates that clicking the user ID invokes a function. When the user touches the social ID, an interface is displayed to send a social network message to that social network ID. In some embodiments, when the receiving device displays the name card document, the office address is shown as an affordance. When the user selects the office address, a map application searches the office address and shows a direction from the current location of the user to the office address.

In accordance with some embodiments, the name card document is displayed as a substantially rectangle card or in other shapes of a name card. In accordance with some embodiments, the displayed name card document includes static information and dynamic information. In some embodiments, the static information includes information that is fixed or not subject to continuous or periodical updating. For example, the static information may include a name, home address, phone numbers, email address, etc. The dynamic information includes information that is subject to continuous or periodical updating. For example, the dynamic information includes current location, current online status, current user logo, etc. In some embodiments, a user who creates the name card document can choose which information is static or dynamic. For example, if a user is going to move to another city, he may choose to select his home address as dynamically updated even though home addresses are normally static information. In some embodiments, when the name card document is opened by the second determined program, the sending device or receiving device may connect with the server to update the dynamic information with the server.

In some embodiments, the barcode may be dynamic or static depending on implementation. For example, a user wants to have two name card documents which will be given to different people. One has a static barcode while the other has a dynamic barcode. The effective barcode may change from time to time. Once the effective barcode has changed, the static barcode is outdated and cannot be used to trigger downloading the name card document from the server. In contrast, the dynamic barcode causes a device including the name card document to connect with the server and acquire the updated effective barcode. In some embodiments, a static barcode encodes an expiration period and ceases to initiate any downloading after the expiration period. For example, if a receiving device scans an expired barcode, instead of downloading the name card document, the receiving device displays a reminder that the barcode has expired. In some embodiments, after the expiration period, the name card document with a dynamic barcode causes the device to acquire an updated barcode from the server.

In some embodiments, the sending device updates the name card document stored for the user account at the server by sending first updated name card information to the server. In some embodiments, the sending device replaces the whole name card document with a new one, replacing static information as well as dynamic one. In some embodiments, the sending device only updates part of the dynamic information. In some embodiments, after the user updating the name card document, the receiving device receives an updating notification from the server, the updating notification including second updated name card information of the name card document； in accordance with the updating notification, the receiving device updates the name card information with the updated name card information. Afterwards, the receiving device displays an updated version of the name card document in accordance with the second updated name card information.

In accordance with some embodiments, before updating the name card document, a notification can be sent to a user indicating that a stored name card has been updated. In some embodiments, the updated name card document is shown only when the user opens the name card. The update information can be received from the sending device, or obtained proactively by the server according to the name card template.

In accordance with some embodiments, after receiving a name card document, the receiving device checks updating information of the name card document with the server. For example, one device receives a name card document and forwards it to a receiving device. After receiving the name card document, the receiving device checks whether the name card document contains the most recently updated information by connecting with the server through the information contained in the barcode. If the server contains information that is more recently updated, the receiving device downloads an updated name card document or updated name card information from the server in accordance with the barcode.

This application is aimed to create electronic name cards that can be disseminated in an online environment, display the usual text and graphic information related to the person, include executable program code for more sophisticated functions (e. g. , adding contact, downloading additional information, initiating phone calls/chat sessions, finding directions to his/her address, finding his/her current location on a map, showing current online status, showing current location, etc. ) and include a barcode that can be printed or scanned by another device in an offline environment to cause downloading of all name card information that may be available about the person to the device from a server.

It should be noted that the same device can be used both as a sending device and as a receiving device. The first device in the claims is one such example. The claims use the first name card document and the second name card document to distinguish name card documents based on their relationship to the first device. However, descriptions of name card documents in the specification are applicable to both the first and the second name card documents.

FIG. 8 is a schematic structural view of an information processing apparatus in accordance with some embodiments. The apparatus in accordance with some embodiments may be disposed in a smart terminal device. Specifically, the apparatus includes:

·A generation module 1, used to generate an electronic business card and a barcode；

·A processing module 2, used to load the generated electronic business card and barcode into a display interface to generate a personal information interface； and

·A sending module 3, used to send the personal information interface to the second terminal, so that the second terminal acquires the corresponding personal information.

After the generation module 1 generates a corresponding electronic business card and barcode, subsequently user recommendation may be performed every time through a personal information interface including the electronic business card and barcode, instead of needing to generate a personal information interface of the electronic business card containing the barcode every time.

The electronic business card and barcode generated by the generation module 1 include abstract information, and simply display information such as a user name and a user avatar, for example, as shown in FIG. 2.

In accordance with some embodiments, specifically, one or more display interfaces may be preset, and the processing module 2 may select one interface based on a demand of a user to carry the generated electronic business card and barcode.

