JP2005032263A - Information browsing program, recording medium having program recorded therein, device and method for browsing information, information generation program, recording medium having program recorded therein, method and device for information generation, and information generation and browsing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow information of sites of the Internet, local folders, files, etc. to be easily browsed. <P>SOLUTION: Though web sites WS have addresses unequivocally set by URL, this invention locates each site WS within a channel represented by, for example, a one-dimensional virtual space. A user designates an arbitrary position within the channel by a tuning position TP, and a client terminal detects a site channel ST within the channel, which is on the inside of a tuning area TE having a virtual spread around the tuning position TP. The client terminal accesses a web site WS corresponding to the site position ST within the channel, which is on the inside of the tuning area TE, to browse the page. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information browsing program, a recording medium storing the information browsing program, information browsing, and the like, which are suitable for searching and browsing the contents of, for example, a so-called web page on the Internet, local files, folders, etc. The present invention relates to an apparatus and method, an information generation program, a recording medium recording the information generation program, an information generation apparatus and method, and an information generation browsing system.

  In recent years, so-called connection to the Internet has become easier and more popular, and users can access various information by accessing various websites on the Internet (hereinafter referred to as sites as appropriate). Can be easily browsed and collected.

  Here, when accessing a desired site from among a large number of sites existing on the Internet, the user inputs, for example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) corresponding to an address (address) on the Internet on a web browser. For example, an operation of tracing a link (an address of another page embedded in a web page) pasted on another site is performed.

  The URL is a value uniquely determined for each web page on the Internet. Therefore, if an accurate URL is known and the URL can be accurately input on a web browser, the user can browse a target web page (hereinafter referred to as a page as appropriate).

  In addition, for example, when performing a so-called web surfing that accesses and browses various sites without aiming to access a specific site, the user is most commonly attached to each web page, for example. Do the operation that follows the link.

  However, for example, if the URL of the target site is not known or a link from another site is not pasted, the user can access the target site from the vast number of sites existing on the Internet. It is difficult to do. This problem is particularly noticeable in the case of web surfing, and it is very difficult for a user to browse a site without links from other sites by web surfing.

  In addition, when accessing the target site, it is very cumbersome and inefficient for the user to repeatedly enter, for example, a URL every time or to follow or return to a link pasted on another site. It is.

  Further, the URL is a set of a plurality of characters, numbers, etc., and is a unique value for each web page. For this reason, if one of the plurality of characters or numbers is mistaken when inputting the URL, the user cannot access the target site. In particular, the task of accurately inputting all characters and the like of the URL is a heavy burden for a user who is not accustomed to operating the keyboard.

  The present invention makes it easy to perform information for which a storage location is uniquely specified, such as a website on the Internet, a local folder, or a file, without performing a complicated and complicated input operation for specifying the storage location. Information browsing program, recording medium recording information browsing program, information browsing apparatus and method, information generation program, information generation, enabling browsing and easily realizing browsing without browsing specific information It is an object to provide a recording medium on which a program is recorded, an information generation apparatus and method, and an information generation browsing system.

  The present invention detects a designated position arbitrarily designated by a user in a virtual space in which information in which a storage location is uniquely set is arranged, and an area having a virtual spread with respect to the designated position An arrangement position that falls within is detected, and information corresponding to the arrangement position is acquired and presented.

  Further, the present invention collects information in which a storage location is uniquely set, arranges the information in a virtual space, and generates browsing information used when browsing the information from the virtual space.

  That is, according to the present invention, information in which the storage location is uniquely specified is arranged in the virtual space, the position is specified in the virtual space, and the virtual expansion area is entered with respect to the specified position. An arrangement position is detected, and information corresponding to the arrangement position is acquired. For this reason, when acquiring the information, the user does not need to directly specify the storage location, and can acquire the information without specifying the storage location accurately.

  According to the present invention, the information in which the storage location is uniquely specified is arranged in the virtual space, the position is specified in the virtual space, and the area in the region having a virtual spread with respect to the specified position is specified. Since the location corresponding to the location is detected and the information corresponding to the location is acquired, there is no need to specify the storage location directly when acquiring information, and the storage location is accurately input. You can get information without having to. Therefore, according to the present invention, a complicated and complicated input operation for specifying the storage location is performed for information in which the storage location is uniquely specified such as a site on the Internet, a local folder, or a file. In addition, it is possible to easily browse without using specific information as a target.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, a website existing on the Internet is taken as an example of information to be browsed.

  In the present embodiment, each site existing on the Internet is arranged in a virtual space as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example in which, for example, three sites WSa, WSb, WSc are arranged in a certain virtual space, and the arrangement positions of these three sites WSa, WSb, WSc in the virtual space are shown in the figure. This is indicated by STa, STb, STc.

  Each site on the Internet can be classified by the concept of channel. The virtual space shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 corresponds to one channel. Hereinafter, the arrangement positions STa, STb, and STc of the three sites WSa, WSb, and WSc in one channel are referred to as in-channel site positions. These intra-channel site positions STa, STb, STc and the URLs of the respective sites WSa, WSb, WSc at the respective positions are associated with each other. Here, it is assumed that the URLs of the sites WSa, WSb, WSc corresponding to the intra-channel site positions STa, STb, STc are the URLs of the top pages. Of course, the URLs of these sites WSa, WSb, WSc may be those of web pages other than the top page. In the following description, when the description is made without specifying any of the sites WSa, WSb, WSc, it is simply referred to as the site WS, and any of the intra-channel site positions STa, STb, STc is also specified. If not explained, it is simply described as an in-channel site position ST.

  One or more channels are prepared. As the channel, for example, one corresponding to each directory of a hierarchical directory prepared in a general search site can be cited. In this case, an in-channel site position ST is set for each site WS classified for each directory (that is, for each channel).

  In addition, channels are created according to user preferences (preferences), similar to the concept of additional registration in the so-called “favorites” and “bookmarks” of general web browsers. It may be. In this case, the in-channel site position ST is set for each site WS additionally registered in each folder (that is, each channel). The channel according to the user's preference is created by the client terminal or by the channel service providing site based on the input from the user.

  For example, the channel may correspond to the type of content provided by each site WS on the Internet. Examples of the content provided by each site WS include “car”, “sports”, “weather”, “music”, “gourmet”, “news”, “game”, and the like.

  However, the number of channels and the classification examples are merely examples. For example, the entire Internet may be a single channel, and the classification of channels is not limited to the above example.

  Furthermore, the arrangement interval of each site in the channel (interval of the site position in the channel) may be either a fixed interval or an arbitrary interval. Further, the arrangement order of each site in the channel may be the registration order of each site, or may be the order in which the site names are arranged in the order of 50 notes or alphabetical order. Details of specific processing for creating a channel will be described later.

  Each site WS in the channel can be browsed by designating a desired position in the channel. That is, when browsing each site existing on the Internet, the user does not directly input a URL or follow a link, but shows a desired position in the channel as shown in FIG. Specified by the correct tuning position TP. Of course, the user can also browse other pages by following links from the web page being browsed.

  Here, the tuning position TP can be moved in the channel in the direction of the arrow Mr or Ml in FIG. 2 according to the operation of a predetermined operation means operated by the user, and the movement amount and movement speed are also arbitrary. It can be set to. Therefore, when the user operates the predetermined operating means to move the tuning position TP, the accessed site WS changes with the movement of the tuning position. A specific example of the predetermined operation means for moving the tuning position TP within the channel will be described later.

  Further, the tuning position TP has a virtual spread (for example, a Gaussian spread) in the channel, as represented by a tuning curve TC shown in FIG. 2 and a tuning region TE surrounded by the curve TC. . The tuning area TE is an area for simultaneously obtaining information of the respective sites WS corresponding to all the intra-channel site positions ST contained therein. Therefore, the user can simultaneously view all the sites WS in which the in-channel site position ST is included in the tuning area TE without accurately matching the tuning position TP with the in-channel site position ST. In the case of the example in FIG. 2, since the in-channel site positions STa and STb are included in the tuning area TE, the user can view the sites WSa and WSb corresponding to the in-channel site positions STa and STb at the same time. Become. That is, the user can designate a site only by operating the tuning position, and can browse the site. In addition, the user can perform browsing such as web surfing that is not intended for browsing a specific site by simply performing an operation of moving the tuning position TP.

Further, the relative positional relationship between the in-channel site position ST and the tuning position TP existing in the tuning area TE is used as a display state control parameter when the site is displayed on the monitor screen. That is, the display state of the site on the monitor screen is controlled based on the positional relationship. Here, when each site is arranged in a one-dimensional channel space as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the direction and distance of the in-channel site position ST with respect to the tuning position TP can be obtained as the positional relationship. Become. For this reason, for example, when a plurality of sites WS are simultaneously displayed on the monitor screen, the display state of each site changes according to the direction and distance of each channel site position ST with respect to the tuning position TP. Therefore, the user determines in which direction each site is arranged with respect to the tuning position TP due to a difference in display state of the plurality of sites WS, or the site WS close to the tuning position TP is at which site. It will be possible to guess whether it exists. For example, when the absolute value of the distance between the tuning position TP and the in-channel site position ST is represented by x, the control parameter corresponding to the distance is a value obtained by an expression of exp (−x ² ). Can be used. Details of control of the display state according to the direction and distance of the in-channel site position ST with respect to the tuning position TP will be described later.

[Specific page display example]
A page displayed on the monitor screen by the information browsing program of the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as a browser) will be described with a specific example.

  FIG. 3 shows a display example when only the top page 110 of the site WSa corresponding to the in-channel site position STa of FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, is displayed on the monitor screen. FIG. 4 shows a display example when only the top page 120 of the site WSb corresponding to the in-channel site position STb is displayed on the monitor screen. Note that the content provided by the sites WSa and WSb is classified into a genre of “news”, for example. Therefore, the type of channel including the sites WSa and WSb is “news”.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 2, when the in-channel site positions STa and STb are included in the tuning region TE at the tuning position TP, the browser will correspond to the in-channel site positions STa and STb, respectively. Both WSa and WSb are simultaneously displayed on the monitor screen.

  At this time, the browser displays both the sites WSa and WSb on the monitor screen in a display state according to the relative positional relationship between the tuning position TP and the intra-channel site positions STa and STb. More specifically, the browser displays the monitor screen by translucently synthesizing both the sites WSa and WSb with a semi-transparency that decreases as the distance between the tuning position TP and the site positions STa and STb in each channel increases. Display above. That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the browser displays a composite image 130 in which the top pages 110 and 120 of the sites WSa and WSb are made semitransparent according to the distance and superimposed on the monitor screen. The translucency referred to here is a so-called alpha value represented by a real value between “0” and “1”, and is completely opaque when the alpha value is 1 (maximum value). When the alpha value is 0 (minimum value), the state becomes completely transparent. Therefore, when the distance between the tuning position TP and the in-channel site position STa is closer than the distance between the tuning position TP and the in-channel site position STb as in the example of FIG. Adjust the translucency of the WSa top page 110 to a large level (reduce the transparency and make the contents easier to see) and adjust the translucency of the top page 120 of the site WSb to a small level (increase the transparency). To display. When the tuning position TP is between the channel site positions STa and STb, the browser adjusts the translucency of the top pages 110 and 120 to be the same. When the tuning position TP completely matches any one of the channel site positions ST, the browser adjusts and displays the translucency of the matching site to the maximum value. Further, when the user moves the tuning position TP in FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrow Mr or Ml in the figure, the browser changes the translucency of each of the top pages 110 and 120 to change the page. Change the appearance of.

