JP7104808B2 - Information provision method and information provision program - Google Patents

Description

Application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act https: // cognicular. com / ja (published on April 27, 2019) https: // cognicle. com / ja (Posted on September 15, 1st year of Reiwa)

The present invention relates to an information providing method and an information providing program .

Methods and devices have been developed for users to acquire knowledge efficiently. For example, the history data and the wordbook data generated by the electronic dictionary are transmitted to the portable display device and stored in the storage device, and each of the wordbook data stored in the storage device in the portable display device. The headwords and their explanatory information are read out and displayed in order, and for each headword in the wordbook data, depending on whether or not the user remembers the headword and the check box displayed together with the description information. Some of them allow you to enter or delete check marks (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-103185

However, in the technique of Patent Document 1 described above (hereinafter referred to as the prior art), when the user tries to understand arbitrary knowledge, it is difficult to grasp the structure related to the knowledge related to the arbitrary knowledge. ..

An object of the present invention is that when a user tries to understand arbitrary knowledge, the knowledge related to the arbitrary knowledge is shown in a tree structure, and the knowledge corresponding to the node selected by the user is shown to show the arbitrary knowledge. Provide information providing methods, information providing devices, information providing programs, and recording media that contribute to an efficient understanding of.

The information providing method according to one aspect of the present invention is an information providing method in an information providing system including an information providing server connected to a display device having a display medium by a communication network, and is a tree-structured information stored in the storage device. And, using a plurality of contents corresponding to the tree structure, a tree structure diagram including a plurality of nodes is displayed in the first area on the display medium, and the node selected in the first area among the plurality of nodes is displayed. When the content corresponding to is displayed in the second area and the first content corresponding to the first node is displayed in the second area, the second node which is a child node of the first node is selected. When it is detected, the second content related to the first content is displayed in the second area, and each of the plurality of contents is information including a plurality of information elements, and the first Among a plurality of information elements included in one content, a second information element that has a one-to-one correspondence with an eighth node that is a subordinate node of the second node and is not displayed in the first area is selected in the display medium. In the case where it is possible to display, when it is detected in the display medium that the second information element is selected, the first node and the eighth node including the first node and the eighth node Of the plurality of nodes in the shortest route with and, the nodes not displayed in the first area are displayed in order from the upper layer, and the eighth node is displayed in the first area .

The information providing device according to one aspect of the present invention uses a communication unit that communicates with a display device having a display medium, tree-structured information stored in the storage device, and a plurality of contents corresponding to the tree-structured display. In the medium, a tree structure diagram including a plurality of nodes is displayed in the first area, and the content corresponding to the node selected in the first area among the plurality of nodes is displayed in the second area, and the first node is displayed. When it is detected that the second node, which is a child node of the first node, is selected when the first content corresponding to is displayed in the second area, the first content related to the first content 2 A control unit for displaying the content in the second area is provided , and each of the plurality of contents is information including a plurality of information elements, and among the plurality of information elements included in the first content, the first In the display medium, when the second information element that is a subordinate node of the two nodes and has a one-to-one correspondence with the eighth node that is not displayed in the first area is displayed in a selectable manner on the display medium. When it is detected that the second information element is selected, the first region of the plurality of nodes in the shortest path between the first node including the first node and the eighth node and the eighth node. Nodes not displayed in are displayed in order from the upper layer, and the eighth node is displayed in the first area .

The information providing program according to one aspect of the present invention uses the communication process for communicating with a display device having a display medium, the tree structure information stored in the storage device, and a plurality of contents corresponding to the tree structure to display the above. In the medium, a tree structure diagram including a plurality of nodes is displayed in the first area, and the content corresponding to the node selected in the first area among the plurality of nodes is displayed in the second area, and the first node. When it is detected that the second node, which is a child node of the first node, is selected when the first content corresponding to is displayed in the second area, the first content related to the first content is detected. (2) A control process for displaying the content in the second area is executed by a computer, and each of the plurality of contents is information including a plurality of information elements, and among the plurality of information elements included in the first content. When a second information element that is a subordinate node of the second node and has a one-to-one correspondence with an eighth node that is not displayed in the first area is displayed in a selectable manner on the display medium, the display When it is detected in the medium that the second information element is selected, the said one of a plurality of nodes in the shortest path between the first node including the first node and the eighth node and the eighth node. The nodes that are not displayed in the first area are displayed in order from the upper layer, and the eighth node is displayed in the first area .

The recording medium according to one aspect of the present invention is the display medium using communication processing for communicating with a display device having the display medium, tree structure information stored in the storage device, and a plurality of contents corresponding to the tree structure. In, a tree structure diagram including a plurality of nodes is displayed in the first area, and the content corresponding to the node selected in the first area among the plurality of nodes is displayed in the second area, and the first node is displayed. When the corresponding first content is displayed in the second area and it is detected that the second node, which is a child node of the first node, is selected, the second content related to the first content is detected. A control process for displaying the content in the second area is executed by a computer, and each of the plurality of contents is information including a plurality of information elements, and among the plurality of information elements included in the first content, the plurality of information elements are included. When the second information element that is a subordinate node of the second node and has a one-to-one correspondence with the eighth node that is not displayed in the first area is displayed selectably on the display medium, the display medium. When it is detected that the second information element is selected, the first of the plurality of nodes in the shortest path between the first node including the first node and the eighth node and the eighth node. Nodes that are not displayed in one area are displayed in order from the upper layer, and the eighth node records an information providing program that is displayed in the first area .

According to the present invention, when a user tries to understand arbitrary knowledge, the knowledge related to the arbitrary knowledge is shown in a tree structure, and the knowledge corresponding to the node selected by the user is shown to show the arbitrary knowledge. Can contribute to an efficient understanding of.

A block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the information providing system and the information providing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A block diagram showing another example of the functional configuration of the information providing system and the information providing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Transition diagram of the display screen of the display medium for explaining the service provided by the information providing server according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A sequence diagram showing an example of a procedure for transmitting / receiving information and information processing between the information providing server and the display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows an example of the information table of the tree structure which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. A diagram showing a tree structure diagram and an example of content display when a root node is selected in the display medium. A diagram showing a tree structure diagram and an example of content display when a child node of the root node is selected in the display medium. A tree structure diagram when a child node of the root node is selected in the display medium and a diagram showing other examples of content display. The figure which shows an example of the button which hides the selected node in the display medium. The figure which shows the other example of the button which hides the selected node in the display medium. A diagram showing an example of displaying a tree structure diagram when the selected node in the display medium is in the non-display form. A diagram showing an example of displaying a tree structure diagram in which a root node is selected when the node selected in the display medium is hidden. The figure which shows an example of the button which redisplays a node which was made a non-display form individually in a display medium. A diagram showing an example of displaying a tree structure diagram in which nodes that are hidden in the display medium are individually redisplayed. The figure which shows an example of the button which redisplays the node which was hidden in the display medium at once. A diagram showing an example of displaying a tree structure diagram in which nodes hidden in the display medium are collectively redisplayed. A diagram showing an example of displaying a tree structure diagram in which child nodes of the selected node are displayed on the display medium. The figure which shows an example of how all the subordinate nodes of the node which was hidden in the display medium are displayed before being hidden. The figure which shows an example of the display when the display medium is scroll-displayed. The figure which shows another example of how all the subordinate nodes of the node which was hidden in the display medium are displayed before being hidden. The figure which shows an example of how all the subordinate nodes of the node which was hidden in the display medium are shifted and displayed before being hidden. The figure which shows an example of how all the subordinate nodes of the node which was hidden in the display medium are reduced and displayed before being hidden. The figure which shows an example of how all the subordinate nodes of the node which was hidden in the display medium are displayed before being hidden. The figure which shows an example of how all the subordinate nodes of the node which was hidden in the display medium are reduced and displayed before being hidden. The figure which shows another example of how all the subordinate nodes of the node which was hidden in the display medium are displayed before being hidden. The figure which shows another example of how all the subordinate nodes of the node which was hidden in the display medium are reduced and displayed before being hidden. The figure which shows an example of the button which can be selected to display all the nodes which can be displayed on a display medium. A diagram showing an example of a tree structure diagram in which all nodes are displayed except for the nodes that are hidden in the display medium. A diagram showing an example of a tree structure diagram in which a node in an arbitrary hidden form and its subordinate nodes are redisplayed in the overall display form. A flow chart showing an example of the operation flow of the information providing server or the like according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A flow chart showing another example of the operation flow of the information providing server or the like according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows an example of the button which can select to display the selected node in the 3rd display form in the modification 1. A diagram showing an example of a tree structure diagram in which the selected node in the first modification is displayed in the third display mode. A diagram showing another example of a tree structure diagram in which the selected node in the first modification is displayed in the third display mode. A flow diagram showing another example of the processing flow of the information providing server or the like in the first modification. The figure which shows an example of the tree structure diagram in the modification 2. The figure which shows an example of the state of the node which does not fit in the 1st region in the modification 2. The figure which shows an example of the shift display of the tree structure diagram in the modification 2. A flow chart showing an example of the processing flow of the information providing server or the like in the second modification. The figure which shows an example of the movement of the cursor on the display medium in the modification 3 The figure which shows an example of how the display position of the node which the cursor approached changes in transformation example 3. The figure which shows an example of the screen for the user to send an opinion in the modification 4. A diagram showing an example of a tree structure diagram and a content display in the modified example 5. The figure which shows an example of the transition of the tree structure diagram in the modification 6. A sequence diagram showing another example of the procedure for transmitting / receiving information and processing information between the information providing server and the display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A sequence diagram showing another example of the procedure for transmitting / receiving information and processing information between the information providing server and the display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A diagram showing an example of a tree structure diagram and a content display in the modified example 7. The tree structure diagram in the modified example 7 and the diagram showing an example of the display after the transition of the contents. The tree structure diagram in the modified example 7 and the diagram showing another example of the display after the transition of the contents. The figure which shows an example of the hardware composition of the computer which realizes the function of each part by a program.

(History of Inventing One Aspect of the Present Invention)

In the prior art, a check mark can be entered or deleted from a check box displayed together with a term and its explanatory information on a display device depending on whether or not the user understands the term or the explanatory information. However, when the user tries to understand an arbitrary term by the corresponding explanatory information, there may be a term in the explanatory information that the user does not yet understand. In such a case, the present inventor needs to search for the knowledge necessary for the user to understand the arbitrary term separately depending on the prior art, and is necessary in the future. We found that it was difficult to grasp the degree of learning. Although examples of terms have been used here for comparison with the prior art, there are similar problems when explaining not only terms but also general knowledge.

In addition, the present inventor has the following problems when obtaining necessary knowledge from a book, a website, or the like when a user wants to understand highly difficult knowledge, not limited to the case indicated by the prior art. I found it. That is, when content tailored to the level of understanding of a specific learner is provided to an unspecified number of people, there is a gap between the level of understanding of the specific learner and the level of understanding of each learner to whom the content is provided. Therefore, there is a lack of knowledge for each learner, and each learner needs to search for the lacking knowledge from another content. On the other hand, when the basic knowledge is comprehensively explained in order to make the user understand any knowledge, the user is in a lot of information in which the knowledge that he / she understands and the knowledge that he / she does not understand are mixed. Therefore, it is necessary to find out the knowledge that needs to be understood next. In addition, if the user loses some understanding after the understanding has progressed, he / she needs to find out the knowledge again. Moreover, in either case, learning continuity can be hampered by uncertain stress due to the obscure learning costs required.

Therefore, the inventor of the present invention organizes the knowledge necessary for understanding the arbitrary knowledge in a tree structure when the user tries to understand the arbitrary knowledge, makes it easy to search for the knowledge to be learned, and makes it easier for the user to search for the knowledge to be learned. By having students select the knowledge that they need to understand next according to their level of understanding, and by intensively learning such knowledge, we provide a method for efficiently understanding any knowledge, and in the future. We recalled an information providing device and an information providing method capable of grasping the degree of necessary learning, and came to invent one aspect of the present invention.

In this disclosure, terms are defined as follows.

(Tree structure, nodes, edges, upper layer, lower layer, direction of deeper hierarchy)
The tree structure is a hierarchical structure diagram including one or more nodes. When the tree structure diagram contains multiple nodes, each node having a parent node and child node relationship is connected by an edge. If the tree structure diagram contains multiple nodes, the tree structure diagram contains multiple hierarchies. Of the plurality of layers, the layer on the root node side of any layer is referred to as an upper layer or upper layer of the arbitrary layer, and the layer not on the root node side of the arbitrary layer is referred to as a lower layer or lower layer of the arbitrary layer. In the tree structure diagram, the direction from the upper layer to the lower layer is called the direction in which the hierarchy becomes deeper. In the present disclosure, when the tree structure diagram is displayed on the display medium, the direction in which the nodes are expanded is arbitrary.

(Root node)
In the tree structure diagram, one node located at the top layer of the tree structure is called a root node. Since the tree structure diagram has a structure in which nodes are expanded in the lower layer starting from the root node, the root node does not have a parent node.

(Parent node, child node, subordinate node, grandchild node, sibling node)
A node above the arbitrary node connected by an edge to the arbitrary node is called a parent node of the arbitrary node. In such cases, the arbitrary node is referred to as a child node of the parent node. When one or more child nodes exist in each of one or more child nodes of the parent node, the nodes below the one or more child nodes of the parent node are referred to as subordinate nodes of the parent node. .. In particular, a further child node of a child node of any node may be referred to as a grandchild node. Further, when a plurality of nodes have a common parent node, the plurality of nodes are referred to as sibling nodes.

(Shortest path)
In the tree structure diagram, the route that sequentially traces the parent node from an arbitrary node and reaches the root node is called the shortest route. That is, the shortest path is the path having the smallest number of edges from any node to the root node. In the present disclosure, the node in the shortest path includes the arbitrary node and the root node.

(user)
The user of the information providing service provided by the information providing server in the present disclosure is referred to as a user. Specifically, when trying to understand arbitrary knowledge, the user is provided with a display screen in which knowledge related to arbitrary knowledge is shown in a tree structure, and selects a node included in the tree structure diagram. By doing so, the person is provided with the knowledge corresponding to the node.

The definitions of terms in the present disclosure have been described above. If a defined term has a special meaning, it may be further defined in the description of the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, in the embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the configurations having the same function, and duplicate description will be omitted. The embodiments described below provide a specific example of the present disclosure. The configuration shown in the embodiments, the processing in the flow diagram, the order of processing, and the like are examples, and do not limit the technique of the present disclosure.

