JP3533674B2 - Information display device and method thereof - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information display device for storing and displaying a large amount of information having a hierarchical relationship, such as an information search device, and particularly to a partial hierarchy according to an instruction from a user. The present invention relates to an information display device capable of separately displaying related information and a method thereof .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is known an information display device such as an information search device for managing and displaying a plurality of information having a hierarchical relationship stored in a database or the like. Conventionally, in such an information display device, in a single window on the screen, information is displayed with reference to information located in a predetermined hierarchy among a plurality of information having a hierarchical relationship. When a user tries to display new information located in another layer, the hierarchical relationship of the plurality of pieces of information is traced to move to the layer where the information to be displayed is located, and the new information is displayed. It was displayed.

[0003]

However, in the information display device such as the above-mentioned conventional information retrieval device, since the information is displayed using a single window, the information is displayed in the single window in which the information is displayed. When new information is displayed on, the display state before the new information is displayed is erased.

As a result, when trying to reproduce the display state before the new information is displayed, the hierarchical structure is reversed from the newly displayed information, and the information is moved to the position of the information that was previously set as the reference. It was necessary to display again from and efficiency was poor. Moreover, since the previous display state cannot be retained, the user cannot compare the previous display state with the current display state for viewing.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and provides an information display apparatus and method capable of efficiently displaying a plurality of information having a hierarchical relationship in accordance with an instruction from a user. The purpose is to

[0006]

The information processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention displays a plurality of pieces of information having a predetermined hierarchical relationship in a window within one display screen in response to a user operation. An information display device comprising: a storage unit that stores a display route; an input unit that performs an input by a click operation or a character input operation; and a plurality of pieces of information having the hierarchical relationship based on the input of the input unit. No. to display
To instruct creation of a new window and the area 1
And a display instruction creating means for creating a display instruction indicating that the window having the second area of
From the information designated by the first click operation using the input means, to the display route stored in the storage means, of the plurality of pieces of information having the hierarchical relationship, the display instruction creating means It is indicated that all the information existing at the traced position and the information existing one layer below the information specified by the first click operation are displayed in the first area in the window. The first processing for creating a display instruction and the first processing by the input means
2 By the click operation or the character input operation
The table for the second area in the window.
When information to indicate the route is specified, the information which is the designated, is stored in the storage means as said display root of the new window, the information and the which is the designated
And the information present in the single lower layer of the specified information, those
A second process of creating a display instruction indicating that the information is displayed in the first area in the new window is performed using the specified information as a display route .

Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, preferably, the display instruction creating means displays a message in the window by the third click operation using the input means .
When the information displayed in the first area is specified and an instruction to display a new window is input by the fourth click operation on the second area , the third click operation is performed. The designated information is stored in the storage unit as the display route of the new window, and the designated information by the third click operation is one of the designated information as the display route. The third process of creating a display instruction of a new window for displaying the information existing in the lower layer is further performed.

In the information processing method of the second invention, the information displayed by the information display device for displaying a plurality of pieces of information having a predetermined hierarchical relationship in a window within one display screen in response to a user operation. A method of processing, wherein the hierarchical
A first area displaying a plurality of related information and a new area
A second area for instructing the creation of different windows.
Followed a first step of displaying the window having, among a plurality of information having a hierarchical relationship, to display the root set from the given the information by the first of the clicking operation using the input means A display indicating that all the information existing in the position and the information existing in the layer one layer below the information specified by the first click operation are displayed in the first area in the window Second step of creating instructions and second step by the input means
By the click operation or the character input operation of
The display rule for the second area in the window.
When information to be over bets is specified, the information which is the designated is set as the display root of the new window, the information and the designated information the designated 1
The information and the information, which is the designated present in One lower layer
As the display route the broadcast, said in a new window
And a third step of creating a display instruction indicating display in the first area .

[0009]

According to the information display device and the method of the present invention, the starting point is set when the user uses a mouse and a keyboard to display in a new window among a plurality of pieces of information having a hierarchical relationship. The first information and the second information of interest at that time are input from the input means, and the input first information and second information are stored in the storage means. Then, the display instruction creating means, based on the first information and the second information stored in the storage means, in addition to the currently displayed window, any part of the hierarchical relationships. A display instruction indicating that a plurality of pieces of information corresponding to is displayed in a new window is created. Then, the display means displays an image having a plurality of windows according to the display instruction from the display instruction creating means.

Then, the display instruction creating means is based on the first information and the second information stored in the storage means, and in addition to the currently displayed window, any one of the hierarchical relationships is displayed. A display instruction indicating that a plurality of pieces of information corresponding to the relationship of the parts should be displayed in a new window is created.

Then, the display means displays an image having a plurality of windows according to the display instruction from the display instruction creating means.