  The sites WSa and WSb may be displayed as shown in FIG. 6, for example. In the case of the example of FIG. 6, the browser displays, for example, an image 140 in which the top pages 110 and 120 of the sites WSa and WSb are arranged side by side based on the directions and distances of the intra-channel site positions STa and STb with respect to the tuning position TP. Is generated and displayed on the monitor screen. In addition, the browser adjusts the inclination of the top pages 110 and 120 of the sites WSa and WSb on the screen to an angle that increases as the distance between the tuning position TP and the intra-channel site positions STa and STb increases. . The angle takes a value from 0 degrees to 90 degrees with respect to the screen. Therefore, as in the example of FIG. 2, when the distance between the tuning position TP and the in-channel site position STa is closer than the distance between the tuning position TP and the in-channel site position STb, the browser The inclination on the screen of the top page 110 of the site WSa is adjusted to be small (to make the contents easier to see) and displayed, while the inclination on the screen of the top page 120 of the site WSb is adjusted to be large. When the tuning position TP is between the channel site positions STa and STb, the browser adjusts the angles of the top pages 110 and 120 on the screen to the same. When the tuning position TP completely matches any one of the channel site positions ST, the browser adjusts the angle on the screen of the matching site to 0 degrees and displays it. When the distance between the tuning position TP and the in-channel site positions STa and STb is changed by the user moving the tuning position TP in FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrow Mr or Ml in the figure, the browser The inclination of the top pages 110 and 120 on the screen is changed to change the appearance of the pages.

  The display as shown in the example of FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 allows the user to view the contents of the sites WSa and WSb at the same time, and the tuning position TP is closer to either of the sites WSa and WSb. It is also possible to visually recognize in which direction the sites WSa and WSb exist with respect to the tuning position TP.

  These FIGS. 5 and 6 are examples. In addition to the above-described translucent display and tilt display processing of the page, the browser performs various effect processing, filtering processing, three-dimensional conversion processing, etc. on each page and tunes them by overlapping or mixing them. It may represent the direction and distance of each site WS with respect to the position TP. The browser can also provide a difference in the translucency of each page according to the direction of both sites WSa and WSb with respect to the tuning position TP. In addition, for example, when each site WS included in the tuning area TE includes a page with sound (for example, BGM or the like), the browser can play the sound in a superimposed manner. In this case, the user can not only visually browse the two overlapping sites WS but also recognize the overlapping state of the sites by sound. In addition, the browser expresses the distance from the tuning position TP to the in-channel site position ST by the strength of the sound (that is, adjustment of the sound output level), or the in-channel site position is either left or right of the tuning position TP. It is possible to express whether it is in the direction by stereo sound.

[Other examples of virtual expansion of tuning position]
The virtual extent of the tuning position TP in the channel does not need to be constant and can be varied as necessary. That is, the spread of the tuning region TE may be narrower than the example of FIG. 2, as shown in the tuning curve TCs and the tuning region TEs of FIG. 7, for example, and conversely, shown in the tuning curve TCl and the tuning region TEl of FIG. Thus, it may be wider than the example of FIG. Further, the extent of the tuning region TE may be a left-right asymmetric shape instead of a left-right symmetrical shape centering on the tuning position TC as shown in FIGS. Further, the extent of the tuning region TE may be asymmetrical only while the tuning position TC is moving.

  In particular, when the spread of the tuning region TEs is narrowed as in the example of FIG. 7, the intra-channel site position ST that falls within the tuning region TEs decreases. Therefore, in this case, the number of sites displayed simultaneously on the monitor screen is reduced. Further, when the tuning position TP is moved, zapping in which pages are successively displayed on the monitor screen according to the movement is reduced. In the case of FIG. 7, since only the in-channel site position STb is included in the tuning area TEs, the browser displays only the site WSb corresponding to the in-channel site position STb on the monitor screen. The expansion of the tuning region TE can be minimized (for example, zero). In this case, the browser displays the site WS only when the tuning position TP is accurately set on the in-channel site position ST, and does not display other sites at the same time.

  On the other hand, as shown in the example of FIG. 8, when the tuning region TEl is widened, the intra-channel site positions ST that fall within the tuning region TEl increase. Therefore, in this case, the number of sites displayed simultaneously on the monitor screen increases. Therefore, the user at this time can roughly grasp a large number of sites WS within a wide range around the tuning position TP. In the case of FIG. 8, since there are three in-channel site positions STa, STb, STc in the tuning area TEl, the browser has the sites WSa, WSb, WSc corresponding to these in-channel site positions STa, STb, STc. Are displayed at the same time. However, in this case, the display of the site WSb is the easiest to see, and it is difficult to see the display in the order of WSa and WSc.

[Display example of tuning position and tuning curve]
By the way, if the tuning position TP, the tuning curve TC, the tuning area TE, the in-channel site position ST, etc. shown in FIG. 2 are displayed on the monitor screen, the user can adjust the tuning position TP, the tuning area TE, and each channel. It becomes easy to recognize the relationship with the site position ST.

  In addition, when displaying the tuning position TP, the tuning curve TC, the tuning area TE, the in-channel site position ST, etc., the access frequency of each site (ie, the popularity of the site) and the update elapsed time of each site ( That is, if the information is displayed at the same time, the user can browse more comfortably.

  FIG. 9 shows a case where a curve RC representing the site access frequency and a curve NC representing the site update state are displayed simultaneously with the tuning position TP, the tuning curve TC, the tuning region TE, and the intra-channel site position ST. An example is shown. That is, the browser displays a scale G, a tuning curve TC, and a tuning area TE representing the approximate position of each site in the channel on the monitor screen, as shown in FIG. A curve RC representing the site access frequency shown in (b) of FIG. 9 and a curve NC representing the site update state shown in (c) of FIG. 9 are displayed, and (a) to (a) in FIG. A line representing the tuning position TP is displayed through c). Note that the scale G may be a line having a regular interval (or unequal interval) as a guide, or a line representing an accurate location (site position ST in the channel) of each site WS. In addition, the browser can display, together with the scale G (or instead of the scale G), alphabetical characters corresponding to each site name, a number indicating the registration order, and the like at a rough position in the channel.

[Channel zooming]
The display shown in FIG. 9A may include all sites in the channel space, or may be an enlarged view of only a part of the channel space. In other words, the browser can zoom in on a portion of the channel space that is gradually enlarged and displayed in detail, or zoom out that gradually displays the entire channel space from a portion of the channel space.

  FIG. 10 shows a conceptual diagram when the sites in the channel are arranged in alphabetical order of the site names and the channel space is zoomed in and displayed in detail. That is, (a) in FIG. 10 is a state in which all the sites in the channel space are displayed, and a state in which the tuning position TP is between the alphabets “C” and “D” representing the site names. Represents. (B) in FIG. 10 represents a state in which the vicinity of the tuning position TP is zoomed in and magnified, and (c) in FIG. 10 represents a state in which the vicinity is further zoomed in and magnified. In the enlarged display of (c) in FIG. 10, the browser displays the intra-channel site positions STa, STb, STc,... Of the sites WSa, WSb, WSc,.

  In this way, when zooming in to enlarge and display a part of the channel space, the user can know which position in the channel space is enlarged and displayed. Further, the user can narrow down the range in the channel space by zooming in. Thereby, the user can browse the site WS in the channel more comfortably.

  On the other hand, when zoom-out is performed in which the entire channel space is gradually displayed from a part of the channel space, the browser displays, for example, (c) in FIG. 10 to (b) in FIG. The channel space is displayed from (b) in the middle to (a) in FIG.

  Note that the zoom-in / zoom-out display may change continuously in a stepless manner or may change in a stepwise manner.

  When zooming in or zooming out is performed, the browser according to the present embodiment adjusts the number of sites entering the channel space according to the zooming in or zooming out level (hereinafter referred to as zooming level). It is also possible to change the way each site looks.

  FIG. 11 conceptually shows the relationship between the popularity of the site (high and low access frequency) and the zoom level. The horizontal axis in FIG. 11 shows the sites in the channel arranged in alphabetical order of the site names, while the vertical axis shows the popularity (access frequency) of each site. A site with high access frequency (a large value on the vertical axis) is a popular site. Of course, the vertical axis is not limited to the popularity of the site, and the horizontal axis is not limited to the site name.

  Further, ZLn and ZLw in FIG. 11 indicate examples of zoom levels when zooming is performed. The width of the zoom level in the horizontal axis direction of FIG. 11 indicates that the zooming is performed in the zoom-out direction as it is widened, and conversely, the zooming is performed in the zoom-in direction as it is narrowed. In addition, as the height of the zoom level in the vertical axis direction in FIG. 11 increases, only popular sites enter the channel space only. On the contrary, the lower the zoom level, the lower the popularity as well as the more popular sites in the channel space. Indicates that the site will also come in.

  Here, when focusing only on the width of the zoom level, when zooming out is performed, for example, from the zoom level ZLn to ZLw, the width of the zoom level ZLw after the zoom-out is greater than the zoom level ZLn before zoom-out. Will also spread. Therefore, a wide range in the channel is included in the tuning area TEw after the zoom out. Thus, when a wide range in the channel falls within the tuning area TEw, the number of sites simultaneously displayed on the screen may increase and become complicated. Therefore, for example, when zoom-out is performed from the zoom levels ZLn to ZLw, the browser according to the present embodiment increases the zoom level in the vertical axis direction as indicated by the arrow UL in FIG. Adjust so that the number of sites that enter the site simultaneously decreases. That is, in the case of the example in FIG. 11, only the particularly popular sites WSb, WSf, WSi, WSj, WSl are included in the channel space at the zoom level ZLw, and the channels are included in the tuning area TEw. The inner site positions are only STf and STi in FIG. Therefore, the sites displayed on the monitor screen at this time are only the popular sites WSf and WSi corresponding to the site positions STf and STi in the channel. As described above, the browser according to the present embodiment increases the zoom level when zooming out, thereby limiting the number of sites displayed on the monitor screen at the same time, and many sites are simultaneously displayed, which is complicated. It is possible to display only major sites.

  Further, when focusing only on the width of the zoom level, for example, when zooming in is performed from the zoom level ZLw to ZLn, the width of the zoom level ZLn after the zoom-in becomes narrower than the zoom level ZLw before zoom-in. Become. Therefore, only a narrow range in the channel is included in the tuning area TEn after the zoom-in. When only a narrow range in the channel enters the tuning area TEn in this way, the number of sites displayed on the screen becomes very small and it may be difficult to browse the sites. Therefore, for example, when zooming in is performed from the zoom level ZLw to ZLn, the browser according to the present embodiment reduces the zoom level in the vertical axis direction as indicated by the arrow DL in FIG. Adjust so that the number of sites that enter the network simultaneously increases. That is, in the case of the example of FIG. 11, not only the popular sites WSf and WSi but also the less popular sites WSd and WSg are included in the channel space at the zoom level ZLn, and in the tuning region TEn. The in-channel site positions entered are STf and STg in FIG. Accordingly, the sites displayed on the monitor screen at this time are the popular site WSf corresponding to the intra-channel site position STf and the less popular site WSg corresponding to the intra-channel site position STg. As described above, the browser according to the present embodiment can display a less popular site that was not displayed at the time of zooming out on the monitor screen by lowering the zoom level when zooming in. Can also be viewed.

  As an example, a site that is entered into the channel space when the zoom level ZLw is reached has a daily access count of 1000 or more. As an example, a site that is entered into the channel space when the zoom level reaches ZLn has 500 or more accesses per day.

[Fine tuning]
When the site WS is searched by moving the tuning position TP, for example, when the site to be browsed is determined in the state where the above-described semi-transparent display or tilt display is performed, the display on the monitor screen is the semi-transparent display It is desirable to shift from the state of tilt display to the state where only the desired site is displayed.

  Therefore, when the site WS to be browsed is determined, the browser immediately moves the tuning position TP to the accurate in-channel site position ST corresponding to the site WS and sets the size of the tuning area TE to zero (tuning position TE). To eliminate the spread of TP). Hereinafter, this process is referred to as fine tuning.

