JP2003044516A - Software with bookmark function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide software with a bookmark function, which can inform a user the existence of a descriptive data unit with the good possibility of being important for the user. SOLUTION: An embodiment of the present invention of software with a bookmark function has a first means that sets the bookmarks to a plurality of unit data and a single unit data and also a second means that specifies the other unit data that relates with the unit data with the bookmark being set. Using these means, a user can specify the unit data with the good possibility of being important for the user by specifying the unit data that has a relation with the unit data with attached the bookmark since it is often supposed to be important for the user.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to software with a bookmark function, and more particularly to software with a bookmark function capable of notifying a user of the presence of unit commentary data that is highly likely to be important to the user.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a lot of educational software for learning specific software (specific word processing software, etc.) has been developed. For example, in educational software for learning specific word processing software, the various functions provided in the word processing software are introduced in order, or in some cases, the user is instructed to actually operate the word processing software. Learning progresses in such a way.

Generally, this kind of educational software is
Equipped with a main body data section that consists of many unit commentary data, educational software that has been able to set so-called "bookmarks" (sometimes called sticky notes / bookmarks) on each unit commentary data by user operation has been available. Are known. Here, it is left to the user's operation which unit commentary data to set the bookmark, and for example, a bookmark is arbitrarily set to the unit commentary data that the user thinks is important.

When the bookmark is set in this way, the user can jump to the commentary screen corresponding to the unit commentary data indicated by the bookmark by selecting it, thereby improving the learning efficiency. ing.

[0005]

However, in the conventional educational software, even if the unit commentary data that is highly likely to be important to the user, the user does not notice the existence of the unit commentary data, and therefore the unit commentary data is not recognized. It sometimes took a lot of work to reach the explanation screen corresponding to.

On the other hand, not only educational software but also general practical software such as word processing software and spreadsheet software is often provided with a so-called "help" function. Even when a bookmark can be set for each unit help data that constitutes the main data section of the help function, even if the unit help data that is highly likely to be important to the user is Sometimes it took a lot of effort to get to the corresponding help screen.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide software with a bookmark function capable of notifying a user of the existence of unit commentary data that is highly likely to be important to the user.

[0008]

The object of the present invention is to:
Software with bookmark function including a plurality of unit data, first means for setting a bookmark in arbitrary unit data, and second means for specifying other unit data related to the unit data for which the bookmark is set Achieved by

According to the present invention, other unit data related to the unit data for which the user has set a bookmark can be specified. Here, since the unit data for which the bookmark is set is often the unit data determined to be important by the user, it may be important for the user by specifying the unit data related to this. It is possible to specify unit data with a high value.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, a keyword is assigned to at least a part of the plurality of unit data, and the second means is assigned to the unit data in which the bookmark is set. The related other unit data is specified based on the keyword.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, other related unit data are specified based on the keyword, and therefore, when a page is added or deleted in the process of making and improving the software. It is possible to suppress an increase in the burden on the producer.

[0012] In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the database further includes a database in which a keyword assigned to each of the unit data is registered, and the second means performs the above-mentioned related operation by searching the database. Specify the unit data of.

[0013] In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, there is further provided third means for displaying a list of information relating to the other related unit data specified by the second means.

[0014] In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the information displayed in a list includes information regarding whether or not a bookmark is set.

In a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the plurality of unit data are unit comment data for explaining the contents of specific software or unit help data for constituting a help function.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Software with a bookmark function according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is educational software for learning specific software (for example, word processing software) and is used by hardware such as a personal computer. be able to. The structure and operation of the software with bookmark function according to this embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of software with a bookmark function according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the software with a bookmark function according to the present embodiment has a main body program section 1
1, a main body data unit 2, a database 3, and a bookmark management unit 4. As a matter of course, these do not mean that they are physically independent elements, but merely schematically represent the functions of the software with bookmark function according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a data structure of the main body data section 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main body data section 2
Is composed of a plurality of "parts" consisting of the table of contents data and the first part to the m-th part, and each part is composed of one or more "chapter" (for example, chapters 1 to n),
Each chapter has one or more “sections” (for example, Section 1 to Section o).
Section), and each section is composed of one or more “pages”. The page, which is the minimum unit of the main body data section 2, is composed of “unit description data” and “page number”. The page number of each page is uniquely assigned, and no two or more pages have the same page number. Further, the table-of-contents data includes the title of each page (for example, “change print layout” or “install printer driver”) and the title of the section, chapter, or section to which each page belongs.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the data structure of the database 3.

