JP5153179B2 - Information processing apparatus and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing technique for processing electronic data to which metadata is added.

  In recent years, devices capable of generating and storing electronic data, such as personal computers, digital still cameras, digital video cameras, and hard disk recorders, have become widespread. Along with this, there are increasing opportunities to handle a huge variety of electronic data generated and stored in these devices.

  In order to effectively use such a vast and diverse variety of electronic data, it is essential that the information processing system be configured so that necessary electronic data can be acquired and reused when necessary. It is.

  As a means for realizing such a system, a method of adding related auxiliary electronic data to each electronic data can be considered (in general, such auxiliary electronic data is referred to as “metadata”). Called).

  By adding these metadata to the electronic data, the user can change the added electronic data (hereinafter, the electronic data with the added metadata is referred to as “body data”) as necessary. It is possible to search and acquire under various conditions. In addition, based on the metadata added to the acquired main body data, it is possible to acquire information that cannot be read directly from the main body data (for example, information at the time of generating main body data).

  By adding metadata in this way, main data can be reused efficiently and effectively, and recently, various types of metadata have been added to many electronic data. .

  Here, as a display method of electronic data for reusing main body data, a display method for displaying metadata added to each electronic data in a tabular format is generally known.

Furthermore, a method has also been proposed in which electronic data groups are displayed three-dimensionally using a time axis and a predetermined classification axis so that electronic data can be grasped directly, thereby facilitating reuse of main body data. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-187743

  However, in the case of the display method described in Patent Document 1, the same electronic data may be displayed at a plurality of different positions depending on the setting of the classification axis. However, even in that case, according to the display method, the relationship between the electronic data is not clearly shown. For this reason, the user cannot recognize that the display shows the same electronic data until the electronic data is opened, and there is a problem in operability when acquiring desired electronic data. .

  Furthermore, in the case of the display method, since the classification information is only arranged one-dimensionally on the classification axis, the user cannot recognize the mutual relationship between the classification information, and depending on the setting of the classification axis, On the contrary, there is a problem that it takes time to obtain electronic data.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily acquire electronic data desired by a user from an electronic data group to which metadata is added.

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
An information processing apparatus that processes a plurality of electronic data in which metadata is added to body data,
The metadata values included in the plurality of electronic data are arranged and displayed in the first direction or the second direction intersecting the first direction for each metadata item, and arranged and displayed. For each metadata value, a defining means for defining a metadata area that is a unique display area,
A metadata area defined for each metadata value arranged and displayed in the first direction and a metadata defined for each metadata value arranged and displayed in the second direction. Among the main data to which the metadata is added, the metadata values displayed in the first direction and the metadata values displayed in the second direction are displayed in the area intersecting with the data area. Icon display means for displaying an icon associated with the body data to which both metadata values are added ,
When a plurality of icons displayed in different display areas by the icon display means are icons associated with the same body data, the plurality of icons are icons associated with the same body data. Related display means for performing display,
Moving means for moving each metadata area defined for each metadata value by moving each metadata value arranged and displayed in the first direction or the second direction; With
The association display means is an icon associated with the same main data in accordance with the movement of the metadata area by the movement means and the movement of the icon displayed by the icon display means. The display to be displayed is changed .

  According to the present invention, user-desired electronic data can be easily acquired from an electronic data group to which metadata is added.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
1. Hardware Configuration of Information Processing Device FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing device (100) according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes a CPU that controls the entire information processing apparatus 100 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 102.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes a ROM that stores a control program for content display processing (described later) executed by the CPU 101.

  Reference numeral 103 denotes a RAM that temporarily stores electronic data and the like. Reference numeral 104 denotes an external storage device such as a magnetic disk in which a plurality of electronic data (contents) to be processed in content display processing are stored. Reference numeral 105 denotes a display for displaying the execution result of the content display process, and 106 denotes a pointing device such as a mouse.

  Note that the content display processing according to the present embodiment can also be executed by a general-purpose computer. In this case, a content display process is executed by storing a control program provided by a medium or the like in the external storage device 104 and causing the CPU 101 to execute the control program in accordance with an operator's instruction or the like.