  FIG. 12 shows how the tuning position TP and the tuning area TE change before and after fine tuning. In FIG. 12, (a) in the figure shows a state before fine tuning. The tuning position TP is between the in-channel site positions STa and STb and is closest to the in-channel site position STb. When fine tuning is executed in this state, the tuning position TP moves to the closest in-channel site position (in this example, STb) as shown in FIG. It becomes zero. As a result, the page displayed on the monitor screen is only the site WSb corresponding to the in-channel site position STb.

[Add Favorites]
The position on the channel space of the site WS that the user likes to browse can be registered in advance. Hereinafter, the registration of the site position in the channel space is referred to as “favorite registration”. Here, the following two registration methods are conceivable as methods for registering favorites in the channel space.

  One registration method is a method of setting (registering) a specific site WS for each of a plurality of registration buttons prepared in advance for favorite registration, such as a so-called radio tuner broadcast station preset button. In the case of this registration method, the number of sites WS that a user can register as a favorite is a number corresponding to the number of registration buttons prepared in advance. As an example, if there are six registration buttons, if one site WS is registered for each registration button, a total of six sites can be registered as favorites. Then, by pressing a desired registration button among the registration buttons, the user can immediately browse the site WS registered with the button. A specific example of the registration button will be described later.

  The other registration method is a method of displaying a mark indicating the position of favorite registration (hereinafter referred to as a favorite mark FM) on the channel space as shown in FIG. 13, for example. FIG. 13 is an example in which a favorite mark FM is added to the example of FIG. This favorite mark FM is arranged on the channel space by, for example, pressing a predetermined favorite registration button when the user is browsing a certain site WS. By arranging the favorite mark FM in the channel space in this way, the user can easily visually recognize where the favorite site is in the channel space. Further, the favorite mark FM may be a mark of the same color or shape, or may be a mark of different color or shape (FMa, FMb, FMc, etc.) as shown in FIG. In particular, when favorite marks (FMa, FMb, FMc, etc.) of different colors and shapes are used, the user can distinguish each site WS registered as a favorite by the color and shape of the favorite marks. A specific example of the registration button for the favorite mark FM will be described later.

[Tuning control in the vicinity of a favorite registered site position]
When searching for the site WS, the browser performs tuning control according to the presence / absence of favorite registration.

  As an example of tuning control, the browser changes the maximum value of the moving speed when moving the tuning position TP at the position where the favorite registration is performed. Thereby, the user can recognize clearly the position where favorite registration was made.

  FIG. 14 shows a concept in the case where the maximum value of the moving speed of the tuning position TP is lowered in the vicinity of a site where favorites are registered (site WSb in this example). That is, in FIG. 14, when the site WSb is registered as a favorite, the browser controls the maximum value MV of the moving speed of the tuning position TP to drop around the in-channel site position STb corresponding to the site WSb.

  In addition, the browser may control the operation of a predetermined operation unit that moves the tuning position TP in addition to or instead of changing the maximum value MV of the moving speed of the tuning position TP. That is, when the predetermined operation means has, for example, a so-called force feedback function, the browser controls the force feedback. Thereby, the user can recognize clearly the position where favorite registration was made.

  Here, the force feedback function includes a function for vibrating the operation means, a function for changing the operation feeling of the operation means, and the like.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 15, when the tuning position TP is located around the position registered as a favorite, the force feedback control for vibrating the operation means is performed using the vibration intensity control curve indicated by VF in the figure. It is a control to vibrate. That is, when the tuning position TP comes near the site position STb in the channel of the site WSb registered as a favorite, the browser performs control to gradually vibrate the operation means. Then, when the tuning position TP comes over the in-channel site position STb, the browser performs control to maximize the vibration amount of the operating means. The browser shortens the vibration cycle of the operation means when the tuning position TP comes around the favorite registered position, and conversely controls to increase the vibration cycle as the tuning position TP moves away from the favorite registered position. You can go. Further, the browser may perform control to change the vibration pattern in accordance with the distance between the position registered as a favorite and the tuning position TP.

  On the other hand, the force feedback control for changing the operation feeling of the operation means means that, for example, when the tuning position TP comes around the position registered as a favorite, the operation feeling of the operation means is reduced and the position from the position registered as a favorite is reduced. The control is such that the feeling of operation increases as the tuning position TP moves away. For example, when the operation means is of a dial type, the browser controls the operation of an electromagnetic clutch for changing the rotational torque (weight) when rotating the dial. Further, for example, when the operation means is a button type, the browser controls the resistance against the button pressing force. Of course, the force feedback control increases the operational feeling of the operation means when the tuning position TP comes around the favorite registered position, and lightens the operational feeling as the tuning position TP moves away from the favorite registered position. Such control may be used.

  The force feedback function is an example, and the present invention is not limited to these.

[Specific display example on the monitor screen]
FIG. 16 shows a specific screen display example when the above-described tuning position TP, tuning curve TC, access frequency curve RC representing site popularity, favorite mark FM, zoom level, channel, and the like are displayed on the monitor screen. Indicates. The example of FIG. 16 shows a window 150 in a state where the top pages 110 and 120 are semitransparently combined.

  A window 150 shown in FIG. 16 includes a page display unit 151, a tuning display unit TW, a zoom level display unit (zoom level gauge) ZLG, and a channel display unit CHB as main components. The page display unit 151 displays a web page. The zoom level display section ZLG displays what level the zoom level is. The channel display section CHB displays which channel is the channel.

  The tuning display unit TW displays how tuning is performed in the channel space. The tuning display unit TW displays a tuning position TP, a tuning curve TC, a favorite mark FM, an access frequency curve RC, a scale G, and the like. The tuning position TP and the tuning curve TC represent where the tuning position TP is present in the channel space at the present time. The line representing the tuning position TP is, for example, red. The favorite mark FM represents where the favorite registered position is. The favorite mark FM is, for example, a blue inverted triangle. The access frequency curve RC represents how the access frequency is in the channel. The tuning display unit TW may display the updated state curve NC together with or instead of the access frequency curve RC.

  The zoom level display part ZLG is provided on the right side of the tuning display part TW, for example, and indicates what level the current zoom level is with the slide bar SB. The zoom level display unit ZLG includes adjustment buttons AJBw and AJBn for moving the slide bar SB left and right at the left and right ends thereof. The adjustment button AJBw is a button operated by the user when adjusting the zoom level in the enlargement (zoom-out) direction. The adjustment button AJBn is a button operated by the user when adjusting the zoom level in the narrowing (zoom-in) direction. It is also possible to move the slide bar SB by dragging it directly.

  The channel display unit CHB is provided, for example, below the zoom level display unit ZLG, and is prepared for selecting a type of channel space including a site to be browsed as a pull-down menu. Further, the channel display section CHB includes an instruction button PDB for the user to instruct pull-down menu display at the right end.

[Specific examples of operation means for operating the tuning position TP]
As an operation means operated when the user moves the tuning position TP, for example, a tuning controller as shown in FIG. 17 or FIGS. This tuning controller is not only a hardware controller that the user actually operates by hand, but also a virtual controller that is displayed on the monitor screen and operated according to, for example, a mouse click operation or a wheel button rotation operation. It may be.

  FIG. 17 shows an example of a virtual tuning controller displayed on the monitor screen.

  In FIG. 17, a tuning dial DT is a dial that is rotated by the user in order to move the tuning position TP in the channel space. When the user rotates the tuning dial DT in the direction indicated by the arrow r2 in the drawing, the browser changes the tuning position TP in the channel space according to the rotation.

  The tuning area adjustment lever EAL is a lever operated by the user to adjust the size of the tuning area TE. The browser changes the size of the tuning area TE when the user moves the knob AK leftward or rightward as indicated by an arrow m1 in the figure. Note that the size of the tuning area TE can be changed from zero to a predetermined maximum value.

  The zoom level adjustment dial DZ is a dial operated by the user in order to adjust the zoom level of the displayed (selected) channel. When the user rotates the zoom level adjustment dial DZ in the direction indicated by the arrow r1 in the drawing, the browser changes the zoom level according to the rotation.

  The tuning display window TD displays a tuning portion TP, a tuning curve TC, a favorite mark FM, a site access frequency curve RC representing the degree of popularity, and the like in addition to a channel portion having a size matched to the zoom level. The tuning display window TD may display a curve NC representing the site update state.

  The fine tuning button FTB is a button that the user presses to perform the fine tuning described above.

  The channel selection button CSB is a button that the user presses to register a desired channel from among a plurality of types of channels or to select any one of the registered channels. In the case of FIG. 17, since six channel selection buttons CSB are provided, six channels can be registered.

  The favorite registration button FRB is a button that the user presses to register the above-mentioned favorite sites or to select a desired site from among the registered favorite sites. The favorite site may be registered for each channel, or may be registered regardless of the channel.

  For example, if a favorite site is registered for each channel registered in the channel selection button CSB, six favorite sites are registered for every six channels registered in the six channel selection buttons CSB. It will be possible. In this case, a total of 36 sites of 6 channels * 6 sites are registered as favorites. For example, when a site in a certain channel is displayed and a user decides to browse a desired site in another channel, the user first selects a channel selection button CBS in which the other channel is registered. Press to select the channel. As a result, the channel handled by the browser is the other channel. The other channel is displayed in the tuning display window TD at this time. Next, the user selects the desired site by pressing the favorite registration button FRB in which the desired site in the other channel is registered. Thereby, the browser displays the desired site on the monitor screen.

  On the other hand, if the favorite sites are registered regardless of the channel, a total of six sites can be registered with the six favorite registration buttons FRB. That is, each site registered in each favorite registration button FRB in this case may be a site in the same channel or a site in a different channel. In addition, when the channel of each site registered in each favorite registration button FRB is different, for example, when a site in a certain channel is displayed, a desired site of another channel is browsed. In this case, the user presses the favorite registration button FRB in which the desired site of the other channel is registered. As a result, the channel handled by the browser is switched to the other channel, and at the same time, a desired site in the other channel is displayed on the monitor screen.

  18 to 20 show an example of a hardware tuning controller that is actually operated by a user's hand.

  The tuning controller shown in FIGS. 18 to 20 is operated with the user holding it with the hand HD. The tuning controller may be wired or wireless, but it is desirable that the tuning controller be wireless in view of convenience in use.

  18 to 20, the jog dial dt is a dial that is rotated by the user to move the tuning position TP in the channel space. As shown in FIG. 19, when the user rotates the jog dial dt in the direction indicated by the arrow r3 in the figure using the thumb th of the hand HD and the index finger of, the tuning position on the channel according to the rotation. Change TP. For example, when the jog dial dt is rotated while only one site is displayed, the browser scrolls the page according to the rotation.

  The shuttle ring csd is a dial that a user rotates to select a desired channel from among a plurality of types of channels. When the user rotates the shuttle ring csd in the direction indicated by the arrow r4 in the figure using the thumb th and the index finger of, the browser makes each channel selectable in order according to the rotation.

  The favorite registration button frb is a button that is pressed by the user to register a favorite site. For example, when only one site is displayed, when the user presses the favorite registration button frb using the thumb th of the hand HD as shown in FIG. 20, the browser selects that site as a favorite site. Register as

  The fine tuning button ftb is a button that the user presses to perform the fine tuning described above. For example, when the user presses the fine tuning button ftb using the thumb th, the browser starts executing fine tuning. The fine tuning button ftb is configured integrally with the jog dial dt. Therefore, when the fine tuning button ftb is pressed, the jog dial dt is also pressed downward along with the pressing operation.

  The tuning area adjustment button eab is a button that a user presses to adjust the size of the tuning area TE described above, and is, for example, a seesaw type button. The browser enlarges the size of the tuning area TE when one of the seesaw parts (for example, the upper part) is pressed, and reduces the size of the tuning area TE when the other of the seesaw parts (for example, the lower part) is pressed. . Further, the browser continuously changes the tuning area TE when one or the other (upper or lower) of the seesaw portion is kept pressed.

