Terminal interaction methods and related devices and systems

A first instant messaging (IM) terminal, comprising:

• a receiving unit that receives a user-entered file transfer command directing the first IM terminal to initiate a process for transferring a file to a second IM terminal, wherein the first IM terminal and the second IM terminal are logged into an IM platform via associated account numbers,
• a determining unit that determines whether the first IM terminal and the second IM terminal belong to a same local area network,
• a first processing unit that starts a local Web server on the first IM terminal and generates URL address information associated with the file when a result of a determination that the first IM terminal and the second IM terminal belong to a same local area network is positive,
• a first transmitting unit that transmits, via the IM platform, to the second IM terminal, address information associated with the local Web server and the URL address information associated with the file to allow the second IM terminal to transmit, in accordance with the address information associated with the local Web server, to the local Web server a file obtaining request including the URL address information associated with the file, and the local Web server to obtain and transmit the file to the second IM terminal in accordance with the URL address information,
• a second processing unit that uploads the file to a hub device and generates hub device URL address information associated with the file when the result of the determination is negative,
• a second transmitting unit that transmits, via the IM platform, to the second IM terminal, the address information associated with the hub device and the hub device URL address information associated with the file to allow the second IM terminal to transmit, in accordance with the address information associated with the hub device, to the hub device, a file obtaining request including the hub device URL address information associated with the file, and the hub device to obtain and transmit the file to the second IM terminal in accordance with the hub device URL address information associated with the file.

A second instant messaging (IM) terminal, comprising:

• a receiving unit that receives address information associated with a local Web server and URL address information associated with a file transmitted by a first IM terminal via an IM platform, wherein the address information associated with the local Web server and the URL address information associated with the file are received after the first IM terminal receives a user-entered file transfer command directing the first IM terminal to initiate a process for transferring the file to the second IM terminal and after the first IM terminal determines that the first IM terminal and the second IM terminal belong to a same LAN, wherein the first IM terminal and the second IM terminal are logged into the IM platform via associated account numbers,
• a transmitting unit that transmits, in accordance with the address information associated with the local Web server, to the local Web server, a file obtaining request including the URL address information associated with the file, and
• when the address information associated with the local Web server and the URL address information associated with the file transmitted by the first IM terminal via an IM terminal are encrypted, a first decryption processing unit that decrypts the address information associated with the local Web server and the URL address information associated with the file received by the receiving unit and transmits the decrypted information to the transmitting unit,
• wherein the receiving unit also receives the file obtained and transmitted by the local Web server in accordance with the URL address information associated with the file.

A method of interacting with a terminal, comprising:

• receiving a user-entered file transfer command for transferring a file to the terminal,
• logging into a first instant messaging account,
• determining whether the terminal is connected to a local area network,
• if the terminal is determined to be on the local area network,
• starting a Web server generating a URL address of the file,
• transmitting, via the first instant messaging account, an address of the Web server and the URL address of the file to the terminal,
• receiving, at the Web server, a file obtaining request including the URL address of the file from the terminal, and
• transmitting the file to the terminal in response to the file obtaining request,
• if the terminal is determined not to be on the local area network,
• uploading the file to a hub device and generating a hub device URL address of the file,
• transmitting, via the first instant messaging account, to the terminal, an address of the hub device and the hub device URL address of the file,
• receiving a file obtaining request including the hub device URL address of the file from the terminal, and
• transmitting from the hub device the file to be transmitted to the terminal in response to the file obtaining request.