JP2008257341A - Search result display device, search result display method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To significantly increase the convenience of use of search results by improving the display state of the search results. <P>SOLUTION: A search result display device comprises a search result reception processing part 306 for acquiring content information as search results matching a search condition from a content information provision server 200 connected via a network 400, and a search result display processing part 308 for arranging the content information on a display screen of a display part 700 according to characteristic values related to the content information and displaying the content information as dynamically moving it on the display screen. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a search result display device, a search result display method, and a program.

  Conventionally, for example, a search result is obtained from a search site such as Yahoo or Google by connecting a personal computer to the Internet and inputting a search keyword.

  However, when a search result is acquired from a search site, the search result is simply displayed on the screen according to the number of search hits, etc., so that the user cannot fully understand the search result visually. There was a problem. For this reason, in the conventional search result display method, the characteristics of the search result cannot be sufficiently grasped, and the search result cannot be effectively used.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to improve the display state of search results, thereby greatly improving the convenience of utilizing search results. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved search result display device, a search result display method, and a program that are possible.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to an aspect of the present invention, a content information acquisition unit that acquires content information that is a search result according to a search condition from a content information providing server connected via a network; A search result display comprising: a display control unit that arranges the content information on a display screen based on a characteristic value related to the content information, and dynamically moves and displays the content information on the display screen An apparatus is provided.

  According to the said structure, the content information which is a search result according to search conditions is acquired from the content information provision server connected via the network. Then, the content information is arranged on the display screen based on the characteristic values related to the content information, and the content information is dynamically moved and displayed on the display screen. Therefore, the user can recognize content information that dynamically moves based on the characteristic value on the display screen, and can recognize the characteristic value and the content information in association with each other.

  Further, the characteristic value is time information indicating a time when the content information is created, and the display control unit is configured based on the reference time serving as a reference and the time information related to the content information. The content information may be moved on the display screen. According to this configuration, since the content information moves on the display screen based on the reference time serving as a reference and the time information related to the content information, the relationship between the reference time and the time information of the content information is recognized. It becomes possible.

  The display control unit may include a speed changing unit that changes a speed at which the reference time changes. According to such a configuration, it is possible to clearly recognize the content information on the display screen by setting the speed at which the reference time changes optimally.

  The display control unit may include a display scale changing unit that varies a scale of a display range of the content information according to a speed at which the reference time changes. According to such a configuration, the scale of the display range of the content information can be changed, so that the content information on the display screen can be clearly recognized.

  Further, the display control unit may include a time transition direction changing unit that sets a direction in which the reference time transitions from the past to the future or from the future to the past. According to this configuration, the direction in which the reference time changes can be set from the past to the future, or from the future to the past, so the content information is clearly recognized in each direction from the past to the future or from the future to the past. It becomes possible to do.

  The display control unit includes an auto-cruise function unit that varies a speed at which the reference time changes or a scale of a display range of the content information according to a crowded state of the content information on a display screen. Also good. According to such a configuration, the speed at which the reference time changes or the scale of the display range of the content information can be varied according to the crowded state of the content information on the display screen, so that the content information on the display screen can be recognized efficiently. It becomes possible to do.

  In addition, a search result storage unit that stores both the content information as the search result and the search condition may be further provided. According to this configuration, since the content information as the search result and the search condition can be stored together, the search result can be displayed without performing the search again when the same search result is to be viewed later. Is possible.

  The characteristic value includes time information indicating a time when the content information is generated and position information indicating a position where the content information is generated, and the display control unit is based on the time information and the position information. The content information may be displayed three-dimensionally on the display screen. According to such a configuration, the content information is three-dimensionally displayed based on the time information and the position information, so that the time information and the position information of the content information can be visually recognized clearly.

  Further, an activation unit that activates the original web page to which the content information belongs may be further provided. According to this configuration, since the original web page to which the content information belongs can function, it is possible to recognize the content information that is the search result in more detail.

  Further, the content information is information related to live video, recording, and a program guide of a television broadcast, and the display control unit is configured to perform the reference based on a reference time that is a reference and time information related to the live video, recording, and a program guide. Live video, recording, and program guide are moved on the display screen. When the reference time is set to the current time, the live video currently being broadcast is displayed, and the reference time is set to a time after the current time. In this case, a TV broadcast program guide to be broadcast thereafter may be displayed, and when the reference time is set to a time before the current time, a previously broadcast TV broadcast recording may be displayed. According to this configuration, it is possible to display live images, recordings, and program schedules of television broadcasts according to the reference time, and it is possible to acquire optimal information according to the reference time.

  In order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, from a content information providing server connected via a network, acquiring content information that is a search result according to a search condition; A search result display method comprising: placing the content information on a display screen based on a characteristic value related to the content information; and dynamically moving the content information on the display screen to display the content information. Provided.

  According to the said structure, the content information which is a search result according to search conditions is acquired from the content information provision server connected via the network. Then, the content information is arranged on the display screen based on the characteristic values related to the content information, and the content information is dynamically moved and displayed on the display screen. Therefore, the user can recognize content information that dynamically moves based on the characteristic value on the display screen, and can recognize the characteristic value and the content information in association with each other.

  The characteristic value is time information representing a time when the content information is created, and is based on a reference time serving as a reference and the time information related to the content information in the step of displaying the content information. The content information may be moved on the display screen. According to this configuration, since the content information moves on the display screen based on the reference time serving as a reference and the time information related to the content information, the relationship between the reference time and the time information of the content information is recognized. It becomes possible.

  The method may further include a step of changing a speed at which the reference time changes. According to such a configuration, it is possible to clearly recognize the content information on the display screen by setting the speed at which the reference time changes optimally.

  Further, the method may further include a step of changing a scale of the display range of the content information according to a speed at which the reference time changes. According to such a configuration, the scale of the display range of the content information can be changed, so that the content information on the display screen can be clearly recognized.

  The method may further comprise a step of setting the direction in which the reference time changes from the past to the future or from the future to the past. According to this configuration, the direction in which the reference time changes can be set from the past to the future, or from the future to the past, so the content information is clearly recognized in each direction from the past to the future or from the future to the past. It becomes possible to do.

  In addition, the method may further include a step of changing a speed at which the reference time changes or a scale of a display range of the content information according to a crowded state of the content information on the display screen. According to such a configuration, the speed at which the reference time changes or the scale of the display range of the content information can be varied according to the crowded state of the content information on the display screen, so that the content information on the display screen can be recognized efficiently. It becomes possible to do.

  The content information as the search result and the search condition may be stored together. According to this configuration, since the content information as the search result and the search condition can be stored together, the search result can be displayed without performing the search again when the same search result is to be viewed later. Is possible.