(Embodiment 1)
The configuration of the information providing system 1 and the information providing device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the information providing system 1 and the information providing device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing another example of the functional configuration of the information providing system 1 and the information providing device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, the information providing system 1 includes an information providing device 100, a display device 200, and a storage device 300. In FIG. 1, the information providing device 100 is also referred to as an information providing server 10. Further, the storage device 300 may be referred to as a storage server 300.

The information providing device 100 includes a communication unit 101 and a control unit 102. The communication unit 101 and the control unit 102 are connected to each other by wire or wirelessly. The display device 200 includes a display medium 201, an input unit 202, a communication unit 203, a memory 204, and a control unit 205. Each element included in the display device 200 is connected to some or all of the other elements by wire or wirelessly based on the design specifications.

In FIG. 1, the information providing device 100 is used as the information providing server 10, but as in another example of the configuration of the information providing system 1 shown in FIG. 2, the information providing the configuration including the information providing device 100 and the storage device 300 is provided. It may be referred to as server 10.

The information providing server 10 provides the display device 200 with information necessary for displaying the tree structure diagram and contents described later on the display medium 201 via, for example, a communication network, and provides a service based on the information. A computer or recording medium that has the function of The information providing server 10 is realized by, for example, a combination of a general-purpose computer and software for performing each operation or the like described in the present embodiment.

The information providing server 10 and the storage device 300 shown in FIG. 1 and the information providing server 10 shown in FIG. 2 may have a plurality of each, or the functions may be distributed to each of them. For example, the first information providing server has a function of distributing source code such as HTML, CSS, and Javascript (registered trademark) and information of a tree structure, and the second information providing server distributes contents corresponding to the tree structure. It may have a function to perform.

In the following description, the term "information providing server 10" includes both the system structure shown in FIG. 1 and the system structure shown in FIG. That is, whether or not the information providing server 10 includes the storage device 300 does not limit the present invention. Further, the information providing server 10 can be read as the information providing device 100 in the system shown in FIG.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the communication unit 101 in the information providing device 100 is connected to the communication unit 203 in the display device 200 by a communication network, and has a function of transmitting and receiving information. A communication network means a network composed of telecommunication lines. The communication network may be a wired communication network or a wireless communication network. The communication network includes, for example, the Internet, a dedicated line, a LAN (Local Area Network), and the like.

The display device 200 is, for example, an information device having a function of displaying information such as a tree structure diagram and contents on the display medium 201. The display device 200 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a notebook personal computer, a desktop personal computer, a dedicated terminal, or the like.

The display medium 201 may be, for example, a two-dimensional display, or a three-dimensional display in virtual reality, mixed reality, or the like. The two-dimensional display may be a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like, and the type of display does not limit the present invention. The display medium 201 may be an external display of the display device 200.

The input unit 202 has at least a function of selecting the display content on the display medium 201. The input unit 202 may further have a function of inputting characters. The input unit 202 accepts input by the user.

Specifically, the input unit 202 is at least one of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a hardware button, a touch operation using a touch panel, a stylus pen using a touch panel, an input based on a user's line-of-sight detection, and a voice input. It may be one. The keyboard may be an externally connected physical keyboard or a software keyboard on the touch panel. Further, when the display medium 201 is a three-dimensional display in virtual reality, mixed reality, or the like, information input or information selection may be performed based on a dedicated controller, a user's gesture, or the like.

As described above, the communication unit 203 is connected to the communication unit 101 included in the information providing device 100 or the information providing server 10 by a communication network, and receives a signal or information from the information providing device 100 or the information providing server 10. The signal or information received by the communication unit 203 from the communication unit 101 includes, for example, at least tree-structured information and content information, as will be described later. Specifically, the communication unit 203 may be, for example, a communication module including an antenna for wireless communication, or a communication module for wired communication.

The memory 204 may store the tree-structured information and contents received by the communication unit 203 from the information providing device 100 or the information providing server 10. The memory 204 may store various application software when the communication unit 203 receives the various application software. The various application software may be, for example, for executing the service provided by the information providing server 10 standalone on the display device 200 in response to a user's request. Further, the various application software may be, for example, source code such as HTML, CSS, or Javascript that is read and operated by a Web browser installed on the client PC.

The control unit 205 performs various controls on the display device 200. The control unit 205 controls, for example, a function in which the communication unit 203 receives information from the information providing device 100 or the information providing server 10, stores the received information in the memory 204, and causes the input unit 202 to receive the input by the user. A predetermined information is displayed on the display medium 201 based on the information and contents of the tree structure and instructions from various applications or the information providing device 100. The control unit 205 may be, for example, a Web browser. Since the technique of displaying information such as a tree structure diagram and contents on the display medium 201 under the control of the control unit 205 is known, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The control unit 205 may be a control circuit (control circuit) that controls each unit by an electric signal. Specifically, the control unit 205 may be configured by, for example, an integrated circuit such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). Further, the control unit 205 may be realized by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or the like.

The storage device 300 stores at least the tree structure information and the content information described later. In addition, various application software may be stored. The various application software may be, for example, for executing the service provided by the information providing server 10 standalone on the display device 200 in response to a user's request. Further, the various application software may be, for example, source code such as HTML, CSS, or Javascript that is read and operated by a Web browser installed on the client PC. Details of the tree-structured information and contents stored in the storage device 300 will be described later.

In the information providing device 100, the communication unit 101 communicates with the display device 200 having the display medium 201. The communication unit 101 has at least a function of receiving information from the storage device 300. Communication between the information providing device 100 and the storage device 300 may be wired or wireless.

The communication unit 101 may be, for example, a communication module including an antenna for wireless communication, or may be a communication module for wired communication. Since the wired or wireless transmission / reception function provided in the communication unit 101 is a known technique, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the information providing device 100, the control unit 102 transmits the tree-structured information stored in the storage device 300, the contents corresponding to the tree structure, and various application software based on the request from the user using the display device 200. The 101 is controlled and transmitted to the communication unit 203 in the display device 200.

That is, the control unit 102 displays a tree structure diagram including a plurality of nodes in the first region on the display medium 201, and displays the content corresponding to the node selected in the first region among the plurality of nodes in the second region. Display it.

Further, when the control unit 102 detects that the second node, which is a child node of the first node, is selected when the first content corresponding to the first node is displayed in the second area, the control unit 102 receives. The second content related to the first content is displayed in the second area. That is, the control unit 102 causes the communication unit 101 to transmit various information or various programs to the communication unit 203 of the display device 200 based on the request from the user using the display device 200, and the display medium 201 determines. Display information.

The control unit 102 may be a control circuit (control circuit) that controls each unit by an electric signal. Specifically, the control unit 102 may be configured by, for example, an integrated circuit such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). Further, the control unit 102 may be realized by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or the like. Details of the function of the control unit 102 will be described later.

FIG. 3 shows a transition diagram of a display screen of the display medium 201 for explaining the service provided by the information providing server 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the basic service contents of the services provided by the information providing server 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The service provided by the information providing server 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be referred to as the present service in the following description.

For example, as shown in the display medium 201a of FIG. 3, this service searches for arbitrary information that the user is trying to learn using a search system of another company using a Web browser or the like, and displays it in a list of search results. It may be provided by accessing the website related to this service from a plurality of pages.

In such a case, as shown in the display medium 201b of FIG. 3, this service provides a tree structure diagram in which a node corresponding to the content related to the arbitrary information that the user is trying to learn is a root node in a Web browser or the like. , The content corresponding to the node selected by the user among the plurality of nodes included in the tree structure diagram is displayed on the display medium 201. When the user accesses the website of this service, for example, the root node may be selected as the initial state. Further, when the user accesses the website of this service, for example, none of the nodes may be selected.

Specifically, the display medium 201 displays the first content related to the arbitrary information that the user is trying to learn and the tree structure diagram with the first node corresponding to the first content as the root node. The content related to the arbitrary information is, for example, content provided for explanation or understanding of the arbitrary information. In other words, the content related to arbitrary information may be, for example, the meaning, definition, example, or content of arbitrary information. Further, the content related to the arbitrary information is information including at least one of information elements such as characters, figures, symbols, programs, sounds, still images, and moving images for understanding the arbitrary information.

The second node, which is a child node of the first node, is a node corresponding to the second content related to the first content. The second content is content used for understanding the first content. Specifically, the second content is related to, for example, content explaining the meaning, definition, example, or content of terms included in the first content, content showing an example of the first content, and other first content. Content to be done. Further, the second content is information including at least one of, for example, characters, figures, symbols, programs, sounds, still images, and moving images, like the first content.

That is, in this service, the content corresponding to the node having the parent node is the content provided for the explanation of the content corresponding to the parent node. The content corresponding to the arbitrary node is information including at least one of, for example, characters, figures, symbols, programs, sounds, still images, and moving images.

Then, when the first node is selected in the first area and the first content is displayed in the second area, and the second node is selected by the user, as shown in the display medium 201c of FIG. The second content related to the first content is displayed in the second area.

The number of hierarchies included in the tree structure diagram in FIG. 3 is an example, and the number of hierarchies does not limit the present invention. That is, if there is information used to understand the second content corresponding to the second node, the child nodes of the second node may be displayed in the first area.

As described above, in this service, when the user tries to understand the first content related to the arbitrary information to be learned, it is difficult to fully understand the arbitrary information only by the content of the first content. At this time, by selecting the second node, which is a child node of the first node in the tree structure diagram, the second content that contributes to the understanding of the first content is displayed in the second area. Further, when it is difficult for the user to fully understand the content of the second content, the user can understand the content by sequentially checking the content of the subordinate node of the second node (not shown in FIG. 3) toward the lower layer. You can easily search for level information.

As a result, when the user tries to understand arbitrary information, he / she selects the information that needs to be understood next from the tree structure diagram according to his / her understanding level, and intensively learns such information. , Can understand any information efficiently. In addition, the user can understand the degree of learning required in the future.

The content of the parent node or the content of the child node to be connected depends largely on the know-how of the provider of this service. For example, a tree structure may be constructed so that the difficulty level of the content decreases from the root node to the lower layer. Moreover, the number of child nodes possessed by any node is not limited.

In the above description, the user searches for arbitrary information using a search system of another company on a Web browser or the like. For example, the Web on which the user provides the service on the Web browser. The tree structure diagram and the contents corresponding to a plurality of nodes included in the tree structure diagram are displayed according to the direct access to the site and the search for arbitrary information on the website that provides the service. May be good.

Further, the above-described aspect of the service is only an example, and the service does not need to be provided on the Web browser. That is, the service may be provided as long as the information providing server 10 is used to display the content corresponding to the tree structure diagram and the plurality of nodes included in the tree structure diagram on the display medium 201, and the service is provided. Does not limit the present invention. For example, the information providing server 10 may transmit application software that operates standalone without using a Web browser to the display device 200, and the downloaded application software may be used to provide various services on the display medium 201. As described above, the aspect of the service does not limit the present invention, as is the case with the following description.

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a procedure for transmitting / receiving information and processing information between the information providing server 10 and the display device 200. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a table of tree-structured information transmitted by the communication unit 101 included in the information providing server 10 to the communication unit 203 included in the display device 200.

Hereinafter, information transmission / reception and information processing performed between the information providing server 10 and the display device 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

As shown in FIG. 4, first, in order for the user to receive the provision of this service, the input unit 202 of the display device 200 is used to correspond to the information of the tree structure regarding arbitrary information and the root node included in the tree structure. The information providing server 10 is requested to transmit the first content (step S401).

Specifically, the request to the information providing server 10 by the user is, for example, to provide this service from among a plurality of URLs displayed on the Web browser when the user searches for arbitrary information in an arbitrary search system. When the URL of the website is selected, the URL information is transmitted to the information providing server 10.

The URL information transmitted to the information providing server 10 includes, for example, an ID corresponding to the arbitrary information searched by the user in the search system. The ID corresponding to the arbitrary information is, for example, an ID assigned to the arbitrary information in the information providing system 1.

Next, the information providing server 10 that receives the request from the user transmits, for example, the tree-structured information as shown in FIG. 5 to the display device 200 (step S402). In such a case, the information of the tree structure is stored in the storage device 300, for example.

In the case of the system mode shown in FIG. 1, the information providing server 10 may receive tree-structured information from the storage device 300. Further, in the case of the system mode shown in FIG. 2, the tree-structured information stored inside the information providing server 10 may be transmitted to the display device 200.

The tree structure information includes an ID (aaaa1234) corresponding to any information requested by the user, as shown in FIG. Further, the tree-structured information includes a plurality of IDs corresponding to each of the plurality of contents related to the first content related to the arbitrary information. As shown in FIG. 5, the ID of the parent node is assigned to each of the plurality of IDs included in the information of the tree structure. The ID of the parent node is information indicating the relationship between the parent node and the child node when the tree structure diagram is displayed on the display device 200.

Since the ID (aaaa1234) of the arbitrary information corresponds to the root node in the tree structure diagram displayed on the display medium 201, the information of the parent node is not shown. Further, FIG. 5 is merely a diagram showing an example of a table of information in a tree structure, and the data structure of the information in the tree structure does not limit the present invention.

Further, in step S402, the information providing server 10 transmits, for example, the information of the first content related to the arbitrary information to the display device 200 together with the information of the tree structure. As a result, the user can browse the content related to any information to be learned from the time when the service is provided.

In such a case, among the plurality of contents, the contents other than the first contents may not be transmitted from the information providing server 10 to the display device 200 in step S402. As a result, the display speed of the tree structure diagram and the first content can be increased at the time when the provision of this service is started.

The display device 200 stores, for example, the tree structure information and the first content information received from the information providing server 10 in the memory 204.

Next, the display device 200 displays the tree structure diagram and the first content generated based on the tree structure information received from the information providing server 10 on the display medium 201 (step S403). Multiple nodes included in the tree structure diagram are displayed as selectable by the user.

Since the technique of displaying the tree structure diagram on the display medium 201 based on the tree structure information transmitted to the display device 200 is known, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the information providing server 10 transmits to the display device 200 other than the first content that has already been transmitted to the display device 200 among the information of the plurality of contents (step S404). As a result, the display device 200 can display the content corresponding to any node selected by the user among the plurality of nodes included in the tree structure diagram displayed on the display medium 201 on the display medium 201.

The display device 200 displays the corresponding content on the display medium in response to a request from the user based on the plurality of received contents (step S405). Specifically, the display device 200 displays the content corresponding to the node selected by the user among the plurality of nodes included in the tree structure diagram displayed on the display medium 201 on the display medium 201. Further, the display device 200 switches the display of the content corresponding to the selected node according to the user selecting an arbitrary node from the plurality of nodes included in the tree structure diagram (step S406).