  The zoom level adjustment button zlb is a button that the user presses to adjust the zoom level described above, for example, a seesaw type button. The browser zooms out when one of the seesaw parts (for example, the upper part) is pressed, and zooms in when the other side (for example, the lower part) of the seesaw part is pressed. In addition, the browser continuously changes the zoom level when one or the other (upper or lower) of the seesaw portion is kept pressed.

  When actually browsing the site WS using the tuning controller of FIGS. 18 to 20 having the above-described configuration, the user first selects a favorite channel by turning the shuttle ring csd, Next, the size of the tuning area TE is determined by the tuning area adjustment button eab, and the tuning position TP is moved by turning the jog dial dt while adjusting the zoom level by the zoom level adjustment button zlb. Thereby, the user can browse a desired site.

[Digital tuning]
The tuning operation for moving the tuning position TP in the channel space may be, for example, a digital tuning operation that moves the tuning position TP according to the time for which a predetermined tuning button is kept pressed.

  As an example of digital tuning, the browser, for example, as shown in FIG. 21, shows the movement amount (vertical axis) of the tuning position TP according to the time (horizontal axis) that the user continues to press a predetermined tuning button. Set to variable. For example, the browser increases the moving speed of the tuning position TP as the time during which the user continues to press a predetermined tuning button becomes longer. Thereby, the user can obtain the same operational feeling as an analog tuning operation.

  In addition, the tuning position TP can be moved by operating the tuning dial on the radio receiver, operating buttons and cross keys on the game controller, operating the cursor movement keys on the keyboard, operating the computer mouse, etc. Also good.

[Two-dimensional layout of channel site position]
The example in which each site WS is arranged one-dimensionally has been described above, but each site can also be arranged in a two-dimensional space. In addition, a two-dimensional space includes not only a case of being constituted by one channel but also a case of being constituted by a plurality of channels.

  22 and 23 conceptually show the site arrangement state when each site is arranged in a two-dimensional space. FIG. 22 is a view of the two-dimensional space as viewed from above. FIG. 23 is a diagram of a two-dimensional space as viewed obliquely from above. 22 and 23, each lattice point in the figure represents an in-channel site position ST. The tuning position TP is represented by a point on this two-dimensional plane (or a line extending in a direction perpendicular to the two-dimensional plane). Further, the tuning position TP can be moved horizontally on a two-dimensional plane as indicated by arrows MHl and MHr in the drawing, and can be moved vertically as indicated by arrows MVu and MVd in the drawing. is there. Note that these horizontal and vertical movements may be performed individually or simultaneously.

  In the example of this two-dimensional space, the tuning position TP has a virtual spread as represented by the tuning curve TC and the tuning region TE on the curve TC shown in FIGS. The site WS corresponding to the in-channel site position ST in the tuning area TE is displayed on the monitor screen and can be browsed simultaneously.

  Similarly to the case where the site WS is arranged in the one-dimensional space, the display state of each page displayed on the monitor screen is controlled according to the distance from the tuning position TP to the in-channel site position ST. The

  For example, as shown in FIG. 24, the horizontal axis (horizontal axis) of the two-dimensional space can be a site name, and the vertical axis (vertical axis) can be the number of years. The site names on the horizontal axis in FIG. 24 are arranged in alphabetical order, and the vertical axis indicates the number of years from the date of establishment of the site to the present. In addition, the vertical axis can be the update date, the number of accesses, the number of pages, the file size of pages, and the like. Of course, the site name may be on the vertical axis and the opening date, update date, etc. on the horizontal axis.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 25, the horizontal axis of the two-dimensional space may be the site name and the vertical axis may be the channel type. That is, in the example of FIG. 25, the two-dimensional space is composed of a plurality of channels, and channels such as “car”, “sports”, “weather” and the like are arranged on the vertical axis. Of course, the vertical axis may be the site name and the horizontal axis may be the channel type. In this case, not only the site but also the channel is displayed in an overlapping state such as translucent.

[Specific example of web page display in 2D space]
For example, when one axis of the two-dimensional space is a site name and the other axis is a channel type, the site WS obtained from the tuning position TP and the tuning area TE is displayed on the monitor screen as follows, for example. Is done.

  Here, in the tuning area TE shown in FIG. 25, for example, in-channel site positions STa and STb corresponding to two sites classified as “news” channels, and two classified as “game” channels. Assume that there are a total of four in-channel site positions STc and STd corresponding to the site. The site corresponding to the intra-channel site position STa is the site of the top page 110 described in FIG. 3, and the site corresponding to the intra-channel site position STb is the site of the top page 120 described in FIG. And The site corresponding to the in-channel site position STc is the site of the top page 111 shown in FIG. 26, and the site corresponding to the in-channel site position STd is the site of the top page 121 shown in FIG. .

  In this case, the browser displays the four top pages 110, 120, 111, and 121 on the monitor screen according to the relative positional relationship of the intra-channel site positions STa, STb, STc, and STd with respect to the tuning position TP. Control placement direction and translucency.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 25, the in-channel site position STa in the channel space is located obliquely lower left, the in-channel site position STa is obliquely lower right, and the in-channel site position STc is relative to the tuning position TP. When the in-channel site position STd is located diagonally in the upper left, the browser associates the tuning position TP with the center of the screen and places the top page 110 diagonally in the lower left on the monitor screen as shown in FIG. Then, the top page 120 is arranged diagonally to the lower right, the top page 111 is arranged obliquely to the upper left, and the top page 121 is arranged obliquely to the upper right. In addition, the browser determines the translucency of each top page 110, 120, 111, 121 according to the distance between the tuning position TP and each channel site position STa, STb, STc, STd, as shown in FIG. As shown, a page 131 obtained by translucently combining the top pages 110, 120, 111, and 121 with the translucency is displayed on the monitor screen. From these things, as shown in FIG. 28, the display on the monitor screen shows the top page 111 best in the display area on the upper left of the screen, and the top page 121 looks best in the display area on the upper right. The top page 110 is best viewed in the diagonally lower left display area, and the top page 120 is best viewed in the diagonally lower right display area.

  As described above, the browser according to the present embodiment has the arrangement and translucency of the four top pages 110, 120, 111, 121 on the screen, the intra-channel site positions STa, STb, STc, STd, and the tuning position. Display is controlled according to the relative positional relationship with TP. Therefore, the user can intuitively recognize in which direction each site is located from the tuning position TP in the channel space based on the direction of each top page 110, 120, 111, 121 arranged on the monitor screen. . Further, the user can intuitively recognize how far each site is from the tuning position TP in the channel space based on the translucency of each top page 110, 120, 111, 121 on the monitor screen. become. As a result, the user can easily see which site can be browsed by tuning in which direction and how much by simply looking at each top page 110, 120, 111, 121 displayed on the monitor screen. I can know.

  Note that the display on the monitor screen may be, for example, a page in which characteristic portions of four pages are particularly easily seen and overlapped.

  Further, as in the example of FIG. 6 described above, the display on the monitor screen may be one in which the inclinations of the four pages on the screen are adjusted according to the distance from the tuning position TP to the in-channel site position ST. In addition, the display on the monitor screen may be obtained by performing various effect processing, filtering processing, three-dimensional conversion processing, etc. on the four pages.

  The virtual spread of the tuning position TP when each site is arranged in a two-dimensional space may be constant, or may be narrower than the tuning area TE of FIG. 25 as shown in the tuning area TEs of FIG. On the contrary, as shown in the tuning region TEl in FIG. 30, it may be wider than the tuning region TE in FIG.

  Further, the shape of the tuning region TE is not limited to a concentric shape as shown in FIGS. 25, 29, and 30, but may be an elliptical shape as shown in FIG. FIG. 31 shows an example in which the vertical axis represents the channel type, the horizontal axis represents the site name, and the shape of the tuning region TEe is narrow in the vertical axis direction and wide in the horizontal axis direction. In the tuning area TEe of FIG. 31, the number of sites displayed simultaneously between channels decreases, while the number of sites displayed simultaneously within the same channel increases. Of course, the elliptical tuning region TE may have a shape in which the vertical axis direction is wide and the horizontal axis direction is narrow, or may be a shape in which the oblique direction is widened.

[Expression by color shading]
In FIG. 32, the horizontal axis represents the site name, the vertical axis represents the channel type, and a two-dimensional plane constituted by the site name and the channel type is defined as a position layer (layer) on the two-dimensional plane (position layer). The figure shows a state where layers CL expressing other information are overlaid. That is, the two-dimensional space shown in FIG. 32 can express not only the site name and channel type but also other information. Of course, the location layer is not limited to a site name and channel type.

  Here, the other information can include, for example, the number of accesses (popularity) of each site WS, update date, number of pages, page file size, and the like. The layer CL represents the number of accesses, the update date, the number of pages, the file size, and the like by, for example, color shading, different color schemes, brightness contrast, and the like. When the number of accesses (popularity) of each site WS is expressed by the color density of the layer CL, the site where the color of the layer CL is dark is highly popular, and the site where the color of the layer CL is light is popular Can express low. Further, when the number of accesses of each site WS is represented by the color scheme, it can be expressed that the site of the green portion of the layer CL is high in popularity and the site of the blue portion of the layer CL is low in popularity. The tuning position TP and the tuning area TE are expressed by a color different from the color of the layer CL.

  Furthermore, the number of layers to be overlaid on the position layer PL is not limited to one, but may be a plurality of layers. FIG. 33 shows an example in which, for example, a layer NL representing the update level and a layer RL representing the popularity (number of accesses) are superimposed on the position layer PL. In addition, although each layer PL, RL, NL of FIG. 33 is drawn in a state of being separated from each other, in reality, these layers are superimposed on a two-dimensional plane. In addition, the layer NL representing the update level and the layer RL representing the popularity level represent the update level and the popularity level by different colors.

  FIG. 34 to FIG. 37 show a state in which a layer RL representing popularity and a layer NL representing update are superimposed on the position layer PL. FIG. 34 shows only the position layer PL, and FIG. 35 shows a state when the layer RL is overlaid on the position layer PL. As shown in FIG. 35, when the layer RL is superimposed on the position layer PL, the popularity of each site can be expressed by the color scheme of the layer RL. FIG. 36 shows a state when the layer NL is overlaid on the position layer PL. As shown in FIG. 36, when the layer NL is overlaid on the position layer PL, the update degree of each site can be expressed by the color scheme of the layer NL. FIG. 37 shows a state when both layers RL and NL are superimposed on the position layer PL. As shown in FIG. 37, when both the layers RL and NL are overlapped on the position layer PL, the colors of both the layers RL and NL are overlapped to be in a mixed state. Both popularity and update level of each site can be expressed simultaneously.

[Registering favorites for 2D spaces]
When the site arrangement is performed in the above-described two-dimensional space, the browser can display the space on the monitor screen and can register each site WS as a favorite.

  FIG. 38 shows an example in which a favorite mark FM representing a favorite registration position is displayed in a two-dimensional space. The favorite marks FM may be, for example, marks of the same color or shape, or may be marks of different colors or shapes (FMd, FMe, FMf, FMg, etc.) as shown in FIG. As described above, when a favorite mark having a different color or shape is used, the user can easily identify each site WS registered as a favorite by the color or shape of the favorite mark.

  In the case of the two-dimensional space, the movement of the tuning position TP, the adjustment of the tuning area TE, the adjustment of the zoom level, the fine tuning, and the adjustment of the tuning speed may be performed using the same concept as in the above-described one-dimensional space example. . In this case, however, the operating means for moving the tuning position TP can move the tuning position in the vertical and horizontal directions of the two-dimensional space.

[Three-dimensional arrangement of site position in channel]
Each site can be arranged in a three-dimensional space.