  Further, it may further comprise a step of starting an original web page to which the content information belongs. According to this configuration, since the original web page to which the content information belongs can function, it is possible to recognize the content information that is the search result in more detail.

  Further, the content information is information related to live video, recording, and a program guide of a television broadcast, and the display control unit is based on a reference time as a reference and the time information related to the live video, recording, and a program guide. The live video, recording and program guide are moved on the display screen, and when the reference time is set to the current time, the live video currently being broadcast is displayed, and the reference time is set to a time after the current time. If the reference time is set to a time before the current time, it may display a previously broadcasted TV broadcast recording. . According to such a configuration, according to such a configuration, it is possible to display a moving image, a recording, and a program guide of a television broadcast according to the reference time, and it is possible to acquire optimal information according to the reference time.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, means for acquiring content information that is a search result according to a search condition from a content information providing server connected via a network, Provided is a program for causing a computer to function as means for arranging the content information on a display screen and dynamically moving the content information on the display screen based on characteristic values related to the content information. Is done.

  According to the said structure, the content information which is a search result according to search conditions is acquired from the content information provision server connected via the network. Then, the content information is arranged on the display screen based on the characteristic values related to the content information, and the content information is dynamically moved and displayed on the display screen. Therefore, the user can recognize content information that dynamically moves based on the characteristic value on the display screen, and can recognize the characteristic value and the content information in association with each other.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to provide the search result display apparatus, the search result display method, and program which can improve the convenience of utilization of a search result significantly.

  Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in this specification and drawing, about the component which has the substantially same function structure, duplication description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a search system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and functional blocks of a search information providing server 200 and a search device (search result display device) 300. As shown in FIG. 1, in a system 100 according to this embodiment, a search information providing server 200 and a search device 300 are connected via a network 400 such as the Internet.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the search information providing server 200 includes a database 202 that stores content information such as photographs. Here, the content information includes various information such as texts such as news on the web, blogs, television program guides, music, etc., in addition to photos (still images, moving images).

  The search information providing server 200 includes a search condition reception processing unit 204, a search processing unit 206, and a search result transmission processing unit 208. The search condition reception processing unit 204 performs processing for receiving search condition data transmitted from the search device 300. Further, the search processing unit 206 extracts content information that matches the search condition data from the data stored in the database 202. The search result transmission processing unit 208 performs processing for transmitting the content information extracted by the search processing unit 206 to the search device 300.

  An input unit (a keyboard, a mouse, etc.) 600 configured integrally or separately with the search device 300 is connected to the search device 300. The search device 300 includes a search control unit 302, a search request processing unit 304, a search result reception processing unit 306, a search result display processing unit 308, a search result storage unit 310, and a database 312. The search control unit 302 performs overall control related to search processing. The search condition data is input to the search control unit 302 from the input unit 600, the search request processing unit 304 requests the search information providing server 200 for content information that matches the search condition data, and the search result reception processing unit 306 The content information transmitted from the search information providing server 200 is received. The search result display processing unit 308 arranges the content information data received from the search information providing server 200 according to the metadata included in the content information, and displays the display unit 700 configured integrally or separately with the search device 300. Display dynamically on the screen. The database 312 stores content information stored locally on the search device 300 side. The search result storage unit 310 stores the content information received from the search information providing server 200 together with the search condition data. Information stored in the search result storage unit 310 is stored as a search result storage file 800. The search result storage file 800 can be output to the outside by being stored in a storage medium such as a magnetic disk.

The search information providing server 200 and the search device 300 include an arithmetic processing unit (CPU (Central
Each functional block of the search device 300 can be configured by application software (program) for causing the computer to function. Similarly, the search information providing server 200 also includes an arithmetic processing unit, and each functional block of the search information providing server 200 can be configured by software (program). In addition, the search information providing server 200 and the search apparatus 300 include a recording medium such as a hard disk drive or an external recording medium such as a magnetic disk for storing these programs.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing content information stored in the database 202. Here, information of a photograph (still image) is illustrated as content information. As shown in FIG. 2, the content information includes image data of a photograph and metadata added to the image data. Here, the metadata includes information such as position information (photographing location), time information (photographing date and time), display information (category to which the photo belongs, genre, keyword or tag related to the photo), and the like.

  When search condition data is input from the input unit 600 by the user, the search condition data is sent to the search control unit 302, and the search control unit 302 sends the search condition data to the search information providing server 200 via the search request processing unit 304. Request content information that fits the data.

  When receiving the search condition data, the search condition reception processing unit 204 of the search information providing server 200 sends the search condition data to the search processing unit 206. The search processing unit 206 extracts content information that matches the search condition of the search condition data from the database 202 and sends it to the search result transmission processing unit 208. The search result transmission processing unit 208 transmits the extracted content information to the search device 300.

  The search result reception processing unit 306 of the search device 300 sends the content information transmitted from the search information providing server 200 to the search control unit 302. The search control unit 302 sends the content information to the search result display processing unit 308, and the search result display processing unit 308 creates display position data for displaying the search result and sends it to the display unit 700 together with the content information. The display unit 700 dynamically displays content information on the display screen based on the display position data.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing data exchange between the search result display processing unit 308 and the display unit 700. As shown in FIG. 3, the search result display processing unit 308 includes a display position calculation module 308a. Based on the metadata included in the content information, the display position calculation module 308a creates display position data 309 including data on the arrangement of the content information on the display screen and the moving direction of the content information. At this time, display condition data input from the input unit 600 is referred to as necessary.

  The display condition data input from the input unit 600 includes data such as a time transition speed setting and a time transition direction which will be described later. Therefore, the user can arbitrarily set the display state of the display screen including these data by inputting the display condition data from the input unit 600. The display position data 309 includes time transition speed data set by input from the input unit 600.

  FIG. 4 shows how content information acquired from the search information providing server 200 is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 700. Here, it is assumed that the content information stored in the search information providing server 200 is information on a photograph (still image). In this case, the search information providing server 200 corresponds to a server of a photo site that publishes posted photos on the Internet, for example.

  When the keywords “sea” and “mountain” are input as search condition data from the input unit 600, the keywords “sea” and “mountain” are attached to the display information of the metadata from the database 202 of the search information providing server 200. The information of the photograph that has been extracted is extracted and sent to the search device 300.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the time axis direction is set in the horizontal direction (X direction) on the display screen, and the position of X = 0 is set as the reference time. The direction toward the right side of FIG. 4 is the + X direction, and the direction toward the left side is the −X direction. In the Y-axis direction, the keywords “sea” and “mountain” are displayed, and photographs 500 to 508 extracted corresponding to the keyword “sea” are displayed along the X direction on the upper stage of the display screen. Photos 510 to 516 extracted corresponding to “mountains” are displayed along the X direction at the bottom of the display screen.