In such a case, the plurality of nodes included in the tree structure diagram may be displayed or disappeared on the display medium 201 depending on the selection of the nodes by the user. The display of another node as the user selects the node is also referred to as deployment. The disappearance of another node in response to a user's selection of a node is also referred to as storage. Details on the expansion or storage of nodes in the tree structure diagram will be described later.

Various programs for executing this service on the display device 200 are appropriately transmitted from the information providing server 10 to the display device 200. The timing at which various programs for executing the service are transmitted to the display device 200 is not limited to the present invention. In the case of a website, in general, the transmission of various programs that realize the basic functions is completed at the time when the service is started to be provided. If the content includes a program, send it at the timing when the content is sent.

Note that FIG. 4 is only an example of the procedure for transmitting / receiving information and processing information, and may be another example. Other examples of sequence diagrams will be described later with reference to FIGS. 45 and 46.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of display of the tree structure diagram 603 and the content 604 when the root node is selected in the display medium 201. Hereinafter, the display screen provided by this service will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the display medium 201 includes a first region 601 and a second region 602. The second region 602 is a region different from the first region 601. A tree structure diagram 603 is displayed in the first area 601. In the second area 602, the content 604 corresponding to the node selected in the tree structure diagram 603 is displayed.

The display example of the display medium 201 shown in FIG. 6 is, for example, a display example when the provision of the service to the user is started in step S403 in FIG. Further, the display example of the display medium 201 shown in FIG. 6 is, for example, a display example corresponding to the tree structure diagram shown in FIG.

In such a case, as shown in FIG. 6, the first region 601 displays a root node 611 and a tree structure diagram 603 having nodes 612 and 613 which are child nodes of the root node. On the other hand, in the second area 602, the first content 604a corresponding to the root node 611 is displayed.

Here, each of the node 611, the node 612, and the node 613 in FIG. 6 corresponds to the information element of the tree structure shown in FIG. Specifically, node 611 corresponds to ID: aaaa1234, node 612 corresponds to ID: bbbbb1234, and node 613 corresponds to ID: ccccc1234. As shown in FIG. 5, since the ID: aaaa1234 of the parent node of the ID: bbbb1234, the node 612 corresponding to the ID: bbbb1234 is displayed as a child node of the node 611 corresponding to the ID: aaaaa1234. Similarly, since the ID: acaa1234 of the parent node of the ID: cccc1234, the node 613 is displayed as a child node of the node 611.

As shown in FIG. 3, the content 604a is content related to arbitrary information that the user is trying to learn. As described above, the content related to arbitrary information is, for example, content used for explaining arbitrary information.

Further, in such a case, as shown in FIG. 6, the node 611 is selected from the plurality of nodes included in the tree structure diagram 603. This indicates that the root node 611 is selected as the initial state when the provision of this service to the user is started. Alternatively, when the provision of this service to the user is started, no node is selected as the initial state, and the node 611 is selected for the first time when the user selects the node 611. May be good.

In FIG. 6, the selected node 611 is displayed in the first display mode, and the unselected nodes 612 and 613 are displayed in the second display mode. The second display form is a display form different from the first display form. In FIG. 6, the inside of the node is shown by diagonal lines in the first display form, and the inside of the node is outlined in the second display form, but these are only examples of the display form. The specific aspect of each display form does not limit the present invention. The first display form and the second display form may be such that the selected node and the non-selected node can be distinguished from each other.

Depending on the design specifications, the selected node and the non-selected node may be displayed in the same display form. In such a case, the user can determine which node is selected based on the title of the content displayed in the second area and the like.

Further, the shape of the node in FIG. 6 and the characters (a, b, c) attached to the node are examples of display modes. The characters attached to the nodes may be alphabets, numbers, titles of contents, abbreviations of titles of contents, or the like. Alternatively, the node may not have any characters.

In the embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that the child node of the predetermined node is displayed when it is detected that the predetermined node whose child node is not displayed is selected. This operation is referred to as deployment in this service. Here, the predetermined node means a node corresponding to an element in which the information of the child node is described in the information of the tree structure. That is, in the embodiment of the present invention, the child nodes of the selected nodes in the tree structure diagram are displayed on the display medium 201, but the grandchild nodes of the selected nodes are not displayed.

Specifically, the information providing server 10 in the present embodiment is located on (1) the node located on the shortest path from the selected node to the root node, and (2) located on the shortest path with respect to the display device 200. The child node of the node is displayed in the first area of the display medium 201.

The node in the shortest path includes the selected node and the root node. Further, when the parent node of the selected node is the root node, the nodes in the shortest path are only the selected node and the root node. Similarly, if the selected node is the root node, the only node on the shortest path is the root node. Further, the form of the node group displayed based on the nodes selected in this way may be referred to as the display form of the minimum configuration. Also, in a node configuration with a minimum configuration, if a node other than the selected node is selected and the node configuration with the minimum configuration changes, the node that should be hidden is hidden due to this change. In this service, the operation is called storage. Further, in the display form of the minimum configuration, when the expansion is performed by selecting the node having the child node, the range of the first area 601 is in the direction of deepening the hierarchy based on the number of layers in the tree structure diagram 603. It is variable. On the other hand, the range of the first region 601 is variable in the direction opposite to the direction in which the hierarchy becomes deeper when the storage is performed.

Therefore, in FIG. 6, among the elements included in the information of the tree structure shown in FIG. 5, the nodes corresponding to the elements other than the ID: aaaa1234, the ID: bbbb1234, and the ID: cccc1234 are not displayed on the display medium 201.

However, depending on the specifications of the information providing system 1, the grandchild node of the selected node may be displayed in response to the selection of the predetermined node. Which of the nodes under the selected node is displayed on the display medium 201 is determined by the design specifications, and the present invention is not limited by the design specifications.

In FIG. 6, the positional relationship between the first region 601 and the second region 602 in the display medium 201 is an example and does not limit the present invention. In the present embodiment, the first region 601 and the second region 602 will be described as being separated by a predetermined interval, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a part of the first region 601 and a part of the second region 602 may overlap. In such a case, even if the first area is displayed in front of the second area when the user selects the tree structure diagram, while the second area is displayed in front of the first area when the user selects the content. good.

Further, the display range of the first region 601 and the second region 602 in FIG. 6 is an example and does not limit the present invention. In FIG. 6, a gap is provided between the display range of the first area 601 and the second area 602 and the range of the display medium 201, but the gap may not be provided.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, it is described that only the screen of the application provided by the present service is displayed on the display medium 201, but this is not the case. That is, an application other than the application of this service may be displayed on the display medium 201 by another window. In such cases, the application of the Service may be displayed within the display area of any one window.

The display screen provided by this service has been described above with reference to FIG. The above description with respect to FIG. 6 may be applied in the following description.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of display of the tree structure diagram 603 and the content 604 when a child node of the root node is selected in the display medium 201. Further, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a tree structure diagram 603 when a child node of the root node is selected in the display medium 201, and another example of displaying the content 604.

Hereinafter, the transition of the tree structure diagram according to the user's selection of the node will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.

In the tree structure diagram 603 shown in FIG. 6, when the display device 200 detects that the user has selected the node 612 in the first region 601 using the input unit 202, the tree structure diagram 603 is shown in FIG. And the display of the content 604 changes.

In such a case, the display device 200 detects that the node 612 is selected on the display medium 201, and uses various programs received in advance from the information providing server 10 and stored in the memory 204 to form a tree structure shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 603 and content 604b may be displayed. Further, the display device 200 detects that the node 612 is selected on the display medium 201, the information providing server 10 that receives the detection result detects the selection of the node 612, and the information providing server 10 transmits to the display device. The tree structure diagram 603 and the content 604b shown in FIG. 7 may be displayed depending on the information or signal to be displayed. In any case, it can be said that the information providing server 10 directly or indirectly controls the display of the tree structure diagram 603 and the content 604 on the display medium 201.

That is, in the embodiment of the present invention, the display of the tree structure diagram 603 and the content 604 is controlled by various programs transmitted from the information providing server 10 to the display device 200 and then stored in the memory 204. Is equivalent to the information providing server 10 controlling the display of the tree structure diagram 603 and the content 604.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the control by various programs provided by the information providing server 10 and the control by the information providing server 10 may be referred to as the control by the information providing server 10 or the like. Further, even if it is simply called the control by the information providing server 10, it may be interpreted in the same meaning as the control by the information providing server 10 or the like.

When it is detected by the display device 200 that the node 612 is selected in the display state shown in FIG. 6, in the first area 601 the node 612 is displayed in the first display mode as shown in FIG. The other nodes are displayed in the second display form. Further, in the first region 601 as shown in FIG. 7, the node 614 which is a child node of the selected node 612 is expanded and displayed. As shown in FIG. 5, the node 614 is a node corresponding to the ID: ddddd1234.

On the other hand, in the second area, the second content 604b corresponding to the selected node 612 is displayed. As described above, the second content is content used for explaining the first content.

In FIG. 7, it has been described that the node 614, which is a child node of the second node 612, is expanded and displayed in response to the selection of the second node 612 in the first region. This is not the case if does not have a child node.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of displaying the tree structure diagram 603 and the content 604 when the child node of the root node 611 is selected when the second node 801 does not have a child node. In FIG. 8, the second node 801 is displayed in the first display form in response to the detection that the user has selected the second node 801 using the input unit 202. Further, in response to the detection that the second node 801 is selected, the content 604b corresponding to the node 801 is displayed in the second area 602. In such a case, since the second node 801 does not have a child node, the node included in the tree structure diagram 603 in FIG. 8 and the node included in the tree structure diagram 603 in FIG. 6 are the same.

As described above, the information providing method using the information providing server 10 according to the present embodiment is the information in the information providing system 1 including the information providing server 10 connected to the display device 200 having the display medium 201 by the communication network. It is a provision method. The information providing server 10 according to the present embodiment uses the information of the tree structure stored in the storage device 300 and a plurality of contents corresponding to the tree structure to display a tree structure diagram including a plurality of nodes on the display medium 201. The content 604 corresponding to the node selected in the first area 601 among the plurality of nodes is displayed in the second area 602, and the first content 604a corresponding to the first node 611 is displayed in the second area 601. When it is detected that the second node 612, which is a child node of the first node 611, is selected when displayed in 602, the second content 604b related to the first content 604a is set in the second area 602. Display it.

As a result, when trying to understand the first content 604a explaining the arbitrary information to be learned by the user, when it is difficult to sufficiently understand the arbitrary information only by the content of the first content 604a. By selecting the second node 612, which is a child node of the first node 611 in the tree structure diagram 603, the second content 604b used for understanding the first content 604a is displayed in the second area 602, and the first node The contents 604 corresponding to the subordinate nodes of 611 can be sequentially learned.

Therefore, when the user tries to understand arbitrary information, he / she selects the information that needs to be understood next from the tree structure diagram according to his / her understanding level, and intensively learns such information. Can efficiently understand any information. In addition, the user can understand the degree of learning required in the future.

When it is detected that the predetermined node whose child node is not displayed is selected on the display medium 201 and the child node of the predetermined node is displayed, the parent node of the predetermined node is selected. When it is detected, the child nodes of the predetermined node are not displayed, and the range of the first area 601 is variable in the direction of deepening the hierarchy based on the number of layers in the tree structure diagram 603, and the second area 602. The display position of the display medium 201 may be shiftable in a direction in which the hierarchy becomes deeper based on the change in the range of the first region 601. In such a case, the sixth node whose child node is not displayed is selected, and the seventh node, which is a child node of the sixth node, is displayed as the lowest node in the tree structure diagram 603, so that the number of layers is only one. When the number increases, the second area 602 is set in the direction of deepening the hierarchy during the time from the detection that the sixth node is selected until the seventh node is displayed at a predetermined position in the tree structure diagram 603. When the number of layers is reduced by one layer by shifting and selecting the parent node of the sixth node, the second area 602 is moved after a predetermined time has elapsed from the detection that the parent node of the sixth node has been selected. It may be shifted in the direction opposite to the direction in which the hierarchy becomes deeper.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the node 612 in which the child node is not displayed is selected, and as shown in FIG. 7, the node 614 which is a child node of the node 612 is the bottom layer of the tree structure diagram 603. When the number of layers increases by one layer from 2 to 3 by being displayed as a node, various programs transmitted from the information providing server 10 and stored in the memory 204 allow the user to use the input unit 202 to set the node 612. The second region 602 is shifted in the direction 701 where the hierarchy becomes deeper in the time from when the selection is detected by the display device 200 until the node 614 is displayed at the predetermined position in the tree structure diagram 603. Display it.

As a result, when the speed at which the node is expanded is not constant and the movement has physical smoothness, the second region 602 is shifted according to the movement of the node 614, which will be described later, to make the movement smooth. It is possible to provide a user interface with movement.

This is intended to have the following effects. The embodiment of the present invention is particularly effective for, for example, information having a large tree structure having a large number of layers and nodes, that is, information having a high degree of difficulty that requires a large learning cost to understand. In general, trying to understand such information puts a heavy load on the user's brain or causes the brain to become tense. At this time, it is better to keep the user's brain in a relaxed state as much as possible in order to improve the learning effect. In general, when a person sees, touches, or imagines a soft object, the tension in the brain is relaxed, and a relaxing effect can be expected. By providing the user with a smooth-moving user interface, it is intended to allow the user to experience softness and relax the brain as much as possible.

In such a case, the predetermined position where the node 614 is displayed in the tree structure diagram 603 is defined by, for example, a predetermined length defined by the design specifications and an edge having a predetermined angle with respect to the parent node. It may be a position connected to a node.

In the case of transitioning from the state of FIG. 6 to the state of FIG. 7, for example, the state of FIG. 6 can be immediately changed to the state of FIG. 7, and the node 614 is displayed superimposed on the node 612 in the state of FIG. It is also possible to change to the state of FIG. 7 by shifting after that, and in the state of FIG. 6, the node 614 is displayed at the position in FIG. 7 in a size smaller than that of the node 614, and then enlarged and displayed. It can also be changed to the state of.

In any case, for example, after it is detected that the node 612 is selected, as shown in FIG. 7, the distances of the layers in the tree structure diagram 603 in the direction 701 are substantially the same. The second region 602 is shifted and displayed in the direction 701 by the time until the node 614 is displayed at the position.

When the second area 602 is shifted and displayed, for example, the distance between the first area 601 and the second area 602 on the display medium 201 before the second area 602 is shifted and displayed, and the second area 602. The distance after the region 602 is shifted and displayed may be substantially the same.

Further, in such a case, when the expansion of the node 614 has a smooth movement, a smooth shift is realized by making the shift linked with the node 614 even for the shift before the shift and after the shift is completed. can.