As shown in FIG. 3, the database 3
Is composed of the page number of each page included in the main body data part 2 and the “keyword” associated with this. Here, as the keyword, one or more keywords that directly indicate the content of the corresponding page are selected. The keyword may match part or all of the title of the page. For example, if the page assigned with 4 as the page number is a page for learning about changing the print layout, “print layout” and “change layout” are registered as the corresponding keywords.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data structure of the bookmark management unit 4.

As shown in FIG. 4, the bookmark management unit 4
Of the page numbers of the pages included in the main body data section 2 are the page numbers of the pages to which the bookmark is set. For example, if a bookmark is set for a page to which 4 is assigned as the page number, 4 is registered as the page number in the bookmark management unit 4.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing a hardware configuration for using the software with the bookmark function according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 10, the memory 11, the display 12, and the input device 13 are the minimum required hardware for using the software with bookmark function according to the present embodiment. Since such a hardware configuration is a configuration that a general personal computer normally has, the software with bookmark function according to the present embodiment can be used by a general personal computer. When the software with bookmark function according to this embodiment is actually used by the hardware shown in FIG. 5, the software with bookmark function according to this embodiment is stored in the memory 1
1 and will be executed by the CPU 10. In this case, the information to be given to the user is C
It is displayed on the display 12 under the control of the PU 10, and an instruction from the user is given by the input device 13. A CRT or a liquid crystal panel can be used as the display 12, and a keyboard or a pointing device (mouse or the like) can be used as the input device 13.

Next, the operation of the software with bookmark function according to this embodiment will be described. Here, the operation of the bookmark function software according to the present embodiment means that the main body program unit 1 of the bookmark function software stored in the memory 11 is executed by the CPU 10.

First, when the software with bookmark function according to the present embodiment is executed by the hardware shown in FIG. 2, the table of contents data included in the main body data section 2 and the registered contents of the bookmark management section 4 are read out, The contents of the read table of contents data are displayed on the display 12. At this time, the user is warned that a bookmark is set in the portion corresponding to the page number registered in the bookmark management unit 4 in the contents of the table of contents.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a table of contents screen displayed on the display 12.

In this example, a page with a title "Determine print layout" (for example, page number 1) and a page with a title "Change print layout" (for example, page number 4) have bookmarks. This is set, and therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, a check mark is displayed in the items corresponding to these in the contents of the table of contents to call the user's attention. However, the method of alerting the user that the bookmark is set is not limited to this, and, for example, the item corresponding to the page for which the bookmark is set and the item corresponding to the page for which the bookmark is not set. Calling attention by distinguishing the display color of, and calling attention by distinguishing the display font of items corresponding to pages with bookmarks set and items corresponding to pages without bookmarks set. I don't mind.

When the user selects an item to be learned by using the input device 13 such as a pointing device in the state where such a table of contents screen is displayed on the display 12, unit explanation data corresponding to the selected item is displayed. The description content corresponding to the read unit description data read from the main body data unit 2 is displayed on the display 12.

Here, the explanation contents corresponding to the unit explanation data include, but are not particularly limited to, explanations using characters, explanations using illustrations, explanations using voice, explanations using demonstrations, and the like. Here, the demonstration refers to displaying in real time what should be displayed on the display 12 when the correct operation is performed on the software to be learned through the input device 13.

During the demonstration,
Since the user is merely looking at the display 12, the display 12 displays a meter showing the progress of the demonstration, a timer showing the remaining time, etc.
It is preferable to display it. It is also preferable that the demonstration is stopped by the user performing a predetermined instruction via the input device 13 (for example, pressing the ESC key) during the demonstration. Further, during the demonstration, when the user gives another instruction via the input device 13 (for example, pressing the CTRL key),
It is also preferable that the demonstration is configured to be executed at high speed (fast forward). Further, it is also preferable that the demonstration is performed in the reverse direction (rewinding) by the user performing another instruction (for example, pressing the SHIFT key) via the input device 13 during the demonstration. . By these, it becomes possible to relieve the stress of the user in the learning using the demonstration.