  The content information acquired from the search information providing server 200 is arranged in the time axis direction for each keyword based on time information (time stamp) in metadata attached to each content information. Here, content information of time information that coincides with the reference time is arranged at the position of X = 0, and content information photographed after the reference time, that is, the reference, is located on the + X side from the position of X = 0. Content information having time information newer than the time is arranged. Further, content information taken before the reference time, that is, content information having time information older than the reference time is arranged on the −X side from the position of X = 0.

  For example, in FIG. 4, five photographs 500, 502, 504, 506 and 508 are displayed in the upper part of the display screen. According to the time information of the metadata of these five photos, all the photos were taken on March 1, 2007, and the shooting times are different. According to the time information attached to each photo, the photo 500 was taken at 7:30, the photo 502 was taken at 8:30, the photo 504 was taken at 9:30, and the photo 506 was taken at 10: 30. The shooting time of the photograph 508 is 11:30.

  The search result display processing unit 308 displays the photo data 500, 502, 504, 506, and 508 in time series in the X direction of FIG. 4 based on the time information of these photos 500, 502, 504, 506, and 508. Display position data 309 is created. In the example of FIG. 4, the photo data 500 with the oldest time information is arranged on the leftmost side in the X-axis direction, and the photos are in the + X direction in the order of oldest time information, that is, photo data 500, 502, 504, 506, 508 Data 500 to 508 are arranged.

  A clock 520 representing the reference time is displayed at the center of the display screen, at the position X = 0. A photo whose time information matches the reference time is located at the position X = 0. In the example of FIG. 4, since the time information of the photograph 504 is 9:30 and the reference time displayed on the clock 520 is 9:30, the photograph 504 is arranged at the position of X = 0.

  In a normal setting, the reference time of the clock 520 advances at a constant speed. When the reference time of the clock 520 advances, the reference time advances toward the future, and accordingly, the photos 500, 502, 504, 506, and 508 arranged on the display screen move in the direction of arrow A in FIG. Then, when the reference time is 16:30, the photograph 506 whose time information is 16:30 is arranged at the position of X = 0.

  As described above, when the reference time displayed on the clock 520 advances, the photos 500, 502, 504, 506, and 508 move in the direction of the arrow A, so that the user moves along with the flow of the photo in the direction of the arrow A. It becomes possible to recognize the passage of time. Accordingly, it is possible to recognize the searched content information in association with the passage of time, and display the association between the passage of time and the content information that was difficult to recognize simply by displaying the search result. It can be easily recognized on the screen.

  As described above, according to the system of the present embodiment, the content information acquired from the search information providing server 200 can be moved on the display screen according to the flow of time, and the time series change of the content information can be clearly defined. Can be displayed.

  FIG. 4 shows the case where the content information is a photograph, but the present embodiment is not limited to this. Text such as news on the web searched by the search device 300, a blog, and a TV program guide Various information such as music information can be displayed in the same manner.

  In the example of FIG. 4, each content information is dynamically moved and displayed based on time information in the content information. However, each content information is dynamically displayed based on position information or other information. You may move to and display. For example, when the content information is news on the web, it may be an article writing time, and when the content information is music information, it may be a music release date. In the case of music information, the music information is displayed on the display screen according to the time information and can also be reproduced as BGM. In addition, display can be performed in the same manner as in FIG. 4 based on various numerical information included in the metadata such as the number of content information search hits, the number of links, and GPS data.

  In FIG. 4, content information acquired from the search information providing server 200 is displayed on the display screen, but local content information stored in the database 312 of the search device 300 may be displayed together. For example, when a photograph taken by a user of the search device 300 is stored in the database 312 as local content information, the local content information is displayed on the display screen together with the content information acquired from the search information providing server 200. It is possible. In this case, since the local content information also includes time information, the local content information is moved and displayed according to the reference time together with the content information. Therefore, the user can arrange and dynamically display a photograph acquired via the network and a photograph taken personally based on the same reference time.

  Further, for example, historical information obtained by accessing a historical chronological site on the network 400, content information acquired via the network 400, and local content information acquired personally by the user may be displayed simultaneously. . Since the historical information of the historical chronological site includes time information such as dates related to historical information, it can be displayed in time series together with each content information.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the system of the present embodiment. First, in step S1, a search condition is input from the user. In the next step S <b> 2, the search control unit 302 stores the search condition data and sends the search condition data to the search request processing unit 304.

  In the next step S <b> 3, content information that is search result data is received from the search information providing server 200, and the search result data is stored in the search processing unit 302. In the next step S4, the search control unit 302 sends the search result data to the search result display processing unit 308, and the display position calculation module 308a calculates the display position data 309 of the search result data. In the next step S5, the search result data is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 700 in accordance with the display position data 309.

  In the next step S6, it is determined whether or not a search result storage request has been made by the user who confirmed the search result on the screen. If a save request is made, the process proceeds to step S7, where the search control unit 302 sends the search condition data and the search result data to the search result storage unit 310. On the other hand, if a save request has not been made, the process ends (RETURN).

  In step S8, the search result storage unit 310 creates the search result storage file 800 by embedding the search condition data in the search result data. After step S8, the process ends (RETURN).

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing how search condition data is embedded in search result data. As shown in FIG. 6, the application software of the search device 300 embeds metadata with the search conditions structured in a file (search result file) in which the search results are stored, and both the search results and the search conditions are searched. It is saved as a result saving file 800. The file saved here is preferably in a general format that can be read by other application software. When the application software reads the search result storage file 800, the search result data and the search condition data are read, and the search results shown in FIG. 4 are directly redisplayed without performing the search again. The stored search result storage file 800 can be stored in the search result storage unit 310 and can be recorded on an external recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium. Further, it can be stored as a bookmark in the database 312 of the search device 300.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a specific example in which search condition data is embedded in search result data. FIG. 7 shows an example in which a search keyword is embedded in an HTML document. As shown in FIG. 7A, the search result is created as an HTML file. By embedding the comment shown in FIG. 7B in the HTML file, the search condition data (search) is retrieved when the application reads the HTML. Keyword). Even with other application software, the HTML portion can be read normally.

  In FIG. 7B, “<!->” Expresses a comment in HTML, and “Marker” is a mark indicating that this comment embeds a search condition. “Keyword” is a keyword that serves as a search condition.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing another specific example in which search condition data is embedded in search result data, and shows an example in which search conditions are embedded in a search result capture image. As shown in FIG. 8 (A), the search result is created as a search result capture image (JFIF file). By embedding the comment shown in FIG. 8 (B) in the JFIF (JPEG) file, the application software makes JFIF Search conditions can be acquired when a file is read. Even with other application software, the captured image part of the JFIF file can be read normally.

  In FIG. 8B, “Marker” is a mark representing that this comment embeds the search condition. “Conditions” represents a search condition, and includes a search type (type) and a search keyword (keyword).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing performed in the display position calculation module 308a, and corresponds to steps S4 and S5 in FIG. First, in step S11, a process of moving the screen in the time axis direction by moving the timepiece 520 is performed. In the next step S12, time information is acquired from the content information acquired from the search server 200, and in the next step S13, a reference time is acquired from the display position data 309.

  In the next step S14, the display position of the content information is calculated from the reference time and the time information of the content. In the next step S15, the content information is displayed on the display screen based on the tag and keyword of the content information and the display position of the content information calculated in step S14. After step S15, the process ends (RETURN).

  According to the process of FIG. 9, the content information can be displayed at a predetermined position on the display screen based on the time information of the content information and the reference time. Then, by changing the display position according to the reference time that changes every moment, the content information can be moved and displayed in the time axis direction as described with reference to FIG.

  Next, details of search result display will be described. First, the change of the time transition speed and the reverse of the direction of the time transition will be described. As described above, the reference time indicated by the clock 520 advances at a predetermined speed (time transition speed). In the present embodiment, the user can freely change the time transition speed by an input from the input unit 600.

  The time transition speed can be set by designating the speed from the keyboard, but can also be changed by the user performing a predetermined operation using the mouse of the input unit 600. As shown in FIG. 4, an arrow 530 for changing the time transition speed is displayed below the clock 520. The arrow is divided into an arrow 530a directed in the + X direction and an arrow 530b directed in the −X direction, and the user clicks and selects one of the arrow 530a and the arrow 530b. The lengths of the two arrows 530a and 530b are changed by the user dragging with the cursor.

  When the user drags the arrow 530a and lengthens the arrow 530a, the time transition speed becomes faster and the reference time indicated by the clock 520 advances at a faster speed. As a result, the rotation speed of the long hand and the short hand of the timepiece 520 is increased, and the moving speed of the photo in the direction of arrow A on the display screen is also increased.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a case where the time transition speed is further increased. Here, FIG. 10A shows a case where the time transition speed is the same as that in FIG. When the user makes the length of the arrow 530a longer and the time transition speed becomes faster than a predetermined value, the clock 520 is switched to the calendar 540 as shown in FIG. As a result, the time which has been changed in the hour unit and the minute unit changes in the day unit, and the time transition speed becomes faster.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a case where the direction of time transition is reversed. Here, in FIG. 11A, the direction of time transition is set to the same direction as FIG. When the user clicks on the arrow 530b, the arrow 530b is selected, and the direction of time transition that has transitioned from the past to the future is switched from the future to the past. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11B, the rotation direction of the timepiece 520 is counterclockwise, and the photographs 500 to 508 move in the arrow B direction. In this way, by switching the time transition direction from the future to the past, it becomes possible to display the old photos in order from the newest photo at the central X = 0 position.

  Even when the arrow 530b is selected, if the length of the arrow 530b is increased by dragging, the time transition speed is switched. Therefore, the longer the length of the arrow 530b, the faster the time transition speed of the reference time that advances from the future toward the past.

  When the time transition speed is changed, the time scale in the X-axis direction shown in the background changes. When the clock 520 is displayed as shown in FIG. 10B and the time transition speed is set to a relatively low speed, the time scale display of the background screen is 1 hour interval, but as shown in FIG. 10B. When the calendar 540 is displayed and the time transition speed is relatively high, the time scale display on the background screen is displayed at intervals of one day. In this way, by changing the time scale in the X-axis direction to a longer time interval according to the time transition speed, the moving speed of the photos 500 to 508 on the display screen should not exceed a certain value. And the visibility of the content information on the display screen can be improved. Also, by changing the time scale in the X-axis direction to a longer time interval according to the time transition speed, more data can be displayed on the display screen.

  In addition, the transition of the reference time can be arbitrarily performed by the user dragging the background screen with the cursor 556 and moving it in the + X direction or the −X direction.

  The change of the display condition as described above can be executed by the user operating the keyboard and mouse of the input unit 600 to change the display condition data. The display position calculation module 308a changes or newly creates the display position data 309 based on the input display condition data.

  Next, a more specific configuration of the system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing details of information related to content information. As shown in FIG. 12, the content information is associated with various related information such as user information, image information, album information, tag information, and comment information. The database 202 of the search information providing server 200 stores the related information as well as the content information.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating processing in which the search device 300 acquires content information and related information. First, in step S21, a search request is issued from the search device 300 with a search time specified, and in step S22, content information that meets the search conditions is acquired by the search device 300. Here, it is assumed that information such as a content ID, owner ID, shooting date / time, and title is acquired by the search device 300. The content ID indicates the ID of the content information, and the owner ID indicates the ID of the owner who owns the content information.

  In the next step S <b> 23, acquisition of basic information of the content information is requested from the search device 300 based on the content ID. In the next step S 24, basic information such as the owner's user ID, owner name, and image page URL is extracted from the database 202 and acquired by the search device 300.

  In the next step S25, based on the content ID, the retrieval device 300 requests acquisition of small, medium, and large image information from the image information. In the next step S26, Image information of three sizes of small (SMALL), medium (MEDIUM), and large (LARGE) extracted from the database 202 is acquired by the search device 300. Here, the small (SMALL), medium (MEDIUM), and large (LARGE) image information is image information having the same image but different data amount.

  Similarly, the tag link is acquired by the search device 300 in steps S27 and S28, and the album link is acquired by the search device 300 in steps S29 and S30. In steps S31 and S32, a user link is acquired by the search device 300, and in steps S33 and S34, a comment is acquired by the search device 300.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing search processing performed in accordance with the search time designation range. The search is performed for each content group. The database 202 of the content information providing server 200 stores a large amount of content information with time information from the past to the present, so that the search load can be reduced by performing a search for each content group. .

Further, 20 seconds is set as a reference time for search, and an area that progresses in 20 seconds and a large area for one year are set as search areas. The determination as to whether or not to perform the search is performed based on the rules shown in FIG. First, in step S101, the latest searched area and the AND area of the search area to be performed are taken. In the application software of the present embodiment, the search is performed based on the time axis, so the search area indicates from which time to which time the search target is set. A search area can be designated as a parameter for information provided by the search information providing server 200.

Here, the latest searched area indicates a time zone designated when a search request is last made to the content service. In addition, the application software of this embodiment checks whether or not a new search is performed every certain time, and whether or not to perform a new search is determined from the following two factors. The
(1) Application screen reference time, display scale, time transition direction, time transition speed (2) Latest searched area Here, the “search area to be performed” is determined from each element of (1) above. It is to be determined.