  39 and 40 conceptually show the site arrangement state when each site is arranged in a three-dimensional space. FIG. 39 shows a three-dimensional space represented by x, y, and z axes. FIG. 40 is a diagram showing channel site positions, tuning positions TP, and tuning areas TE in the three-dimensional space. In FIG. 40, each point ST in the figure represents an in-channel site position. The tuning position TP is a point in this three-dimensional space. The tuning area TE has a spherical shape centered on the tuning position TP. Further, the tuning position TP can be moved in the x-axis direction on a three-dimensional space as indicated by arrows MXl and MXr in the drawing, and can be moved in the y-axis direction as indicated by arrows MYu and MYd in the drawing. In addition, as indicated by arrows MZf and MZb in the figure, it is movable in the z-axis direction. These movements in the x-, y-, and z-axis directions may be performed individually or simultaneously.

  When the site WS is arranged in a three-dimensional space, the tuning area TE has a three-dimensional extent. Then, the site WS corresponding to each channel site position ST in the tuning area TE is displayed on the monitor screen. Further, the display state of each site WS is controlled in accordance with the spatial distance from the tuning position TP to each channel site position ST.

  41 and 42 show a three-dimensional space where the x-axis is a site name (for example, in alphabetical order), the y-axis is the popularity of the site, and the z-axis is the site update date. The y-axis and z-axis may be the number of accesses, the number of pages, the page file size, and the like. Of course, the site name may be an axis other than the x-axis. FIG. 42 shows only the tuning position TP and the tuning area TE in the three-dimensional space of FIG.

  43 and 44 show a three-dimensional space where the x-axis is the site name, the y-axis is the channel type, and the z-axis is the site opening date. The z-axis may be an update date, popularity, the number of accesses, the number of pages, the file size of a page, or the like. Of course, the site name may be an axis other than the x-axis. FIG. 44 shows only the tuning position TP and the tuning area TE in the three-dimensional space of FIG.

  The size of the tuning area TE in the three-dimensional space does not need to be constant, and may be smaller or conversely larger. Further, the shape of the tuning region TE in the three-dimensional space is not limited to a spherical shape as shown in FIGS. 40, 42, and 44, but may be an ellipsoidal shape such as a so-called rugby ball. When the tuning area TE is elliptical, the number of sites that fall within the tuning area TE varies on the x, y, and z axes.

  The movement of the tuning position TP, the adjustment of the tuning area TE, the favorite registration, the adjustment of the zoom level, the fine tuning, and the adjustment of the tuning speed in the case of this three-dimensional space are the same as in the above-described one-dimensional space example. Should be adopted. However, in this case, the operating means for moving the tuning position TP can move the tuning position in the x, y, and x axis directions in the three-dimensional space.

  Each site may be arranged in a multidimensional manner.

  In addition, when each site is arranged in the above-described two-dimensional, three-dimensional, or higher dimensions, the axis of each dimension may be arbitrarily set by the user, or the user sets one axis. However, the browser may set other axes.

[Site Channel Classification]
Next, a method for classifying sites on the Internet for each channel described above will be described. The following two classification methods can be considered as a method for classifying sites by channel.

  One classification method is based on the content of information provided by each site on the Internet, the atmosphere of each site, etc., and humans determine which channel each site belongs to. This is a method of sorting the channels by channel. In this classification method, since each person selects and sorts each site, for example, even if the content of the information is ambiguous, accurate classification can be performed. Each site is assigned to one of a plurality of types of channels prepared in advance. Sites that cannot be classified into existing channels are classified into new genre channels created each time.

  The other classification method is a method in which, for example, when a computer accesses each site on the Internet, the feature of the page is read and each site is automatically assigned to each channel based on the feature. In this case, the computer distributes each site to a plurality of types of channels prepared in advance. The computer may automatically create a channel based on the characteristics of each site, and distribute the site to the created channel.

  Hereinafter, a specific processing example of a classification method in which the computer sorts each site according to the channel based on the characteristics of each site will be described below.

  In general, a web page has a header PH as shown in FIG. The header PH includes a meta tag describing metadata representing the characteristics of information in the page, such as the author of the document and a character code. In the example of FIG. 45, when the author name of the web page is “Name”, for example, the description of the author name tag of the part indicated by MDn in the figure is <META name = "Author" content = "Name" > Therefore, the computer knows from the description of the author name tag MDn that the author name of the page is “Name”. In addition, when the file of the page is described in “ShiftJIS code”, the description of the file code tag in the part indicated by MDf in the figure is <META http-equiv = "content-type" content = "text / html; charset = shift_jis "> Therefore, the computer knows from the file code tag MDf that the file of the page is described in “Shift JIS code”.

  Here, the meta tag can also be used as a channel generation dedicated tag for describing the category name of the channel, as indicated by MDc in the figure. That is, when this site is related to, for example, “news (NEWS)”, the description of the channel generation dedicated tag MDc is <META channel = “NEWS”>. Therefore, if the channel generation dedicated tag MDc is described in the header PH, the computer can recognize that the site is related to “news” using the description of the channel generation dedicated tag MDc as a keyword. The computer can then classify the site into a “news” channel.

  When a page has a plurality of features, keywords representing the plurality of features may be described as meta tags in the header PH. Therefore, when keywords representing the plurality of features are described as meta tags in the header PH, the computer can classify sites based on the meta tags.

  As described above, when accessing each site, the computer reads the metadata (keywords) representing the characteristics of the page from the header PH of each page, and analyzes the description of the metadata, thereby each of them. Sites can be automatically classified into channels.

  Here, the channel classification of the site by the above-mentioned computer can be considered, for example, when it is performed at the server of the channel service providing site and when performed at the client terminal of each user. Note that specific configurations of the channel service providing site and the client terminal will be described later.

  If the server of the channel service providing site performs channel classification of each site, the server can simultaneously determine the number of accesses and update status of each site as well as the channel classification. And update status information can be easily provided. Further, since the channel service providing site can easily collect information on a large number of sites, it is possible to efficiently classify more sites. When a channel is created by the channel service providing site, the channel is common to all client terminals connected on the Internet.

  On the other hand, a client terminal that performs site channel classification is installed with software for reading metadata and channel classification.

[Flow of metadata acquisition and site channel classification processing]
FIG. 46 shows the flow of processing for obtaining metadata and channel classification of the site. The process shown in FIG. 46 can be applied to both the server of the channel service providing site and the computer of the client terminal, and the CPU of the computer performs based on a computer program (information generation program) for channel classification. It is processing.

  In FIG. 46, a computer (hereinafter simply referred to as a computer) such as a server or client terminal of a channel service providing site first connects to a website via the Internet as a process of step S21. Next, in step S22, the computer determines whether or not the server of the connected website is activated. If it is determined that the server is not activated, the computer proceeds to step S27. The process proceeds to step S23.

  If it is determined in step S22 that the program is being started and the process proceeds to step S23, the computer determines whether the above-described metadata exists in the header PH of the page, and determines that the metadata does not exist. If so, the process proceeds to step S27. If it is determined that the metadata exists, the process proceeds to step S24.

  If it is determined in step S23 that the metadata exists and the process proceeds to step S24, the computer extracts the metadata from the header PH, and further determines whether the metadata is valid information as the process in step S25. That is, it is determined whether or not the information can be used when the site is classified into channels. If it is determined in step S25 that the metadata is not valid, the computer process proceeds to step S27. On the other hand, if it is determined that the metadata is valid, the process proceeds to step S26.

  When it is determined in step S25 that the metadata is valid and the process proceeds to step S26, the computer performs channel classification of the site using the valid metadata.

  Next, in step S28, the computer determines whether or not access to all sites for which channel classification is desired has been completed. If not, the computer returns to step S21. Terminate the process.

  When the process proceeds to step S27, the computer classifies the site as an undefined channel site, and then proceeds to step S28.

  Through the above processing, the computer realizes channel classification of each site. After that, the computer rearranges the sites classified into channels as described above in a desired order according to the site name, creation date, and the like. The channel information after the rearrangement becomes a channel provided to the user.

[Example of creating an original channel]
The channel classification of the sites described above does not particularly reflect the user's preference for the sites arranged in each channel, and the created channels are provided as they are.

  The computer program (information generation program) for channel classification according to the present embodiment can also create an original channel reflecting the user's preference (preference), that is, customize the channel according to the user's preference.

  Here, the original channel is created based on adjustment values from an adjustment means that can arbitrarily set various values, such as a so-called graphic equalizer. Note that a general graphic equalizer, for example, in the case of audio, adjusts only a desired frequency component of a plurality of frequency components constituting the audio, and depends on the environment where the sound is listened to and the device used It corrects differences in acoustic characteristics. A graphic equalizer for creating an original channel is used to determine the number of sites arranged in each channel classified into various genres. That is, the user determines the number of sites to be arranged in each genre channel by determining the adjustment value of the graphic equalizer according to his / her preference (preference). Then, the adjustment value of the graphic equalizer is sent to the computer. The computer classifies each site based on the adjustment value of the graphic equalizer and places it in each channel.

  FIG. 47 shows a conceptual diagram of a graphic equalizer for creating an original channel. Note that this graphic equalizer is not only hardware that is actually operated by the user's hand, but also a virtual one that is displayed on the monitor screen and is operated according to, for example, a mouse click operation or a cursor movement operation. It may be.

  In the example of FIG. 47, seven types of “car”, “sports”, “weather”, “music”, “gourmet”, “game”, and “news” are listed as examples. The graphic equalizer includes seven adjustment bars GL corresponding to these seven types of channels. Each adjustment bar GL includes an adjustment slider GS for setting the number of sites arranged in the corresponding channel. When the user moves the adjustment slider GS in the arrow SNu direction (+ direction) in the figure, the computer sets a large number of sites arranged in the channel, and conversely, the adjustment slider GS is set in the arrow SNd in the figure. When moving in the direction (-direction), the number of sites arranged in the channel is set to be small. Note that the original channel in the initial state may be one in which all the adjustment sliders GS are in the flat (“0” level) position as shown in FIG. 48, for example.

  The total number of sites arranged in the entire seven original channels may be a fixed number or a variable number. The number of sites arranged in each channel may be a fixed number or a variable number.

  As shown in FIG. 48, when the adjustment values of the adjustment sliders GS are the same (for example, at the “0” level position), the number of sites arranged in each channel is the same. For example, when 20 sites are arranged for each channel, the total number of sites of the seven original channels is 140 (7 channels * 20 sites = 140 sites).

  On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG. 49, when each adjustment slider GS is arbitrarily adjusted, the number of sites arranged in each channel is a number corresponding to the adjustment value (level) of each adjustment slider GS. However, when the total number of sites that can be arranged in the entire seven original channels is a fixed number, the computer uses the fixed number and the adjustment value of each adjustment slider GS in FIG. 49 for each channel. The ratio of the number of sites to be arranged is calculated, and the number of sites corresponding to the ratio is arranged in each channel. The calculation is performed every time the graphic equalizer is operated. In the case of the example in FIG. 49, the user knows that he / she is most interested in the “gourmet” channel and then the “game”, “car”, “music” and “news” channels, and vice versa. In addition, it is understood that there is no interest in the “weather” channel, and in particular, the adjustment level of the “weather” channel is the minimum value. For this reason, the computer assigns a large number of sites to the “gourmet”, “game”, “car”, “music” and “news” channels, and conversely, the “weather” channel has a small number of sites (for example, 0).

  Further, when the number of sites corresponding to the adjustment value of the adjustment slider GS is arranged in each channel, the computer, for example, is based on the number of accesses (popularity), update status, etc. of each site. Or the site with the latest update date). As described above, when the sites are arranged in order from the newest site of popularity and update date, each original channel becomes more useful to the user. If the site is arranged according to the popularity and update status of the site, the computer records information indicating the number of accesses (popularity) and update status as additional information for each channel site. Keep it. Of course, the site arranged in the channel may be a randomly selected site regardless of the popularity or the update date.