[0012]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information search device 1 as an embodiment of the information display device of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the information retrieval device 1 includes a display creation unit 12, an input unit 2, a display window instruction information holding unit 4, a display window holding unit 6, a display window root holding unit 8, a database unit 10, and The display unit 14 is connected.

The input unit 2 has an instruction device such as a mouse or a tablet and a character input device such as a keyboard, and an instruction signal S2 corresponding to an operation by a user is displayed.
Is output to.

The database unit 10 stores a plurality of pieces of information having a hierarchical relationship. Database part 1
The information stored in 0 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the "root" is the first layer, the information elements "book", "thesis" and "magazine" are located in the second layer. The information elements "information processing" and "general remarks" are located in the second layer located in the lower layer, and the third information layer is located in the lower layer of "information processing".
There is a hierarchical relationship in which the information element “AI” is located in the layer and the information element “fuzzy” is located in the fourth layer below the “AI”.

The display window instruction information holding unit 4 stores, for each window, an information element name for which the user instructs the display unit 14 to display. This information element name is
The information element name is stored in the database unit 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the display window instruction information holding unit 4 stores the information element names for which the windows A, B, and C are instructed to be displayed. At this time, in the window A, the information element shown in FIG. “Fuzzy”, the information element “decimal classification” in window B, and the information element “xxx society” in window C are designated.

The information element name stored in the display window instruction information holding section 4 is referred to when the display creating section 12 creates a display signal according to the display rule, as described later.

The display window route holding unit 8 stores an information element name which is a route on the display (hereinafter, referred to as "display route") when displaying on the display unit 14. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the display window route holding unit 8 stores the information element name (hereinafter, referred to as “display route”) used as a display route when displaying the windows A, B, and C. At this time, “information processing” shown in FIG. 2 is stored as the display route of the window A, “general remarks” is stored as the display route of the window B, and “America” is stored as the display route of the window C.

The display window holding unit 6 stores information for specifying the window currently displayed on the display unit 14 as shown in FIG. 5, for example, information such as an address or a name.

The display unit 14 displays an image according to the display signal S12a from the display creating unit 12 on the display.

The display creating unit 12 creates a display signal by referring to the information element names stored in the display window instruction information holding unit 4 and the display window route holding unit 8 in response to the instruction signal S2 from the input unit 2. , This is the display signal S12a
Is output to the display unit 14.

The display creating section 12 creates a display signal based on the following display law and layout law.

Display Law: Of a plurality of pieces of information having a hierarchical relationship, all the information elements existing in the position from the designated information element to the display route centering on the designated information element, and this instruction The information element that is one layer below the selected information element is displayed.

The information element one layer below the display route is always displayed.

Arrangement law: The hierarchical relationship of information is displayed in a tree diagram.

The processing in the display creating unit 12 will be described below with reference to an example of a window displayed on the display unit 14. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing in the display unit 14. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a window displayed on the display unit 14 when the processing of steps S6 and 7 in FIG. 6 is executed.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the window displayed on the display unit 14 when the processing of steps S8-11 in FIG. 6 is executed. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a window displayed on the display unit 14 when the processing of step S14 and steps S9 to 11 in FIG. 6 is executed.

Step S1: The display creating section 12 inputs the instruction signal S2 from the input section 2.

Step S2: The display creating section 12 sends the instruction signal S2 input in step S1 to the "display section 14
To the information element currently being displayed and to create a new window "(hereinafter" C
ASE1 ”), and if so, the process of step S6 is executed, and if not so, step S3.
The process of is executed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7 (A), for example, "CASE1" indicates that the user uses the mouse of the input unit 2 to designate the information element "A" located in the lower layer of "book" in the window 20a. However, the display of the new window is not instructed. The display instruction of the new window is such that the user inputs an information element name in "new window / input" located at the bottom of the window 20a shown in FIG. 7A, or specifies "new window / instruction". When this is done, the data is output from the input unit 2 to the display creation unit 12.

When the window 20a shown in FIG. 7A is displayed, both the display window instruction information holding unit 4 and the display window root holding unit 8 store "book" as the information element name of the window 20a. ing.

Step S6: The display creating section 12 determines the information element name designated in step S1.

Step S7: The display creating section 12 causes the display window instruction information holding section 4 to store the information element name determined in step S6. In the case of FIG. 7A, the display creation unit 12 causes the display window instruction information holding unit 4 to store “A” as the information element name of the window 20a.

At this time, the display window route holding unit 8
The information element name of the window 20a stored in "book" is
It remains. Step S12: The display creating unit 12 creates a display signal by referring to the information element names stored in the display window instruction information holding unit 4 and the display window route holding unit 8.