  Reference numeral 107 denotes a network interface. The information processing apparatus 100 can communicate with a device in a remote place (not shown) via the network interface 107 to read / write control programs, electronic data, and the like.

  Note that the external storage device 104, the display 105, and the like may be communicably connected via the network interface 107.

2. Configuration of Electronic Data (Content) FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of electronic data (content 200) to which metadata is added, which is a processing target of content display processing.

  Reference numeral 201 denotes body data (content body). Note that the content 200 may include only one content main body or a plurality of content main bodies.

  Reference numeral 202 denotes metadata added to the content body 201. As metadata, a metadata item 203 and its value (metadata value) 204 exist in pairs.

  For example, there is a metadata value 204-1 “administrative example” corresponding to the metadata item 203-1 “conference name”. Similarly, metadata values 204-2, 204-3,... 204-10 exist corresponding to the metadata items 203-2, 203-3,.

  It is assumed that the content 200 is configured so that a master-slave relationship can be defined for each metadata item included in the metadata item 203. In the example of FIG. 2, a master-slave relationship is defined between the “sub theme” of the metadata item 203-3 and the “conference theme” of the metadata item 203-2.

  Of the metadata items in which the master-slave relationship is defined in this way, the metadata item 203-2 is hereinafter referred to as a main classification metadata item, and the metadata item 203-3 is hereinafter referred to as a sub-classification metadata item. To do.

  Note that the number of metadata items that define the master-slave relationship is not limited to one, and a plurality of sub-category metadata items are defined for one master category metadata item, and different metadata values are set for each metadata item. It may be. In the example of FIG. 2, two sub-classification metadata items 203-3 and 203-4 (both are “sub-themes”) are defined for the “meeting theme” of the main classification metadata item 203-2. . Then, “Graduation Performance Planning” (204-3) and “Steering Committee” (204-4) are set as metadata values.

3. Flow of Content Display Processing Next, the flow of content display processing in the information processing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 with reference to the display examples of FIGS. In the following description, it is assumed that a content display process is performed on a plurality of contents stored in the external storage device 104 as processing targets. It is assumed that the content to be processed includes the content 200 shown in FIG.

  In step S301, a window for displaying the processing result of the content display processing is displayed.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a window for displaying the processing result of the content display processing. As shown in FIG. 4, a tab is added to the window 400, and the tab is a metadata item in which metadata values to be arranged and displayed in the vertical direction in the window 400 are set. Predefined metadata items are displayed. In the example of FIG. 4, the metadata item “conference theme” is displayed in a tab 401, and the metadata item “participant” is displayed in a tab 402.

  In step S302, an instruction for a metadata item by the user is received. The instruction of the metadata item is performed by the user specifying a desired tab among the tabs added to the window 400 using a pointing device or the like.

  In the following description, it is assumed that the “conference theme” on the tab 401 is instructed by the user as a metadata item.

  In step S303, it is determined whether the instructed metadata item is a metadata item for which a master-slave relationship is defined. If it is determined in step S302 that the metadata item has a master-slave relationship defined (if the instructed metadata item is determined to be a main classification metadata item), the process proceeds to step S304.

  In step S304, a list of metadata values corresponding to the main classification metadata item is displayed on the window. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a state in which metadata values corresponding to the main classification metadata item “conference theme” are displayed as a list. Note that the tab 402 that has not been designated is grayed out.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, in the window 400, metadata values corresponding to the metadata item “meeting theme” among the metadata added to the content stored in the external storage device 104 are vertically displayed as a list. Is done.

  In the example of FIG. 5A, the metadata value list 501 includes “cultural festival” (503), “regular concert” (504), “summer training camp” (505), “new students welcome” (506), “Spring concert”. (507) is listed in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the metadata value list 501 displayed in a list in the vertical direction is not arranged in the same column, but is displayed in the metadata displayed in the center position of the metadata value list 501 (in FIG. 5A). In the example, “summer training camp” (505)) is displayed in the foreground. As the metadata value list 501 moves away from the center position, the metadata values are displayed on the rear surface one by one.

  It is assumed that the displayed metadata value list 501 is configured such that the display position moves in a ring shape based on a user instruction.

  FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the user moves the display position of the metadata value list 501 in a ring shape using the pointing device 106. By moving the pointing device 106 in the vertical direction to rotate the ring as indicated by the dotted arrow 502, the display position of each metadata value in the metadata value list 501 is moved in a ring shape.

  In the example of FIG. 5B, the metadata values 503 to 506 are moved one by one in the vertical direction while maintaining the arrangement, and the metadata value “Spring Concert” (507) displayed at the bottom (vertical end) is set. ) Is displayed at the top (vertical start). Further, the metadata value “periodical concert” (504) moved to the center position of the metadata value list 501 as a result of moving one step at a time in the vertical direction is displayed in the foreground.

  Returning to FIG. In step S305, the metadata value designated by the user is received from the metadata values (503 to 507) corresponding to the main classification metadata item “conference theme”. Specifically, one metadata value designated by the user is received from the metadata value list 501 in FIG. 5A.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the metadata value instruction is obtained by moving the metadata value desired by the user to the center position in the vertical direction of the metadata value list 501, and then issuing a determination instruction using the pointing device 106. Done. The determination instruction may be performed by clicking a display position portion of the metadata value or may be performed by pressing a determination button (not shown). In addition, by double-clicking a metadata value that is not at the center position in the metadata value list 501, an instruction to move to the center position and a determination instruction for the metadata value may be given simultaneously.

  In step S306, the metadata values corresponding to the sub-category metadata item that is a meta-data item having a master-subordinate relationship with the main classification metadata item for which the instructed metadata value is set are arranged and displayed in the vertical direction. As a result, metadata values are arranged and displayed for each metadata item. Also, a metadata area that is a unique display area is defined for each metadata value displayed in an array.

  FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a display example in which metadata values corresponding to “sub-themes” which are sub-category metadata items of the main classification metadata item “conference data” are arranged in the vertical direction and displayed.

  Reference numeral 601 denotes metadata corresponding to the sub-category metadata item “sub-theme” among the metadata values added to the content having “regular performance” as the metadata value corresponding to the main category metadata item “conference theme”. It is a list of values.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the metadata value list 601 of the sub-category metadata item is displayed via a tree display branched from the metadata value “periodical performance” corresponding to the main category metadata item “meeting theme”. The Lines 603, 604, 605, and 606 represent the tree display and define a unique display area (metadata area) for each metadata value corresponding to the subordinate metadata item.

  For example, the line 603 defines a metadata area of the metadata value “part leader regular meeting” corresponding to the sub-category metadata item “sub theme”.

  Returning again to FIG. If it is determined in step S303 that the master-slave relationship is not defined, the process proceeds to step S310. In step S310, the metadata values corresponding to the metadata item instructed in step S302 are arranged in the vertical direction and displayed. Note that the list display of metadata values in step S310 is basically the same as the list display of metadata values corresponding to the subordinate metadata items in step S306, and a description thereof will be omitted here.

  However, in the case of step S310, the master-slave relationship is not defined. For this reason, unlike the display of the metadata value corresponding to the secondary classification metadata item in step S306, it is not displayed via the tree display that branches off from the metadata value corresponding to the primary classification metadata item. . Simply, each metadata value and a line defining the metadata area are displayed.

  In step S307, metadata values corresponding to metadata items other than the metadata item set with the metadata values displayed in the vertical direction as the metadata value list 601 are displayed in the horizontal direction.

  Here, “Meeting Date” is defined as a metadata item to be displayed in the horizontal direction as a metadata item other than the main category metadata item “meeting theme” and the sub-category metadata item “sub-theme”. And

  FIG. 6B shows a state in which metadata values corresponding to “meeting dates” defined as metadata items to be displayed in the horizontal direction are arranged and displayed. As shown in FIG. 6B, in the window 400, among the contents stored in the external storage device 104, metadata values corresponding to the metadata item “conference date” are displayed in a list in the horizontal direction (see 602). ).

  In addition, metadata areas defined for each metadata value in the metadata value list 602 are displayed as lines 607 to 611.

  For example, a line 607 indicates a metadata area defined in the metadata value “7/26” corresponding to the metadata item “meeting date”.

  In step S308, corresponding metadata values (both metadata values arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions) are added to the area where the lines 603 to 606 and the lines 607 to 611, which are metadata areas, intersect. The icon of the selected content.

  FIG. 6C is a diagram illustrating a state where icons are displayed at corresponding positions on the metadata area. In the figure, reference numeral 612 denotes an icon associated with the content 200 of FIG. The metadata value corresponding to the sub-category metadata item “sub theme” of the content 200 is “graduation performance planning”, and the metadata value corresponding to the metadata item “meeting date” is “8/2”. Therefore, the icon 612 is displayed in the intersection area between the line 604 and the line 611.

  Thus, an area where lines corresponding to metadata values arranged and displayed in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction intersect each other means that these two metadata values are added. That is, it can be said that the metadata value added to the content 200 is visualized.

  The content 200 is also added with a “steering committee” as a metadata value corresponding to the metadata item “sub-theme”. Therefore, the icon 613 associated with the content 200 is also displayed in the intersection area between the line 605 and the line 611 corresponding to the metadata value “steering committee” corresponding to the sub-category metadata item “sub theme”.

  That is, the icons 612 and 613 mean the same content 200. Thus, one content in which a metadata item in which a plurality of different metadata values are set is added to the same sub-classification metadata item is displayed at a plurality of locations. For this reason, in step S309, a line 614 (related display) for indicating that they are the same content is displayed.

  FIG. 6D shows a state in which the association between contents associated with icons displayed at different positions is displayed. As shown in FIG. 6D, two icons 612 and 613 are combined using a line 614 to indicate that these two icons 612 and 613 are the same content.

4). Other Processing When the content display processing in FIG. 3 is completed and the processing result shown in FIG. 6D is displayed on the window 400, the following operations can be further performed.

4.1 Metadata Value List 601 Corresponding to Secondary Classification Metadata Items Displayed Arranged in the Vertical Direction on the Window 400 for Changing the Display Position of Metadata Values Displayed Arranged in the Vertical Direction and Corresponding Lines Reference numerals 603 to 606 are configured so that the display position can be moved in a ring shape in accordance with a user instruction.

  FIG. 7A shows a state in which the user moves the display position of each metadata value in the metadata value list 601 and the corresponding line using the pointing device 106. By moving the line in the direction of the dotted arrow 701 with the pointing device 106, the display position of each metadata value and the display position of the corresponding line in the metadata value list 601 move in a ring shape while maintaining the arrangement.

  In the example of FIG. 7A, the metadata values “Partner Leader Regular Meeting”, “Graduation Performance Planning”, and “Steering Committee” have been moved one step each in the vertical direction and displayed at the bottom (vertical end). The metadata value “Budget Committee” is displayed at the top (vertical start). Corresponding lines 603 to 605 are moved one by one in the vertical direction, and the line 606 displayed at the bottom is displayed at the top.

4.2 Change Display Position of Metadata Values Displayed Arranged in the Horizontal Direction Display Position of Each Metadata Value in the Metadata Value List 602 Displayed Arranged in the Horizontal Direction on the Window 400 and Corresponding Line Reference numerals 607 to 611 are configured so that the display position can be changed by a user's scroll instruction.

  FIG. 7B shows a state in which the user moves the display position and line of each metadata value in the metadata value list 602 using the pointing device 106. As shown in FIG. 7B, in FIG. 6D, the metadata values corresponding to “Meeting Date” displayed from “7/26” to “8/2” are scrolled along the dotted arrow 702. They move and the display range is changed from “7/29” to “8/4”.

4.3 Display of Content Body The information processing apparatus 100 can call the content body by dragging and dropping each icon displayed as a result of the content display process to another content body display program or editing program (not shown). It is configured as follows.

  As is clear from the above description, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to visualize the metadata value when displaying the electronic data group to which the metadata is added. At that time, the same electronic data displayed at a plurality of locations can be displayed to indicate that they are the same.

  Further, when displaying the metadata value corresponding to the metadata item for which the master-slave relationship is defined, the master-slave relationship is displayed by displaying it through a tree display that branches from the metadata value corresponding to the main classification metadata item. It becomes possible to specify.

  As a result, user-desired electronic data can be easily acquired from the electronic data group to which the metadata is added.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, only metadata values corresponding to one metadata item are arranged and displayed in the horizontal direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, metadata values corresponding to a plurality of metadata items may be separately arranged and displayed.

  FIG. 8 is an example of the display example of FIG. 6D described in the first embodiment. Further, in the horizontal direction, metadata values “budget organization meeting” (803) corresponding to the metadata item “conference name” (803) It shows a state where the formula (802) and the “regular operation” (801) are arranged and displayed.

  In this way, by arranging and displaying metadata values corresponding to a plurality of metadata items in the horizontal direction, it becomes possible to visualize more metadata values.

[Third Embodiment]
In the first and second embodiments, the metadata values other than the metadata values arranged and displayed in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction were not visualized. However, the present invention is not limited to this and the present invention is not limited thereto. You may comprise so that a metadata value may be visualized.

  In the first and second embodiments, only the metadata value is visualized. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the content main body may be visualized by displaying thumbnails.

  FIG. 9 shows a state in which metadata values other than the metadata values arranged in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction among the metadata values added to the content are temporarily displayed. As shown in the figure, when the pointing device 106 is brought close to the icon 613, a balloon 901 pops up. In the balloon 901, metadata values other than the metadata values displayed in the metadata value lists 601 and 602 are displayed together with metadata items in which the metadata values are set.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 9, when the pointing device 106 is brought close to the icon 613, the content main body of the content associated with the icon 613 is displayed as a thumbnail 902.

  As is clear from the above, according to the present embodiment, since the detailed information is displayed only for the content instructed by the user, the electronic data can be easily stored without being confused by a large amount of information. Detailed information can be browsed.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the first to third embodiments, the metadata values corresponding to the main classification metadata items are displayed as a list (see 501 in FIG. 5). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the user instructs Only one metadata value may be displayed.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the metadata value corresponding to the main classification metadata item is displayed in the list box 1001. Here, after the user scrolls the list box 1001 and selects one metadata value among the metadata values corresponding to the main classification metadata item, the other metadata displayed in the list box 1001 in FIG. The value is hidden.

  In this way, by using the UI function of the information processing apparatus 100, even when the specifications of the information processing apparatus 100 are not so high, the electronic data group can be displayed without losing convenience when browsing the electronic data. It becomes possible to make it.

[Other Embodiments]
Note that the present invention can be applied to a system (for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, etc.) consisting of a single device even when applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, interface device, reader, printer, etc.). You may apply.

  Needless to say, the object of the present invention can also be achieved by supplying a system or apparatus with a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments. In this case, the above functions are realized by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like is used. be able to.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing the program code read by the computer. For example, an OS (operating system) running on a computer performs part or all of actual processing based on an instruction of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiments may be realized by the processing. Needless to say, it is included.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized. Is also included. That is, after the program code is written in the memory, the CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code, and is realized by the processing. This is also included.

It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the information processing apparatus (100) concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the electronic data (content 200) with which the metadata added as a process target of a content display process. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of content display processing in the information processing apparatus 100. It is a figure which shows an example of the window for displaying the process result of a content display process. It is a figure which shows a mode that the metadata value of main classification metadata item "meeting theme" was displayed as a list. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the display position of the metadata value list 501 is moved in a ring shape by the user using the pointing device 106. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display which arranged the metadata value corresponding to the "sub theme" which is a sub classification metadata item of the main classification metadata item "meeting data" in the vertical direction. It is a figure which shows a mode that the metadata value corresponding to the "meeting day" defined as the metadata item which should be displayed horizontally is arranged and displayed. It is a figure which shows a mode that the icon display was each carried out to the corresponding position on a metadata area | region. It is a figure which shows a mode that the relationship between the content linked | related with the icon displayed in a different position was displayed. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a manner in which the user moves the display position of each metadata value in the metadata value list 601 and the corresponding line using the pointing device 106. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a manner in which the user moves the display position and line of each metadata value in the metadata value list 602 using the pointing device 106. In addition to the display example of FIG. 6D described in the first embodiment, the metadata values “budget organization meeting” (803) and “officer takeover type” (802) corresponding to the metadata item “conference name” in the horizontal direction are further added. ), “Operational rules” (801) are arranged and displayed. It is a figure which shows a mode that metadata values other than the metadata value arranged and displayed in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction among the metadata values added to the content were temporarily displayed. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which metadata values corresponding to main classification metadata items are displayed in a list box 1001.

Claims (9)

An information processing apparatus that processes a plurality of electronic data in which metadata is added to body data,
The metadata values included in the plurality of electronic data are arranged and displayed for each metadata item in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction , and arranged and displayed. For each metadata value, a defining means for defining a metadata area that is a unique display area,
A metadata area defined for each metadata value arranged and displayed in the first direction and a metadata defined for each metadata value arranged and displayed in the second direction. Among the main data to which the metadata is added, the metadata values displayed in the first direction and the metadata values displayed in the second direction are displayed in the area intersecting with the data area. Icon display means for displaying an icon associated with the body data to which both metadata values are added ,
When a plurality of icons displayed in different metadata areas by the icon display means are icons associated with the same body data, the plurality of icons are icons associated with the same body data. Related display means for displaying
Moving means for moving each metadata area defined for each metadata value by moving each metadata value arranged and displayed in the first direction or the second direction; With
The association display means is an icon associated with the same main data in accordance with the movement of the metadata area by the movement means and the movement of the icon displayed by the icon display means. An information processing apparatus characterized by changing a display to be displayed . The metadata items include a primary classification metadata item and a secondary classification metadata item that define a master-slave relationship with each other,
The defining means is
Claim 1, characterized in that displaying said従分such value of metadata corresponding to metadata items, via the tree view that branches than the value of the metadata corresponding to the item of the main classification metadata Information processing device. A first selecting means for selecting one metadata value among metadata values corresponding to the main classification metadata items arranged and displayed by the defining means;
The icon display means includes
Main data to which at least the metadata value selected by the first selection means and the metadata value displayed via the tree display branched from the selected metadata value are added; The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the associated icon is displayed in the corresponding metadata area. Tab display means for displaying predetermined metadata items on a tab attached to the window;
A second selection unit that selects the metadata item by designating a tab on which the metadata item is displayed by the tab display unit;
The defining means displays, on the window, metadata values corresponding to metadata items selected by the second selection means, arranged in the first direction. Item 4. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 3 . The defining means displays, on the window, metadata values corresponding to metadata items other than the metadata item selected by the second selection means, arranged in the second direction. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4 .   While the icon displayed by the icon display means is specified, items other than the metadata items corresponding to the metadata values arranged and displayed by the defining means, and items other than the metadata items The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising temporary display means for displaying a metadata value corresponding to.   6. The thumbnail display unit according to claim 1, further comprising a thumbnail display unit for displaying the main body data associated with the icon as a thumbnail while the icon displayed by the icon display unit is specified. The information processing apparatus described in 1. An information processing method in an information processing apparatus for processing a plurality of electronic data in which metadata is added to body data,
The defining means arranges and displays the values of each metadata included in the plurality of electronic data in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction for each item of the metadata, For each metadata value arranged and displayed, a defining process for defining a metadata area that is a unique display area;
The icon display means includes a metadata area defined for each metadata value arranged and displayed in the first direction, and each metadata value arranged and displayed in the second direction. Among the main data to which the metadata is added in an area intersecting with the metadata area defined in (1), and the metadata values displayed in the first direction and the second direction. An icon display step for displaying an icon associated with the main body data to which both of the arranged metadata values are added ;
When the plurality of icons displayed in different display areas in the icon display step are icons associated with the same body data, the related display means associates the plurality of icons with the same body data. A related display process for displaying an icon,
The moving means moves each metadata area defined for each metadata value by moving each metadata value arranged and displayed in the first direction or the second direction. And a moving process
The association display step is an icon associated with the same main data in accordance with the movement of the respective metadata areas in the movement step and the movement of the icon displayed in the icon display step. The information processing method characterized by changing the display to show . The program for making a computer perform each process of the information processing method of Claim 8 .

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