  Further, the graphic equalizer is not limited to that used to generate the original channel. For example, the operation of the graphic equalizer adjustment slider GS may be used to select each channel itself. FIG. 50 shows a display example of a channel selection menu used when, for example, a desired channel is selected from a plurality of channels. Each of these channel selection menus is associated with each adjustment slider GS of the graphic equalizer. Here, among the adjustment sliders GS of the graphic equalizer, for example, when the adjustment slider GS corresponding to the original channel is selected by the user, the computer displays a menu item MIb representing the original channel as shown in FIG. For example, white text display. When the adjustment slider GS corresponding to the menu item MIb of the original channel is operated by the user, the computer changes the display of the menu item MIb to the menu item MIa as shown in FIG.

  The computer can also store each adjustment value of the graphic equalizer described above. If each adjustment value of the graphic equalizer can be stored, the computer can easily call the channel desired by the user by reading the stored adjustment value later.

  The adjustment value of the graphic equalizer is not limited to that obtained by the operation of each adjustment slider GS by the user, but may be prepared in advance as a preset value on the channel service providing site, for example. In this case, the channel service providing site provides the preset value to the user's client terminal as necessary. The channel service providing site provides preset values to users for a fee or free of charge. For example, when a preset value representing a favorite channel of a celebrity is prepared on the channel service providing site, the user can browse the favorite channel of the celebrity by acquiring the preset value. The graphic equalizer adjustment value or preset value may be exchanged or shared by friends.

  The preset value may not be defined as a channel on the user's client terminal. For example, if you consider a genre such as “Leisure” that is not included in the above seven channels, the preset values are “Weather”, “Gourmet”, “Car” that seems to be closely related to “Leisure”. The adjustment values for the three channels are set high, and the adjustment values for the other channels are set flat (for example, at the position of “0” level). Thereby, the original channel is added with information of an undefined genre.

[Flow of original channel creation process]
The original channel described above may be created, for example, by the channel service providing site according to information from the user (adjustment value of the graphic equalizer), or may be created by the client terminal of each user according to the adjustment value of the graphic equalizer. Conceivable.

  When the channel service providing site generates the original channel, for example, the client terminal of the user sends the adjustment value of the graphic equalizer to the channel service providing site. At this time, the channel service providing site extracts information on the number of sites corresponding to the adjustment value of the graphic equalizer from the information on the plurality of sites classified in advance, and selects a channel including the information on the extracted sites. Then, it is transmitted to the client terminal side as the original channel of the user.

  FIG. 51 shows the flow of processing when the channel service providing site generates an original channel. This process is mainly performed by a channel service providing site server (computer) according to a channel classification computer program (information generation program) including an original channel creation process.

  In FIG. 51, when the server accepts an access from the client terminal in step S71, the information sent from the client terminal includes information on the adjustment value of the graphic equalizer as the processing in the next step S72. It is determined whether or not. If it is determined in step S72 that the graphic equalizer adjustment value information is not included, the server transmits normal channel information that is not the original channel to the client terminal as the process of step S78, and then ends the process. .

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S72 that the transmission information from the client terminal includes the adjustment value information of the graphic equalizer, the server performs processing in step S73 from the transmission information. Extract adjustment value information.

  When the adjustment value of the graphic equalizer is acquired in step S73, the server calculates a user preference ratio (site arrangement ratio for each channel) based on the adjustment value as a process of step S74. In step S75, the number of sites to be arranged in each channel is determined based on the ratio.

  Next, in step S76, the server generates the original channel by arranging the site information determined for each channel in the channel, and then in step S77, the server transmits the original channel information to the client. Send to the terminal.

  On the other hand, when the client terminal creates an original channel, the following first to third pattern processes can be considered.

  The first pattern is a process of creating an original channel by extracting information on the number of sites corresponding to the adjustment value of the graphic equalizer from a plurality of sites classified in advance by the client terminal. The second pattern is a process of creating an original channel by acquiring only information on the number of sites corresponding to the adjustment value of the graphic equalizer from a plurality of sites classified in advance by the channel service providing site. In the third pattern, for example, all the information on a plurality of sites classified in advance by the channel service providing site is acquired, and the number of sites corresponding to the adjustment value of the graphic equalizer is selected from the acquired information on the plurality of sites. This is a process of extracting information and creating an original channel.

  FIG. 52 shows the flow of processing of the first pattern. The processing of the first pattern is processing performed mainly by the internal CPU of the client terminal in accordance with a channel classification computer program (information generation program) including the original channel creation processing.

  In FIG. 52, the client terminal first determines whether or not the graphic equalizer has been adjusted as the process of step S81. If not, the client terminal displays a normal channel on the monitor screen as a process of step S89 and ends. To do.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the graphic equalizer has been adjusted, the client terminal acquires information on the adjustment value of the graphic equalizer as the process of step S82.

  When the graphic equalizer adjustment value is acquired in step S82, the client terminal obtains the ratio of the site arrangement for each channel according to the user's preference as described above based on the graphic equalizer adjustment value in step S83. Further, as a process of step S84, the number of sites to be arranged in each channel is determined based on the ratio.

  Next, in step S85, the client terminal generates an original channel in which site information determined for each channel is arranged in the channel.

  After that, as a process of step S86, the client terminal displays the contents in the original channel on the monitor device, and as a process of step S87, the client terminal confirms whether or not the contents of the original channel are sufficient. If the confirmation request in step S87 is denied by the user, the processing of the client terminal returns to step S82, whereas if the user determines better, the process proceeds to the next step S88.

  In step S88, the client terminal displays the site in each channel according to the tuning position specified by the user. Thereby, the user can browse the sites in each channel.

  FIG. 53 shows the flow of processing of the second pattern. The processing of the second pattern is processing that is mainly performed by the internal CPU of the client terminal according to the computer program (information generation program) of the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 53, the client terminal first connects to the server of the channel service providing site via the Internet as processing of step S31. The server of the channel service providing site at this time has a channel information database that holds information on a plurality of sites classified in advance. When the client terminal is connected to the server, the process of step S32 determines whether or not the server is operating normally. If the client terminal is not operating, the process of FIG. 53 is terminated. The process proceeds to step S33.

  In step S33, the client terminal acquires information on the adjustment value of the graphic equalizer.

  When the graphic equalizer adjustment value is acquired in step S33, the client terminal calculates the ratio of site arrangement for each channel according to the user's preference based on the graphic equalizer adjustment value in step S34. Further, as the processing of step S35, the number of sites to be arranged in each channel is determined based on the ratio.

  Next, in step S36, the client terminal requests the server of the channel service providing site for information on the number of sites to be acquired for each determined channel, and the site of the site sent from the server in response to the request. Get information.

  When the site information is acquired from the server of the channel service providing site, the client terminal generates an original channel in which the site for each channel is arranged in the channel as the process of step S37.

  After that, as a process of step S38, the client terminal displays the contents in the original channel on the monitor device, and as a process of step S39, the client terminal confirms whether or not the contents of the original channel are acceptable. If the user makes a negative response to the confirmation request in step S39, the process returns to step S33. If the user makes a positive decision, the process proceeds to the next step S40.

  In step S40, the client terminal displays the site in each channel according to the designation of the tuning position by the user. Thereby, the user can browse the sites in each channel.

  Next, FIG. 54 shows a flow of processing of the third pattern. The process of the third pattern is a process mainly performed by the internal CPU of the client terminal according to the computer program (information generation program) of the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 54, the client terminal first connects to the server of the channel service providing site via the Internet in the same manner as step S31 in FIG. The server of the channel service providing site at this time has a channel information database that holds information of a plurality of sites classified in advance. Then, when connected to the server, the client terminal determines whether or not the server is operating normally as the processing of step S52, and if it is not operating, ends the processing of FIG. 54 and is operating. In this case, the process proceeds to step S53.

  When the processing proceeds to step S53, the client terminal collectively obtains information on all sites classified into channels from the server of the channel service providing site.

  Next, the client terminal acquires information on the adjustment value of the graphic equalizer as the process of step S54.

  When the adjustment value of the graphic equalizer is acquired in step S54, the client terminal calculates the user preference ratio as described above based on the adjustment value of the graphic equalizer as the process of step S55, and further, in step S56. As a process, the number of sites arranged in each channel is determined based on the ratio.

  Next, in step S57, the client terminal extracts only the information on the determined site from the information on all sites acquired from the channel service providing site by the processing in step S53. Create an original channel with information placed in each channel.

  After that, as the process of step S58, the client terminal displays the contents in the original channel on the monitor device, and as the process of step S59, confirms with the user whether the contents of the original channel are sufficient. If the user makes a negative response to the confirmation request in step S59, the processing of the client terminal returns to step S54, whereas if the user determines better, the process proceeds to the next step S60.

  In step S60, the client terminal displays the site in each channel according to the designation of the tuning position by the user. Thereby, the user can browse the sites in each channel.

  In the case of the third pattern shown in FIG. 54, since the client terminal acquires information about all the sites from the server in a lump, once the information is acquired, even if it is not connected to the server thereafter, The advantage is that you can create and update your own original channel.

[Website browsing flow]
The flow when the client terminal actually browses the website using the channel created as described above will be described with reference to FIG. This process is a process mainly performed by the internal CPU of the client terminal according to the computer program (information browsing program) of the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 55, the client terminal first monitors the operation signal of the tuning controller as the processing of step S1, and when an instruction signal for channel selection is obtained from the tuning controller, the client terminal selects a channel corresponding to the instruction signal. select.

  Next, the client terminal displays the above-described tuning position TP, tuning curve TC, tuning area TE, in-channel site position ST, etc. on the monitor screen for the selected channel as the process of step S2. Further, the client terminal determines whether or not the settings for displaying update information (newness of information) and the number of accesses (site popularity) are made as the processing of steps S3 and S5. When either or both of them are set to be displayed, the update information and the number of accesses of each site are displayed together with the channel as processing of step S4 and step S6.

  Next, as a process of step S7, when a signal instructing the adjustment of the zoom level is obtained from the tuning controller, the client terminal adjusts the zoom level corresponding to the instruction signal. In addition, when an instruction signal for moving the tuning position TP is obtained from the tuning controller as the processing of step S8, the client terminal performs tuning by moving the tuning position TP corresponding to the instruction signal.

  At the time of the tuning, the client terminal determines whether or not the user has found the target site, that is, whether or not a signal instructing fine tuning has been obtained from the tuning controller as the process of step S9. When the instructing signal is obtained, the process proceeds to step S10, and otherwise, the process returns to step S7.

  When it is determined in step S9 that the target site has been found, the client terminal displays only the target site on the monitor screen as the process of step S10 (execution of fine tuning).

  Thereafter, the client terminal determines whether or not an instruction to end the browsing of the site has been given by the user. If no instruction to end has been given, the process returns to step S1, while an instruction to end has been given. When the determination is made, the processing in FIG. 55 is terminated.

[Entire system configuration]
Next, FIG. 56 shows the overall configuration of a system for realizing the information browsing process of the present embodiment described above.

  The system shown in FIG. 56 includes a channel service providing site 2 connected to the Internet 1, a plurality of websites 9 including sites arranged on the channel, and one or more client terminals 10, for example. Note that the channel service providing site 2 in the example of FIG. 56 only shows the configuration of the main part according to the embodiment of the present invention, and illustration and description of other components are omitted. The system configuration in FIG. 56 is a configuration example when the channel service providing site 2 provides channel information to the client terminal 10.

  The client terminal 10 is a user terminal such as a personal computer, a video game machine that can be connected to the Internet, and a portable information device including a mobile phone.

  The website 9 is various sites existing on the Internet.