A test for confirming the degree of understanding of the user is also performed depending on the contents of the explanation. The test method is not particularly limited, but for example, a method of displaying a question sentence on the display 12 and answering with "○" or "x" whether the content of the question sentence is correct, or a question on the display 12 It is preferable to use a method in which a sentence and a plurality of answer candidates for the sentence are displayed and which of the plurality of answer candidates is correct (or which is wrong) is answered. Especially the test by the latter method,
This is particularly preferable because the degree of understanding of the user can be grasped more accurately and the learning effect is high.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an explanation screen corresponding to a page for which a bookmark is not set.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the commentary screen, a bookmark setting button 21 and a related item display button 22 are displayed in addition to the portion 20 which is the main body of the commentary content. The bookmark setting button 21 is a button in which the “pushing state” and the “non-pushing state” are inverted every time the input device 13 such as a pointing device is pressed, and in the case of the pushing state, the page where the bookmark is set In the non-pushed-in state, the page is not set with a bookmark. Since the screen shown in the figure is a screen corresponding to the page for which the bookmark is not set, the bookmark setting button 21 is in the non-pressed state. However, it is not essential that the bookmark setting button 21 be a push-type button in this way, and the input device 13
It is also possible to use a normal type button that is held in a pressed state only while being pressed by, and to change the presence or absence of the bookmark setting each time the input device 13 is pressed. Even in this case, it is preferable to display whether or not the bookmark is set by some method.

The related item display button 22 is a button that is activated when the bookmark setting button 21 is in the pressed state (when the bookmark is set), and in the screen shown in FIG. 7, the bookmark setting button 22 is set. Since the button 21 is in the non-pressed state (the bookmark is not set), the related item display button 22 is in the inactive state. The related item display button 22 is a normal type button that is pressed only while it is pressed by the input device 13, and cannot be pressed when the related item display button 22 is inactive. .

On such a screen, the user can learn based on the portion 20 which is the main body of the commentary content.

When setting a bookmark on this page, the user may press the bookmark setting button 21 to put it in the pressed state. Bookmark setting button 2
When 1 is pressed, the page number of the page is registered in the bookmark management unit 4, and the related item display button 22 is activated. As a result, when the above-mentioned table of contents screen is displayed again, the above-mentioned check mark is displayed in the portion corresponding to the page, and the user is alerted that the bookmark is set.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen of commentary contents corresponding to a page for which a bookmark is set.

As shown in FIG. 8, on the screen corresponding to the page to which the bookmark is set, the bookmark setting button 21 is in the pushed state, and therefore the related item display button 22 is in the activated state. ing. When the user presses the related item display button 22 using the input device 13 on such a screen, the process described below is executed.

When the related item display button 22 is pressed,
First, by referring to the database 3, the keyword corresponding to the page is read. For example, if the screen on which the related item display button 22 is pressed is a page to which 4 is assigned as the page number, as shown in FIG. 3, the corresponding keyword using the page number 4 is ""Printlayout" and "change layout" are read.

When the keyword corresponding to the page is read in this way, the database 3 is referred to next to search for a page having the same keyword as the keyword. In the above example, since the read keywords are “print layout” and “change layout”, a page in which “print layout” or “change layout” is registered as a keyword is searched. . In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, since the keyword corresponding to page number 1 is “print layout”, at least page number 1 is hit by this search. As described above, since the keyword assigned to each page simply represents the content of the corresponding page, the content of the page hit by such a search has a close relationship with the content of the current page. ing.

When the search is completed, the bookmark management unit 4
By referring to, it is checked whether or not a bookmark is set for each page hit by the search.
When the above operation is completed, the search results are displayed on the display 12 in another window.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the contents of the window showing the search results.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the window 30 showing the search result, the title of the page hit by the search, the information on the part / chapter / section to which this page belongs, and the presence / absence of bookmark settings are displayed. . Whether or not the bookmark is set is displayed by the same method as the above-mentioned index screen, for example, by a check mark. However, it is not essential to display all of the above information in the window 30, and at least information that can identify the page hit by the search may be displayed. Therefore, when the presence or absence of the bookmark setting is not displayed in the window 30, the reference operation of the bookmark management unit 4 performed after the above-described search may be omitted.

When the user selects an item (page) to be learned by using the input device 13 while the window 30 is displayed on the display 12, the selected item is selected as in the case of selecting the item on the index screen. The unit explanation data corresponding to is read from the main body data section 2, and the explanation content corresponding to the read unit explanation data is displayed on the display 12.

As a result, the user can know the existence of another page having the same keyword as the keyword of the page for which the bookmark is set, and can easily display the content of the page.

As described above, in the software with bookmark function according to the present embodiment, by pressing the related item display button 22, another page related to the page for which the bookmark is set is searched and the hit page is found. Since the title and the like are displayed, it is possible to notify the existence of an item that the user may want to know. Thereby, it becomes possible to notify the user of the existence of the unit commentary data that is highly likely to be important to the user.