Further, when the number of layers is reduced by one layer from 3 to 2 by selecting the parent node 611 of the node 612 so as to transition from the state of FIG. 7 to the state of FIG. 6, the information providing server 10 or the like may be used. After a predetermined time has elapsed from the detection that the user has selected the parent node 611 of the node 612 using the input unit 202, the second region 602 is displayed by shifting it in the direction opposite to the direction 701 in which the hierarchy becomes deeper. The elapse of the predetermined time may be, for example, after the node 614 disappears.

As a result, when the speed for storing the nodes that are no longer needed for viewing by the user is set to be faster than the speed for expanding the nodes, the timing for storing the nodes and the second area 602 are shifted and displayed in the direction opposite to the direction 701. It can be separated from the timing.

For example, a case where the second region 602 is shifted after the storage of the node 614 is completed will be described. In such a case, regarding the expansion of the nodes, the user selects the nodes having the child nodes one by one, and the hierarchy is only increased by one according to the expansion of the child nodes. Therefore, in order for the user to experience the above-mentioned softness, it is preferable to see the speed of deployment relatively slowly.

On the other hand, regarding the storage of nodes, when the number of layers of the selected node is large, for example, when a node of layer 10 is selected and the root node is selected, storage for at least 8 layers is required. Become. Therefore, in order to reduce the waiting time of the user, it is preferable that the storage speed is faster than the deployment speed. At this time, if the second region 602 is shifted at the same speed as the stored node at the same time or at the same timing in conjunction with the stored node, the amount of momentary change in movement becomes large. , Makes the user feel hectic, and makes it difficult for the user to experience the above-mentioned softness. Therefore, for example, the shift of the second region 602 is started after the storage of the nodes is completed.

In such a case, the timing of detecting the completion of the storage of the node may be the timing when the storage of each layer is completed, or the timing when all the storage of the multiple layers is completed. In any case, it is preferable to devise so that the shift movement of the second region 602 is smooth.

As described above, it has been described that the display position of the second region 602 on the display medium 201 can be shifted in the direction of deepening the hierarchy based on the change in the range of the first region 601.

Further, in the display medium 201, for at least one node among the plurality of nodes included in the tree structure diagram 603, the node for which the first button that can select to hide the selected node is selected. Is displayed in a one-to-one correspondence with, and when it is detected that a predetermined node whose child node is not displayed is selected, the child node of the predetermined node is displayed, and the child node is selected in the first area 601. When it is detected that the 3rd node is selected to be hidden by the 1st button, the 3rd node is hidden and the child node of the parent node of the 3rd node is not displayed. When it is detected that the parent node of the third node in the hidden form is selected, the nodes other than the third node among the child nodes of the parent node of the third node may be displayed.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a button that hides the selected node in the display medium 201. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a button that hides the selected node in the display medium 201. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the tree structure FIG. 603 when the node selected in the display medium 201 is in the non-display form. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the tree structure FIG. 603 in which the root node 611 is selected when the node selected in the display medium 201 is in the non-display form.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12, the transition of the tree structure FIG. 603 when the node selected in the display medium 201 is in the non-display form will be described.

In FIG. 9, the tree structure diagram 603 includes nodes 611, 612, 613, 615 and 616. In FIG. 9, the node 615 is selected in the first area 601 and the content 604e corresponding to the node 615 is displayed in the second area 602.

In FIG. 9, the node 615 does not have a child node, but the invention is not limited thereto. That is, for example, the node 615 may have a child node, and the child node of the node 615 may be displayed in the tree structure diagram 603.

In FIG. 9, further, in the display medium 201, the first button 901 that can select to hide the selected node for at least one node among the plurality of nodes included in the tree structure FIG. 603 is It is displayed one-to-one with the selected node.

The non-display form means that when the display device 200 detects that the predetermined node selected in the first area 601 has been selected to be the non-display form by the first button 901, the predetermined node is hidden. When the child node of the parent node of the predetermined node is not displayed, the display device 200 detects that the parent node of the predetermined node in the non-display form is selected by the user using the input unit 202. When this is done, it is said that among the child nodes of the parent node of the predetermined node, the nodes other than the predetermined node, which is the hidden form, are displayed.

That is, the reason why the hidden node is not displayed in the tree structure diagram 603 is different from the reason why the node is not displayed due to storage.

The first button 901 may be displayed corresponding to only one node among the plurality of nodes included in the tree structure diagram 603, and may be displayed corresponding to the plurality of nodes. It may be. Further, the first button 901 may be displayed corresponding to all the nodes other than the root node 611, or may be displayed corresponding to all the nodes including the root node 611. good.

In FIG. 9, when the display device 200 detects that the user has selected the first button 901 using the input unit 202, the node 615 is hidden according to the detection result, as shown in FIG. In addition, the node 615 is hidden in the tree structure diagram 603. As a result, the only node displayed as a child node of node 613 is node 616.

Further, when the third node in the hidden form is hidden, the parent node of the third node may be displayed in the first display form. That is, when any node is hidden, the selected node disappears, so that the parent node may be automatically selected and the contents of the parent node may be displayed.

In FIG. 11, the state in which the node 613, which is the parent node of the node 615 in the hidden form, is displayed by the first display form is, for example, the first state in accordance with the fact that the node 615 is in the hidden form. When there are no nodes displayed in the display form, the node 613 may be selected by the user. Further, the display state shown in FIG. 11 is, for example, a state in which the parent node 613 of the node 615 in the non-display form is displayed in the first display form in response to the fact that the node 615 is in the non-display form. There may be.

That is, when the hidden node 615 is hidden, the information providing server 10 or the like may display the parent node 613 of the node 615 in the first display mode. In such a case, the timing for hiding the node 615 may be before or after the timing for displaying the parent node 613 in the first display mode.

After that, when it is detected that the node 611 is selected, only the node 611, the node 612, and the node 613 are displayed in the first region 601 as shown in FIG. Further, after that, when it is detected that the node 613 is selected, only the node 616 is displayed as a child node of the node 613 as shown in FIG.

That is, when the child node of the parent node 613 of the node 615 is not displayed and it is detected that the parent node 613 of the node 615 in the hidden form is selected, the information providing server 10 or the like causes the node. Among the child nodes of the parent node 613 of 615, the nodes 616 other than the node 615 are displayed.

This makes it possible to hide the nodes that correspond to the information that the user has determined to be understood among the nodes that are displayed hierarchically, and to allow the user to browse only the nodes that correspond to the information that the user does not understand. Is provided.

In FIG. 9, the first button 901 is displayed in the second area 602 on the display medium 201. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the first button 1001 is displayed in the first area 601. You may. In addition, if a subordinate node exists in the node in the hidden form, the subordinate node is also in the hidden form.

Further, in the display medium 201, one or a plurality of second buttons that can be selected for each node in the hidden form to display the node in the hidden form among the child nodes of the selected node are displayed. , In the case where the selected node is displayed one-to-one, if the parent node of the third node that is hidden is selected, the second button can be selected to display the third node. When it is detected that the node has been executed, the third node may be displayed.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a button 1301 for individually redisplaying the hidden node 615 among the child nodes of the node 613 selected in the display medium 201. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the tree structure FIG. 603 in which the nodes 615 hidden in the display medium 201 are individually redisplayed. Hereinafter, the button 1301 for redisplaying the hidden node and restoring the display will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

In FIG. 13, the parent node 613 of the node 615 which is the hidden form is selected and displayed in the first display form. Further, in the second area 602, the button 1301 is displayed. The button 1301 is a button for redisplaying the hidden node.

Specifically, the button 1301 may select one or a plurality of child nodes of the selected node on the display medium 201 for each node in the hidden form to display the node in the hidden form. The second button of the above, button 1301, is displayed one-to-one with the selected node.

As shown in FIG. 13, when the parent node 613 of the node 615 in the non-display form is selected and the display device 200 detects that the button 1301 has selected to display the node 615. As shown in FIG. 14, node 615 is displayed. Further, at this time, if there are nodes in the hidden form in the subordinate nodes of the node 615, they may be collectively released from the hidden form. However, in the example of FIG. 14, since the display mode has the minimum configuration, the stored state is maintained even if the subordinate node of the node 615 is released from the hidden mode, so that the display is not performed.

As a result, even if the node corresponding to the information judged to be understood by the user among the nodes displayed hierarchically is hidden, it can be redisplayed at the request of the user, and the user can display it again. A user interface is provided that allows you to check the information again.

The button 1301 may be displayed in the first area. On the other hand, by displaying the button 1301 in the second area, the tree structure diagram 603 can be displayed concisely. As a result, even when the parent node has a plurality of child nodes, the display of the tree structure diagram 603 is not complicated, and when the node is selected in the tree structure diagram 603, the button 1301 is erroneously selected. A never-ending user interface is provided.

In FIG. 14, the parent node 613 of the node 615 revived from the non-display form is displayed in the first display mode, but the node 615 revived from the non-display form is displayed in the first display mode. You may let me.

Note that, in FIG. 13, the button 1301 for individually redisplaying the nodes in the hidden form has been described, but when there are a plurality of nodes in the hidden form, the plurality of nodes in the hidden form are displayed. Buttons may be displayed to display all at once.

That is, on the display medium 201, a third button that can select to display all of one or a plurality of hidden nodes among the child nodes of the selected node is one-to-one with the selected node. In the corresponding display, when the parent node of one or more nodes in the hidden form is selected, the selection to display the one or more nodes in the hidden form by the third button. When it is detected that the node has been displayed, one or more nodes in the hidden form may be displayed.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a button 1501 that collectively redisplays the nodes that are hidden in the display medium 201. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the tree structure FIG. 603 in which the nodes hidden in the display medium 201 are collectively redisplayed.

In FIG. 15, the button 1501 is a third button on the display medium 201 that can be selected to display all of one or more nodes that are hidden among the child nodes of the selected node. Button 1501 is displayed one-to-one with the selected node. The button 1501 may be displayed in the first area or the second area.

In FIG. 15, when the parent node 613 of one or more nodes in the hidden form is selected, the node 615 and the node 616 which are the one or more nodes hidden by the button 1501 are displayed. When the display device 200 detects that the selection is made, the information providing server 10 or the like displays the node 615 and the node 616, which are one or more nodes in the non-display form, as shown in FIG. Let me. Further, at this time, if there are nodes under the node 615 and the nodes under the node 616 that are in the hidden form, they may be collectively released from the hidden form. However, in the example of FIG. 16, since the display form has the minimum configuration, the stored state is maintained even if the subordinate node of the node 615 and the subordinate node of the node 616 are released from the hidden form, so that the display is not performed.

As a result, even if multiple nodes corresponding to the information judged to be understood by the user among the child nodes of the selected node are hidden, the multiple nodes can be redisplayed by selecting one button. A user interface that can be provided is provided.

Note that the button 1501 is different from the display form 1501a when one or more nodes that are hidden are redisplayed at once and the display form 1501b after redisplaying one or more nodes at once. You may be. Further, when the button 1501b is selected, the redisplayed nodes may be collectively hidden again. Further, the button 1501 may be composed of a plurality of buttons, and the plurality of buttons include a button having a function of redisplaying one or a plurality of nodes at a time and a redisplayed one or a plurality of nodes at a time. It may include a button having a function of making it a hidden form.

Further, in FIGS. 15 and 16, the button 901 is displayed on the node 613 in a one-to-one correspondence, but it is an example and the button 901 may not be displayed.

Further, when it is detected in the display medium 201 that the first button 901 has selected to hide the third node, the third node is already displayed based on the information in the tree structure. After displaying all the subordinate nodes including the node, the third node and all the subordinate nodes of the third node may be hidden.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the tree structure FIG. 603 in which the child nodes of the node 615 selected in the display medium 201 are displayed. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of how all the subordinate nodes of the node 615 hidden in the display medium 201 are displayed before being hidden.

Specifically, in FIG. 17, when it is detected by the button 901 that the node 615 is selected to be hidden in the display medium 201, as shown in FIG. 18, based on the information of the tree structure. Even if all the subordinate nodes including the already displayed nodes of the node 615, the node 617 and the node 618, are displayed in the second display form, and then all the subordinate nodes of the node 615 and the node 615 are hidden. good.

Although the button 1301 or the button 1501 is not displayed in FIG. 17, these buttons may be displayed in the second area. Further, the information of the tree structure may be stored in the storage device 300 or may be stored in the memory 204. In addition, when the subordinate node of the node which is in the hidden form is hidden, the subordinate node is in the hidden form.

As a result, when hiding the node corresponding to the information judged to be understood by the user among the nodes displayed hierarchically, it is possible to recognize how many nodes are included under the node, and it is possible to recognize its own. A user interface is provided that allows you to grasp the degree of knowledge acquisition.

When the content 604 displayed in the second area cannot be viewed as shown in FIG. 17, the user can confirm the content 604 by scrolling the display medium 201 as shown in FIG. .. In such a case, the first area 601 including the tree structure diagram 603 may not be displayed on the display medium 201 by scrolling the display medium 201 in order for the user to read the contents of the content 604.

Further, when displaying all the subordinate nodes of the third node on the display medium 201, one of the nodes at both ends in the first direction in which the nodes are parallel in any hierarchy among all the subordinate nodes of the third node. Does not fit in the first area 601, the node that does not fit in the first area 601 shifts and displays the tree structure diagram 603 in the direction toward the center of the first area 601 in the first direction, and displays the tree structure diagram. When the 603 is shifted and displayed, if the nodes at both ends in the first direction do not fit in the first area 601 among all the subordinate nodes of the third node, the tree structure diagram 603 is reduced and displayed. May be good.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing another example in which all the subordinate nodes of the node 615 hidden in the display medium 201 are displayed before being hidden. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of how all the subordinate nodes of the node 615 hidden in the display medium 201 are displayed after being shifted before being hidden. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of how all the subordinate nodes of the node 615 hidden in the display medium 201 are displayed in a reduced size before being hidden. Hereinafter, the transition of the tree structure diagram 603 will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 to 22.

In FIG. 17, as shown in FIG. 20, the node in the display medium 201 is detected by the display device 200 that the button 901 has selected the selected node 615 to be a non-display form. When all the subordinate nodes of 615 are displayed in the second display form, one of the node 618 and the node 619 which are the nodes at both ends in the direction 2003 in which the nodes are parallel in any hierarchy among all the subordinate nodes of the node 615. Node 619 may not fit in the first region 601.

In such a case, as shown in FIG. 21, the tree structure diagram 603 is shifted and displayed in the direction in which the node 619 that does not fit in the first region 601 is directed toward the center of the first region 601 in the first direction 2003. May be good.

As a result, when hiding the node corresponding to the information judged to be understood by the user among the nodes displayed hierarchically, even if many nodes are included under the node, whichever A user interface is provided that can recognize whether or not the node of the degree is included and can grasp the degree of knowledge acquisition of oneself.