  The channel service providing site 2 includes a server 7, a site information database 4, a client information database 5, a channel information database 6, a channel generation unit 3 and the like as main components.

  The server 7 controls connection to the Internet 1, controls transmission / reception of information sent from the client terminal 10 and channel and site information provided to the client terminal 10, and collects information on each website 9 (for example, from a page header). Information extraction), client terminal information collection (eg, graphic equalizer adjustment value information, etc.), data writing to and reading from the site information database 4, the client information database 5, and the channel information database 6 Do.

  The site information database 4 includes, for example, the URL (IP address) of each website 9 on the Internet, the content and type of content provided by each website 9, the number of accesses and update status of each site, Information on the number of pages, page file size, etc. is stored in a database.

  The client information database 5 is information on the client terminal 10 that has accessed the server 7 via the Internet 1 (for example, the adjustment value of the graphic equalizer) and the usage registration of the client terminal that receives the information browsing service of this embodiment. Information is stored in a database.

  The channel generation unit 3 uses the site information of each website 9 stored in the site information database 4 to classify each website into channels and stores the website information in the client information database 5 as necessary. The original channel of each user is generated according to the adjustment value of the graphic equalizer, and the preset value of the graphic equalizer is generated.

  The channel information database 6 stores information on channels (including original channels and preset values) generated by the channel generation unit 3 in a database. The channel information prepared in the channel information database 6 is read by the server 7 in response to a request from the client terminal 10 via the Internet 1 and is sent to the client terminal 10. As a result, the client terminal 10 can perform channel display and site browsing described in the above-described embodiment.

[Client terminal configuration]
Next, FIG. 57 shows a configuration example of the client terminal 10 of the present embodiment. FIG. 57 shows only the configuration of the main part when a personal computer is used as an example of the client terminal 10.

  In FIG. 57, the storage unit 18 includes, for example, a hard disk and its drive. The hard disk includes at least a program storage area 19 and a data storage area 20. In addition to the operating system program, the program storage area 19 includes an information browsing program for realizing the information browsing process of the present embodiment in software, an information generating program when channel generation is performed on the client terminal side, Accumulate other application programs. The data storage area 20 stores, for example, user setting data, graphic equalizer adjustment values, and other temporary file data. The information browsing program, the information generation program, and other application programs are read from various recording media such as CD-ROM and DVD-ROM, or received via a communication line, for example. 19 is accumulated.

  The communication unit 11 is a communication device for performing data communication by connecting to, for example, an analog public telephone line, a cable television network, or an optical digital communication line. The communication I / F unit 12 is an interface device that performs protocol conversion and the like for enabling data exchange between the communication unit 11 and an internal bus (BUS). The client terminal 10 can be connected to the Internet, searched, viewed, sent and received e-mails, for example, by the communication unit 11 and the communication I / F unit 12, and can also be used for information browsing programs and information generation programs. Etc. can also be downloaded.

  The drive unit 22 is a drive that can read various programs and data including an information browsing program and an information generation program from a disk medium 28 such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a floppy disk, or a semiconductor memory such as a card. Device. The drive I / F unit 21 is an interface device for supplying a signal from the drive unit 22 to the inside.

  The input unit 26 includes a general input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touch pad, and a jog dial, a tuning controller, and the like. That is, the input unit 26 moves the tuning position TP in FIG. 2 within a channel when browsing information, selects a channel, sets a zoom level, and sets fine tuning in addition to a normal input operation in a personal computer. It is also used when the user performs operations and the like. The user I / F unit 25 is an interface device for supplying a signal from the input unit 26 to the inside.

  In FIG. 57, a personal computer is used as an example of the client terminal 10, but it is needless to say that the client terminal 10 is not limited to a personal computer, and may be various portable information terminals including a mobile phone, a video game machine, or the like. When the client terminal is a portable information terminal or a video game machine, the tuning controller is an input device (for example, a joystick or a game machine controller) provided in the mobile terminal or the video game machine. Further, the tuning controller of the input unit 26 may be a dedicated input device having a shape and function like a dial for selecting a reception channel provided in an analog radio receiver, for example.

  The display unit (display) 24 is a display device such as a CRT (cathode ray tube) or liquid crystal, for example, and the display drive unit 23 is a drive device that drives the display unit 24 to display. In the case of the present embodiment, the screen display as described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 is performed on the display screen of the display unit 24.

  The speaker 30 is an electric sound converting means for converting an electric signal into sound. In the case of the present embodiment, for example, when the page is a page accompanied by sound, the sound of the page is output. The amplifier 29 amplifies the audio signal and drives the speaker 30.

  The CPU 13 controls all operations of the personal computer that is the client terminal 10 based on the operating system program, the information generation program, and the information browsing program stored in the storage unit 18.

  The ROM 14 includes a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, and stores a basic input / output system (BIOS) and various initial setting values. The RAM 15 is loaded with an application program read from the hard disk of the storage unit 18 and the program of the present embodiment, and is used as a work RAM of the CPU 13.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 57, the CPU 13 executes the information generation program or the information browsing program, which is one of the application programs read from the hard disk of the storage unit 18 and loaded into the RAM 15, as described above. Information browsing, channel generation, etc. are performed as necessary.

  As described above, when browsing a site existing on the Internet, the user designates a desired position TP (tuning position TP) in the channel, not a URL. Since the tuning position TP exists with a virtual spread in the channel, the user can simultaneously and easily browse the sites within the virtual spread.

  The above description of the embodiment is an example of the present invention. For this reason, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made according to the design and the like as long as they do not depart from the technical idea of the present invention. .

  For example, the channel service providing site is not limited to one. The present invention can also be applied to a plurality of systems connected to a network. Further, the present invention can be used not only for a browser for browsing a site existing on the Internet but also for a browser for searching or browsing the contents of a local file, for example. A browser to which the present invention is applied handles a directory of local files as one channel. Thereby, the user can browse the file in an analog manner. Further, the user can browse a directory storing digital image data very easily, for example.

It is a figure used for description of the site arrange | positioned in the channel. It is a figure used for description of the tuning position in a channel, and its analog spread. It is a figure which shows one display example of the site classified into news. It is a figure which shows the other example of a display of the site classified into news. It is a figure which shows the example of a display which carried out the translucent synthesis | combination of two sites classified into news according to the positional relationship between those site positions and tuning positions. It is a figure which shows the example of a display which arranged two sites classified into news on the same screen according to the positional relationship between those site positions and tuning positions. It is a figure which shows the state by which the tuning curve and the tuning area | region were set narrowly. It is a figure which shows the state by which the tuning curve and the tuning area | region were set widely. It is a figure which shows the specific example at the time of displaying the access frequency and update state of a site with a channel display. It is a conceptual diagram used for explanation when the sites in a channel are arranged in alphabetical order and the channel space is zoomed in and enlarged. It is a conceptual diagram used for description of the relationship between the popularity of a site (high and low access frequency) and the zoom level. It is a figure which shows the mode of the change of the tuning area | region before and behind fine tuning. It is a figure which shows the example at the time of displaying a favorite mark on channel space. It is a figure used for description at the time of dropping the maximum value of the moving speed of a tuning position in the vicinity of a favorite site. It is a figure used for description at the time of trying to enlarge the vibration intensity of an operation means in the vicinity of a favorite site. It is a figure which shows the example of a concrete screen display at the time of displaying the display window of a channel. It is a figure which shows an example of the tuning controller implement | achieved like hardware or software. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the tuning controller which can be operated with one hand. It is a perspective view which shows the state by which the jog dial of a tuning controller is operated. It is a perspective view which shows the state by which the favorite registration button of a tuning controller is operated. It is a figure used for description of the relationship between the ON time of the tuning button in the case of performing digital tuning operation, and the moving amount of a tuning position. It is a figure used for description of a site arrangement state when each site is arranged in a two-dimensional space. It is the figure which expressed the breadth of the tuning position at the time of arrange | positioning each site in two-dimensional space in three dimensions. It is a figure used for description of the site arrangement | positioning state when each site is arrange | positioned in a two-dimensional space by making a horizontal axis a site name and a vertical axis | shaft on the establishment date of a site. It is a figure used for description of the site arrangement | positioning at the time of arranging each site in a two-dimensional space by setting a horizontal axis as a site name and a vertical axis as a channel type. It is a figure which shows one display example of the site classified into a game. It is a figure which shows the other example of a display of the site classified into a game. It is a figure which shows the example of a display which arrange | positioned two sites classified into news, and two sites classified into a game according to the positional relationship between those site positions and a tuning position, and carried out the translucent synthesis | combination. It is a figure which shows the state by which the tuning curve and the tuning area | region were set narrowly in the example which has arrange | positioned each site in two-dimensional space. It is a figure which shows the state by which the tuning curve and the tuning area | region were set widely in the example which has arrange | positioned each site in two-dimensional space. It is a figure which shows the state by which the tuning area | region was set to the elliptical shape in the example which has arrange | positioned each site in two-dimensional space. It is a figure used for description of the state which overlapped the layer which expresses other information on the position layer expressed with a channel and a site name. It is a figure used for description when the layer showing an update degree and the layer showing a popularity are overlapped on a position layer. It is a figure which shows only a position layer. It is a figure used for description of the state which accumulated the layer showing popularity on a position layer. It is a figure used for description of the state which overlapped the layer showing an update degree on a position layer. It is a figure used for description of the state which accumulated the layer showing popularity and an update degree on the position layer. It is a figure used for description of the state which has arranged the favorite mark of the site on the two-dimensional space. It is a figure used for description of the three-dimensional space where each site is arranged. It is a figure used for description of the site position at the time of arrange | positioning each site in three-dimensional space, a tuning position, and a tuning area | region. It is a figure used for description of the three-dimensional space which consists of popularity, update date, and site name. It is a figure used for description of a three-dimensional space consisting of popularity, update date, and site name, a tuning position, and a tuning area. It is a figure used for description of the three-dimensional space which consists of a channel, an opening date, and a site name. It is a figure used for description of the three-dimensional space which consists of a channel, an opening date, and a site name, a tuning position, and a tuning area | region. It is a figure used for description of the metadata described in a page header. It is a flowchart which shows the acquisition of the metadata in a computer, and the process of channel classification of a site. It is a figure used for conceptual description of the graphic equalizer of this Embodiment. It is a figure used for description of the graphic equalizer in the state where the adjustment slider was adjusted to flat. It is a figure used for description of the example of adjustment of each adjustment slider of a graphic equalizer. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the channel selection menu used when selecting a desired channel from several channels. It is a flowchart of a process in case a channel service provision site produces | generates an original channel. It is a flowchart of a process in case a client terminal produces the original channel according to the adjustment value of a graphic equalizer using the information of the some site classified beforehand. It is a flowchart of a process in case a channel service provision site produces the original channel according to the adjustment value of the graphic equalizer by a client terminal from the some site classified beforehand by the channel. It is a flowchart of a process in case a channel service provision site acquires all the site information classified beforehand by the channel, and produces the original channel according to the adjustment value of the graphic equalizer by a client terminal. It is a flowchart when a client terminal actually browses a site. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the system for implement | achieving information browsing processing. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a client terminal.