The processing module 2 configures corresponding "click" trigger logic for the electronic business card in the personal information interface, so that after the personal information interface is sent to another user subsequently, the other user can acquire the personal information identified by the electronic business card in a click manner.

In addition, after the processing module 2 generates the personal information interface, the processing module 2 is further used to load a relationship confirming link and/or a message sending link into the generated personal information interface.

The processing module 2 accomplishes loading a relationship confirming link in the personal information interface. Also, the processing module 2 accomplishes loading a message sending link in the personal information interface.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9, the generation module 1 may specifically include:

·An acquisition unit 11, used to acquire personal information input by a user in a preset information input interface；

·A sending unit 12, used to send the input personal information to a server by using a target user account, so that the server stores the input personal information based on the target user account； and

·A first generation unit 13, used to generate an electronic business card containing a barcode used to identify the input personal information.

In accordance with some embodiments, the user may enter information in a corresponding item in the provided information input interface according to personal information of the user or personal information of a recommended user. The acquisition unit 11 may obtain the corresponding input personal information in the information input interface.

The sending unit sends an existing message input by a user to a corresponding application server, and the server stores personal information. After storing the input personal information, the server returns information such as a storage address (URL) to the terminal. It should be noted that the user only needs to execute entry of personal information once, and after subsequently a personal information interface loaded with an electronic business card containing a barcode is generated, the user or other users may all acquire corresponding personal information directly through the personal information interface.

The first generation unit 13 retrieves, according to the storage address of the input personal information in the server and based on information of a corresponding avatar input item and a user name input item in the input personal information, information such as an avatar and a user name for use as abstract information, and generates, in combination with the storage address, an electronic business card containing a barcode used to identify the input personal information separately.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 10, the generation module 1 may further include:

·A search unit 14, used to search for, based on the target user account, personal information that matches with the target user account in a server； and

·A second generation unit 15, used to generate an electronic business card containing a barcode used to identify the found personal information according to a storage address of the found personal information in the server.

A user may search for personal information with the search unit 14 by using a user account of the user or a user account of a recommended user as a keyword in a corresponding application server.

The second generation unit 15 retrieves, according to the storage address of the found personal information in the server and based on information of a corresponding avatar input item and a user name input item in the input personal information, information such as an avatar and a user name for use as abstract information, and generates, in combination with the storage address, an electronic business card containing a barcode used to identify the found personal information separately.

Furthermore, in accordance with some embodiments, the apparatus may further include a conversion module, used to convert the personal information interface into an image, so as to store the personal information in an image form. Specifically, the conversion module is used to convert the display interface loaded with the electronic business card containing the barcode into an image.

The conversion module may specifically perform conversion in a screenshot form to obtain an image including an electronic business card and a barcode, and the user can save the display interface in a manner of saving an image, thereby saving a barcode which may be scanned to obtain personal information and brief personal information such as a nickname and a location displayed in the electronic business card.

Furthermore, after the display interface or image including the electronic business card containing the barcode is obtained, personal information may further be shared to other users through a sharing module. Specifically, the sharing module is used to send the display interface loaded with the electronic business card containing the barcode to a target device to display the display interface in a conversation window； or store the display interface loaded with the electronic business card containing the barcode in a sharing application server on a network side.

Furthermore, when the display interface including the electronic business card containing the barcode is generated, current location information of a user may further be displayed by using a location display module. Specifically, the location display module is used to display location information of the user in the display interface loaded with the electronic business card and the barcode.

The location display module may obtain a location of a user, so as to display location information, for example, "Guangzhou, Guangdong" shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 is a schematic structural view of a terminal device in accordance with some embodiments. The terminal device may be a smart terminal device. Specifically, the terminal device includes a processor 100, a display 200, and a communications apparatus 300.

The processor 100 is used to generate an electronic business card and a barcode； load the generated electronic business card and barcode into a display interface to generate a personal information interface； and send the personal information interface to the second terminal by using the communications apparatus 300, so that the second terminal acquires the corresponding personal information.

The display 200 is used to display the personal information display interface loaded with the electronic business card containing the barcode obtained by the processor 100.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of an example implementation of a device 1200 in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the device 1200 is both a sending device and a receiving device as described in FIG. 7. While certain specific features are illustrated, those skilled in the art will appreciate from the present disclosure that various other features have not been illustrated for the sake of brevity and so as not to obscure more pertinent aspects of the implementations disclosed herein. To that end, the device 1200 includes one or more processing units (CPU’s ) 1202, one or more network or other communications interfaces 1208, a display 1201, a camera 1205, memory 1206, and one or more communication buses 1204 for interconnecting these and various other components. The communication buses may include circuitry (sometimes called a chipset) that interconnects and controls communications between system components. The camera 1205 is configured to scan barcodes and printed name cards. The memory 1206 includes high-speed random access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM or other random access solid state memory devices； and may include non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid state storage devices. The memory 1206 may optionally include one or more storage devices remotely located from the CPU (s) 1202. The memory 1206, including the non-volatile and volatile memory device (s) within the memory 1206, comprises a non-transitory computer readable storage medium.