Further, in the software with bookmark function according to the embodiment, since other pages related to the page for which the bookmark is set are extracted by the search using the database 3, the software can be manufactured and improved. In the process, it is possible to suppress an increase in the burden on the creator when adding or deleting pages.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. It goes without saying that it is a thing.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to educational software for learning specific software has been described, but the application target of the present invention is limited to such educational software. The present invention is also applicable to general practical software having a help function, such as word processing software and spreadsheet software. In other words, the help function provided in these general practical software corresponds to a large number of unit help data (unit commentary data. In this specification, data corresponding to unit commentary data and unit help data is referred to as "unit data". If the bookmark can be set for these unit help data, as described in the above embodiment, the unit help data for which the bookmark is set is provided. Items related to can be displayed. According to this, since it is possible to notify the user of the existence of an item that the user may want to know, it is possible to realize a help function that is very convenient for the user.

Further, in the above embodiment, other pages related to the page to which the bookmark is set are extracted by the search using the database 3. However, such a search is not performed but each page is searched. By registering the page numbers of other related pages in advance, in response to pressing of the related item display button 22, information about the related page registered in the relevant page may be displayed. According to this, since the database 3 is not required, the size of the entire software can be reduced, and the information regarding the related items can be displayed very quickly.

Further, in the above embodiment, the related page is displayed in response to the pressing of the related item display button 22 displayed on the comment screen of the page for which the bookmark is set. The method of displaying the related page is not limited to this. For example, in the state where the table of contents screen is displayed on the display 12, the user uses the input device 13 such as a pointing device to set the bookmark ( The related page may be displayed in response to the selection of the page) by a predetermined method (for example, right click).

Further, in the above embodiment, a keyword is assigned to each unit commentary data included in the main body program section 2 and registered in the database 3. However, in the present invention, all the key words are included in the main body program section 2. It is not indispensable to assign a keyword to the unit commentary data, and a keyword may be assigned only to some of the unit commentary data.

Further, in the above embodiment, each unit commentary data included in the main body data section 2 is hierarchically classified by the section / chapter / section. Hierarchical classification is not essential, and classification may be performed according to a criterion different from hierarchical classification or no classification at all.

Further, in the above embodiment, the results of the search performed in response to the pressing of the related item display button 22 are displayed as a list in a window 30 different from the comment screen of the page. It is not essential to display the result in another window, and it may be displayed in the same window as the explanation screen.

In the present invention, the term "means" does not necessarily mean physical means, but also includes the case where the function of each means is realized by software. Further, the function of one means may be realized by two or more physical means, or the functions of two or more means may be realized by one physical means.

[0059]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to notify the user of the existence of unit commentary data that is highly likely to be important to the user.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of software with a bookmark function according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a data structure of a main body data unit 2.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data structure of a database 3.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data structure of a bookmark management unit 4.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing a hardware configuration for using software with a bookmark function according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a diagram showing an example of a table of contents screen displayed on the display 12. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an explanation screen corresponding to a page for which a bookmark is not set.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an explanation screen corresponding to a page for which a bookmark is set.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the contents of a window showing search results.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Main body program section 2 body data 3 database 4 Bookmark Management Department 10 CPU 11 memory 12 display 13 Input device 20 Main part of the description 21 Bookmark setting button 22 Related item display button 30 windows

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Takashi Namioka             1-13-1, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo             -In DC Inc. F term (reference) 5B075 ND20 ND23 ND34 NK02 NK13                       NK24 NR02 NR12 PQ02 PQ46                       PR01 UU06 UU40                 5E501 AA02 AC19 AC33 BA10 BA14                       CA02 DA15 EB05 FA12 FA23                       FA47 FB44

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of unit data, a first means for setting a bookmark on arbitrary unit data, and a second means for specifying another unit data related to the unit data for which the bookmark is set. Software with bookmark function. 2. A keyword is assigned to at least a part of the plurality of unit data, and the second means is based on the keyword assigned to the unit data in which the bookmark is set. The software with a bookmark function according to claim 1, wherein other related unit data is specified. 3. The database further includes a database in which a keyword assigned to each unit data is registered, and the second means identifies the related other unit data by searching the database. The software with a bookmark function according to claim 2. 4. A third method for displaying a list of information related to the other related unit data specified by the second means.
4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
The software with the bookmark function described in any one of 1. 5. The software with a bookmark function according to claim 4, wherein the information displayed as a list includes information regarding whether or not a bookmark is set. 6. The unit data according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the plurality of unit data are unit commentary data for explaining the contents of specific software or unit help data for constituting a help function. Software with bookmark function described in section.