Step S13: The display creating section 12 outputs the display signal created in step S12 to the display section 14 as a display signal S12a for display. For example, as in the case shown in FIG.
When steps S12 and S13 are executed after executing steps 6 and 7, the information element name "book" is stored as the display root in the display window root holding unit 8, and the information element is stored in the display window holding unit 6. Since the name “A” is stored, based on the above display law and arrangement law, FIG.
As shown in (B), "book" is used as the display route, and "A"
The display unit 14 displays a window 20b that displays all information element names one layer below "A" as the information element instructed.

Step S3: The display creating unit 12 determines that the instruction signal S2 input in step S1 indicates that "the information element name has been input as a new window / input in the currently displayed window" (hereinafter referred to as "CASE2"). If so, the process of step S8 is executed; otherwise, the process of step S4 is executed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8 (A), for example, "CASE2" is displayed in a window 22a by the user by using the mouse and keyboard of the input unit 2 from the "new window / input" to a predetermined position. This is the case of inputting "/ America". When the image 22a shown in FIG. 8A is displayed, both the display window instruction information holding unit 4 and the display window root holding unit 8 store "book" as the information element name of the window 22a.

Step S8: The display creating unit 12 is the input unit 2
Get the information element name input as a new window / input from. Step S9: The display creating unit 12 causes the display window instruction information holding unit 4 to store the information element name acquired in Step S8 as the information element name of the new window. Figure 8
In the case of (A), the display creation unit 12 causes the display window instruction information holding unit 4 to store “Paper / America” as the information element name of the new window.

Step S10: The display creating unit 12 causes the display window root holding unit 8 to store the information element name acquired in Step S8 as an information element name of a new window. In the case of FIG. 8A, the display creation unit 12 causes the display window root holding unit 8 to store “Paper / America” as the information element name of the new window.

Step S11: The display creating unit 12 refers to the information element name of the new window newly added to the display window instruction information holding unit 4 and the display window route holding unit 8 in Steps S9 and S10 to create a new one. Create a window. Then, for example, when the display creating unit 12 executes steps S12 and S13 after executing steps S8 to 11 as in the case shown in FIG.
Since “Paper / America” is stored as a display route in the display window route holding unit 8, in addition to the window 22a, as shown in FIG. The display unit 14 displays a window 24 that displays all the information element names one layer below the "America" as a display route.

Step S4: The display creating section 12 displays the instruction signal S2 input in step S1 as "the display section 14 by the user."
To the information element currently displayed and to create a new window "(hereinafter" CAS "
It is referred to as "E3"),
If it is determined to be so, the process of step S14 is executed, and if it is not determined, the process of step S5 is executed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9 (A), for example, "CASE3", the user designates both "A" and "new window / instruction" in the window 26a by using the mouse of the input unit 2 or the like. This is the case. When the image 26a shown in FIG. 9A is displayed, the display window instruction information holding unit 4 and the display window route holding unit 8 are displayed.
Both of them store "book" as the information element name of the window 26a.

Step S14: The display creating unit 12 determines the information element name designated by the input unit 2. Then, in the case of FIG. 9A, the display creation unit 12 causes the display window instruction information holding unit 4 to store “A” as the information element name of the new window in step S9, and the display window route in step S10. "A" is stored in the holding unit 8 as the information element name of the new window, and step S11,
With reference to the information element names of the new windows added to the display window instruction information holding unit 4 and the display window route holding unit 8 in 12, 13, in addition to the window 26a as shown in FIG. A new window 28 having “A” as a display route is displayed on the display unit 14.

Step S5: The display creating section 12 determines whether or not the instruction signal S2 input in step S1 indicates "deletion of display window", and if so, step S15. Processing is executed, and if it is determined that it is not, the processing ends.

Step S15: The display creation unit 12 inputs the "window name to be deleted" designated by the user using the mouse of the input unit 2 and outputs the window name to the display window root holding unit 8. The display window root holding unit 8 deletes the information element name corresponding to the input window name.

Step S16: The display creating section 12 outputs the "window name to be deleted" input in step S15 to the display window instruction information holding section 4. The display window instruction information holding unit 4 deletes the information element name corresponding to the input window name.

Step S17: The display creating section 12 outputs to the display section 14 a signal for deleting the window corresponding to the "window name to be deleted" input in step S15,
Delete the window.

As described above, according to the information display device of the present embodiment, it corresponds to any part of the hierarchical relationships without erasing the window being displayed according to the instruction from the user. Multiple pieces of information can be displayed in a new window. Therefore, the user can compare the displayed window with the new window.

In this embodiment, the information retrieval device is exemplified, but
The information display device of the present invention is not limited to the information search device described above, and may be another information display device that displays information having a predetermined hierarchical relationship in accordance with an instruction from the user.