  In the next step S102, it is determined whether or not the AND area set in step S101 is invalid (NULL). If not invalid, the process proceeds to step S103, and a search is executed. Here, the case where it is not invalid indicates a state where the search area to be performed and the latest searched area overlap each other.

  On the other hand, if the AND area is invalid in step S102, the process proceeds to step S104. In this case, for example, the latest searched area is 2006/1/1/0: 00 to 2007/2/2/2: 22, and the search area to be performed is 2004/1/1/0: 00 to 2005. In the case of / 10/30/10: 30, the latest searched area does not overlap with the search area to be performed.

  Note that the time zones of the search area to be performed and the latest searched area are not necessarily the same size. This is because the search area to be performed is determined by the display scale, the direction of time transition, the time transition speed, and the like.

  In step S104, it is determined whether the AND area is the latest searched area. If the AND area is the latest searched area in step S104, the process proceeds to step S105, and if the enlargement ratio is 300% or more, the search is executed. Here, the enlargement rate of 300% means that the time width of the search area desired to be performed is three times the time width of the latest searched area. For example, the user can display the reference time from the day display. Occurs when switching to month display.

  If it is determined in step S104 that the AND area is not the latest searched area, the process proceeds to step S106, and it is determined whether the AND area is a search area to be performed. If the AND area is the search area to be performed in step S106, the process proceeds to step S107, and if the enlargement ratio is less than 30%, the search is executed. Here, if the time width of the search area to be performed is less than 30% of the time width of the latest searched area, the search is executed. The state where the enlargement rate is less than 30% occurs, for example, when the user switches the display of the reference time from the year display to the month display.

  If it is determined in step S106 that the AND area is not the search area to be performed, the process proceeds to step S108. In step S108, if the overlap area between the time width of the search area to be performed and the time width of the latest searched area is 20% or less, the search is executed. After steps S103, S105, S107, and S108, the process ends (RETURN).

  FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of a data acquisition module configured in the search request processing unit 304. When there are a plurality of content providing services connected via the Internet, there are a plurality of content information providing servers 200. In this case, in order to acquire information from the plurality of content information providing servers 200, it is necessary to set priority and arbitrate the priority. The data acquisition module includes a priority arbitration thread and N processing threads for each content providing service.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the search request processing unit 304 issues various requests such as a content information request, a search request, and a LARGE image acquisition request as described in the flowchart of FIG. 13 to the search information providing server 200. These requests are stored in the request queue of the data acquisition module.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the data acquisition module includes a priority arbitration thread and N processing threads. When the processing thread becomes available, the priority arbitration thread determines a request to be assigned to the processing thread from the requests accumulated in the request queue according to the prioritization.

  FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing the priority processing at the time of information acquisition. In order to smoothly perform processing such as displaying the current display area and an enlarged image, information acquisition requests are grouped into four in the data acquisition module, and processing is executed in descending order of priority. There are four groups to be grouped here: large image acquisition processing, search processing, name and ranking acquisition processing, and content information acquisition processing, and the priority is set higher in this order. Note that the priority ranking here is an example, and the priority ranking can be arbitrarily set other than that shown in FIG.

A prioritization process is further performed regarding the acquisition of content information. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing priority processing for content information acquisition, where FIG. 17A shows a weight value for each request content, and FIG. 17B shows an example of a filter function. In the prioritization process, a score (score) is calculated from these weighting values and the filter function, and processing is performed preferentially in descending order of score. The score is calculated by the following formula.
Score = (weight value for each request content) × (filter output value obtained from time difference from reference time)
As shown in FIG. 17B, the value of the filter function becomes the largest at the time n seconds after the currently displayed center time (reference time), and the priority is set high. Therefore, when the time changes from the past to the future, the filter output value can be increased with respect to the display content displayed at the position of X = 0 n seconds after the currently displayed reference time. .

  The weighting value and the filter function can be dynamically changed according to the screen status and the processing status. Thereby, it is possible to acquire an image display, each link, a comment, and the like at an appropriate timing. Therefore, when the content information and the related information are acquired by the processing of FIG. 13, various information can be acquired at an appropriate timing according to the priority.

  Next, display of various types of information acquired by the processing of FIG. 13 when the content information is photo information will be described with reference to FIGS. In a normal display state, the photograph 550 is displayed in a thumbnail state, and is displayed in the smallest SMALL size. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 18, when the photograph reaches the position of X = 0 in the center of the screen, the photograph is enlarged and displayed with the largest large size 552.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 19, even when the photograph 550 is located at a position other than the position X = 0, the photograph 550 can be enlarged and displayed by overlapping the position of the cursor 556 and the position of the photograph 550. In this case, the photograph is displayed in the medium (MEDIAM) size 504.

  As shown in FIG. 19, when the cursor 556 and the photograph 550 are overlapped, an information column 558 in which various information related to the photograph is described is displayed. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing the information column 558 in detail. As shown in FIG. 20, in the display column 558, for example, information such as URL of image data, user, album name, related tags, comments, etc. are displayed. Clicking on these columns shows details of the clicked information. Can see.

  For example, when the URL in the information column 558 is clicked, the web of the photo provider that is the content information is displayed. Therefore, the user can acquire detailed data of the photograph from the URL. This process is performed when the search control unit 302 accesses the URL of the photo provider via the search request unit 304. In addition, by clicking a tag column in the information column 558, a list of other tags and keywords related to the photo 504 designated by the cursor 556 is displayed. Then, when one of the other tags and keywords displayed in the list is selected, a search is performed based on the selected tag and keyword, and a photo associated with the tag and keyword is newly received from the search information providing apparatus 200. Can be displayed.

  Next, an auto-cruise function for changing the time transition speed according to the amount of photo image data in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 21 shows a state in which the arranged contents are sequentially displayed with respect to the screen display range 700a of the display unit 700. When content information (photo 500) is arranged along the time axis, depending on the search result, as shown in FIG. 21, both a place where contents are densely arranged and a space where no content exists are generated. In this state, where the contents are dense, the photographs are overlapped, and it is difficult for the user to visually recognize all the photographs flowing in the time axis direction in detail. On the other hand, in a space where no content exists, a situation may occur in which no content is temporarily displayed in the screen display range 700a.

  For this reason, the display position calculation module 308a of the search result display processing unit 308 has an auto-cruise function that automatically adjusts the display position of the content information. In this auto-cruise function, when there is a space where no content exists, the time transition speed is increased, and control is performed so that the next content appears in the screen display range 700a quickly. In a place where contents are dense, the time transition speed is slowed down so that the user can easily recognize dense photographs.

  FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the display position calculation module 308a, each piece of content information, display position data 309, and the display position of the display unit 700. The display position calculation module 308a calculates display position data 309 at the next time based on the content and the current display position, and sends the display position data 309 at the next time to the display unit 700.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an overall flow of processing of the auto-cruise function. First, in step S41, processing for determining a time transition speed in the time axis direction is performed. In the next step S42, processing for determining a display range (display scale) in the time axis direction is performed. In the next step S43, a drawing process is performed based on the display speed and display range of the axes determined in steps S42 and S43. As will be described later, the processing in step S42 and step S43 is determined according to the dense state of the content or the state of the space where no content exists. After step S43, the process is temporarily ended (RETURN). The process in FIG. 23 is repeatedly performed at regular time intervals.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing in detail the process of step S42 of FIG. First, in step S51, it is determined whether or not the speed change target content is located at the center of the display screen. When the content is located at the center of the display screen, it is difficult to see the content if the speed is changed. That is, in this case, the process proceeds to step S52, and a process of changing the shaft speed to 1 × speed is performed.

On the other hand, if the content is not located at the center of the display screen in step S51, the space where the content does not exist is located at the center of the display screen. . Here, assuming that the speed after acceleration by the acceleration process in step S53 is a temporary speed, the temporary speed is calculated from the following equation, for example.
Temporary speed v = current speed × acceleration coefficient When smoothly accelerating, v = e ^at .

In the next step S54, it is determined whether or not the temporary speed determined in step S53 exceeds the allowable speed. If the temporary speed exceeds the allowable speed, the process proceeds to step S55. In step S55, a process of reducing the temporary speed to an allowable speed is performed. The allowable speed is calculated from the following equation, for example.
Allowable speed = (acceleration coefficient x distance to the nearest content) + 1
By setting the permissible speed as described above, the speed is smoothly decelerated, and the permissible speed becomes 1 × when the latest content reaches the center of the display screen. The change during deceleration is v = e− ^at . On the other hand, if the provisional speed does not exceed the allowable speed in step S4, the process proceeds to step S56.

  After step S55, the process proceeds to step S56. In step S56, the time axis speed is changed to a temporary speed. After step S56, the process ends (RETURN).

  As described above, according to the processing in FIG. 24, when the content is present at the center of the display screen, the time axis speed is set to 1 × speed. When the content does not exist at the center of the display screen, the moving speed of the axis is accelerated, and when the content approaches the center of the display screen, the speed of the axis is set to 1 × speed. Accordingly, it is possible to perform a process of decreasing the speed as the content approaches the center of the display screen, and increasing the speed as the content moves away from the center of the display screen.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a process of expanding the display range (display scale) according to the speed. First, in step S61, the time transition speed is set by the process of FIG. In the next step S62, it is determined whether or not the speed exceeds a predetermined threshold value. If the speed exceeds the predetermined threshold value, the process proceeds to step S63. In step S63, processing for expanding the display range is performed. After step S63, the process ends (RETURN).

  As described above, even when the auto-cruise function is not used, if the time transition speed set by the user exceeds a predetermined threshold value, a process for expanding the display range is performed. Therefore, the process of FIG. 25 is always performed even when the auto-cruise function is not used.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating processing for determining a display range in the time axis direction. First, in step S71, an optimal display range is calculated from the content nearest to the position of X = 0 and the position of the content positioned before and after the content in the time axis direction. To do.

  In the next step S72, it is determined whether or not the most recent content approaches the center of the display screen. If it approaches the center of the display screen, the process proceeds to step S73. On the other hand, if the latest content does not approach the center of the display screen, the process proceeds to step S74, and the display range candidate is increased to the extent that the latest content approaches the center. After step S74, the process proceeds to step S73.

  In step S73, it is determined whether or not the speed is higher than a predetermined threshold value. If the speed is higher than the predetermined threshold value, the process proceeds to step S75. In step S75, the display range candidate is enlarged so that the speed is not too high.

  On the other hand, if the speed is equal to or lower than the predetermined value in step S73, the process proceeds to step S76, and the display range candidate is determined as the display range. After step S76, the process ends (RETURN).

  According to the processing of FIG. 26, when the content information is dense on the display screen, the display range is widened, so that the crowding of the content can be suppressed. Thereby, it is possible to suppress crowding of content information on the display screen, and it is possible to perform content recognition well.

  In the display position calculation module 308a, when the time transition speed or the display range is changed by the auto-cruise function, the display position data 309 is changed or newly created, and the display unit 600 performs display based on the display position data 309. .

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the content acquired from the search server 300 can be arranged based on time and moved on the display screen of the display unit 700 along the time flow. . Therefore, the user can recognize the flow of moving content along the flow of time, and can surely recognize the content.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The basic system configuration of the second embodiment is the same as the system of the first embodiment shown in FIG. In the first embodiment, the content information is displayed on a two-dimensional plane of the X axis and the Y axis. However, in the second embodiment, the Z axis is used in three dimensions in addition to the X axis and the Y axis. By displaying, the convenience of displaying the content information is further improved.

  FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a display screen according to the second embodiment. Here, FIG. 27A shows the relationship between the content information and the position in the Z-axis direction, and FIG. 27B shows the actual display screen. As described with reference to FIG. 2, the metadata included in the content includes information on the position where the content information is acquired. In the example of FIG. 27, as in the first embodiment, the X axis is the time axis direction and the Y axis is the tag arrangement direction. And in 2nd Embodiment, the position of the Z-axis direction of each content information is defined based on the positional information on content information.

  In the example of FIG. 27, a photograph is displayed as the content information, and a plurality of photographs taken in Tokyo, Okinawa, and the United States are displayed. Here, assuming that the direction from the display screen to the back is the + Z direction, as shown in FIG. 27A, the Z coordinate of each photo is determined according to the distance between the current user position and the shooting location. The display size of the photograph is determined according to the Z coordinate. Note that the current user position is input by the user from the input unit 600 and is included in the data of the display position data 309.

  Here, assuming that the user is located in Tokyo, as shown in FIG. 27A, the photograph taken in Tokyo is closest to the current position of the user, so the foreground of the display screen is the closest to the display screen. Placed in. In addition, since a photograph taken in the United States is farthest away, it is arranged on the farthest side of the display screen. The photos taken in Okinawa are placed between the photos taken in Tokyo and the United States.

  FIG. 27B is a schematic diagram showing a photo display screen in which the position in the Z-axis direction is defined in this way. Photos taken in Tokyo are placed on the foreground on the screen and are displayed larger than other photos. On the other hand, photographs taken in the United States are displayed smaller than other photographs in order to show that they are arranged on the farthest side on the screen. The photos taken in Okinawa are displayed in the middle size between the photos of Tokyo and America.

  In this way, by changing the size of the photo on the display screen according to the shooting location, it is possible to easily visually recognize the position where the content information is acquired.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the display position calculation module 308a when the display of FIG. 27 is performed. First, in step S81, movement processing in the time axis direction is performed. In the next step S82, position information is acquired from the content information acquired from the search server 200. In the next step S83, the current user position is acquired from the display position data.

  In the next step S84, the distance between the position where the content information is acquired and the current position is calculated. In the next step S85, the display information of the content is displayed on the display unit 700 according to the distance calculated in step S84. After step S85, the process ends (RETURN). Note that content information is moved by time information in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of the display screen according to the second embodiment. In the example of FIG. 29, the content information is displayed at a predetermined position on the map in association with the position where the content information is acquired, and the size of the photo is changed according to the content creation time.

  As shown in FIG. 29, the photograph taken at Tokyo Tower is arranged at the position of Tokyo Tower on the map based on the position information. A picture of Kaminarimon, taken at Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, is placed at the location of Sensoji Temple on the map. Then, the size of the photo is changed according to the date and time when the photo was taken. In the example of FIG. 29, the time information of the Tokyo Tower photo is newer than the time information of the Sensoji photo, and the Tokyo Tower photo is taken later, so the Tokyo Tower photo is more than the Sensoji photo. Enlarged display.

  Therefore, according to the example of FIG. 29, the position of the X coordinate and the Y coordinate of the content information is defined on the display screen in association with the position information of the content information. Also, the size of the photo is determined according to the shooting date and time. Therefore, the user can visually recognize the shooting location of the content information on the map and can recognize the context of the creation time of the content information.

  FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the display position calculation module when the display of FIG. 29 is performed. First, in step S91, position information is acquired from the content information acquired from the search server 200. In the next step S92, time information is acquired from the content information.

  In the next step S93, a map of the area including the position of the content is drawn. In the next step S94, content display information is displayed on the display unit 700 in accordance with the position information and time information acquired in steps S91 and S92. After step S94, the process ends (RETURN).

  Further, the arrangement position of the content information may be edited using a three-dimensional display editing screen. FIG. 31 shows an example in which the display of content information for each lane is edited on the editing screen and displayed on the execution screen when content information related to each tag is arranged in a lane shape along the time axis. Yes.

  On the editing screen, a time axis (X axis), a tag arrangement axis (Y axis), and a content acquisition position (Z axis) are three-dimensionally displayed.

  For example, content related to the tag (City) is placed on the front side of the Z-axis, content related to the tag (Sky) is placed on the farthest side of the Z-axis, and content related to the tag (Ocean) is tagged When arranging between (City) and a tag (Sky), the position in the Z-axis direction is adjusted by dragging a series of contents arranged in a lane shape in relation to each tag on the editing screen.

  When the screen is switched to the execution screen after editing, the content located on the front side of the display screen is enlarged and displayed according to the position of the Z axis. Thus, the editing operation can be easily performed by adjusting the arrangement position of each content on the editing screen.

  FIG. 32 shows an example in which, when content information related to each tag is arranged in a layer type, the display of content information for each layer is edited on the editing screen and then displayed on the execution screen. Here, a case where photographs taken in Tokyo, Hakone, and Okinawa are edited on a plurality of layers in the Z-axis direction is illustrated. When editing, the position of each layer (Tokyo, Hakone, Okinawa) in the Z-axis direction is adjusted on the editing screen. On the execution screen, the size of the photograph taken in Tokyo, Hakone, and Okinawa is determined and displayed in accordance with the Z-axis position adjusted on the editing screen.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to easily identify information such as a content acquisition location from the display screen by displaying the content information three-dimensionally. In addition, by editing the arrangement position of the content information on the editing screen displayed in three dimensions, the three-dimensional position of the content information can be easily recognized visually, and the editing operation can be performed reliably. Is possible.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, a moving image is displayed as content information, and a live program, a recorded video, and a program table can be switched and displayed according to the creation time of the moving image.

  FIG. 33 shows a basic display screen configuration when a moving image is displayed. As shown in FIG. 33, when displaying a moving image, the SMALL-sized thumbnail still image 560 moves in the X-axis direction in the same manner as in the first embodiment except for the position of X = 0 (FIG. 33 ( A)).

  When the still image 560 reaches the position of X = 0 in the center of the screen, the image is enlarged and displayed, the movement of the image in the X-axis direction is stopped, and the reproduction of the moving image 562 is started (FIG. 33B). When the reproduction of the moving image ends, the SMALL-sized thumbnail still image 560 moves again in the X-axis direction (FIG. 33C). The still image 560 displayed at a position other than the position where X = 0 can be, for example, an initial screen of a moving image or a screen on which a title is displayed.

  FIG. 34 shows an example in which a television image currently being broadcast, a television image broadcast in the past, and a television program to be broadcast in the future are displayed as moving images. In FIG. 34, the reference time is the current time.

  In this case, a moving image (live image) 570 of the currently broadcast television image is displayed at the center of the display screen. In addition, in the X-axis direction, a previously recorded television video recording 572 is displayed at a position before the moving image 570. A program guide (EPG) 574 of a TV program to be broadcast is displayed at a future position than the moving image 570.

  As in the first embodiment, each of the live image, recording, and program guide is searched from the content information providing apparatus 200 based on the search condition data. According to the third embodiment, if the reference time is set to the current time for the video related to each tag, a live video corresponding to the search condition data can be viewed.

  When the reference time is changed and the display of the clock is changed from the current time to a future time, the TV program guide with the date and time corresponding to the reference time is displayed at the center of the screen. Therefore, a television program guide at an arbitrary reference time can be acquired.

  Furthermore, when the reference time is set to a past time, the recorded moving image that was broadcast at the date and time of the reference time is displayed in the center of the screen. Therefore, it is possible to recognize the moving images of the current and past television images and the future television program guide on one screen.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, a moving image and a program guide are acquired as content information related to the tag, and when the reference time is set to the current time, the currently broadcast television image is displayed, and the reference time is displayed. If the video is set to a past time, the recorded video is displayed, and if the reference time is set to a future time, the TV program guide is displayed. Display on a single display screen.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the fourth embodiment, content information arranged in time series is displayed collectively for each event.

  As shown in FIG. 35, in the fourth embodiment, content information arranged in time series includes a plurality of pieces of information. Here, a plurality of pieces of information included in one piece of content information are acquired by the same event.

  For example, when the content information 580 arranged in the lower part of FIG. 35 relates to the tag “travel”, one content information 580 includes a series of photographs 582 taken in the same travel. Thus, by generating the content information 580 for each event, it is possible to easily extract information belonging to the same event.

  The process of collecting the content information 580 into the same event is performed by the event clustering function of the search control unit 302. This function is a function for collecting content information of the same event based on information representing the event in the metadata of the content information.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, since the search processing unit 302 has an event clustering function for collecting content information for each event, content information belonging to the same event is extracted and displayed in a batch. Is possible. Therefore, information belonging to the same event is not displayed in a distributed manner, and the convenience of display can be improved.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to the example which concerns. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

It is a schematic diagram which shows both the structure of the search system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, the content information provision server, and the functional block of a search device. It is a schematic diagram which shows content information. It is a schematic diagram which shows the exchange of data between a search result display process part and a display apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode that the content information acquired from the search information provision server is displayed on the display screen of a display part. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the system of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode that search condition data are embedded inside search result data. It is a schematic diagram which shows the specific example which embeds search condition data inside search result data. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other specific example which embeds search condition data inside search result data. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed with a display position calculation module. It is a schematic diagram which shows the case where time transition speed is made faster. It is a schematic diagram which shows the case where the direction which time transition speed advances is reversed. It is a figure which shows the detail of the information relevant to content information. It is a flowchart which shows the process in which a search device acquires content information and related information. It is a flowchart which shows the process of a search. It is a schematic diagram which shows the outline | summary of a data acquisition module. It is a schematic diagram which shows the priority process in the case of information acquisition. It is a schematic diagram which shows the priority process of content information acquisition. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode that content information is enlargedly displayed by the screen center. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode that content information is enlargedly displayed when a cursor is superimposed on content information. It is a schematic diagram which shows an information column in detail. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode that the arranged content is displayed sequentially with respect to the screen display range of a display part. It is a schematic diagram which shows the relationship between a display position calculation module, each content information, display position data, and the display position of a display part. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the whole process of an auto cruise function. It is a flowchart which shows the process of FIG.23 S42 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the process which expands a display range according to speed. It is a flowchart which shows the process which determines the display range of an axis | shaft. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the display screen in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed in a display position calculation module, when performing the display of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other example of the display screen in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed by the display position calculation module when performing the display of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example which edited the display of the content information for every lane on the edit screen, and displayed on the execution screen when the content information relevant to each tag is arrange | positioned in a lane type. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example which edited the display of the content information for every layer on the edit screen, and displayed on the execution screen, when the content information relevant to each tag is arrange | positioned in a layer type. It is a schematic diagram which shows the basic display screen structure in the case of displaying a moving image. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example which displayed the television image currently broadcasted as a moving image, the television image broadcast in the past, and the television program broadcast from now on. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode that the content information arranged in time series was put together for every same event.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 200 Search information provision apparatus 300 Search apparatus 400 Network 302 Search control part 304 Search request process part 306 Search result reception process part 308 Search result display process part 308a Display position calculation module 310 Search result storage part 600 Input part 700 Display part 800 Search result Save file

Claims (20)

A content information acquisition unit that acquires content information that is a search result according to a search condition from a content information providing server connected via a network;
A display control unit that arranges the content information on a display screen based on a characteristic value related to the content information, and dynamically moves and displays the content information on the display screen;
A search result display device comprising:   The characteristic value is time information indicating a time when the content information is created, and the display control unit is configured to use the content information based on a reference time serving as a reference and the time information related to the content information. The search result display device according to claim 1, wherein the search result is moved on the display screen.   The search result display device according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit includes a speed changing unit that changes a speed at which the reference time changes.   The search result display device according to claim 3, wherein the display control unit includes a display scale changing unit that varies a scale of a display range of the content information according to a speed at which the reference time changes.   The search result display device according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit includes a time transition direction changing unit that sets a direction in which the reference time transitions from past to future or from future to past.   The display control unit includes an auto cruise function unit that varies a speed at which the reference time changes or a scale of a display range of the content information according to a crowded state of the content information on a display screen. The search result display device according to claim 2.   The search result display device according to claim 1, further comprising a search result storage unit that stores both the content information as the search result and the search condition.   The characteristic value includes time information indicating a time at which the content information is generated and position information indicating a position at which the content information is generated, and the display control unit is configured based on the time information and the position information. The search result display device according to claim 1, wherein content information is three-dimensionally displayed on a display screen.   The search result display device according to claim 1, further comprising an activation unit that activates an original web page to which the content information belongs. The content information is information related to live video, recording, and program guide of television broadcasting,
The display control unit moves the live video, recording and program guide on the display screen based on a reference time as a reference and time information regarding the live video, recording and program guide,
If the reference time is set to the current time, the live video that is currently being broadcast is displayed. If the reference time is set to a time after the current time, the program schedule of the program that will be broadcast after that is displayed. The search result display device according to claim 1, wherein when the reference time is set to a time before the current time, a recording of a previously broadcast television broadcast is displayed. Acquiring content information as a search result according to a search condition from a content information providing server connected via a network;
Arranging the content information on a display screen based on a characteristic value related to the content information, and dynamically moving and displaying the content information on the display screen;
A search result display method characterized by comprising:   The characteristic value is time information indicating a time when the content information was created, and in the step of displaying the content information, based on a reference time serving as a reference and the time information related to the content information, The search result display method according to claim 11, wherein the content information is moved on a display screen.   The search result display method according to claim 12, further comprising a step of changing a speed at which the reference time changes.   The search result display method according to claim 13, further comprising a step of changing a scale of a display range of the content information according to a speed at which the reference time changes.   The search result display method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of setting the direction in which the reference time changes from past to future or from future to past.   The search result according to claim 12, further comprising a step of varying a speed at which the reference time changes or a scale of a display range of the content information according to a crowded state of the content information on a display screen. Display method.   The search result display method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of storing both the content information as the search result and the search condition.   12. The search result display method according to claim 11, further comprising a step of activating an original web page to which the content information belongs. The content information is information related to live video, recording, and a program guide of a television broadcast, and the display control unit is configured to use the live video based on a reference time as a reference and time information related to the live video, recording, and program guide. , Move the recording and program guide on the display screen,
When the reference time is set to the current time, the live video currently being broadcast is displayed, and when the reference time is set to a time after the current time, the TV broadcast program guide to be broadcast after that is displayed. 12. The search result display method according to claim 11, wherein when the reference time is set to a time before the current time, a recorded television broadcast previously broadcast is displayed. Means for acquiring content information, which is a search result according to a search condition, from a content information providing server connected via a network;
Means for arranging the content information on a display screen based on a characteristic value related to the content information, and dynamically moving and displaying the content information on the display screen;
As a program to make the computer function.

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