In some implementations, the memory 1206 or the non-transitory computer readable storage medium of the memory 1206 stores the following programs, modules and data structures, or a subset thereof including an operating system 1216, a network communication module 1218, a name card program 1220, a scan program 1225, and a social network program 1226.

In accordance with some embodiments, the operating system 1216 includes procedures for handling various basic system services and for performing hardware dependent tasks.

In accordance with some embodiments, the network communication module 1218 facilitates communication with other devices via the one or more communication network interfaces 1208 (wired or wireless) and one or more communication networks, such as the internet, other wide area networks, local area networks, metropolitan area networks, and so on.

In accordance with some embodiments, the name card program 1220 is configured to create, manage, acquire and update electronic name cards. In some embodiments, the name card program 1220 communicates with a server through the network communication module 1218. In some embodiments, the name card program 1220 comprises an information acquisition module 1221, a name card creation module 1222, and a name card management module 1223. In some embodiments, the information acquisition module 1221 is configured to acquire name card information. In some embodiments, the name card creation module 1222 is configured to create name card documents with barcodes, either generating the name card document by itself or in the server. In some embodiments, the name card management module 1223 is configured to download, store and update name card documents. In some embodiments, the name card management module 1223 includes a contact database 1224, which is configured to store name card documents and/or name card information. The name card management module 1223 is also configured to download name card documents in response to scanning barcodes.

In accordance with some embodiments, the scan program 1225 is configured to scan barcodes through the camera 1205.

In accordance with some embodiments, the social network program 1226 is configured to communicate with another social network accounts, including sending and receiving name card documents.

FIG. 13 is a schematic structural view of an information processing system in accordance with some embodiments. The system in accordance with some embodiments includes: a first terminal 001 and a second terminal 002. The first terminal 001 and the second terminal 002 may both be a smart terminal device.

In accordance with some embodiments, the first terminal 001 is used to generate an electronic business card and a barcode； and load the generated electronic business card and barcode into a display interface to generate a personal information interface.

The first terminal 001 is further used to send the personal information interface to the second terminal 002.

The second terminal 002 is used to acquire the corresponding personal information according to the electronic business card and/or barcode in the personal information interface.

The first terminal 001 may generate an electronic business card and a barcode. In this case, in some embodiments, the system may further include a server 003.

The first terminal 001 is specifically used to acquire personal information input by a user in a preset information input interface； send the input personal information to the server 003 by using a target user account； and generate an electronic business card containing a barcode used to identify the input personal information according to a storage address of the input personal information in the server 003.

In accordance with some embodiments, the server 003 is used to store the personal information sent by the first terminal 001.

The first terminal 001 may generate, based on a storage address of personal information corresponding to relevant account information found by a user in a server, an electronic business card and a barcode.

In accordance with some embodiments, the first terminal 001 is specifically used to search for, based on a target user account, personal information that matches with the target user account in the server 003； and generate, according to a storage address of found personal information in the server 003, an electronic business card containing a barcode used to identify the found personal information.

The server 003 is used to store the personal information corresponding to the user account.

Further specifically, the first terminal 001 is further used to load a relationship confirming link and/or a message sending link into the generated personal information interface.

The first terminal 001 may specifically accomplish an operation of loading a relationship confirming link into the personal information interface according to relationship confirming links corresponding to processing functions such as add as a friend, follow, and unfollow and in a manner of configuring click trigger logic. Also, the first terminal 001 accomplishes an operation of loading the message sending link into the personal information interface according to a message interaction interface in which a user account corresponding to the electronic business card and barcode in the personal information is used as a target account and in a manner of configuring click trigger logic.

In accordance with some embodiments, further specifically, the server 003 is further used to generate a relationship confirming page for the target user account, wherein the relationship confirming page includes personal information corresponding to the target user account and an added relationship confirming link, and the relationship confirming link includes a relationship adding link and/or a relationship canceling link.

In accordance with some embodiments, further specifically, the second terminal 002 is specifically used to: after the personal information interface is received, detect whether a personal information viewing operation exists, wherein the viewing operation includes a click viewing operation for the electronic business card or a scan operation for the barcode； and if yes, acquire the corresponding personal information from the corresponding server 003 according to the electronic business card and/or barcode in the personal information interface.

While particular embodiments are described above, it will be understood it is not intended to limit to these particular embodiments. 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 of ordinary skill 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.

Although some of the various drawings illustrate a number of logical stages in a particular order, stages that are not order dependent may be reordered and other stages may be combined or broken out. While some reordering or other groupings are specifically mentioned, others will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art and so do not present an exhaustive list of alternatives. Moreover, it should be recognized that the stages could be implemented in hardware, firmware, software or any combination thereof.

Claims

A method of creating electronic name cards, comprising:

at a first device having one or more processors and memory for storing one or more programs to be executed by the one or more processors:

acquiring name card information for a user account that is registered with a server；

creating a first name card document in accordance with the name card information, wherein the first name card document, when opened by a first predetermined program, displays a first barcode corresponding to the user account and at least part of the name card information, and wherein the first barcode is configured to trigger downloading of user information related to the user account from the server by a second device when the first barcode is scanned by the second device； and

storing the first name card document for the user account at the server.
The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying the first name card document including the first barcode and the at least part of the name card information using the first predetermined program.
The method of claim 2, wherein the first name card document includes information that causes the second device to display at least one affordance for an additional function related to the user account, when the first name card document is opened by the second device.
The method of claim 1, wherein creating the first name card document in accordance with the name card information includes:

sending a name card generation request along with an identifier for the user account to the server, the card generation request including the acquired name card information； and

in response to the name card generation request, receiving the first name card document from the server.
The method of claim 1, wherein the barcode encodes an expiration period and ceases to initiate any downloading after the expiration period.
The method of claim 1, further comprising:

scanning a second barcode； and

in response to scanning the second barcode, downloading a second name card document from the server, the second name card document including at least part of second name card information and the second barcode.
The method of claim 6, further comprising:

receiving an updating notification from the server, the updating notification including second updated name card information of the second name card document； and

in accordance with the updating notification, updating the second name card information with the second updated name card information.
A first device for creating electronic name cards, comprising:

one or more processors； and

memory storing one or more programs including instructions, the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the processors to perform operations comprising:

acquiring name card information for a user account that is registered with a server；

creating a first name card document in accordance with the name card information, wherein the name card document, when opened by a first predetermined program, displays a first barcode corresponding to the user account and at least part of the name card information, and wherein the first barcode is configured to trigger downloading of user information related to the user account from the server by a second device when the first barcode is scanned by the second device； and

storing the first name card document for the user account at the server.
The device of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise:

displaying the first name card document including the first barcode and the at least part of the name card information using the first predetermined program.
The device of claim 9, wherein the first name card document includes information that causes the second device to display at least one affordance for an additional function related to the user account, when the first name card document is opened by the second device.
The device of claim 8, wherein creating the first name card document in accordance with the name card information includes:

sending a name card generation request along with an identifier for the user account to the server, the card generation request including the acquired name card information； and

in response to the name card generation request, receiving the first name card document from the server.
The device of claim 8, wherein the barcode encodes an expiration period and ceases to initiate any downloading after the expiration period.
The device of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise:

scanning a second barcode； and

in response to scanning the second barcode, downloading a second name card document from the server, the second name card document including at least part of second name card information and the second barcode.
The device of claim 13, wherein the operations further comprise:

receiving an updating notification from the server, the updating notification including second updated name card information of the second name card document； and

in accordance with the updating notification, updating the second name card information with the second updated name card information.
A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause the processors to perform operations comprising:

acquiring name card information for a user account that is registered with a server；

creating a first name card document in accordance with the name card information, wherein the first name card document, when opened by a first predetermined program, displays a first barcode corresponding to the user account and at least part of the name card information, and wherein the first barcode is configured to trigger downloading of user information related to the user account from the server by a second device when the first barcode is scanned by the second device； and

storing the first name card document for the user account at the server.
The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise:

displaying the first name card document including the first barcode and the at least part of the name card information using the first predetermined program.
The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the first name card document includes information that causes the second device to display at least one affordance for an additional function related to the user account, when the first name card document is opened by the second device.
The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein creating the first name card document in accordance with the name card information includes:

sending a name card generation request along with an identifier for the user account to the server, the card generation request including the acquired name card information； and

in response to the name card generation request, receiving the first name card document from the server.
The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the barcode encodes an expiration period and ceases to initiate any downloading after the expiration period.
The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the operations further comprise:

scanning a second barcode； and

in response to scanning the second barcode, downloading a second name card document from the server, the second name card document including at least part of second name card information and the second barcode.