In FIG. 21, by shifting the tree structure diagram in the direction of 2003, all the subordinate nodes of the node 615 in the non-display form can be displayed in the first area 601. When more subordinate nodes are included under the node 615, it is not possible to display all the subordinate nodes of the node 615 in the first area 601 simply by shifting the tree structure diagram 603. There is also.

In such a case, as shown in FIG. 22, when neither of the nodes 619 and 2203, which are the nodes at both ends in the direction 2003, among all the subordinate nodes of the node 615 fits in the first region 601, the tree structure FIG. 603 may be reduced and displayed.

The display for reducing the tree structure diagram 603 includes, for example, at least one of reducing the size of the node, shortening the length of the edge, and reducing the angle between the edges. It is a display.

In the above description, when all the subordinate nodes of the node 615 are displayed in the second display mode, one of the nodes at both ends in the direction 2003 among all the subordinate nodes of the node 615 is in the first region 601. Although it has been described that the shift display is performed when the node does not fit, it is detected in advance that one of the nodes at both ends of the node 615 does not fit in the first region 601 and all the subordinate nodes of the node 615 are displayed while the shift display is performed. May be displayed in the second display form.

Further, in the above description, the tree structure diagram 603 is reduced when it is not possible to display all the subordinate nodes of the node 615 in the first area 601 simply by shifting the tree structure diagram 603. Although it has been described as being displayed in advance, it is detected in advance that all the subordinate nodes of the node 615 cannot be stored in the first area 601 and displayed, and all the subordinate nodes of the node 615 are displayed while being reduced. It may be displayed in two display forms.

Further, when displaying all the subordinate nodes of the third node on the display medium 201, the number of layers from the third node to the lowest layer node among all the subordinate nodes of the third node satisfies a predetermined condition. At that time, the tree structure diagram 603 may be reduced and displayed.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of how all the subordinate nodes of the nodes that are hidden in the display medium 201 are displayed before they are hidden. FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of how all the subordinate nodes of the nodes that are hidden in the display medium 201 are displayed in a reduced size before being hidden. Hereinafter, the transition of the tree structure diagram will be described with reference to FIGS. 23 and 24.

In FIG. 17, as shown in FIG. 23, in response to the detection in the display device 200 that the button 901 has selected the selected node 615 to hide the selected node 615 in the display medium 201, the node When all the subordinate nodes of the node 615 are displayed in the second display form, there may be a node that fits in the display medium 201 and is not displayed in the direction 701 where the hierarchy becomes deeper among all the subordinate nodes of the node 615.

In such a case, when the number of layers from the hidden node 615 to the lowest node among all the subordinate nodes of the node 615 satisfies a predetermined condition, as shown in FIG. 24, the tree structure diagram 603. May be reduced and displayed.

The predetermined condition may be, for example, when the number of layers exceeds a predetermined number. In such a case, the predetermined number is at least one of the size of the display medium 201, the size of the window of the application on which the service is displayed on the display medium 201, the size of the node in the tree structure diagram 603, and the length of the edge. It is a number determined by one. The predetermined number may be, for example, an upper limit of the number of nodes in any hidden form and the nodes under the node that can be accommodated in the display medium 201 and displayed. That is, when the display medium 201 is scrolled so that all the corresponding node groups are displayed on the display medium 201, the number of layers immediately before the corresponding node group cannot fit in the display medium 201. Is.

In the case of FIG. 23, the predetermined number is, for example, 4. That is, since the number of layers from the node 615 to the lowest layer node among all the subordinate nodes of the node 615 is 7, which exceeds the predetermined number of 4, the tree structure diagram 603 is reduced and displayed. The reduction ratio in such a case may be determined based on the number of layers of the nodes under the node 615.

As a result, when hiding the node corresponding to the information judged to be understood by the user among the nodes displayed hierarchically, even if many nodes are included under the node, whichever A user interface is provided that can recognize whether or not the node of the degree is included and can grasp the degree of knowledge acquisition of oneself.

In the description of FIGS. 23 and 24, although the predetermined number is 4 and all the nodes included in the tree structure FIG. 603 are displayed in the display medium 201, the reduction ratio is used, but it is a non-display form. An example will also be described in which the nodes 615 are displayed at the uppermost end of the display medium 201, the predetermined number is 6, and the reduction ratio conditions are different.

As shown in FIG. 25, in a state where the non-display form node 615 is displayed at the end of the display medium 201, all the subordinate nodes of the node 615 are not displayed in the display medium 201. Since the predetermined number is set to 6 here, the number of layers from the node 615 to the lowest layer node among all the subordinate nodes of the node 615 is 7, which exceeds the predetermined number of 6. , The tree structure diagram 603 is reduced and displayed. In such a case, as shown in FIG. 26, the tree structure diagram 603 may be reduced to the extent that the node 615 and all the subordinate nodes of the node 615 fit in the display medium 201. Then, the display of the tree structure 603 of FIG. 26 is changed to the display of the tree structure 603 shown in FIG.

Further, although the condition of the number of layers has been described on the premise that it does not change depending on the scroll position of the display medium 201, it may be changed depending on the design specifications. Further, although one of the conditions for reducing the size of the display medium 201 is set, a region smaller than the display medium 201 may be a condition.

Further, when the display medium 201 displays the fourth button that can be selected to display all the nodes that can be displayed in the tree structure diagram 603, all the nodes that can be displayed by the fourth button are displayed. When it is detected that the selection to display is selected, a node other than the node in the hidden form may be displayed.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of a button that can be selected to display all the nodes that can be displayed on the display medium 201. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of a tree structure diagram 603 in which all the nodes except the nodes that are hidden in the display medium 201 are displayed. Hereinafter, the transition of the tree structure diagram will be described with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28.

In FIG. 27, among the child nodes of the selected node 613, the node 615 is hidden and the node 616 is displayed. Further, on the display medium 201, a button 2701 that can be selected to display all the nodes that can be displayed in the tree structure diagram 603 is displayed. All the nodes that can be displayed in the tree structure diagram 603 mean all the nodes included in the information of the tree structure.

In FIG. 27, when the display device 200 detects that the display device 200 has selected to display all the nodes that can be displayed by the button 2701a, as shown in FIG. Nodes other than the subordinate nodes that are displayed in the display form are displayed. As shown in FIG. 28 by the button 2701, the state in which all the nodes other than the non-displayed node are displayed is also referred to as the overall display mode.

This allows the user to see all the remaining nodes while hiding the nodes that correspond to the information that the user deems to understand, making it easier to learn how much more information to learn. A user interface that can be grasped is provided.

The button 2701 is displayed outside the first area 601 and the second area 602 in FIG. 27, but this is not the case. That is, the button 2701 may be displayed in the first area 601 or the second area 602.

The button 2701 may have a different display form 2701a when displaying all the displayable nodes and a display form 2701b after displaying all the displayable nodes. Further, the button 2701 may be composed of a plurality of buttons, and the plurality of buttons have a function of displaying all the displayable nodes and a function of returning all the displayable nodes to the minimum configuration display form. May include a button with.

Although the button 1301 is displayed in FIG. 27, it does not have to be displayed.

Further, when the display medium 201 displays nodes other than the node 615 hidden by the fourth button 2701, all the nodes that can be displayed by the fourth button 2701 are displayed. When it is detected that no selection is made, the tree structure diagram 603 before the selection to display all the nodes that can be displayed by the fourth button 2701 may be displayed.

As a result, it is possible to return to the node configuration before checking all the remaining nodes while hiding the nodes corresponding to the information determined to be understood by the user. In such a case, the learning may be continued in the whole display form. The user can freely decide whether to proceed with the learning in the minimum configuration display form or in the entire display form.

Further, in the state of the tree structure FIG. 603 shown in FIG. 28, when it is detected that the selection to display the third node is selected by the second button 1301, the third node based on the information of the tree structure is further detected. All subordinate nodes may be displayed.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 28, when the node is displayed in the overall display form, the display device 200 detects that the button 1301 has selected to display the node 615 which is in the non-display form. When this is done, as shown in FIG. 29, all the subordinate nodes of the node 615 and the node 615 may be displayed based on the information of the tree structure.

As a result, when the nodes are displayed in the overall display form, when the nodes in the hidden form are redisplayed, even when the number of subordinate nodes is large, the operation of individually redisplaying the nodes can be performed. A user interface is provided that makes it easy to find the knowledge that needs to be understood next from the knowledge that is not necessary and has lost understanding.

FIG. 30 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation flow of the information providing server 10 and the like according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the basic operation of the information providing server 10 and the like according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 30.

It should be noted that each flow chart described below is merely an example of a predetermined procedure in the information providing system 1. Each flow chart described below merely describes as an example the steps necessary for explaining the processing procedure of the operation of the information providing server 10 and the like according to the present embodiment, and implements the present invention. It does not prevent the steps related to the processing of other actions from being properly inserted between each step as long as the function in the form is exhibited.

When a system for providing services is constructed, the user interface is generally event-driven and the program is executed. However, in the flow diagram according to the embodiment of the present invention, for convenience of explanation. However, it is not always explained based on an event-driven flow diagram. Further, although the event is generally generated by the display device 200, it may be generated by the information providing server 10. The event processing may be performed by the display device 200, or may be performed by the information providing server 10. That is, the subject of event generation and event processing does not limit the present invention.

The above description of the flow chart may be applied in the flow chart described below.

First, the information providing server 10 transmits the tree structure information to the display device 200 via the communication network, and displays the tree structure diagram 603 on the display medium 201 (step S3001). In such a case, the content 604 corresponding to the node selected in the tree structure diagram 603 may be displayed on the display medium 201. The selected node may be a root node automatically selected when the service is started.

That is, in the information providing method in the information providing system 1 including the information providing server 10 connected to the display device 200 having the display medium 201 by the communication network, the information providing server 10 has the tree-structured information stored in the storage device 300 and the information in the tree structure. Using a plurality of contents corresponding to the tree structure, the tree structure diagram 603 including a plurality of nodes is displayed in the first area 601 on the display medium 201, and the node selected in the first area 601 among the plurality of nodes is displayed. The corresponding content 604 is displayed in the second area 602.

Next, when it is detected in the display device 200 that the user has selected a child node of the selected node as another node different from the selected node by using the input unit 202 (step S3002: YES). ), The content corresponding to the selected node is displayed (step S3003).

That is, the information providing server 10 has detected that the second node, which is a child node of the first node, is selected when the first content corresponding to the first node is displayed in the second area 602. At this time, the second content related to the first content is displayed in the second area 602.

When another node is not selected in step S3002 of FIG. 30 (step S3002: NO), the flow diagram is in a standby state, but FIG. 30 is for explaining the basic operation in the embodiment of the present invention. It only contains the necessary steps.

That is, one aspect of the embodiment of the present invention is not composed of steps S3001 to S3003, but includes steps S3001 to S3003. For example, when another node is not selected in step S3002, it does not prevent the process from shifting to the processing flow of another operation. In FIG. 30, the present invention is not limited by the disclosure of only steps S3001 to S3003. The same applies to the description of the flow diagram below.

The processing procedure of the basic operation of the information providing server 10 and the like has been described above.

FIG. 31 is a flow chart showing another example of the operation flow of the information providing server or the like according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 31, the processing procedure of the operation of hiding the node selected in the tree structure diagram 603 will be described.

First, the information providing server 10 and the like display the tree structure diagram 603 on the display medium 201 (step S3101). In such a case, the content 604 corresponding to the node selected in the tree structure diagram 603 may be displayed on the display medium 201. The selected node may be the root node automatically selected when the service is started.

Here, in the display medium 201, for at least one node among the plurality of nodes included in the tree structure diagram 603, the first button that can select to hide the selected node is selected as the node. It is assumed that they are displayed in a one-to-one correspondence. Further, it is assumed that the child node of the predetermined node is displayed when it is detected that the predetermined node whose child node is not displayed is selected on the display medium 201.

Next, when it is detected in the display device 200 that the user has selected an arbitrary node (step S3102: YES), the content 604 corresponding to the selected node is displayed in the second area 602 (step S3103). ). Then, when the tree structure diagram 603 is displayed in the overall display form (step S3104: YES), the process proceeds to step S3102. On the other hand, when the tree structure diagram 603 is not displayed in the overall display form (step S3104: NO), child nodes other than the nodes in the non-display form are expanded and displayed in the first area 601 (step S3105). The process proceeds to step S3102.

Next, when the selected node is in the hidden form (step S3106: YES), the selected node is in the hidden form (step S3107).

That is, when the information providing server 10 or the like detects that the third node selected in the first area 601 is selected to be hidden by the first button 901, the information providing server 10 or the like hides the third node. Let me.

Then, the parent node of the hidden node becomes selected (step S3108), and the process proceeds to step S3102. That is, when the third node in the hidden form is hidden, the parent node of the third node is displayed in the first display form.

In such a case, after the child node of the parent node of the node in the hidden form is subsequently selected to be stored (step S3102: YES), the non-display form is again performed from step S3103 via step S3105. When the parent node of the node in the display form is selected (step S3102: YES), among the child nodes of the parent node of the node in the hidden form, the nodes other than the node in the hidden form are displayed. (Step S3105).

That is, when the information providing server 10 or the like detects that the child node of the parent node of the third node is not displayed and the parent node of the third node in the non-display form is selected, the information providing server 10 or the like obtains the third node. Display nodes other than the third node among the child nodes of the parent node of the three nodes.

In step S3106, when it is detected in the display medium 201 that the first button has selected to hide the third node (step S3106: YES), the third node is based on the information of the tree structure. After displaying all the subordinate nodes including the already displayed node of the node, the third node and all the subordinate nodes of the third node may be hidden.

Further, when displaying all the subordinate nodes of the third node on the display medium 201, one of the nodes at both ends in the first direction in which the nodes are parallel in any hierarchy among all the subordinate nodes of the third node. Does not fit in the first area 601, the node that does not fit in the first area 601 shifts and displays the tree structure diagram 603 in the direction toward the center of the first area 601 in the first direction, and displays the tree structure diagram. When the 603 is shifted and displayed, if the nodes at both ends in the first direction do not fit in the first area 601 among all the subordinate nodes of the third node, the tree structure diagram 603 is reduced and displayed. May be good.

Further, when displaying all the subordinate nodes of the third node on the display medium 201, the number of layers from the third node to the lowest layer node among all the subordinate nodes of the third node satisfies a predetermined condition. At that time, the tree structure diagram 603 may be reduced and displayed.

Next, when the parent node of the node in the hidden form is selected and the button 1301 selects to restore the node in the hidden form (step S3109: YES), the node is hidden. The formed node is redisplayed (step S3110).

That is, the information providing server 10 or the like can select one or a plurality of child nodes of the selected node on the display medium 201 for each node in the hidden form to display the node in the hidden form. When the second button of is displayed one-to-one with the selected node, and the parent node of the third node in the hidden form is selected, the third node is displayed by the second button. When it is detected that the selection to display is selected, the third node is displayed.

In the above description, the button 1501 may be used instead of the button 1301. That is, the information providing server 10 or the like selects the third button on the display medium 201, which allows the display medium 201 to select to display all of one or more nodes that are hidden from the child nodes of the selected node. In the case where the nodes are displayed in a one-to-one correspondence with each other, when the parent node of one or more nodes in the hidden form is selected, the one or the hidden form is displayed by the third button. When it is detected that the selection to display a plurality of nodes has been made, one or a plurality of nodes in the hidden form may be displayed.

Then, in such a case, if the tree structure diagram 603 is not displayed in the overall display form (step S3111: NO), the process proceeds to step S3102. On the other hand, when the entire display mode is set by the button 2701 (step S3111: YES), the nodes under the node to be restored and displayed are also displayed (step S3112).

That is, when it is detected that the information providing server 10 or the like has selected to display the third node by the second button, the information providing server 10 or the like further displays all the subordinate nodes of the third node based on the information of the tree structure.

Next, when the button 2701 for switching to the whole display form is selected (step S3113: YES), if the current form is not the whole display form (step S3114: NO), all the nodes except the node which is the hidden form are selected. The node is displayed in the first area (step S3115).

That is, the information providing server 10 or the like can be displayed by the fourth button when the display medium 201 displays the fourth button that can be selected to display all the nodes that can be displayed in the tree structure diagram 603. When it is detected that the selection to display all the nodes is selected, the nodes other than the hidden node are displayed.

Next, when the tree structure diagram 603 is set to the overall display form in step S3115 and the button 2701 is selected (step S3113: YES) (step S3114: YES), the tree structure diagram 603 is the display form having the minimum configuration. Is displayed in the first area 601 (step S3116).

That is, when the information providing server 10 or the like displays a node other than the node hidden by the fourth button on the display medium 201, the information providing server 10 or the like displays all the nodes that can be displayed by the fourth button. When it is detected that this is not selected, the tree structure diagram before the selection to display all the nodes that can be displayed by the fourth button may be displayed.

Although the switching between the minimum configuration display form and the overall display form is described, switching between another display form and the overall display form may be performed depending on the design specifications.

The processing procedure of the operation of hiding the selected node in the tree structure diagram 603 has been described above.

As described above, according to the information providing method using the information providing server 10 or the like according to the present embodiment, when the user tries to understand arbitrary information, the user has a tree structure according to his / her understanding level. Arbitrary information can be efficiently understood by hiding the node corresponding to the information judged to be understood by the user from the figure and intensively learning the information that needs to be understood next. In addition, the user can understand the degree of learning required in the future.

The non-display form in the embodiment of the present invention is different from the storage and deletion in the mind map (registered trademark). Specifically, the storage in the mind map is a concept different from the non-display form in the present embodiment because all the child nodes connected to the arbitrary nodes are not displayed at once. .. Further, the deletion in the mind map is a concept different from the hiding in the present embodiment in which the arbitrary node is temporarily hidden because the arbitrary node including the data is fundamentally deleted.

As described above, by using the concept of the non-display form in the present embodiment, a user interface that exerts the above-mentioned special effect is provided.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. Hereinafter, each modification will be described.

(Modification example 1)
In the embodiment, the node is described as being displayed by the first form or the second display form, but may be displayed by, for example, the third display form and the fourth display form.

That is, on the display medium 201, among the plurality of nodes displayed in the tree structure diagram 603, the selected node is displayed in the first display mode, and the nodes other than the selected node are displayed in the second display mode. , The fourth node selected in the first area 601 when the sixth button, which allows the selected node to be displayed in the third display mode, is displayed one-to-one with the selected node. When it is detected by the 6th button that the 4th node is selected to be displayed in the 3rd display form when the subordinate nodes of are displayed, the 4th node is displayed and displayed in the 3rd display form. The nodes under the fourth node are displayed in the fourth display mode, and the nodes displayed in the fourth display form may be displayed in the third display form when selected in the first area 601.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of a button that can select to display the node selected in the display medium 201 in the third display mode. FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of a tree structure diagram 603 in which the nodes selected in the display medium 201 are displayed in the third display mode. FIG. 34 is a diagram showing another example of the tree structure diagram 603 in which the nodes selected in the display medium 201 are displayed in the third display mode. Hereinafter, the transition of the tree structure FIG. 603 will be described with reference to FIGS. 32 to 34.

As shown in FIG. 32, on the display medium 201, a button 3201 that can select to display the selected node 616 in the third display form is displayed on the selected node 616 in a one-to-one correspondence. ..

The third display form may be a display form different from the first display form and the second display form, and the specific form thereof does not limit the present invention. The third display form may be set, for example, for the content that is judged to be highly acquired by the user among the contents that are displayed hierarchically. Therefore, the third display form may be a display that is less remarkable than the second display form, such as a gray display or a dotted line display.

In FIG. 32, for example, when the node 628, which is a subordinate node of the node 616 selected in the first area 601 is displayed, the button 3201 selects to display the node 616 in the third display mode. When detected by the display device 200, as shown in FIG. 33, the node 616 may be displayed in the third display mode, and the subordinate node 628 of the displayed node 616 may be displayed in the fourth display mode.

Here, the fourth display form is, for example, a display form of a node under the node which is the third display form. The fourth display form may be, for example, a display form that is less prominent than the third display form. For example, the degree of remarkableness of the display form may be weakened in the order of the first display form, the second display form, the third display form, and the fourth display form.

Further, the node 628 displayed in the fourth display form may be displayed in the third display form as shown in FIG. 34 when selected in the first area 601.

As a result, information that the user has already learned is not noticeable, and a user interface is provided that makes it easy to grasp the information that is displayed hierarchically and has a high degree of learning. ..

Although the button 3201 is displayed in the second area in FIG. 32, it may be displayed in the first area.

The button 3201 may be different from the display form 3201a when the selected node is displayed in the third display form and the display form 3201b when the selected node is returned to the first display form. Further, the button 3201 may be composed of a plurality of buttons, and the plurality of buttons have a function of displaying the selected node in the third display mode and a function of returning the selected node to the first display mode. May include a button with.

Further, when it is detected in the display medium 201 that the button 3201 selects to display the node 616 displayed in the third display mode in the first display mode, the node 616 is displayed in the first display mode. It may be displayed and the subordinate node 628 of the displayed node 616 may be displayed in the second display form.

As a result, the node can be displayed in the third display form and the node can be returned to the first display form, and at the same time, the nodes displayed in the third display form can be collectively returned to the second display form. Is provided.

FIG. 35 is a flow chart showing another example of the processing flow of the information providing server and the like in the first modification. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 35, a processing procedure of the information providing server 10 or the like for displaying the nodes included in the tree structure FIG. 603 in the third display mode or the fourth display mode will be described.

First, the information providing server 10 and the like display the tree structure diagram 603 and the content 604 corresponding to the selected node on the display medium 201 (step S3501) (step S3507).

In such a case, among the plurality of nodes displayed in the tree structure diagram 603 on the display medium 201, the selected node is displayed in the first display mode, and the nodes other than the selected node are displayed in the second display mode. Is displayed. Further, on the display medium 201, a sixth button capable of selecting to display the selected node in the third display form is displayed one-to-one with the selected node.

Next, the display device 200 detects that the selected node has been selected as the third display mode by the button 3201a (step S3502: YES), and the node is displayed in the first display mode. When there is (step S3503: NO), the selected node is displayed in the third display mode, and the nodes under the node are displayed in the fourth display mode (step S3504). After that, the process proceeds to step S3502.

That is, the information providing server 10 is selected to display the fourth node in the third display form by the sixth button when the subordinate nodes of the fourth node selected in the first area 601 are displayed. When is detected, the fourth node is displayed in the third display mode, and the subordinate nodes of the displayed fourth node are displayed in the fourth display mode. The node displayed in the fourth display mode is displayed in the third display mode when selected in the first area 601.

In the above case, when the display device 200 detects that the selection node displayed in the third display mode is selected not to be in the third display mode by the button 3201b after shifting to step S3502. (Step S3502: YES) Since the selected node is in the third display form (step S3503: YES), the selected node displayed in the third display form is displayed in the first display form and is under the node. The node is displayed in the second display form (step S3505). After that, the process proceeds to step S3502.

That is, when the information providing server 10 detects that the display medium 201 has been selected by the sixth button to display the fourth node displayed in the third display mode in the first display mode, the information providing server 10 has a fourth display. The nodes are displayed in the first display form, and the nodes under the displayed fourth node are displayed in the second display form.

On the other hand, when the display device 200 detects that a node other than the selected node has been selected (step S3506), the content 604 corresponding to the selected node is displayed in the second area 602 (step). S3507).

Then, when the selected node is displayed in the third display mode and another node is selected (step S3506: YES) (step S3508: YES), the selected other node is the fourth. When it is displayed in the display form (step S3509: YES), the selected node is displayed in the third display form, and the node displayed in the third display form is displayed in the fourth display form (step S3510). On the other hand, when the selected node is displayed in the third display mode and another node is selected (step S3506: YES) (step S3508: YES), the selected other node is the second. When it is displayed in the display form (step S3509: NO), the selected node is displayed in the first display form, and the node displayed in the third display form is displayed in the fourth display form (step S3511).

On the other hand, when the selected node is displayed in the first display mode and another node is selected (step S3506: YES) (step S3508: NO), the selected other node is the fourth. When it is displayed in the display form (step S3512: YES), the selected node is displayed in the third display form, and the node displayed in the first display form is displayed in the second display form. On the other hand, when the selected node is displayed in the first display mode and another node is selected (step S3506: YES) (step S3508: NO), the selected other node is the second. When it is displayed in the display form (step S3512: NO), the selected node is displayed in the first display form, and the node displayed in the first display form is displayed in the second display form (step S3514). After that, the process proceeds to step S3502.

The processing procedure of the information providing server 10 or the like for displaying the nodes included in the tree structure diagram 603 in the third display mode or the fourth display mode has been described above.

According to this modification, the user can display the nodes corresponding to the information with a high degree of acquisition inconspicuously, and the nodes corresponding to the information with a high degree of acquisition among the nodes displayed hierarchically. A user interface is provided that makes it easy to understand.

(Modification 2)
In the embodiment, when the hidden node is hidden, all the subordinate nodes of the hidden node are displayed in the second display mode, and the shift display is performed. However, even if the child node is expanded and displayed by selecting an arbitrary node, the shift display may be performed if the child node does not fit in the first area.

That is, when it is detected that the predetermined node whose child node is not displayed is selected on the display medium 201 and the child node of the predetermined node is displayed, the predetermined node including the predetermined node and the root node and the root. When it is detected that one of the nodes above the predetermined node is selected from the plurality of nodes in the shortest route with the node, at least the child nodes of the predetermined node are not displayed, the first in the first area 601. When it is detected that two nodes are selected and the fifth node, which is a child node of the second node, is displayed, the fifth node is the first in the first direction in which the nodes are parallel in any hierarchy. When it does not fit in one area 601, the fifth node is displayed by shifting the tree structure diagram 603 in the second direction toward the center of the first area 601 in the first direction, and the first area is displayed. When it is detected in 601 that one of the nodes in the shortest route between the second node and the root node 611 is selected, the tree structure diagram 603 is reversed in the second direction. It may be displayed by shifting in the direction of.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing an example of the tree structure diagram 603 in the modified example 2. FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an example of the state of the node that does not fit in the first region 601 in the modified example 2. FIG. 38 is a diagram showing an example of the shift display of the tree structure FIG. 603 in the modified example 2. Hereinafter, the transition of the tree structure FIG. 603 will be described with reference to FIGS. 36 to 38.

In FIG. 36, the tree structure diagram 603 includes a node 611, a node 3601 and a node 613 which are child nodes of the node 611. In FIG. 36, for example, in the display medium 201, when the display device 200 detects that the node 3601, which is a predetermined node in which the child node is not displayed, is selected, the node 614, which is a child node of the node 3601. When node 3602 and node 3603 are displayed, node 611, which is one node above a predetermined node, among a plurality of nodes in the shortest path between node 3601 and root node 611, including node 3601 and root node 611. When it is detected that is selected, at least the child nodes of node 3601 disappear.

In such a case, in FIG. 36, the display device 200 detects that the node 3601 is selected in the first region 601. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 37, the node 614 which is a child node of the node 3601 is displayed. If the node 614 does not fit in the first region 601 in the direction 2003 in which the nodes are parallel in an arbitrary hierarchy, the node 614 moves toward the center of the first region 601 in the direction 2003 as shown in FIG. 38. Node 614 may be displayed by shifting the tree structure diagram 603 in the direction 3801.

Further, it is detected by the display device 200 that the node 611, which is one of the nodes above the node 3601, is selected from the plurality of nodes in the shortest path between the node 3601 and the root node 611 in the first region 601. At that time, the tree structure diagram 603 may be shifted and displayed in the direction opposite to the direction 3801. In such a case, the position where the tree structure diagram 603 is shifted and displayed may be substantially the same as the display position of the tree structure diagram 603 shown in FIG. 36.

FIG. 39 is a flow chart showing an example of the processing flow of the information providing server and the like in the second modification. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 39, a processing procedure of the information providing server 10 or the like for shifting and displaying the tree structure diagram 603 according to the expanded display of the child nodes of the selected node will be described. Note that FIG. 39 is a diagram for explaining from the aspect of executing the program in an event-driven manner, and the flow diagram is described in a structure that does not loop with the event as the starting point.

First, the information providing server 10 and the like display the tree structure diagram 603 and the content 604 corresponding to the selected node on the display medium 201.

In such a case, when the child node of the predetermined node is displayed when it is detected that the predetermined node whose child node is not displayed is selected on the display medium 201, the predetermined node including the predetermined node and the root node When it is detected that one node above the predetermined node is selected from the plurality of nodes in the shortest route with the root node, at least the child nodes of the predetermined node are not displayed.

When an unselected node is selected (step S3901), a child node of the selected node is expanded and displayed, and the child node is not displayed in the first area 601 (step S3902: NO). The tree structure diagram 603 is shifted and displayed, and the child node is stored in the first area 601 and displayed (step S3903).

That is, when the information providing server 10 detects that the second node is selected in the first area 601 and the fifth node, which is a child node of the second node, is displayed, the fifth node is displayed. When the nodes do not fit in the first region 601 in the first direction in which the nodes are parallel in any hierarchy, the tree structure diagram 603 is displayed in the second direction in which the fifth node faces the center of the first region 601 in the first direction. The fifth node is displayed by shifting.

Next, when the upper node in the shortest path related to the second node is selected (step S3901) and the child nodes of the selected node are displayed in the first area 601 (step S3902: YES), they are stored. The tree structure diagram 603 is shifted in the opposite direction by the shift generated by one or more of the nodes that caused the shift (step S3904). That is, when the parent node of the second node is selected and the child nodes of the second node including the fifth node are stored, only the shift caused by the fifth node is included in the tree structure diagram 603. To shift in the opposite direction. On the other hand, when the parent node of the second node is selected and multiple shifts have already occurred due to a plurality of nodes, the upper node in the shortest route related to the parent node of the second node. Is selected, the child nodes of the selected node are displayed in the first area 601 and further, when multi-stage storage is performed, a plurality of stored nodes that cause a shift are generated. The tree structure diagram 603 is shifted in the opposite direction by the shift generated by the node of. The method of shifting and returning shown in FIG. 39 is an example, and does not limit the present invention.

That is, when it is detected that the information providing server 10 has selected one node above the second node among the plurality of nodes in the shortest path between the second node and the root node in the first area 601. The tree structure diagram 603 is shifted and displayed in the direction opposite to the second direction.

The processing procedure of the information providing server 10 or the like for shifting and displaying the tree structure diagram 603 according to the expanded display of the child nodes of the selected node has been described above.

According to this modification, all the nodes can be searched and displayed in the first area 601 without reducing the display of the tree structure diagram 603. Therefore, even if the number of nodes increases, the nodes can be displayed by the user. An easy-to-select user interface is provided. Such an effect is particularly remarkable in a device such as a mobile terminal in which the display medium 201 is small.

(Modification example 3)
In the embodiment, it is not mentioned that the display position of the node changes when a plurality of nodes included in the tree structure diagram 603 are selected in the display medium 201, but in the display medium 201, a cursor such as a mouse is used. When the mouse approaches an arbitrary node, the display position of the arbitrary node may be changed. The cursor is, for example, a symbol for selecting a figure, a symbol, or a character such as a node or a button displayed on the display medium 201.

That is, when it is detected in the first region 601 that the cursor for selecting an arbitrary node included in the tree structure diagram 603 approaches a range of a predetermined distance from the arbitrary node, the arbitrary node is set as the cursor. The display may be shifted in the direction, and all the nodes under the arbitrary node may be shifted and displayed by substantially the same vector amount as the arbitrary node.

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing an example of the movement of the cursor on the display medium 201 in this modification. FIG. 41 is a diagram showing an example of how the display position of the node approached by the cursor in this modified example changes. Hereinafter, the operation of changing the display position of the node approached by the cursor on the display medium 201 will be described with reference to FIGS. 40 to 41.

As shown in FIG. 40, on the display medium 201, a cursor 4001 such as a mouse for selecting an arbitrary node included in the tree structure FIG. 603 is displayed. When the display device 200 detects that the cursor 4001 has approached a range of a predetermined distance from the node 613 in the first region 601, the node 613 is shifted in the direction of the cursor position as shown in FIG. Display it. In such a case, the node 615 and the node 616, which are the child nodes of the node 613, may also be displayed shifted by a vector quantity substantially the same as that of the node 613.

According to this modification, when the user selects an arbitrary node using the input unit 202, the node to be selected by the user approaches the cursor, so that the tree structure diagram 603 includes many nodes. Even so, it provides a user interface that makes it easy for the user to select the desired node.

In addition, the movement of the node approached by the cursor and the nodes under the node approaching the cursor contributes to making the tree structure diagram with a solid image look soft. This is intended to have the following effects. The embodiment of the present invention is particularly effective for, for example, information having a large tree structure having a large number of layers and nodes, that is, information having a high degree of difficulty that requires a large learning cost to understand. In general, trying to understand such information puts a heavy load on the user's brain or causes the brain to become tense. At this time, it is better to keep the user's brain in a relaxed state as much as possible in order to improve the learning effect. In general, when a person sees, touches, or imagines a soft object, the tension in the brain is relaxed, and a relaxing effect can be expected. By providing the user with a user interface with soft movements, it is intended to let the user experience the softness and relax the brain as much as possible.

(Modification example 4)
In the embodiment, the display medium 201 has been described as including the first region 601 and the second region 603, but the display medium 201 may further include a third region.

FIG. 42 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for transmitting a user opinion in this modified example. As shown in FIG. 42, the display medium 201 may further include a third region 4201 in addition to the first region 601 and the second region 602. Specifically, in the third area, opinions, requests, and other comments regarding the content corresponding to the node selected by the user are described, and the ID of the selected node and the like are transmitted to the information providing server 10. Screen 4202 may be included.

The screen 4202 may be associated with, for example, the selected node and the content corresponding to the selected node. Therefore, when the user wants to send an opinion about the content to the content provider, he / she can select the node corresponding to the target content, describe the opinion on the screen 4202 and send it, and the selected node together with the opinion. Since it is possible to send the ID of the content, it is not necessary to specify which content the opinion is for. Further, in such a case, by transmitting the ID of the root node together, it is possible to grasp which tree structure diagram the user is displaying.

According to this modification, when a user sends an opinion or the like about a content to a content provider, a user interface that does not need to specify which content is the opinion is provided. This function is useful for service providers to create easier-to-understand contents and connect child nodes with information that contributes to understanding, and as a result, efficiency, which is one of the objects of the present invention. Contribute to the provision of practical learning methods.

(Modification 5)
In the embodiment, the information providing method provided by the information providing system 1 has been described on the premise that the tree structure diagram 603 is displayed in the display form having the minimum configuration, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, in the information providing method in this modification, the tree structure diagram 603 may be always displayed in all display forms.

FIG. 43 is a diagram showing an example of display of the tree structure diagram 603 and the content 604 in this modification. As shown in FIG. 43, unlike the embodiment, the button 2701 is not displayed, but even when the node 613 is selected, all the subordinate nodes of the node 613 are displayed. In addition, all the nodes under the sibling node of node 613 are also displayed.

In this modification, as shown in FIG. 43, the node selected by the button 901 and all the subordinate nodes of the selected node may be hidden. Further, button 1301 (not shown) or button 1501 shown in FIG. 43 may be displayed, and the button 1301 or button 1501 may redisplay one or more nodes that have been hidden.

Further, the contents of the modified example 1, the modified example 3, and the modified example 4 may be applied to the contents of the present modified example.

(Modification 6)
In the embodiment, the angle formed by two adjacent nodes sharing the same parent node is not mentioned in the tree structure diagram 603, but the button 2701 that can select to display all the nodes that can be displayed is displayed. If is selected, the angle may be narrowed.

That is, when the fifth button 2701 that can select to display all the nodes that can be displayed in the tree structure diagram 603 is displayed on the display medium 201, the display medium 201 shares the same parent node. Of the combination of two adjacent nodes, the angle formed by the two adjacent nodes with the same parent node as the apex when it is selected to display all the viewable nodes can be displayed. There may be at least one combination narrower than the angle before it was chosen to display all the nodes.

FIG. 44 is a diagram showing an example of the transition of the tree structure diagram in the modified example 6. Specifically, FIG. 44 shows node 626 when the display form shifts to the overall display form shown in (b) in response to the selection of the button 2701a by the user in the display form having the minimum configuration shown in (a). , Node 614, and node 627 show that the angle θ1 changes to an angle θ2 narrower than the angle θ1. In FIG. 44, the area 4401 and the area 4402 are areas showing a part of the display medium 201 for convenience of explanation.

As shown in FIG. 44, for example, among the combinations of two adjacent nodes sharing the same parent node, the minimum configuration is such that the node 626 and the node 627 form the parent node node 614 as a vertex. The angle θ2 in the overall display form is narrower than the angle θ1 in the display form of. That is, when the number of nodes increases when the display form is changed from the minimum configuration display form to the overall display form, the angle formed by at least one combination of two adjacent sibling nodes is narrowed. By doing so, the entire tree structure diagram 603 can be easily displayed. This is particularly effective as the number of nodes in the overall display form increases. It should be noted that the angle may be narrowed for all the nodes whose corresponding angle is not widened in the overall display form. Here, the node having a wide corresponding angle in the overall display form is, for example, an angle formed by the node 612, the node 611, and the node 613 in FIG. 44.

As a result, when the entire tree structure diagram 603 is reduced to fit in the first area in the overall display mode, the size of the node can be increased as much as possible by not reducing the size as much as possible. A user interface is provided that enhances the visibility or ease of selection of symbols such as. Such an effect is particularly remarkable in a device such as a mobile terminal in which the display medium 201 is small.

The content of this modification may be applied not only to the content of the embodiment but also to each content of the modification 1 to the modification 4 and the modification 7 described later.

(Modification 7)
In the embodiment, when it is detected that an arbitrary node is selected in the first area 601 in the display medium 201, the content 604 corresponding to the node is displayed in the second area 602. However, even if a predetermined information element is selected from a plurality of information elements included in the content, the content corresponding to the node previously associated with the predetermined information element is displayed in the second area 602. good.

That is, each of the plurality of contents is information including a plurality of information elements, and among the plurality of information elements included in the first content, the first information element corresponding to the second node on a one-to-one basis is selected on the display medium 201. In the case where the display is possible, the second content may be displayed in the second area 602 when it is detected in the display medium 201 that the first information element is selected.

Further, each of the plurality of contents is information including a plurality of information elements, and among the plurality of information elements included in the first content, the nodes that are subordinate to the second node and are not displayed in the first area 601. When the display medium 201 detects that the second information element has been selected in the display medium 201 when the second information element corresponding to the eight nodes on a one-to-one basis is displayed in a selectable manner, the first node Of the plurality of nodes in the shortest route between the first node including the eighth node and the eighth node, the nodes not displayed in the first area 601 are displayed in order from the upper layer, and the eighth node is displayed in the first area 601. After that, the display in the second area 602 may be changed from the first content to the eighth content corresponding to the eighth node.

FIG. 47 is a diagram showing an example of a tree structure diagram and content display in the modified example 7. FIG. 48 is a diagram showing an example of the tree structure diagram and the display after the transition of the contents in the modified example 7. FIG. 49 is a diagram showing a tree structure diagram in the modified example 7 and another example of the display after the transition of the contents.

Hereinafter, this modification will be described with reference to FIGS. 47 to 49.

In FIG. 47, for example, the tree structure diagram 603 includes a node 611 and a node 612 which is a child node of the node 611. In this modification, for example, when it is detected that a predetermined node in which the child node is not displayed is selected in the display medium 201, the child node may be displayed. In FIG. 47, the node 611 is in the selected state, and the node 612, which is a child node thereof, is displayed in the first area 601.

In FIG. 47, the content 4701a corresponding to the selected node 611 is displayed in the second area 602. The content 4701 may be, for example, information including a plurality of information elements. As described above, the information element may be, for example, characters, figures, symbols, programs, sounds, still images, moving images, and the like for understanding information related to the content. For example, the plurality of information elements included in the content may be a plurality of terms.

In FIG. 47, the content 4701a includes a plurality of information elements. The information element may be, for example, a term. Among the plurality of information elements, for example, each of the information element 4702 and the information element 4703 may be associated with a predetermined node on a one-to-one basis and displayed on the display medium 201 in a selectable manner.

Then, when it is detected in the display medium 201 that the information element 4702 or the information element 4703 is selected, the content 4701 related to the predetermined node associated with the information element 4702 or the information element 4703 is transferred to the second area 602. It may be displayed. That is, each of the information element 4702 and the information element 4703 may be linked to a predetermined node.

In such a case, the node associated with the predetermined information element included in the content 4701a such as the information element 4702 and the information element 4703 may be a subordinate node of the node 611 corresponding to the content 4701a. Further, each of the information element 4702 and the information element 4703 may be a title or a keyword of the content corresponding to the associated predetermined node.

That is, when the title and keyword of the content corresponding to the subordinate node of the node 611 are included in the information element of the content 4701a corresponding to the node 611, even if the information element 4702 and the information element 4703 are linked to the subordinate node. good. Then, when it is detected that the information element 4702 or the information element 4703 included in the content 4701a is selected, the content corresponding to the subordinate node that explains the content of the information element 4702 or the information element 4703 and the like is the second area. It may be displayed at 602.

Information on the correspondence between the information element and the predetermined node may be stored in the storage device 300 in advance. Information on the correspondence between the information element and the predetermined node may be transmitted from the information providing server 10 to the display device 200 at the timing of, for example, step S402, step S404, step S4501, step S4601, or step S4604.

Specifically, for example, the information element 4702 may be associated with the node 612 on a one-to-one basis and may be selectively displayed on the display medium 201.

The information element 4702 and the information element 4703 may be displayed in a display form different from that of the information element that is not associated with the predetermined node, for example. The information element 4702 and the information element 4703 may be displayed in characters of a predetermined color as long as the user can understand that they are linked to a predetermined node, and are underlined in a predetermined color. You may. The display form of the information element 4702 and the information element 4703 does not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

When it is detected that the information element 4702 is selected in the second area 602, as shown in FIG. 48, the node 612 associated with the information element 4702 is displayed in the selected state in the first area 601. The node. In such a case, the child node 4801 of the node 612 may be displayed in the first area 601. Then, in the second area 602, the content 4701b corresponding to the node 612 may be displayed.

In the above description, it has been described that the content 4701b is displayed in the second area 602 after the node 612 is displayed in the selected state in the first area 601. However, even if the timing of each display is reversed. It may be substantially simultaneous. The timing of display does not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Further, it has been described that when it is detected in FIG. 47 that the information element 4702 is selected on the display medium 201, the node 4801 is displayed in the first region 601 shown in FIG. 48, but the node 612 is a child node. If not, node 4801 is not displayed in FIG. 48.

Specifically, in FIG. 47, the information element 4703 is one-to-one associated with the eighth node which is a subordinate node of the node 612 and is not displayed in the first area 601 and can be selected in the display medium 201. It may be displayed in. The eighth node may be, for example, node 4802 in FIG. 49.

As shown in FIG. 47, when it is detected that the information element 4703 included in the content 4701a is selected in the display medium 201, as shown in FIG. 49, the node 611 including the node 611 and the eighth node 4802 Of the plurality of nodes in the shortest route with the node 4802, the node 4801 and the node 4802 that were not displayed in the first area 601 in FIG. 47 may be displayed in the first area 601. Further, for example, the child node 4803 of the node 4801 may also be displayed in the first area 601.

In such a case, if there are a plurality of nodes that were not displayed in the first area 601 in FIG. 47, they may be displayed in order from the upper layer. Specifically, for example, the node 4802 may be started to be displayed after the node 4801 is started to be displayed. In such a case, it may be expanded and displayed in the first area in order from the upper layer based on the information of the tree structure stored in the storage device 300. By presenting to the user how the content hierarchy becomes deeper, for example, when the tree structure is configured so that the difficulty level of knowledge decreases as it goes to the lower layer, the difficulty level of knowledge is intuitive. Can be told to the user.

In the process of transitioning from the tree structure diagram 603 shown in FIG. 47 to the tree structure diagram 603 shown in FIG. 49, the nodes displayed in the selected state are transferred from the node 611 to the node 4802 via the node 612 and the node 4801. It may be changed sequentially. As a result, it is possible to present to the user how the content hierarchy is deepened.

Then, after the eighth node 4802 is displayed in the first area 601, the display in the second area 602 may be changed from the first content 4701a to the eighth content 4701y corresponding to the eighth node 4802. As a result, it is possible to provide a user interface that minimizes content switching without switching content according to the transition of the node selection state.

As shown in FIG. 49, if a plurality of nodes in the shortest path between the node 611 including the node 611 and the eighth node 4802 and the node 4802 have child nodes that are not on the shortest path, the child nodes concerned. Nodes may also be displayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 49, when node 4801 has node 4802 and node 4803 as child nodes, when it is detected in the second region 602 that the information element 4703 included in the content 4701a is selected, Node 4803 may also be displayed.

In FIG. 47, the broken lines surrounding the information element 4702 and the information element 4703 are for convenience of explanation and are not displayed on the display medium 201.

In FIG. 47, it has been described that there are two information elements associated with the predetermined node, but this is not the case. Further, in FIG. 47, it has been described that the content 4701a includes one information element 4702, but this is not the case. The content 4701a includes a plurality of information elements 4702, and the content 4701b may be displayed in the second area 602 regardless of which information element 4702 is selected.

In this way, according to this modification, when the user is browsing the content corresponding to an arbitrary node, the user clicks on an information element that is determined to be difficult to understand or taps it on the touch panel. The node corresponding to the information element is displayed in the selected state in the first area 601 and the content useful for understanding the information element is displayed in the second area 602. This provides a user interface that allows a user to directly browse the desired content by using the link of the predetermined information element without selecting a node in the tree structure diagram when understanding the predetermined information element. To.

When it is detected that a predetermined information element associated with the subordinate node is selected, the tree structure diagram 603 is not displayed on the display medium 201 because the user has read the contents. At that time, the pages on the display medium 201 may be automatically scrolled so that at least a part of the tree structure diagram 603 is displayed on the display medium 201.

Specifically, when it is detected that a predetermined information element associated with the subordinate node is selected, and the tree structure diagram 603 is not displayed on the display medium 201, at least the node in the selected state is The pages of the display medium 201 may be automatically scrolled so that they are displayed on the display medium 201. In such a case, after the node in the selected state is displayed on the display medium 201, at least the child nodes of the node in the selected state and the predetermined information among the nodes under the node in the selected state are displayed. A plurality of nodes on the shortest path with the node corresponding to the element may be sequentially expanded from the upper layer.

When the predetermined information element associated with the subordinate node is a keyword in the content corresponding to the subordinate node, it is detected that the predetermined information element associated with the subordinate node is selected, and the predetermined information element is specified. When the content corresponding to the information element of is displayed in the second area 602, the page of the display medium 201 is automatically scrolled so that the position where the keyword is explained in the content is displayed on the display medium 201. May be done.

By presenting to the user how the content hierarchy becomes deeper, for example, when the tree structure is configured so that the difficulty level of knowledge decreases as it goes to the lower layer, the difficulty level of knowledge is intuitive. Can be told to the user.

Each modification of the present invention has been described above. The contents of each variant may be applied to each other in an appropriate format.

In the above description, the nodes included in the tree structure diagram 603 have been described as being different from each other, but this is not the case. That is, among the plurality of nodes included in the tree structure diagram 603, there may be a node in which the corresponding contents are duplicated. However, the node corresponding to the same content as the content corresponding to the root node is not included in the tree structure diagram 603.

In the above description, the procedure for transmitting / receiving information and processing information between the information providing server 10 and the display device 200 has been described with reference to FIG. 4, but FIG. 4 is an example and is described elsewhere. It may be processed according to the procedure of. Specifically, for example, it may be processed by another example of the sequence diagram shown in FIGS. 45 and 46.

In FIG. 45, for example, first, the display device 200 requests the information providing server 10 (step S401), and then the information providing server 10 sends the display device 200 to the tree structure information and the plurality of pieces included in the tree structure information. All the contents corresponding to the elements of are transmitted (step S4501). In the display device 200, the tree structure diagram 603 may be displayed on the display medium 201 (step S4502), and the content corresponding to the node selected by the user may be displayed in the second area 602 as appropriate (step S4503, step S4503). S4504).

In FIG. 46, for example, first, the display device 200 makes a request to the information providing server 10 (step S401), and the information providing server 10 transmits the tree-structured information to the display device 200 (step S4601). After the tree structure diagram 603 is displayed on the display device 200 (step S4602), the display device 200 requests the information providing server 10 to transmit the content corresponding to the node selected in the display area 1 for each content. It may be carried out as appropriate (step S4603, step S4606). Accordingly, the information providing server 10 may appropriately transmit the content to the display device 200 (step S4604, step S4607) for each content for which the transmission request has been received, and display the content on the display medium 201 (step S4605, step S4605, step S4605, step S4605, step S4607). Step S4608).

In step S4601 shown in FIG. 46, the first content corresponding to the root node may be transmitted together with the information of the tree structure. In such a case, at the start of providing this service, the user is on the screen in which the root node is selected on the display medium 201 and the first content corresponding to the root node is displayed in the second area 602. Provided to. Alternatively, in step S4601 shown in FIG. 46, the same thing may be realized by transmitting only the tree structure information, displaying the tree structure diagram, and then automatically selecting the root node.

(Example of computer hardware configuration)
The functions of the embodiments and the respective parts in each modification may be realized by a program.

That is, the information providing program according to one aspect of the present invention uses communication processing for communicating with a display device having a display medium, tree structure information stored in the storage device, and a plurality of contents corresponding to the tree structure. In the display medium, a tree structure diagram including a plurality of nodes is displayed in the first area, and the content corresponding to the node selected in the first area among the plurality of nodes is displayed in the second area. When the first content corresponding to one node is displayed in the second area and it is detected that the second node, which is a child node of the first node, is selected, it is related to the first content. The computer may be made to execute the control process of displaying the second content to be displayed in the second area.

FIG. 50 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the computer in such a case.

As shown in FIG. 50, the computer 9000 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 9001, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 9002, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 9003, a storage device 9004, and an input / output interface (I / F) 9005. , Has a reading interface (I / F) 9006 and a communication interface (I / F) 9007. The above-mentioned parts are directly or indirectly connected via the bus 9008.

The storage device 9004 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like. The computer 9000 is connected to the input / output (I / O) device 9009 via the input / output interface 9005. The input / output device 9009 includes a device having an input function and an output function such as a magnetic disk device, an input device having an input function as a main function, and an output device having an output function as a main function. The input device is, for example, an input key, a mouse, a touch panel, and a scanner. Output devices are, for example, displays, speakers, and printers.

The reading interface 9006 reads a program or data recorded on the recording medium 9010. The recording medium 9010 is, for example, a semiconductor memory, an optical recording medium, a magnetic recording medium, an optical magnetic recording medium, or the like.

The communication interface 9007 receives data from another device and transmits the data to the other device via the network 9011. The network 9011 may be a wired network or a wireless network. The other device may be a client device or a server device.

For example, a program stored in the ROM 9003, a program stored in the storage device 9004, a program recorded in the recording medium 9010, or a program received from another device by the communication interface is loaded into the RAM 9002. In the above-described embodiment and each modification, for example, by executing the program loaded in the RAM 9002 by the CPU 9001, the functions of each part in the above-described embodiment and the like are realized.

The functions of each part of the computer 9000 may be realized by cloud computing.

The information providing program to be executed by the computer in the information providing system 1 or the described function may be recorded on a non-transitory, tangible computer-readable storage medium (A non-transitory, tangible computer-readable storage medium). .. The non-temporary tangible computer-readable recording medium is any recording medium that can be accessed by a computer, CPU, MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or the like. The arbitrary recording medium is, for example, a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, a magnetic storage device, an optical disk, and the like, and is not limited to those exemplified.

In the above description, the inclusion of at least one of A, B and C means one or two or more of A, B and C. It may mean that it may be a combination of.

The information providing method, the information providing device, the information providing program, and the recording medium according to the present invention are effective in all the techniques related to the processing of information providing when the user browses or learns the information.

1 Information providing system 10 Information providing server 100 Information providing device 101 Communication unit 102 Control unit 200 Display device 201 Display medium 202 Input unit 203 Communication unit 204 Memory 205 Control unit 300 Storage device 501 Table 601 1st area showing tree structure information 602 Second area 603 Tree structure diagram 604 Contents 611 to 628 nodes 801 node 901 button 1001 button 1301 button 1501 button 2001, 2002 node 2201 to 2203 node 2701 button 3201 button 3601 to 3603 node 4001 Cursor 4201 Third area 4202 Opinion transmission screen 4301, 4302 Nodes 4401, 4402 Area in display medium 9000 Computer 9001 CPU
9002 RAM
9003 ROM
9004 Storage device 9005 I / O interface 9006 Reading interface 9007 Communication interface 9008 Bus 9009 I / O device 9010 Recording medium 9011 Network

Claims (7)

An information providing method in an information providing system including an information providing server connected to a display device having a display medium by a communication network.
Using the tree structure information stored in the storage device and the plurality of contents corresponding to the tree structure, a tree structure diagram including a plurality of nodes is displayed in the first area on the display medium, and among the plurality of nodes. The content corresponding to the node selected in the first area is displayed in the second area.
When the first content corresponding to the first node is displayed in the second area and it is detected that the second node, which is a child node of the first node, is selected, the first content is displayed. The related second content is displayed in the second area, and the related second content is displayed in the second area .
Each of the plurality of contents is information including a plurality of information elements, and is information.
Among the plurality of information elements included in the first content, the second information element having a one-to-one correspondence with the eighth node, which is a node under the second node and is not displayed in the first area, is the display medium. When it is displayed as selectable in
When it is detected in the display medium that the second information element is selected, a plurality of nodes in the shortest path between the first node including the first node and the eighth node and the eighth node. Of these, the nodes that are not displayed in the first area are displayed in order from the upper layer, and the eighth node is displayed in the first area.
Information provision method. After the eighth node is displayed in the first area, the display in the second area is changed from the first content to the eighth content corresponding to the eighth node.
The information providing method according to claim 1. In the display medium, for at least one of the plurality of nodes included in the tree structure diagram, a pair of first buttons capable of selecting to hide the selected node are attached to the selected node. When it is detected that a predetermined node that is displayed corresponding to one and the child node is not displayed is selected, the child node of the predetermined node is displayed.
When it is detected that the third node selected in the first area is selected to be hidden by the first button, the third node is hidden.
When the child node of the parent node of the third node is not displayed and it is detected that the parent node of the third node in the hidden form is selected, the parent node of the third node Display nodes other than the third node among the child nodes of
The information providing method according to claim 1. When the child node of the predetermined node is displayed when it is detected that the predetermined node whose child node is not displayed is selected in the display medium, the predetermined node including the predetermined node and the root node When it is detected that one node above the predetermined node is selected from the plurality of nodes in the shortest route with the root node, at least the child nodes of the predetermined node are not displayed.
When the fifth node, which is a child node of the second node, is displayed due to the detection that the second node is selected in the first region, the fifth node is in an arbitrary hierarchy. When the nodes do not fit in the first region in the parallel first direction, the tree structure diagram is shifted in the second direction in which the fifth node faces the center of the first region in the first direction. Display the 5th node by
When it is detected that one node above the second node is selected from a plurality of nodes in the shortest path between the second node and the root node in the first region, the tree structure diagram is shown. Is shifted in the direction opposite to the second direction and displayed.
The information providing method according to claim 1. In the first region, when it is detected that the cursor for selecting an arbitrary node included in the tree structure diagram approaches a range of a predetermined distance from the arbitrary node, the arbitrary node is moved to the cursor. The display is shifted in the direction of, and all the nodes under the arbitrary node are shifted and displayed by a vector amount substantially the same as that of the arbitrary node.
The information providing method according to claim 1. When it is detected that a predetermined node whose child node is not displayed is selected in the display medium and the child node of the predetermined node is displayed, the parent node of the predetermined node is selected. When it is detected, the child nodes of the predetermined node are not displayed, and the range of the first region is variable in the third direction in which the hierarchy becomes deeper based on the number of layers in the tree structure diagram, and the second When the display position of the region on the display medium can be shifted in the third direction based on the change in the range of the first region,
When the sixth node whose child nodes are not displayed is selected and the seventh node, which is a child node of the sixth node, is displayed as the lowest node of the tree structure diagram, so that the number of layers increases by one layer. , The second region is shifted in the third direction during the time from the detection that the sixth node is selected until the seventh node is displayed at a predetermined position in the tree structure diagram. Let me
When the number of layers is reduced by one layer due to the selection of the parent node of the sixth node, the second area is set after a predetermined time has elapsed from the detection that the parent node of the sixth node has been selected. Shift in the direction opposite to the third direction,
The information providing method according to claim 1. Communication processing that communicates with a display device that has a display medium,
Using the tree structure information stored in the storage device and the plurality of contents corresponding to the tree structure, a tree structure diagram including a plurality of nodes is displayed in the first area on the display medium, and among the plurality of nodes. When the content corresponding to the node selected in the first area is displayed in the second area and the first content corresponding to the first node is displayed in the second area, the child of the first node. When it is detected that the second node, which is a node, is selected, the control process for displaying the second content related to the first content in the second area, and
Let the computer run
Each of the plurality of contents is information including a plurality of information elements, and is information.
Among the plurality of information elements included in the first content, the second information element having a one-to-one correspondence with the eighth node, which is a node under the second node and is not displayed in the first area, is the display medium. When it is displayed as selectable in
When it is detected in the display medium that the second information element is selected, a plurality of nodes in the shortest path between the first node including the first node and the eighth node and the eighth node. Of these, the nodes that are not displayed in the first area are displayed in order from the upper layer, and the eighth node is displayed in the first area.
Information provision program.

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