Explanation of symbols

ST ... Site position in channel, WS ... Site, TP ... Tuning position, TC ... Tuning curve, TE ... Tuning area, RC ... Site access frequency curve, NC ... Site update status curve, G ... Scale, FM ... Favorite mark , ZL ... Zoom level, MV ... Tuning position moving speed maximum value, VF ... Operating means vibration amount, TW ... Tuning display section, ZLG ... Zoom level display section, CHB ... Channel display section, FTB ... Fine tuning button, DT ... Tuning Dial, DZ ... zoom level adjustment dial, EAL ... tuning area adjustment lever, CSB ... channel selection button, FRB ... favorite registration button, dt ... jog dial, HD ... user's hand, csd ... shuttle ring, frb ... favorite registration button, ftb Fine tuning button, eab ... tuning area adjustment button, zlb ... zoom level adjustment button, PL ... position layer, NL ... layer showing update degree, RL ... layer showing popularity, PH ... page header, GS ... adjustment slider, GL ... Adjustment bar, MI ... Menu item, 1 ... Internet, 2 ... Channel service providing site, 3 ... Channel generation unit, 4 ... Site information database, 5 ... Client information database, 6 ... Channel information database, 7 ... Server, 9 ... Website, 10 ... Client terminal

Claims (48)

A step of detecting a designated position arbitrarily designated by a user in a virtual space where information in which a storage location is uniquely set is arranged;
Detecting an arrangement position of the information that falls within a region having a virtual spread with respect to the designated position;
Obtaining the information corresponding to the detected placement position from the storage location;
An information browsing program for causing a computer to execute the step of presenting the content of the acquired information. An information browsing program according to claim 1,
Detecting a relative positional relationship between the designated position and the detected arrangement position in the virtual space;
The presenting step includes a step of displaying an image representing the content of the information on a screen in a display state corresponding to the positional relationship. An information browsing program according to claim 2,
The step of detecting the positional relationship detects a distance in the virtual space between the designated position and the arrangement position as one of values representing the positional relationship,
The information browsing program characterized in that the display step displays an image representing the contents of the information in a translucent display state that decreases as the distance in the virtual space increases. An information browsing program according to claim 2,
The step of detecting the positional relationship detects a distance in the virtual space between the designated position and the arrangement position as one of values representing the positional relationship,
The display step displays the image representing the content of the information in a display state adjusted to an angle that increases as the distance in the virtual space increases. An information browsing program according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The step of detecting the positional relationship detects a direction in the virtual space from the designated position to the arrangement position as one of the values representing the positional relationship,
The display step displays an image representing the contents of the information in a display state arranged on a screen according to the direction. The information browsing program according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The presenting step presents only information corresponding to the arrangement position closest to the designated position among all the arrangement positions detected in the virtual spread area in accordance with a predetermined instruction from the user. The information browsing program characterized by including the step to do. An information browsing program according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An information browsing program comprising the step of generating and displaying at least an image representing the virtual space, the arrangement position in the virtual space, and the designated position in the virtual space. The information browsing program according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
In response to an instruction from a user, changing a detectable range of the arrangement position in the virtual space;
And a step of changing the number of arrangements of the information detected in the virtual spread area in accordance with the size of the detectable range of the arrangement positions. The information browsing program according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An information browsing program, wherein the virtual space is a one-dimensional space. The information browsing program according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An information browsing program characterized in that the virtual space is a multi-dimensional space of two or more dimensions. A step of detecting a designated position arbitrarily designated by a user in a virtual space where information in which a storage location is uniquely set is arranged;
Detecting an arrangement position of the information that falls within a region having a virtual spread with respect to the designated position;
Obtaining the information corresponding to the detected placement position from the storage location;
The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the information browsing program which makes a computer perform the step which presents the content of the acquired said information. The recording medium according to claim 11,
Detecting a relative positional relationship between the designated position in the virtual space and the detected arrangement position;
The presenting step includes a step of displaying an image representing the content of the information on a screen in a display state corresponding to the positional relationship. A computer-readable recording medium on which an information browsing program is recorded. The recording medium according to claim 12, wherein
The step of detecting the positional relationship detects a distance in the virtual space between the designated position and the arrangement position as one of values representing the positional relationship,
In the display step, an image representing the content of the information is displayed in a translucent display state that becomes smaller as the distance in the virtual space becomes longer. . The recording medium according to claim 12, wherein
The step of detecting the positional relationship detects a distance in the virtual space between the designated position and the arrangement position as one of values representing the positional relationship,
In the display step, a computer-readable recording in which an information browsing program is recorded is characterized in that an image representing the content of the information is displayed in a display state adjusted to an angle that increases as the distance in the virtual space increases. Medium. A recording medium according to any one of claims 12 to 14,
The step of detecting the positional relationship detects a direction in the virtual space from the designated position to the arrangement position as one of the values representing the positional relationship,
A computer-readable recording medium on which an information browsing program is recorded, wherein the display step displays an image representing the content of the information in a display state arranged on a screen according to the direction. A recording medium according to any one of claims 11 to 15,
The presenting step presents only information corresponding to the arrangement position closest to the designated position among all the arrangement positions detected in the virtual spread area in accordance with a predetermined instruction from the user. The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the information browsing program characterized by including the step to do. A recording medium according to any one of claims 11 to 16, comprising:
A computer-readable recording of an information browsing program comprising: generating and displaying an image representing at least the virtual space, the arrangement position in the virtual space, and the specified position in the virtual space Recording medium. A recording medium according to any one of claims 11 to 17,
In accordance with an instruction from the user, changing a range in which the arrangement position of the information can be detected in the virtual space;
Recording an information browsing program comprising: changing the number of arrangements of the information detected in the virtual spread area according to the size of a range in which the arrangement positions can be detected. Computer-readable recording medium. A recording medium according to any one of claims 11 to 18, comprising:
A computer-readable recording medium on which an information browsing program is recorded, wherein the virtual space is a one-dimensional space. A recording medium according to any one of claims 11 to 18, comprising:
A computer-readable recording medium on which an information browsing program is recorded, wherein the virtual space is a multidimensional space of two or more dimensions. A designated position detecting unit for detecting a designated position arbitrarily designated by a user in a virtual space in which information in which a storage location is uniquely set is arranged;
An arrangement position detector that detects an arrangement position of the information that falls within a region having a virtual spread with respect to the designated position;
An information acquisition unit that acquires the information corresponding to the arrangement position detected by the arrangement position detection unit from the storage location;
An information browsing device comprising: an information presentation unit that presents the content of information acquired by the information acquisition unit. An information browsing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein
A positional relationship detection unit that detects a relative positional relationship between the designated position in the virtual space and the detected arrangement position;
The information presentation device includes a display control unit that displays an image representing the content of the information on a screen in a display state according to the positional relationship. An information browsing device according to claim 22,
The positional relationship detection unit detects a distance in the virtual space between the designated position and the arrangement position as one of values representing the positional relationship,
The information display device, wherein the display control unit displays an image representing the content of the information in a translucent display state that decreases as the distance in the virtual space increases. An information browsing device according to claim 22,
The positional relationship detection unit detects a distance in the virtual space between the designated position and the arrangement position as one of values representing the positional relationship,
The information control apparatus, wherein the display control unit displays an image representing the content of the information in a display state adjusted to an angle that increases as the distance in the virtual space increases. The information browsing device according to any one of claims 22 to 24,
The positional relationship detection unit detects a direction in the virtual space from the designated position to the arrangement position as one of values representing the positional relationship,
The display control unit displays an image representing the content of the information in a display state arranged on a screen according to the direction. The information browsing device according to any one of claims 21 to 25,
The information presenting unit presents only information corresponding to the arrangement position closest to the designated position among all the arrangement positions detected in the virtual spread area according to a predetermined instruction from the user. An information browsing apparatus characterized by: The information browsing device according to any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein:
An information browsing apparatus comprising: an image generation unit that generates and displays at least an image representing the virtual space, the arrangement position in the virtual space, and the designated position in the virtual space. The information browsing device according to any one of claims 21 to 27, wherein:
In accordance with an instruction from the user, a range changing unit that changes a range in which the arrangement position of the information can be detected in the virtual space;
An information browsing apparatus comprising: an arrangement number changing unit that changes the number of arrangements of the information detected in the virtual expansion area according to a size of a range in which the arrangement position can be detected. . The information browsing device according to any one of claims 21 to 28, wherein:
The information browsing apparatus, wherein the virtual space is a one-dimensional space. The information browsing device according to any one of claims 21 to 28, wherein:
The information browsing apparatus, wherein the virtual space is a multidimensional space of two or more dimensions. In the virtual space where the information where the storage location is uniquely set is arranged, the designated position arbitrarily designated by the user is detected,
Detecting the arrangement position of the information that falls within a region having a virtual spread with respect to the designated position,
Obtaining the information corresponding to the detected placement position from the storage location;
An information browsing method characterized by presenting the content of the acquired information. Collecting information with a unique storage location;
Generating a virtual space in which the collected information is arranged;
Generating browsing information used when browsing information from the virtual space,
An information generation program for causing a computer to execute. An information generation program according to claim 32, comprising:
The step of collecting the information includes a step of extracting metadata representing the content from the information,
The virtual space generation step includes a step of classifying the information into one of a plurality of types of virtual spaces based on the metadata. An information generation program according to claim 32, comprising:
Collecting user preference information;
The step of generating the virtual space includes a step of adjusting the number of pieces of information arranged in a plurality of types of virtual spaces based on the preference information. An information generation program according to any one of claims 32 to 34,
The virtual space generation step generates a one-dimensional virtual space. An information generation program according to any one of claims 32 to 34,
The virtual space generation step generates a multi-dimensional virtual space of two or more dimensions. Collecting information with a unique storage location;
Generating a virtual space in which the collected information is arranged;
Generating browsing information used when browsing information from the virtual space,
A computer-readable recording medium on which an information generation program to be executed by a computer is recorded. A recording medium according to claim 37, wherein
The step of collecting the information includes a step of extracting metadata representing the content from the information,
The step of generating the virtual space includes a step of classifying the information into one of a plurality of types of virtual spaces based on the metadata, and a computer-readable recording medium on which an information generation program is recorded . A recording medium according to claim 37, wherein
Collecting user preference information;
The step of generating the virtual space includes a step of adjusting the number of pieces of information arranged in a plurality of types of virtual spaces based on the preference information, and a computer-readable recording medium on which an information generation program is recorded . A recording medium according to any one of claims 37 to 39, wherein
The virtual space generating step generates a one-dimensional virtual space. A computer-readable recording medium recording an information generating program. A recording medium according to any one of claims 37 to 40, wherein
A computer-readable recording medium recording an information generating program, wherein the virtual space generating step generates a multi-dimensional virtual space of two or more dimensions. An information collection unit that collects information with a unique storage location;
A space generation unit that generates a virtual space in which the collected information is arranged;
An information generation apparatus comprising: an information generation unit configured to generate browsing information used when browsing information from the virtual space. An information generating device according to claim 42, wherein
The information collection unit extracts metadata representing the content from the information,
The space generation unit classifies the information into any one of a plurality of types of virtual spaces based on the metadata. An information generating device according to claim 42, wherein
It has a preference information collection unit that collects user preference information,
The space generation unit adjusts the number of pieces of information arranged in a plurality of types of virtual spaces based on the preference information. An information generation device according to any one of claims 42 to 44, wherein:
The space generation unit generates a one-dimensional virtual space. The information generation device according to any one of claims 42 to 45, wherein:
The space generation unit generates a multi-dimensional virtual space of two or more dimensions. Collect information where the storage location is uniquely set,
Create a virtual space with the collected information inside,
The information generation method characterized by generating browsing information used when browsing information from the virtual space. An information collection unit that collects information in which a storage location is uniquely set, a space generation unit that generates a virtual space in which the collected information is arranged, and browsing information used when browsing the information An information generating means having an information generating unit for generating from space;
A browsing information acquisition unit that acquires the browsing information read from the information storage unit of the information generation unit, and a designated position arbitrarily designated by a user in a virtual space included in the browsing information Corresponding to the arrangement position detected by the arrangement position detection section, the arrangement position detection section for detecting the arrangement position of the information that falls within a region having a virtual spread with respect to the designation position, and the arrangement position detection section An information generation and browsing system comprising: an information browsing unit including an information acquisition unit that acquires the information to be acquired from the storage location; and an information presentation unit that presents the content of the information acquired by the information acquisition unit.

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