[0049]

According to the information display device and the method thereof of the present invention, the information having the hierarchical relationship defined by the first information and the second information according to the instruction from the user is displayed. By displaying multiple information that corresponds to all or any part of the hierarchical relationship in a new window, the window displayed before the new window is displayed as it is. Can be set. As a result, the user can see the new window and the previous window at the same time and can compare these windows. As described above, according to the information display device of the present invention, it is possible to efficiently display a plurality of pieces of information having a hierarchical relationship in accordance with an instruction from the user.

As described above, according to the information display device of the present invention, it is possible to efficiently display a plurality of pieces of information having a hierarchical relationship in accordance with an instruction from the user.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an information display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining information stored in a database section of the information display device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining information stored in a display window instruction information holding unit of the information display device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining information stored in a display window route holding unit of the information display device shown in FIG.

5 is a diagram for explaining information stored in a display window holding unit of the information display device shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of processing in a display creating unit shown in FIG.

7A and 7B are views for explaining a window displayed on the display unit 14 when the processes of steps S6 and S7 in FIG. 6 are executed, where FIG. This is the window after execution.

8A and 8B are views for explaining a window displayed on the display unit 14 when the processes of steps S8 to 11 in FIG. 6 are executed, where FIG. 8A shows the process before execution and FIG. 8B shows the process. This is the window after execution.

9 is a diagram illustrating steps S14 and S in FIG.
It is a figure for demonstrating the window displayed on the display part 14 when the process of 9-11 is performed, (A) is a window before performing a process, (B) is a window after performing a process.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Information display device 2 ... Input unit 4 ... Display window instruction information holding unit 6 ... Display window holding unit 8 ... Display window route holding unit 10 ... Database unit 12 ... Display creation unit 14 ... Display units A, B, C, 20a, 20b, 22a, 24, 26a,
28 ... Window

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-3-38775 (JP, A) JP-A-3-58133 (JP, A) JP-A-4-90022 (JP, A) JP-A-4- 133172 (JP, A) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-195467 (JP, A) Tatsuro Kitago, Basic Software Microsofts Windows 3.1, Nikkei Bytes, Japan, Nikkei BP, February 1, 1992, No. 96, pp ． 152-156 (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/00 G06F 3/14-3/153

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An information display device for displaying a plurality of information having a predetermined hierarchical relationship in a window within one display screen according to a user's operation, and a storage means for storing a display route. And input means for inputting by a click operation or a character input operation, and the hierarchical relationship based on the input of the input means.
A first window with multiple pieces of information and a new window
And a display instruction creating unit for creating a display instruction indicating that the window is displayed, the display instruction creating unit having a second area for giving a creating instruction, and the display instruction creating unit having the hierarchical relationship. Of the plurality of pieces of information, all the information existing at a position traced from the information designated by the first click operation using the input means to the display route stored in the storage means, and the first information said first said information by clicking operation present in one layer of the said designated information and in said window
A first process of creating a display instruction indicating a displayed area, a second of the click operation or before by the input means
By the character input operation, the second character in the window
Information to be the display route is specified for the area
If the information which the the said designated information is stored in the storage means as said display root of the new window, present in one layer of the designated <br/> been the information and the designated information And display the specified information.
As bets, the information processing apparatus characterized by performing a second process of creating a display instruction indicating that to be displayed on the first region in said new window. 2. The display instruction creating means specifies the information displayed in the first area in the window by the third clicking operation using the input means, and the second information is displayed . When an instruction to display a new window is input by the fourth click operation on the area, the specified information by the third click operation is stored in the storage unit as the display route of the new window. A third process of storing and creating a display instruction of a new window for displaying information existing one layer below the specified information by using the specified information as the display route by the third click operation The information display device according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. An information processing method performed by an information display device for displaying a plurality of information having a predetermined hierarchical relationship in a window within one display screen according to a user's operation, wherein the hierarchy First to display a plurality of information having a physical relationship
Area and a window for instructing the creation of a new window
A first step of displaying the window having two areas; and a plurality of pieces of information having the hierarchical relationship, which is set from the information designated by the first click operation using the input means. All the information existing in a position to reach the display route and the information existing one layer below the information specified by the first click operation are displayed in the first area in the window. a second step of creating a display instruction indicating a second of the click operation or before by the input means
By the character input operation, the second character in the window
Information to be the display route is specified for the area
If, the information which is the designated is set as the display root of the new window, and the information present in the single lower layer of the information that is the designated and the designated information, which is the designated the Information as the display route,
A third step of creating a display instruction that indicates to display in the first area in the new window. 4. The information displayed in the first area in the window is designated by the third click operation using the input means, and the information is displayed in the second area.
On the other hand, when an instruction to display a new window is input by the fourth click operation, the specified information is set as the display route of the new window by the third click operation. The fourth step of creating a display instruction of a new window for displaying information existing one layer below the specified information by using the specified information as the display route by the click operation of 3. The information processing method according to claim 3, further comprising: