JPH07121565A - Information presenting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To present a picture arranging an image constituting element indicating the existence of information based upon the property of each information unit and external conditions by reading out an information unit which can not be directly processed as numerical data. CONSTITUTION:An evaluation value calculating means 11b reads out information stored in an information unit storing means 13a, evaluates the property of the information and collates the information with a condition stored in an external condition storing means 11a when necessary to calculate an evaluation value. The valuation value is sent to a position calculating means 12f. The means 12f converts the received evaluation value into positional data. A picture generating means 12g generates a display picture by arranging an image constituting element expressing the existence of the information based upon the positional data and displays the generated image on a display means 12h. When the displayed image constituting unit is instructed by a constituting element instructing means 14a, a corresponding information unit can be presented by a contents presenting means 14c.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information presenting device for analyzing and evaluating information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional techniques mainly include a numerical data visualization technique, a knowledge representation technique in artificial intelligence, a hypertext browser technique, and a multivariable data visualization technique.

First, a numerical data visualization technique will be described. The most general of this technology is a graph creation function in spreadsheet software. For example, Micro
Microsoft * of Soft * (registered trademark)
In cel * (trademark), numerical data can be input as a table and expressed as a graph such as a scatter plot (Reference [1]). This visualization technology is also used for the purpose of visualizing scientific data. For example, in "Numerical data visualization method and device" (reference [2]), numerical data is converted into an image represented as a hierarchical data structure. Then, the image can be expressed at high speed as a three-dimensional figure or a two-dimensional figure.

[0004] Further, as a technique for expressing knowledge in artificial intelligence, there is SemNet (reference [3]). SemN
In et, the knowledge is arranged in a three-dimensional space and presented to the user in order to present the user with the state of the knowledge base holding a large amount of knowledge. There are three types of placement methods in the three-dimensional space: placement according to the attribute of each knowledge, placement according to the relationship between knowledge pieces, and placement according to user designation. Particularly, in the arrangement method based on the attribute of each knowledge, ordered data can be received from the knowledge base, mapped into a three-dimensional space, and the nodes can be displayed.

As a hypertext browser technology, there is NoteCards (reference [4]).
NoteCards has a browser function of arranging icons representing information described in card units on a two-dimensional plane. Then, the inclusion relationship and the reference relationship between the cards are automatically expressed by straight lines. Further, when the icon is designated, the corresponding card is displayed, and the content of the information included in the card can be known.

A multi-variable data visualization technique is SM
AP (reference [5]) and the like. This is a technique for displaying data having many variables on one screen. For example, "Number of employees, sales, number of sales offices, number of business owners ...
It is possible to display the relationship of customer data composed of data such as "..." on one screen.

Reference [1] Kaji Akiyasu, Shimazu Yasuhiko. ”
Excel 2.2 Introduction ”, BN Co., Ltd.
1981. pp. 278-280. Reference [2] JP-A-4-229380 Numerical data visualization method and device (International Business Machines Corporation) Reference [3] Fairchild, Kim M. , P
olrock, Steven E. , Furna
s, George W. , "SemNet: Thre
e-Dimensional Graphic Repr
esentatios of Large Knowle
dge Bases ", In Cognitive Sc
ience and Its Applications
for Human-Computer Interac
section, Lawrence Erlbaum Ass
ociates, Inc. HillsDale: N
ewJersey, 1988, pp. 201-23
3. Reference [4] Halasz, Frank G. , "R
effectson NoteCards: Se
ven Issues for the NextGene
relation of Hypermedia System
ms ”, Communications of the
ACM, Vol. 31, No. 7, 1988 Ju
ly, pp. 836-852. Reference [5] Toshihiro Abe, "Forefront Report: People without creativity go away." Active brain "Unagigatsu idea support system",
Nikkei Information Strategy, 1993 August, p
p. 60-67.

[0008]

Numerical data and multi-variable data visualization techniques are techniques for visualizing numerical data given in advance. Therefore, it is not possible to read data that cannot be treated as numerical values as it is, for example, data based on linguistic information and visually represent it. Further, even if an image constituent element expressing each data is designated, its contents cannot be directly known, and it is necessary to read a numerical value from a position such as a point or refer to a corresponding portion of the original data.
Further, in these techniques, the form of the image constituent element cannot be changed according to the property of the read information and the like.

Next, in the knowledge representation technique in SemNet, linguistically represented data is arranged in space. However, in order to automatically arrange in the space, in the knowledge base system other than SemNet, the ordering mechanism and the data for ordering the individual data had to be input in advance. Therefore, SemNet itself could not read the data that cannot be treated as a numerical value and express it in three dimensions. Moreover, even if an image constituent element expressing each data is designated, the content cannot be directly known.

In hypertext browser technology such as NoteCards, the relationship between information is automatically expressed. In the case of this technique, the contents can be known by clicking an image called a node icon with the mouse. However, the arrangement of the node icons is limited to the relationship between the information and the arrangement by the user. Moreover, the icons are not arranged according to the nature of each information. Therefore, it was not possible to arrange the icons in the space and grasp the overall meaning based on each data property.

Therefore, in the present invention, an image in which an information unit that cannot be treated as numerical data as it is is read and an image constituent element indicating the existence of information is arranged based on the property of each information unit and external conditions. Is presented as the first task. A second problem is to make it possible to access the corresponding information unit by directly pointing the image constituent element. By solving these two, the user can grasp the information while having a feeling of directly arranging the information unit itself on the image. Then, by changing the arrangement method and external conditions variously, it becomes possible to discover a new viewpoint or come up with an idea.

Another object of the present invention is that the arranged image components take the form of a table as a whole. This enables the user to set various items on each axis, thereby allowing the information unit to be analyzed in multiple directions.

A further object of the present invention is to arrange the image constituent elements, which are changed according to the property of the information unit, according to the property of the information unit.

Another object of the present invention is to change the presentation method of information units by instructing a specific part of an image constituent element.

Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to access a corresponding information unit by directly pointing an image constituent element representing the existence of the automatically arranged information unit. Is.

[0016]

The present invention (Claim 1) includes:
Information unit holding means (1 in FIG. 1) for holding a plurality of information units
3a, 23a in FIG. 33, 33a in FIG. 47) and the information unit stored in the information unit holding means, and calculate a value that evaluates the property of each information itself, at least one or more evaluation value calculation Means (11b in FIG. 1, 21 in FIG. 33)
a, 31e in FIG. 47) and position calculating means (12f in FIG. 1, FIG. 3) for deciding the arrangement of image constituent elements based on the evaluation value.
3 (22d), and FIG. 47 (32d)), and image generating means (12g in FIG. 1, 22e in FIG. 33, 32c in FIG. 47) for generating an image in which image constituent elements are arranged at determined positions. Display means for displaying an image (12h in FIG. 1, FIG. 3)
22f of 3 and 32b of FIG. 47). Further, according to the present invention (claim 2), in the information presenting apparatus, an external condition holding means (11a in FIG. 1) for saving an external condition for calculating a value obtained by evaluating an information unit.
The evaluation value calculation means calculates the value evaluated for the information unit based on the external condition or a combination of the external condition and the property of each information unit itself. According to the present invention (claim 3), a simple value calculating means (21b in FIG. 33) for reading an information unit stored in the information unit holding means and extracting a value is provided in place of the evaluation value calculating means, and position calculation is performed. The means (22d in FIG. 33) determines the position of the image constituent element, which means the existence of the information unit, based on the value calculated by the simple value calculating means.

According to the present invention (claim 4), an evaluation result holding means (12a in FIG. 1) for storing the evaluation value calculated by the evaluation value calculating means (11b in FIG. 1) and a display range holding means for the evaluation result. Display range calculation means (12b in FIG. 1) for calculating the display range stored in the display range storage means and display range storage means (1 in FIG. 1) for storing information about the display range of the image components.
2c) is added.

According to the present invention (claim 5), an information unit holding means (33a in FIG. 47) for holding a plurality of information units, and an item data holding means for storing information about items constituting rows and columns of a table. (31b in FIG. 47) and the information unit stored in the information unit holding unit are read, and image constituent elements expressing the information unit are arranged as a table based on the information stored in the item data holding unit. A tabulated value calculation means (31e in FIG. 47) for calculating a value for performing the calculation, and a position calculation means (32d in FIG. 47) for deciding the arrangement of the image constituent elements based on the value calculated by the evaluation value calculation means. , And includes image generating means (32c in FIG. 47) for arranging the image constituent elements at the determined positions to generate a table image, and display means (32b in FIG. 47) for displaying the generated image. Display in table form It is intended. The present invention (claim 6)
Is a boundary generation means (31c in FIG. 47) that reads the information stored in the item data holding means (31b in FIG. 47) and generates an image expressing the boundary in the above configuration.
Have.

According to the present invention (claim 7), the form of the image component, the form holding means (22b in FIG. 33) for holding the condition for selecting the form, and the evaluation value of the information unit and the form holding means are held. It is characterized in that a form selecting means (22a in FIG. 33) for selecting the form of the image constituent element is added based on the established condition. The present invention (claim 8) is
It is characterized in that a form generating means (22c in FIG. 33) for generating the form of the image constituent element based on the content of the information unit is added.

According to the present invention (claim 9), the evaluation value calculating means is provided with a function for calculating the evaluation value of the time data, and means for giving the time data to the image generating means (12d and 12e in FIG. 1) is provided. It is characterized by being added.

According to the present invention (claim 10), in each of the above inventions, a correspondence relation holding means (holding a correspondence relation between the image constituent element displayed on the display means and the information unit stored in the information unit storage means). 13b in FIG. 1, 23b in FIG. 33,
47b), and a component instruction means (FIG. 1) for receiving an instruction to the component of the image displayed on the display means.
14a of FIG. 33, 24a of FIG. 33, 44a of FIG. 47) and corresponding information retrieval means (14b of FIG. 1, 24b of FIG. 33, FIG. 47) for retrieving the information unit corresponding to the instructed image constituent element.
34b) and content presenting means (14c in FIG. 1, 24c in FIG. 33, 34c in FIG. 47) for presenting the content of the retrieved information unit are added to indicate the image element and respond to it. Information to be presented. The present invention (Claim 11) determines which image constituent element the presented content corresponds to by adding an indicating element changing means (12j in FIG. 1) for changing the indicated image constituent element. It can be displayed. The present invention (Claim 12) is provided with a presentation method determining means (24d in FIG. 33) for determining a method of presenting the information unit from the content of the instruction given by the component instructing means.

According to the present invention (claim 13), an information unit holding means (42a in FIG. 58) holding a plurality of information units and a position calculating means (42a) for deciding the arrangement of image constituent elements which means the presence of the information unit. 58b) of FIG. 58, image generating means (41c of FIG. 58) for generating an image in which image constituent elements are arranged at determined positions, and display means (41d of FIG. 58) for displaying the generated image, Correspondence holding means (43a in FIG. 58) for receiving an instruction to the image constituent element displayed on the display means, and correspondence holding means for storing the correspondence between the information unit and the position of the image constituent element corresponding to the information unit ( 58b) of FIG. 58 and a correspondence information search means (FIG. 5) for searching the information unit corresponding to the designated image constituent element.
No. 8 43b) and a content presenting means (43c in FIG. 58) for presenting the content of the retrieved information unit.

[0023]

In the information presenting apparatus of the present invention (Claim 1),
The information unit holding means holds a plurality of information. The evaluation value calculation means reads the information stored in the information unit holding means, evaluates the property of the information, and in some cases (claim 2), in accordance with the conditions stored in the external condition holding means, Calculate the evaluation value. This value is sent to the position calculation means. The position calculation means converts the received evaluation value into position data. The image generation means arranges image constituent elements expressing the existence of information based on the position data to generate a display image, and displays the display image on the display means. This makes it possible to present an image in which the image constituent units are arranged based on the evaluated value of the information unit. If you want to display the image after reading all the information units,
It is necessary to record all positions for each information unit. Then, the image generation means generates an image based on the recorded information and displays it on the display means. This makes it possible to read all the information units and display them all at once.

When automatically calculating the display range (Claim 4)
In, the evaluation value for each information unit is stored in the evaluation result holding means, based on the evaluation value, the display range calculation means,
The display range of the image is determined by calculating the display range and storing it in the display range holding means. This makes it possible to automatically calculate the display range at the time of screen display.

In the information presenting apparatus of the present invention (Claim 5), the item data holding means contains information such as conditions and their positions constituting each item in the table. The tabulated value calculation means reads the information stored in the information unit holding means, evaluates the property of the information, and compares it with the condition stored in the item data holding means to form an image constituent element forming a table. Calculate the value of. This value is sent to the position calculation means. The position calculation means converts the value into position data, and at the same time stores the correspondence between the position and the information unit in the correspondence holding means. Then, the image generation means arranges image constituent elements expressing the existence of information as a table based on the position data to generate a display image, and displays the display image on the display means. When the boundary generating means is provided (Claim 6), the boundary generating means is based on the information stored in the item data holding means.
An image showing the boundary of each item is generated. The generated images are combined by the image generation means and displayed on the display means. This makes it possible to present an image in which the image constituent units are arranged in the form of a table based on the value obtained by evaluating the information unit.

A case in which the display mode of the image constituent elements is controlled (claim 7) will be described. The form holding unit stores the form of the image constituent element and the selection condition for the form. The form selecting means determines the form of the image constituent element based on this information and the value calculated by the evaluation value calculating means or the simple value calculating means. Then, an image in which the determined image constituent elements are arranged is generated by the image generation means and displayed on the display means. As a result, it is possible to arrange the image constituent element selected according to the property of the information unit. The form of the image component is not only selected, but can be directly generated from the information unit itself by the form generating means (claim 8). As a result, it is possible to arrange the image constituent elements that are changed according to the property of the information unit.

In order to add a temporal element to the display, means is provided for providing temporal data (claim 9). The means include, for example, a time data instruction means 12e for giving an instruction by a user and a time data generation means 12d for generating time data. When the display is performed based on the time instruction from the user, the time data received from the time data instructing means is sent to the position calculating means. And
Among the position data stored in the position holding means, only the one corresponding to the designated time data is selected and sent to the image generating means 12g. Then, the result is displayed on the display means. As a result, it becomes possible to present the image along with the time change based on the time instruction from the user. When the time change automatic display is performed by the device, the time data generated by the time data generating means is sent to the position calculating means. Then, among the position data stored in the position holding means, only the one corresponding to the designated time data is selected and sent to the image generating means. Then, the result is displayed on the display means. As a result, it becomes possible to automatically present the image according to the time change.

When the corresponding information unit is presented by instructing the image component (claim 10), the position is calculated by the position calculating means and at the same time, the image component and the information unit are calculated. The relationship is stored in the correspondence relationship holding means. The instruction to the image constituent element from the user is accepted by the constituent element designating means and sent to the correspondence information searching means. The correspondence information search means searches the correspondence holding means, retrieves the information unit stored in the information unit holding means based on the result, and presents it to the content presenting means. This allows the user to view the contents of the corresponding information unit by pointing to the desired image component. When the instruction element changing means is provided (Claim 11)
In step 1, the image generation means is instructed to change the display of the instructed image component. The changed image is created by the image generation means and displayed on the image display means. This makes it easier for the user to identify the designated image component because it changes. Further, in the case where the presentation method determining means is provided (claim 12),
The presentation method determination means receives an instruction from the user and determines how to present the information unit. As a result, it is possible to easily access a specific portion of the corresponding information unit and present it in the presentation form desired by the user.

In the information presenting apparatus of the present invention (claim 13), the position calculating means reads the information stored in the information unit holding means and calculates the position data. At this time, the correspondence between the position of the image constituent element and the information unit is stored in the correspondence holding unit. Then, the image generation means arranges the image constituent elements expressing the existence of information based on the position data to generate a display image, and displays the display image on the display means. This makes it possible to present an image in which the image constituent units are arranged. Next, when the corresponding information unit is presented by instructing the image constituent element, the instruction to the image constituent element from the user is accepted by the constituent element instructing means and sent to the corresponding information searching means. The correspondence information search means searches the correspondence holding means, retrieves the information unit stored in the information unit holding means based on the result, and presents it to the content presenting means. At the same time, the instruction element changing means gives an instruction to the image generating means to change the image constituent element corresponding to the retrieved information unit. The image generation means that has received the instruction displays the changed image on the display means. This makes it possible to receive a user's instruction for an image component, modify the instructed image, and present the corresponding information unit.

[0030]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The features of the present invention will be specifically described below based on embodiments with reference to the drawings. << First Embodiment >> (Overall Configuration) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a first embodiment of the information presenting apparatus of the present invention. This device
Broadly speaking, the information unit evaluation unit 11, the display processing unit 12, the information holding unit 13, and the content search presentation unit 14 are included.

The information unit evaluation section 11 reads the external condition holding means 11a for storing the external condition for calculating the value evaluated by the information unit and the information unit saved in the information unit holding means 13a described later. , The evaluated value is calculated based on the property of the information unit itself, the external condition, or a combination of the external condition and the property of each information unit itself,
It has at least one or more evaluation value calculation means 11b.

The information holding unit 13 holds information unit holding means 13a for holding a plurality of information units, and image component and information unit holding means 1 displayed on a display means 12h described later.
It has a correspondence relation holding means 13b for holding the correspondence relation with the information unit stored in 3a.

The display processing unit 12 has a display range holding means 12c for storing information on the display range of the image constituent elements, a position calculating means 12f for deciding the arrangement of the image constituent elements based on the evaluation value, and an image at the decided position. It is calculated by an image generation unit 12g that generates an image in which the constituent elements are arranged, a display unit 12h that displays the generated image, a position holding unit 12i that stores the position calculated by the position calculation unit 12f, and an evaluation value calculation unit 11b. Evaluation result holding means 12a for storing the evaluated value, and display range calculation means 12 for calculating the display range saved in the display range holding means from the evaluation result.
b, time data instructing means 12 for accepting designation of time
e, time data generating means 12d for generating time data,
And an instruction element changing means 12j for changing the instructed image constituent element.

The content retrieval / presentation unit 14 includes a component instruction unit 14a that receives an instruction for a component of an image displayed on the display unit 12h, and a corresponding information retrieval unit 14b that retrieves an information unit corresponding to the instructed image component. , And content presentation means 1 for presenting the content of the retrieved information unit
4c.

FIG. 2 shows an implementation example of the display / operation part of the information presenting apparatus of the present invention. In this example, the display means 12
There are h, a content presentation unit 14c, and a time data instruction unit 12e.

(Display on Two-Dimensional Plane ... Sequential Reading) First, an example in which information units are sequentially read and an image is displayed on a two-dimensional plane will be described. Therefore, the information unit evaluation unit 11 has an evaluation value calculation means (X) 11b-X for calculating an evaluation value on the X axis and an evaluation value calculation means (Y) for calculating an evaluation value on the Y axis as shown in FIG. 11b-Y, and an external condition holding unit 11a that stores an external condition when calculating the evaluation value. 1993 on the X axis
Suppose you have set the axis from January 1st to July 31st, 1993, and the axis with a data size of 0 bytes to 1000 bytes on the Y axis. In the information unit holding means 13a,
It is assumed that a plurality of information units are stored, for example, in the form shown in FIG. In this example, I for each information unit
D, date and time data, and content section are held. Further, the content part includes a title, a text body, and a keyword.
Based on the above premise, a process for reading an information unit and expressing it as a two-dimensional image will be described. Figure 5
It is a flowchart showing this process.

First, the information unit stored in the information unit holding means 13a is read (step S5a). Then, the read information is the evaluation value calculation means (X) 11b.
Date and time data is extracted by -X (step S5)
b). Next, the evaluation value calculation means (Y) 11b-Y evaluates the size of the data and calculates the value (step S5c). The calculated value is sent to the position calculating means 12f and is displayed on the display plane based on the maximum and minimum values of the display range of each axis stored in the display range holding means 12c in the form as shown in FIG. Position data is calculated (step S5d). Then, the image generating means 12g generates an image in which the image constituent element expressing the information unit is arranged at the calculated position (step S5e). The correspondence relationship between the information unit and the position of the image constituent element is stored in the form as shown in FIG. 7 (a table in which the ID of the information unit is associated with the position coordinates) (step S5f). An intermediate image in which a new image component is added to the previous image is displayed on the display means 12h (step S5g). This process is repeated until the reading of the required information unit is completed (step S5).
h). Then, when the reading is completed, the final image is displayed on the display means 12h and the processing is completed (step S5).
i). FIG. 8 shows an example of an image displayed on the display unit 12h as a result of the above processing. Each information unit is
It is represented by image constituent elements (points in this case) and is arranged on a two-dimensional plane based on the evaluation value of each information unit. The user can read the contents such as "there are a lot of data around January and June" or "the maximum size data exists at the end of July" from the arrangement of this point. In this case, it is expressed by dots, but any image component may be used as long as it can represent that an information unit exists at that position.

In the examples of the evaluation value calculation up to now, the external condition is not used, but the external condition holding means 11
By storing external conditions in a and using them, it is possible to calculate evaluation values based on various conditions. For example, if a random number table is used as an external condition as shown in FIG. 9 and sequentially applied in step S5b and step S5c, “random number × random number” as shown in FIG. 10 can be displayed. In addition, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, FIG.
4, conditions such as year, month, day, and day of the week are stored in the external condition holding means 11a, and date and time data of information units are combined in step S5b and step S5c to calculate an evaluation value. Like "year x month"
16 and the image display of “day × day of the week” as shown in FIG. 16 are also possible. Further, although the display is made in the orthogonal coordinate system this time, it is possible to display the screen based on the polar coordinate system as shown in FIG. 17 by having the image generating means 12g for arranging the image constituent elements based on the polar coordinate system.

In the above examples, in order to simplify the explanation,
An example is a relatively simple evaluation value calculation method such as extraction and conversion. However, there are various methods by which the evaluation value calculation means 11b evaluates the information unit. An example will be described below. ● Extract numeric values, characters, words, phrases, sentences, etc. included in the content part. ● Calculate the number and composition of character types such as English characters, Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji. ● Extract the content of the title, included words, phrases, etc. ● Morphological analysis is performed on the text body to extract words, etc., and to estimate the tendency of particles and other words used. ● Extract and calculate the number, type, length, tendency, etc. of assigned keywords. ● Calculate the style and expression tendency of included sentences, and average sentence length. ● Calculate the composition ratio between each composition part such as title, text body, and keywords. ● Use language processing technology to extract abstracts, estimate the field of written content, and calculate the importance of content when analyzed from a certain perspective. As described above, there are various evaluation methods.

Next, a process of presenting the contents of the information unit according to the instruction of the image constituent element will be described. Figure 1
8 is a flowchart showing this process. The constituent element instructing means 14a receives the instruction of the image constituent element from the user and sends it to the correspondence information searching means 14b (step S18a). The correspondence information search means 14b stores the correspondence information holding means 13b in accordance with the user's instruction, for example, as shown in FIG.
The information stored in this form is searched to determine which information unit the user has instructed to obtain the ID (step S18b). The corresponding information searching means 14b searches the information unit holding means 13a based on the ID and retrieves the corresponding information unit (step S18c). Then, the result is sent to the instruction element changing means 12j to generate an image in which the color or shape of the corresponding image constituent element is changed (step S1).
8d), the content of the information unit is displayed on the content presenting means 14c (step S18e). In FIG. 19, the information presentation unit 14 indicates the information unit corresponding to the image constituent element designated by the user.
This is an example displayed on c. This time is an example of displaying as characters, but the contents may be not only characters but also images, sounds, moving images, etc.

(Display on two-dimensional plane ... Batch reading) Next, about processing of reading all necessary information units, automatically calculating the display range from the read result, and presenting an image based on the display range explain. 20
It is a flowchart showing this process.

First, the information unit stored in the information unit holding means 13a is read (step S20a). Then, the read information is the evaluation value calculation means (X) 11b.
-X and the evaluation value calculation means (Y) 11b-Y calculates the evaluation value (step S20b, step S20).
c). The calculated value is stored in the evaluation result holding means 12a as shown in FIG.
1 is sequentially saved in a format such as 1 (step S20)
d). Then, this process is repeated until all necessary information units are read (step S20e). The display range calculation means 12b searches the evaluation value of each information unit stored in the evaluation result holding means 12a, and determines the maximum value and the minimum value of the display. The simplest method of determination is to simply use the maximum / minimum evaluation values, but you can set specific data as the maximum / minimum value, specify a certain range from the average value, or use the standard value. Any method can be used as long as it can determine the maximum value / minimum value, such as using the deviation (step S20f). Next, the position data on the display plane is calculated based on the maximum value and the minimum value of the display range of each axis. The calculated position information is held in the position holding means 12i in the form as shown in FIG. 22 (step S20g). Further, the correspondence relationship between the information unit and the position of the image constituent element is stored in the correspondence relationship holding unit 13b in the form as shown in FIG. 7 (step S20h). And
This process is repeated until all position data are calculated (step S20i). Finally, an image is generated based on these position data (step S20j), the final image is displayed on the display means 12h, and the process ends (step S20k). The final image produced is the same as shown previously.

(Display in 2D + time designation) A process for reading an information unit, expressing it as a 2D image and time data, and presenting it according to the user's time designation will be described. Information unit evaluation unit 1 because it is expressed in 2 dimensions + time
23, the evaluation value calculation means (X) 11b-X for calculating the evaluation value of the X axis, the evaluation value calculation means (Y) 11b-Y for calculating the evaluation value of the Y axis, and time are shown in FIG. It has an evaluation value calculation means (time) 11b-T for calculating an evaluation value, and an external condition holding means 11a for storing an external condition for calculating the evaluation value. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing this processing.

First, the information unit stored in the information unit holding means 13a is read (step S24a). Then, the read information is the evaluation value calculation means (X) 11b.
-X, the evaluation value calculation means (Y) 11b-Y, and the evaluation value calculation means (time) 11b-T calculate the evaluation value (step S24b, step S24c, step S2).
4d). Based on the calculated values, the position and time data on the display plane are calculated based on the maximum value and the minimum value of the display range of each axis and stored in the position holding means 12i as shown in FIG. In this example, the time data is also stored in the position holding unit 12i for convenience. Of course, separate time information holding means may be prepared (step S24e). Then, the relationship between the position and time and the ID of each piece of information is stored in the correspondence relationship holding unit 13b (step S24f). Then, this process is repeated until all necessary information units are read (step S24g). Time data indicating means 1
An image is generated based on the time designation from the user 2e (step S24h) (step S24i), and the final image is displayed on the display means 12h (step S2).
4j). This process is repeated until the time designation by the user is completed (step S24k). FIG. 26 shows an image that changes with time. Time data indicating means 12
The corresponding information unit is presented on the display means 12h by the user designation from e. Time data indicating means 12e
By changing the designations from to, it is possible to sequentially see the time change from 26 (1) to 26 (6).

(2D + time automatic display) A process for reading an information unit, expressing it as a 2D image and time data, and automatically presenting it in time will be described. Since it is expressed in two dimensions + time, the information unit evaluation unit 11
23, evaluation value calculation means (X) 11b-X for calculating the evaluation value of the X axis, evaluation value calculation means (Y) 11b-Y for calculating the evaluation value of the Y axis, and evaluation regarding time. It has an evaluation value calculating means (time) 11b-T for calculating a value, and an external condition holding means 11a for storing an external condition for calculating the evaluation value. FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing this processing. The processing up to step S27g is exactly the same as the processing in FIG. Next, after reading all the information units, the time data generation means 12d generates an initial value of time (step S27h). And
An image is generated by an image constituent element representing an information unit corresponding to this time (step S27i). Then, this image is presented to the user (step S27j). Then, the time data is increased by a fixed time (step S27
k) After some time, this process is repeated until the end value of the time (step S27l). FIG. 26 shows an image that changes with time. After a certain period of time, 26
The image automatically changes from (1) to 26 (6). In this example, the evaluation value was used as the time data,
The temporal order relation may be expressed as a storage order in the information unit holding unit 13a, the time for sequentially reading the data may be used as a substitute for the time data generating unit 12d, and the images may be sequentially displayed while being changed. is there.

(Display in one dimension). A process for reading an information unit and expressing it as a one-dimensional image will be described. FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing this processing. The basic flow is almost the same as the flowchart in FIG. The difference is that since it is one-dimensional data, the step S28b is one process.
Accordingly, the data stored in the evaluation result holding unit 12a, the correspondence holding unit 13b, and the like are naturally one-dimensional. FIG. 29 is a display example of the result of performing this processing.

(Display in 3D) A process for reading an information unit and expressing it as a 3D image will be described. Since it is expressed in three dimensions, the information unit evaluation unit 11 calculates the evaluation value of the X axis as shown in FIG. 30 by the evaluation value calculation means (X) 11b-X and the evaluation value of the evaluation value of the Y axis. A calculation means (Y) 11b-Y, an evaluation value calculation means (Z) 11b-Z for calculating an evaluation value of the Z axis, and an external condition holding means 11a for storing an external condition for calculating the evaluation value. Have. FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing this processing. The basic flow is almost the same as the flowchart in FIG. Since the difference is three-dimensional data, steps S31b, S31c, and S31d
The point is that three processes are performed. As a result, the data stored in the evaluation result holding unit 12a, the correspondence holding unit 13b, and the like are naturally three-dimensional.
FIG. 32 is a display example of the result of performing this processing.

(Characteristics and Advantages of the First Embodiment) In the information presentation device of the first embodiment, the stored information unit is read, the evaluation value is calculated for each information unit, and the information unit is expressed. It is now possible to form an image in which the image constituent elements are arranged. At the same time, it is possible to access the corresponding information unit by directly pointing the arranged image component. As a result, it is possible to grasp and analyze an information unit that cannot be arranged as it is, while having a feeling of directly arranging the information unit itself on the image. In addition, by changing the arrangement method and external conditions in various ways, we can interpret what the information units mean as a whole, discover new ways of cutting, and create new ideas. It became possible to discover ideas. This is
It is very effective when analyzing a large amount of information, when setting the direction of future information collection, or when devising an idea. Further, by storing the calculated position information, it is possible to display the image after reading all the information units. Further, by automatically calculating the display range from the value of the evaluation result of the information unit, the image can be displayed in the appropriate display range according to the read data without specifying the display range in advance. . Also,
By displaying the image with time change, it is possible to know the time change of the information unit.

<< Second Embodiment >> (Overall Structure) FIG. 33 is a block diagram showing the overall structure of an information presentation apparatus according to the second embodiment. This apparatus includes an information unit evaluation unit 21, a display processing unit 22, an information holding unit 23, and a content search presentation unit 24. Information unit evaluation section 2
1 is an evaluation value calculation unit 21a that reads the information unit stored in the information unit holding unit 23a and calculates a value that evaluates the property of each information itself, and a simple value calculation that reads the information unit and extracts the value. It has means 1b. The display processing unit 22 includes a form holding unit 22b that holds the form of the image constituent element and a condition for selecting the form, and the information unit evaluation unit 21.
The form selecting means 22a for selecting the form of the image constituent element based on the value calculated by the above and the condition held in the form holding means 22b, the form generating means 22c for generating the form of the image constituent element from the property of the information unit, Position calculation means 22d for determining the position of the image constituent element based on the evaluation value,
Image generating means 22 for generating an image in which image constituent elements are arranged at the position determined by the position calculating means 22d.
e, and the display means 22f.

The information holding unit 23 holds information unit holding means 23a for holding a plurality of information units, correspondence relationship holding means 23b for storing the correspondence relationship between information units and image constituent elements corresponding to the information units, and image constituent elements. It has a morphological partial relationship holding means 23c for holding the corresponding relationship between the partial position of and the presentation content of the information unit. The content search / presentation unit 2 receives the instruction for the constituent element of the image displayed on the display unit 22f, and the corresponding information searching means 2 for searching the information unit corresponding to the designated image constituent element.
4b, a content presentation unit 24c that presents the content of the retrieved information unit, and a presentation method determination unit 24d that determines the method of presenting the information unit from the content of the instruction.

(Image Display by Form Selection) First, an example of a process of sequentially reading information units, arranging and displaying image constituent elements for which a form is selected according to their properties and the like will be described. It is assumed that a plurality of information units are stored in the information unit holding means 23a, for example, in the form shown in FIG. In this example, the information unit has three parts: "title", "text body", and "keyword". FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing this processing. First, the simple value calculation means 21b reads the information unit stored in the information unit holding means 23a (step S34a). When it is not possible to simply determine whether or not the condition is met, information is sent to the evaluation value calculation means 21a to calculate the evaluation value. Of course, when the position can be simply determined, such as when the information unit is a numerical value itself, the evaluation value need not be calculated (step S34b). The position calculation means 22d calculates the display position based on the calculated value (step S34c). At the same time, the correspondence between the position and the information unit is stored in the correspondence holding means 23b in the form of FIG. 7 (step S34d). Then, based on another value calculated by the simple value calculating means 21b or the evaluation value calculating means 21a, the form selecting means 22a uses the form information stored in the form holding means 22b as shown in FIG. The display form of the image component is determined (step S
34e). The image generation means 22e generates an image expressing the existence of the information unit based on the position information and the morphological information (step S34f), and displays the intermediate image on the display means 22f (step S34g). The above processing is repeated until the reading of the necessary information unit is completed (step S
34h). Then, the final image is displayed on the display means 22f in the form as shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, and the process is ended (step S34i). In FIG. 36, the shapes of image constituent elements are changed to represent the properties of information units. In addition, FIG.
Is an example in which image components are changed depending on color or density.

(Image Display by Form Generation) First, an example of a process of sequentially reading information units, arranging image constituent elements whose forms are changed according to their properties, and displaying them on an image will be described. FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing this processing. First, the simple value calculation means 21b
The information unit stored in the information unit holding means 23a is read (step S38a). When it is not possible to simply determine whether or not the condition is met, information is sent to the evaluation value calculation means 21a to calculate the evaluation value. Of course, when the position can be simply determined, such as when the information unit is a numerical value itself, the evaluation value need not be calculated (step S38).
b). The position calculation means 22d calculates the display position based on the calculated value (step S38c). At the same time, the correspondence between the position and the information unit is the correspondence holding means 23b.
Is stored in the form of FIG. 7 (step S38d). Then, the form generation unit 22c generates the display form of the image constituent element based on the information unit. As the method of generation, the size is changed by calculating the evaluation value of the information unit, a part of the title of the information unit is taken out, the first part of each part is displayed, or when it is made into a document. A layout can be generated, or an appropriate one can be used from various methods (step S38e). Then, the relationship between the information on each part of the form of the image constituent element and the part of the information unit to be presented when each part is instructed is stored in the form-part relationship holding means 37c in the form of FIG. The image generating means 22e generates an image expressing the existence of the information unit based on the position information and the morphological information (step S38f),
The intermediate image is displayed on the display means 22f (step S38).
g). The above processing is repeated until the reading of the necessary information units is completed (step S38h). Then, the final image is displayed on the display means 22f in a form as shown in FIG. 40, FIG. 41, FIG. 42 or FIG.
8i). FIG. 40 shows an example in which the size of the image constituent element is changed according to the size of the evaluation numerical value of the information unit. Further, FIG. 41 is an example in which the image constituent element is generated from the head portion of the title of the information unit. In FIG. 42,
The image component is generated from the first part of each of "title", "text body", and "keyword". FIG. 43 is an example of arranging the image constituent elements based on the shape when the text is laid out.

(Presentation of Contents) Next, a process of presenting the contents of the information unit according to the instruction of the image constituent element will be described. In particular, here, a case will be described in which the content to be presented is changed depending on which position of the image component the user has designated. FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing this processing. The constituent element instructing means 24a receives the instruction of the image constituent element from the user and sends it to the correspondence information searching means 24b (step S44a). The correspondence information searching unit 24a searches the information stored in the correspondence holding unit 23b in the form of FIG. 7 based on the user's instruction, determines which information unit the user has designated,
The ID is obtained (step S44b). Corresponding information search means 2
4b retrieves the information unit holding means 23a based on the ID and retrieves the corresponding information unit (step S44).
c). At the same time, the presentation method determination means 24d searches for the relationship between each part of the image constituent elements and the part to be presented, which is stored in the morphological part relationship holding means 23c as shown in FIG.
The part to be presented is determined (step S44d). Finally, the determined part of the content of the information unit is displayed on the content presentation unit 24c, and the process ends (step S44e).
FIG. 45 is an example in which the information unit corresponding to the image constituent element designated by the user is simply presented to the content presenting means 24c. On the other hand, FIG. 46 shows an example in which the contents to be presented are changed depending on the instructed part. In this example, by indicating the keyword portion of the image constituent element, only the keyword portion of the corresponding information unit is displayed.
Further, in this processing, the part to be presented is determined by searching the information of the morphological part relationship holding unit 23c, but a value may be calculated from the instructed position to determine the part to be presented. For example, when an image constituent element expressing a layout shape as shown in FIG. 43 is displayed, a method of displaying from each row by instructing a portion expressing each row. Here, the part to be presented is determined from the position instructed by the user, but various factors such as determining the presentation quality of the image and sound from the type of mouse click, and presenting filters such as format conversion depending on the user's selection. Any method can be adopted. In this example, the character information is given as an example of the information included in the information unit.
It may be information including images and videos.

In the information presenting apparatus of the second embodiment described above, it is possible to read the stored information unit and arrange the image constituent elements changed based on the property of the information unit. did. At the same time, it is possible to access the corresponding information by directly pointing the arranged image component. This makes it possible to arrange the image constituent elements based on various conditions while having the feeling of arranging the information unit itself on the image. Moreover, each image constituent element is displayed in a form that expresses the property of the information unit. This is very effective when analyzing a large amount of information, setting the direction of future information collection, or devising an idea.

<< Third Embodiment >> (Overall Configuration) FIG. 47 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an information presenting apparatus for carrying out the present invention. This apparatus includes a tabulation processing unit 31, a display processing unit 32, and an information holding unit 3.
3 and the content search presentation unit 34 as a basic configuration.

The tabulation processing section 31 stores the item data holding means 3 for storing information about the items constituting the rows and columns of the table.
1b, a value for reading the information unit stored in the information unit holding unit 33a and arranging image constituent elements expressing the information unit as a table based on the information stored in the item data holding unit 31b The information stored in the tabulated value calculation means 31e and the item data holding means 31b are read, and the information stored in the boundary generation means 31c and the item data holding means 31b for generating an image expressing the boundary is expanded. Based on the expansion rule holding means 31d that holds the rule for performing the expansion rule and the rule stored in the expansion rule holding means 31d, the item data holding means 31b
Item data expanding means 31a for expanding the information stored in
Have.

The display processing section 32 has a position calculating means 32d for determining the arrangement of the image constituents based on the evaluation value, an image generating means 32c for generating an image in which the image constituents are arranged at the determined positions, and a generated image. Display means 3 for displaying an image
2b, and item name display means 32a for displaying the names of the items in the table.

The information holding unit 33 has an information unit holding means 33a for holding a plurality of information units, and a correspondence relation holding means 33b for holding a correspondence relation between the information units and image constituent elements of the displayed image.

The content retrieval / presentation unit 34 receives the instruction to the component of the image displayed on the display unit 32b, and the corresponding information retrieval unit 34b for retrieving the information unit corresponding to the instructed image component. , And content presentation means 3 for presenting the content of the retrieved information unit
4c and.

(Image Display) First, an example in which information units are sequentially read and images are displayed as a table will be described. A plurality of information units are stored in the information unit holding means 33a.
For example, it is assumed that the image is stored in the form as shown in FIG. 4 as in the first embodiment. FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing this processing.

First, the item name display means 32a reads the item name and position information from the information stored in the item data holding means 31b in the form as shown in FIG. 49, and sets the item name at an appropriate position in FIG. Is displayed (step S
48a). The item data expansion unit 31a reads the condition part before expansion of the information stored in the item data storage unit 31b in the form of FIG. 49, and expands the expansion rule storage unit 31.
It is developed based on the rule stored in the form as shown in FIG. 51 in d, converted as shown in FIG. 52 and stored in the item data holding means 31b (step S48b). After the above processing, the tabulated value calculation means 31e is set to the information unit holding means 33a.
The information unit stored in is read (step S48).
c). Then, the read information is compared with each item data of the item data holding means 31b, and a value for tabulation is calculated (step S48d). The calculated value is sent to the position calculating means 32d, and the position data on the display is calculated (step S48e). Then, the image generating means 32c converts the image constituent element expressing the information unit,
An image placed at the calculated position is generated (step S
48f). At the same time, the correspondence relationship between the information unit and the position of the image constituent element is stored in the correspondence relationship holding means in the form as shown in FIG. 7 as in the first embodiment (step S48g).
Then, an intermediate image in which a new image component is added to the previous image is displayed on the display means 32b as shown in FIG. 53 (step S48h). This process is repeated until the reading of necessary information units is completed (step S48).
i).

After the reading is completed, the boundary generating means 3
1c generates a boundary from the position of the item information stored in the item data holding means 31b, and requests the image generating means 32c to combine the boundary. The simplest boundary generation method is to draw a straight line at the midpoint of the position of each item, as shown in FIG. 54, for example. Of course, any boundary may be used as long as it is possible to identify each item and the image constituent element belonging to the intersection of the items. Further, not only the boundary but also an image showing the correspondence with the item name such as a straight line connecting the image components corresponding to the item name as shown in FIG. 55 may be displayed (step S48).
j). Then, the final image including the item name, the image constituent element, and the boundary is displayed on the display unit 32b, and the process ends (step S48k). The processing in this embodiment is performed by displaying item names,
Although the image component display and the boundary display are performed in this order, this may be in any order.

(Presentation of Contents) Next, the process of presenting the contents of the information unit in accordance with the instruction of the image constituent element will be described. FIG. 56 is a flowchart showing this processing. The constituent element instructing means 34a receives the instruction of the image constituent elements from the user, and the corresponding information searching means 34b.
To (step S56a). Corresponding information search means 34b
On the basis of the user's instruction, the user searches the information stored in the correspondence holding unit 3a, for example, in the form of FIG. 7, determines which information unit the user has instructed, and obtains the ID (step S56b). ). The corresponding information searching means 34b searches the information unit holding means 3b based on the ID and retrieves the corresponding information unit (step S56c). And
The content of the information unit is displayed on the content presenting means 34c (step S56d). FIG. 57 shows an example in which an information unit corresponding to the image constituent element designated by the user is presented to the content presenting means 34c.

(Characteristics and Advantages of the Third Embodiment) In the information presentation apparatus of the third embodiment described above, the stored information unit is read and the evaluation value is calculated for each information unit. It is now possible to form an image in which image constituent elements expressing information units are arranged as a table. at the same time,
By directly pointing the placed image component, the corresponding information unit can be accessed. As a result, an information unit that cannot be arranged as it is can be grasped and analyzed as a table while having the feeling that the information unit itself is directly arranged on the image.
In addition, by changing the arrangement method and external conditions in various ways, we can interpret what the information units mean as a whole, discover new ways of cutting, and create new ideas. It became possible to discover ideas. This is very effective when analyzing a large amount of information, setting the direction of future information collection, or devising an idea.

<< Fourth Embodiment >> FIG. 58 is a block diagram showing the overall structure of an information presentation apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. The present device includes a display processing unit 41, an information holding unit 42, and a content search presentation unit 43. The information holding unit 42 has an information unit holding unit 42a that holds a plurality of information units, and a correspondence relationship holding unit 42b that stores the correspondence relationship between the information unit and the position of the image constituent element corresponding to the information unit. The display processing unit 41a arranges image components based on the display range storage unit 41a that stores the display range, the information unit stored in the information unit storage unit 42a, and the display range stored in the display range storage unit 41a. Position calculating means 41b for deciding, the image generating means 41c for generating an image in which the image constituent elements are arranged at the determined positions, the display means 41d for displaying the generated image, and the designated image constituent elements are changed. And a pointing element changing means 41e. The content search / presentation unit 43 receives the instruction to the component of the image displayed on the display unit, the component instruction unit 43a, the corresponding information retrieval unit 43b that retrieves the information unit corresponding to the instructed image component, and the retrieved. Content presentation means 43c for presenting the content of the information unit.

The operation of the fourth embodiment constructed as above will be described. First, here, the information units are sequentially read, and based on the numerical data included in the information units,
The case of displaying an image will be described as an example. It is assumed that a plurality of information units are stored in the information unit holding means 42a, for example, in the form shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the information unit is arranged on a two-dimensional plane based on two numerical values, that is, the number of cited documents included in the information unit and the effect. FIG. 60 is a flowchart showing this processing. First, the position calculation means 41b reads the information unit stored in the information unit holding means 42a (step S60a). Then, based on the display range stored in the display range holding means 41a in the form as shown in FIG. 61, the numerical information included in the information unit is evaluated, and the position of the image constituent element expressing the existence of the information unit is determined. (Step S60b). Then, the image generation means 41c generates an image in which the image constituent elements are arranged at the calculated positions (step S60c). At the same time, the correspondence relationship between the information unit and the position of the image constituent element is stored in the correspondence relationship holding means 42b in the form as shown in FIG. 7 as in the first embodiment (step S60d). Then, an intermediate image in which new image constituent elements are added to the previous image is displayed on the display unit 41d (step S60e). This process is repeated until the reading of the required information unit is completed (step S6).
0f). Then, the final image is displayed on the display unit 41d as shown in FIG.
Display in a form such as 2 and end (step S60)
g). Further, here, the explanation is given on the assumption that an intermediate image is generated, but it is also possible to store all position information until the reading of the information unit is completed, and finally display the image. Further, in this example, the information is arranged by the numerical value information included in the information unit, but any method that can determine the position may be used.

Since the process of presenting the contents of the information unit in accordance with the instruction of the image constituent element is the same as that of the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 18, the description thereof will be omitted.

In the information presenting apparatus of the fourth embodiment, by reading the stored information unit, forming an image in which the image constituent element expressing the information unit is arranged, and directly indicating the arranged image constituent element. By making it possible to access the corresponding information unit, it is possible to grasp or analyze the information unit itself while having a feeling of directly arranging the information unit on the image. In addition, by changing the arrangement method in various ways, it is possible to interpret what the information units mean as a whole, discover new cuts, and discover new ideas. It has become possible. This is very effective when analyzing a large amount of information, setting the direction of future information collection, or devising an idea.

[0069]

According to the information presenting apparatus of the present invention (claim 1, claim 2, claim 3), the stored information unit is read, an evaluation value is calculated for each information unit, and the information unit is set. By making it possible to form an image in which the image constituent elements to be expressed are arranged, it is possible to present an image in which the image constituent units are arranged based on the evaluated value of the information unit. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a display in which information units that cannot be arranged as they are are arranged as image components, so that it is possible to understand or interpret what the information units mean as a whole. be able to.

Further, in the present invention (claim 4), the display range can be automatically calculated from the value of the evaluation result of the information unit. As a result, it is possible to display an image in an appropriate display range according to the read data without specifying the display range or the like in advance.

In the information presenting apparatus of the present invention (claims 5 and 6), the stored information unit is read, the evaluation value is calculated for each information unit, and the image constituent element expressing the information unit is displayed. By making it possible to form images arranged in the form of a table, it is possible to grasp information units that cannot be arranged as they are as a table while having the feeling of directly arranging the information unit itself on the image. It can be analyzed.

Further, according to the present invention (claims 7 and 8), each image constituent element is displayed in a form expressing the property of the information unit. This is very effective when analyzing a large amount of information, setting the direction of future information collection, or devising an idea.

Further, in the present invention (claim 9), the image is displayed with a change over time. As a result, it has become possible to know the temporal changes in information units.

Further, according to the present invention (Claim 10), in addition to the above-mentioned respective configurations, it is possible to access the corresponding information unit by directly designating the arranged image constituent element. As a result, it is possible to grasp and analyze an information unit that cannot be arranged as it is, while having a feeling of directly arranging the information unit itself on the image. In addition, by changing the arrangement method and external conditions in various ways, we can interpret what the information units mean as a whole, discover new ways of cutting, and create new ideas. It became possible to discover ideas. This is very effective when analyzing a large amount of information, setting the direction of future information collection, or devising an idea.

When the indicating element changing means is provided (Claim 1)
In 1), the user can identify the image component because the image component that has been designated changes. In the case where the presentation method determining means is provided (claim 12), the presentation method determining means determines how to present the information unit in response to the instruction of the user, and therefore, the corresponding information unit. It is possible to easily access a specific part of the file or present it in the presentation form desired by the user.

In the information presenting apparatus of the present invention (Claim 13), the stored information unit is read, an image in which image constituent elements expressing the information unit are arranged is formed, and the arranged image constituent element is directly designated. By doing so, the corresponding information unit can be accessed. As a result, the information unit itself can be grasped and analyzed while having a feeling of directly arranging the information unit on the image. In addition, by changing the arrangement method in various ways, it is possible to interpret what the information units mean as a whole, discover new cuts, and discover new ideas. It has become possible. This is very effective when analyzing a large amount of information, setting the direction of future information collection, or devising an idea.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information presentation device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display unit of a display unit and a content presentation unit of the apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information unit evaluation unit for generating a two-dimensional image.

FIG. 4 is an example of information stored in an information unit holding unit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process for sequentially reading information units and forming a two-dimensional image.

FIG. 6 is an example of information stored in a display range holding unit.

FIG. 7 is an example of information stored in the correspondence holding unit.

FIG. 8: Example of displaying an image on a two-dimensional plane from the viewpoint of date and size

FIG. 9 is an example of information stored in the external condition storage means (random number)

FIG. 10: Example of randomly displaying an image on a two-dimensional plane

FIG. 11: Example of information stored in external condition storage means (year)

FIG. 12: Example of information stored in external condition holding means (month)

FIG. 13: Example of information stored in external condition storage means (day)

FIG. 14 is an example of information stored in an external condition holding unit (day of the week)

FIG. 15: Example of displaying an image on a two-dimensional plane from the viewpoint of year and month

FIG. 16: Example of displaying an image on a two-dimensional plane from the viewpoint of day and day of the week

FIG. 17: Example of displaying an image on a two-dimensional plane in polar coordinates

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a process for presenting an information unit corresponding to an image constituent unit.

FIG. 19: Example of presenting contents of information unit

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a process for collectively reading information units, automatically calculating a display range, and forming a two-dimensional image.

FIG. 21 shows an example of information stored in the evaluation result holding means.

FIG. 22 shows an example of information stored in the position information holding means (two-dimensional)

FIG. 23 is an information unit evaluation unit for forming a two-dimensional image with time elements added.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a process for forming a two-dimensional image by specifying a time.

FIG. 25 is an example of information stored in the position holding means (two-dimensional + time designation)

FIG. 26 is a display example of a two-dimensional image with time elements added.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a process for forming a two-dimensional image by automatic time feeding.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing processing for forming a one-dimensional image.

FIG. 29 is a display example of a one-dimensional image.

FIG. 30 is an information unit evaluation unit for generating a three-dimensional image

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a process of forming a three-dimensional image.

FIG. 32 is a display example of a three-dimensional image.

FIG. 33 is a block diagram showing a configuration for realizing the information grasping device of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing image display processing by form selection.

FIG. 35 shows an example of information stored in the form holding means.

FIG. 36: Image display example when the shape is changed

FIG. 37 is an image display example when the color (density) is changed.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing image display processing by form generation.

FIG. 39 is an example of information stored in the morphological partial relationship holding unit.

FIG. 40 is an example of image display based on evaluation numerical values.

[Fig. 41] Example of image display when a part of the title is displayed

FIG. 42 is an image display example when the beginning of each part of the information unit is displayed.

[Fig. 43] Example of image display by layout shape

FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing content presentation processing.

FIG. 45: Standard content presentation example

FIG. 46: Example of content presentation when partial designation is performed

FIG. 47 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information presentation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing a process of displaying an image represented as a table.

FIG. 49 is an example of information stored in the item data holding means (before condition expansion)

[Fig. 50] Display example of item names

FIG. 51 shows an example of information stored in the expansion rule holding means.

FIG. 52 is an example of information stored in the item data holding means (after condition expansion)

FIG. 53: Example of intermediate display of image components

FIG. 54: Example of displaying boundaries

FIG. 55: Example of displaying correspondence

FIG. 56 is a flowchart showing a process of presenting the content of an information unit.

[Fig. 57] Example of presenting the contents of an information unit

FIG. 58 is a block diagram showing a configuration for realizing the information grasping device of the present invention.

FIG. 59 shows an example of information stored in the information unit holding means.

FIG. 60 is a flowchart showing a process of displaying an image.

FIG. 61 is an example of information stored in the display range holding means.

FIG. 62 is a display example of an image

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... Information unit evaluation unit, 11a ... External condition holding means, 1
1b ... evaluation value calculation means, 11b-X ... evaluation value calculation means (X), 11b-Y ... evaluation value calculation means (Y), 11b-
Z ... Evaluation value calculating means (Z), 11b-T ... Evaluation value calculating means (time), 12 ... Display processing unit, 12a ... Evaluation result holding means, 12b ... Display range calculating means, 12c ... Display range holding means, 12d ... time data generating means, 12e ... time data instructing means, 2f ... position calculating means, 12g ... image generating means, 12h ... display means, 12i ... position holding means, 12
j ... instruction element changing means, 13 ... information holding section, 13a ... information unit holding means, 13b ... correspondence holding section, 14 ... content search presenting section, 14a ... constituent element pointing means, 14b ... corresponding information searching section, 14c ... Content presentation means

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An information unit holding unit that holds a plurality of information units, and an information unit stored in the information unit holding unit is read to calculate a value that evaluates the property of each information itself, and at least one or more. Evaluation value calculation means, position calculation means for deciding the arrangement of the image constituent elements based on the evaluation value, image generation means for generating an image in which the image constituent elements are arranged at the determined positions, and the generated image. An information presenting apparatus comprising: a display unit for displaying. 2. An external condition holding means for storing an external condition for calculating a value obtained by evaluating an information unit, wherein the evaluation value calculating means has the external condition, or the external condition and the property of each information unit itself. The information presentation device according to claim 1, wherein a value obtained by evaluating the information unit is calculated based on the combination of. 3. A simple value calculating means for reading the information unit stored in the information unit holding means and extracting a value is provided in place of the evaluation value calculating means, and the position calculating means is calculated by the simple value calculating means. The information presenting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position of the image constituent element indicating the existence of the information unit is determined based on the value thus obtained. 4. A display range holding means for storing information on a display range of image constituent elements, an evaluation result holding means for storing an evaluation value calculated by the evaluation value calculating means, and an evaluation result stored in the display range holding means. 3. The information presenting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display range calculating means for calculating the displayed range. 5. An information unit holding means for holding a plurality of information units, an item data holding means for storing information about items constituting rows and columns of a table, and an information unit stored in the information unit holding means. Based on the information read and stored in the item data holding means, a tabulated value calculating means for calculating values for arranging image constituent elements expressing information units as a table, and an evaluation value calculating means Position calculation means for deciding the arrangement of the image constituent elements based on the determined values, image generation means for generating a table image in which the image constituent elements are arranged at the decided positions, and display means for displaying the generated images. An information presenting apparatus comprising: 6. The information presenting apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a boundary generating means for reading the information stored in the item data holding means and generating an image expressing the boundary. 7. A form of an image constituent element based on the form of the image constituent element, a shape holding means for holding a condition for selecting the shape, and an evaluation value of an information unit and a condition held by the shape holding means. 7. The information presenting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a form selecting unit for selecting. 8. The information presenting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a form generating unit for generating the form of the image constituent element based on the content of the information unit. 9. The evaluation value calculating means is provided with a function for calculating the evaluation value of the time data, and the image generating means is provided with means for giving the time data. The information presentation device according to any one of claims. 10. Correspondence holding means for holding a correspondence relationship between an image constituent element displayed on the display means and an information unit stored in the information unit holding means, and a constituent element of an image displayed on the display means. A component instructing means for receiving an instruction, a corresponding information retrieving means for retrieving an information unit corresponding to the instructed image component, a content presenting means for presenting the content of the retrieved information unit,
The information presentation device according to claim 1, further comprising: 11. The information presenting apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising instruction element changing means for changing the indicated image constituent element. 12. The information presenting apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising a presentation method deciding means for deciding a method of presenting an information unit from the content of the instruction given by the constituent element instructing means. . 13. An information unit holding means for holding a plurality of information units, a position calculation means for deciding the arrangement of image constituent elements which means the existence of information units, and an image in which image constituent elements are arranged at the decided positions. An image generating unit for generating the image, a display unit for displaying the generated image, a component instruction unit for receiving an instruction to the image component displayed on the display unit, and an information unit and an image component corresponding to the information unit. Correspondence holding means for storing the correspondence with the position, correspondence information searching means for searching the information unit corresponding to the instructed image constituent element, content presenting means for presenting the contents of the searched information unit,
An information presenting device comprising: