JPH07121567A - Information presenting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an information presenting device capable of storing plural information units and presenting an image constituting element showing the existence each information unit in an image area expressing the feature of the information unit in accordance with the feature. CONSTITUTION:An information unit storing means 4b stores plural information units, and when a condition matching judging means 1b judges an area to which an information unit belongs based upon relation between a condition for selecting the information unit which is stored in an area condition storing means 1a and the area arranging the selected corresponding image constituting element, a position calculating means 2d determines a position for arranging the image constituting element based upon the judgements of the means 1b. Images for symbolizing area condition in respective display parts are stored in a combined image storing means 2b and an image generating means 2e synthesizes the stored image and the image arranged with the image constituting element on the determined position. The generated image is displayed on a display means 2f.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information presentation device,
More specifically, the present invention relates to an information presenting apparatus that stores a plurality of information units and presents an image constituent element indicating the presence of each information unit in an area representing the characteristic, according to the characteristic of each information unit. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As conventional technologies related to this type of information presentation device, mainly, numerical data visualization technology, knowledge representation technology in artificial intelligence, hypertext browser technology,
There are multi-variable data visualization technologies. Regarding these techniques, in the following documents [1] to [5],
Has been discussed.

Reference [1]: Akiyasu Kaji, Yasuhiko Shimazu. "Ex
cel 2.2 Introduction ”, BNN Corporation, 1
Published August 10, 991. pp.278-280. Reference [2]: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-229380 "Numerical data visualization method and apparatus" (International Business Machines Corporation) Reference [3]: Fairchild , Kim M., Poltrock, Steven
E., Furnas, George W., “SemNet: Three-Dimensional
Graphic Representatios of Large Knowledge Bases ",
In Cognitive Science and Its Applications for Huma
n-Computer Interaction, Lawrence Erlbaum Associate
s, Inc. HillsDale: NewJersey, 1988, pp. 201-233. Reference [4]: Halasz, Frank G., “Reflections on Not.
eCards: Seven Issues for the Next Generation of Hyp
ermedia Systems ", Communications of the ACM, Vol.
31, No. 7, 1988 July, pp. 836-852. Reference [5]: Toshihiro Abe, "Forefront Report: People without Creativity Leave" Live Brain "Unawareness Idea Support System", Nikkei Information Strategy, 1993 August, pp. 60-67.

First, the numerical data visualization technique will be described. The most common technique of this kind is the graph creation function in spreadsheet software. As described in the above-mentioned document [1], for example, "Microsoft
"Registered trademark""Microsoft Excel (registered trademark)"
In, you can input numerical data as a table and express it as a graph such as a scatter plot.

This visualization technique is also used for the purpose of visualizing scientific data and the like. For example, according to the technique of “numerical data visualization method and apparatus” described in the document [2], numerical data is converted into an image represented as a hierarchical data structure. Thereby, the image can be expressed at high speed as a three-dimensional figure or a two-dimensional figure.

As described in the document [3], there is SemNet as a technique for expressing knowledge in artificial intelligence. In SemNet, in order to present the user with the state of the knowledge base holding a large amount of knowledge, the knowledge is arranged in the three-dimensional space and presented to the user. 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. In particular,
The placement method based on each knowledge attribute can receive ordered data from the knowledge base, map it into a three-dimensional space, and display the nodes.

[0007] As described in reference [4], NoteCard is used as a hypertext browser technology.
There is s. NoteCards has a browser function for arranging icons representing information described in card units on a two-dimensional plane. Then, if the browser function is used, the inclusive relationship and the reference relationship between the cards are automatically expressed by straight lines. At this time, when the icon is further designated, the corresponding card is displayed, and the content of the information included in the card can be known.

Further, as a multi-variable data visualization technique,
There is S-MAP as described in document [5].
This technique for visualizing multivariable data is a technique for displaying data having many variables on one screen. For example, "Number of employees, sales, number of sales bases, number of sales owners,
It is possible to display the relationship of customer data composed of data such as "..." on one screen.

[0009]

In the visualization technique for numerical data and multi-variable data as described above, numerical data is given in advance, and visualization is performed based on the numerical data. Therefore, even if data that cannot be treated as a numerical value as it is, for example, data based on linguistic information is read, it cannot be visually expressed. In addition, the contents of the visualized data could not be known directly from the data itself.

By using such numerical data visualization technology and multivariable data visualization technology, it becomes possible to arrange images based on numerical values. However,
The image expressing each data could not be arranged in a specific area according to the conditions, for example. Even in the knowledge representation technology in artificial intelligence, the hypertext browser technology, etc., it was not possible to place items that meet certain conditions in a specific area.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and in the present invention, an image constituent element indicating the existence of an information unit can be arranged in a specific area according to conditions. This is the first task. Also,
A second subject is to synthesize and display an image prepared in advance and an image constituent element indicating the existence of an information unit. At the same time, a third object is to make it possible to access the information of the corresponding information unit by directly designating the arranged image components.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to store a plurality of information units, and for each information unit, depending on its characteristic, an image structure which means the existence of each information unit in the area on the image representing the characteristic. An object is to provide an information presentation device that presents elements.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, an information presenting apparatus (claim 1) of the present invention stores a plurality of information units, and each information unit is stored in accordance with its characteristics. , An information presenting device for presenting image constituent elements indicating the presence of each information unit in a region representing the characteristic,
Information unit holding means (4b) for holding a plurality of information units
And a condition held by the region condition holding unit (1a) that holds the relationship between the condition for selecting the information unit and the region in which the image constituent element indicating the presence of the selected information unit is arranged. A condition conformity determining unit (1b) that determines to which region the information unit belongs, and a position calculating unit (2d) that determines a position where the image constituent element is arranged based on the determination of the condition conformity determining unit. Image fusion means (2b) for retaining the image, and image generation means for producing an image in which the image stored in the fusion image retention means and the image in which the image constituent element is arranged at the position determined by the position calculation means are combined. (2e) and a display means (2f) for displaying the generated image.

An information presenting apparatus of the present invention (claim 2)
In the above, further, a component rearrangement means (2a) for moving the position calculated by the position calculation means to a position where it does not overlap the display portion of the entity of the image held in the fusion image holding means is provided. Characterize.

Further, the information presenting apparatus of the present invention (claim 3).
In the third aspect, the image processing means (2c) is further provided for performing image processing on the image component which means the existence of the information unit or the image held in the fused image holding means.

Further, the information presenting apparatus of the present invention (claim 4).
In addition, the evaluation value calculating means (3) for calculating a value obtained by evaluating the information unit stored in the information unit holding means.
a) is provided, and the condition that the information unit is selected for the area is changed depending on the value obtained by evaluating the information unit by the evaluation value calculation means.

Further, in the information presenting apparatus of the present invention (Claim 5), in addition to the configuration of the above information presenting apparatus, a constituent element instruction for receiving an instruction to the image constituent element displayed on the display means. Means (5a), corresponding information retrieval means (5b) for retrieving the information unit corresponding to the instructed image constituent element, content presentation means (5c) for presenting the content of the retrieved information unit, and the information unit And a correspondence relation holding means (4a) for storing the correspondence relation with the position of the image constituent element corresponding to the information unit.

[0018]

In the information presenting apparatus of the present invention (claim 1),
The information unit holding means (4b) holds a plurality of information units. The area condition holding means (1a) holds a relationship between a condition for selecting an information unit and an area in which an image constituent element indicating the presence of the selected information unit is arranged. The condition conformity determination means (1b) determines to which area the information unit belongs based on the condition held in the area condition holding means. Further, the fusion image holding means (2b) holds an image prepared in advance, for example, an image that symbolizes the area condition in each display portion, and the position calculation means (2d) functions as a condition conformity determination means. When the position where the image constituent element is arranged is determined based on the judgment, the image generation means (2e) determines the image stored in the fusion image holding means and the image where the image constituent element is arranged at the position determined by the position calculation means. Generates an image that is composed of. The generated image is displayed by the display means (2f).

As a result, with respect to a plurality of stored information units, each of the information units is classified according to its characteristics.
The image constituent element indicating the existence of this information unit can be arranged and displayed in a specific area on the image prepared in advance.
Thereby, for example, each area condition can be arranged and displayed in a specific area on the image symbolized by each display portion. Therefore, depending on the feature of the information unit, it is possible to present an image constituent element indicating the presence of each information unit in the region of each display portion of the image representing the region condition of the feature. Furthermore, the presented image component allows direct access to the content of the information unit.

The information presenting apparatus of the present invention (claim 2)
In, the component relocation means (2a) is further provided. The constituent element rearranging means (2a) arranges the image constituent elements, for example, when the position calculated by the position calculating means overlaps with the display portion of the image entity,
The position where the image constituent element is arranged is moved to a position where it does not overlap the display portion of the image entity. As a result, each display portion (each display portion corresponding to the area condition) of the image entity is not hidden by the image constituent element.

Further, the information presenting apparatus of the present invention (claim 3).
In the above, the image processing means (2c) is provided, and the image processing can be applied to the image held by the image constituent element indicating the existence of the information unit or the fused image holding means. Thus, when arranging the image components, for example, when the position calculated by the position calculation unit overlaps with the display portion of the image entity, an image in which one of the image component and the image is made semitransparent By performing the processing, both of the respective display portions of the entity of the image to be displayed together with the image component can be displayed together without being completely hidden.

Further, the information presenting apparatus of the present invention (claim 4).
Is provided with an evaluation value calculating means (3a). The evaluation value calculation means (3a) calculates a value obtained by evaluating the information unit stored in the information unit holding means. For example, for an information unit such as linguistic information, an evaluation value giving a criterion for classifying each area is calculated. Further, by changing the method of calculating the evaluation value, the condition (applying condition) for selecting the information unit for the area can be changed by the value obtained by evaluating the information unit.

When displaying the contents of an information unit, in the information presenting apparatus (Claim 5) of the present invention, the correspondence holding means (4a) stores the information unit and the position of the image constituent element corresponding to the information unit. Since the correspondence information of the image constituent elements is stored, when the constituent element designating means (5a) receives an instruction for the image constituent element displayed on the display means, the correspondence information searching means (5b) selects the designated image constituent element. The corresponding information unit is searched, and the content presentation means (5c) presents the content of the searched information unit. This makes it possible to access the contents of the corresponding information unit by directly pointing to the image constituent element arranged in the area of the display portion of the image entity.

As described above, for a plurality of information units, an image component which means the existence of the information unit, which has the feeling of arranging itself on the image, and which meets various conditions, For example, it becomes possible to arrange the area condition in each area on the image, for example, on the display area of the entity of the image that symbolizes each area.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. Further, the features of the present invention will be specifically described based on Examples. (Overall Configuration) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an information presenting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the information presenting apparatus of the present embodiment roughly comprises a condition determining section 1, a display processing section 2, an information unit evaluating section 3, an information holding section 4, and a content search presenting section 5. .

The condition discriminating section 1 has an area condition holding means 1a.
And the condition conformity determination means 1b is provided. The area condition holding unit 1a has a relationship between a condition for selecting an information unit and an area for arranging an image constituent element indicating the existence of the selected information unit (here, a small white square is used as described later). Holding That is, the area information and the conditions corresponding to the area are stored. Further, the condition conformity determining unit 1b reads the information unit, and judges which region the information unit belongs to by referring to the region information stored in the region condition holding unit 1a and the condition corresponding to the region.

The display processing unit 2 includes a component rearrangement unit 2
a, fusion image holding means 2b, semi-transparent image generation means 2c,
The position calculation means 2d, the image generation means 2e, and the display means 2d are provided.

The constituent element rearranging means 2a moves the position of the image constituent element calculated by the position calculating means 2d to a position where it does not overlap the display portion of the entity of the image held in the fusion image holding means 2d. Perform processing. When arranging an image constituent element, for example, when the position calculated by the position calculating means overlaps the display portion of the image entity, the position where the image constituent element is arranged does not overlap the display portion of the image entity. Move to.

The fused image holding means 2b previously prepares and stores an image serving as a background when arranging image constituent elements. For example, in the case of presenting a plurality of information units regarding a network system, an image symbolizing each system element of the network system in each display portion is stored as its background image. In that case, each display portion of each system element symbolizes a region condition.

The translucent image generating means 2c carries out image processing for making the image translucent. When arranging image components,
For example, when the position calculated by the position calculation means overlaps with the display portion of the entity of the image, an image constituent element indicating the existence of an information unit or an image semitransparent to the image held in the fused image holding means Image processing is performed so that either one of the image constituent element and the image is semi-transparent.

The position calculation means 2d is a condition conformity determination means 1
Based on the judgment of b, the position where the image constituent element indicating the existence of the information unit is arranged is determined. This position is the position of the area that symbolizes the area condition in each display portion on the image displayed together. The image generation means 2e synthesizes the image stored in the fusion image holding means 2b and the image in which the image constituent element is arranged at the position determined by the position calculation means 2d to generate the image. Further, the display unit 2d displays the image generated by combining on the display screen.

The information unit evaluation section 3 includes an evaluation value calculation means 3
a is provided. The evaluation value calculation means 3a calculates a value obtained by evaluating the information unit stored in the information unit holding means. For example, for information units such as language information,
An evaluation value that gives a criterion for classifying each area is calculated.
This is because when the condition conformity determination means 1b cannot determine from the information unit whether or not the area condition is met, the information of the read information unit is sent to the evaluation value calculation means 3a, so that a value obtained by evaluating the information unit is calculated. . For example, for an information unit such as linguistic information, an evaluation value giving a criterion for classifying each area is calculated. Further, by changing the calculation method of this evaluation value, the condition (applicable condition) that the information unit is selected for the area by the value evaluated for this information unit.
Can be changed.

The information holding unit 4 has a correspondence holding means 4a.
And an information unit holding means 4b. The correspondence holding unit 4a stores the correspondence between the information unit and the position of the image constituent element corresponding to the information unit. In addition, the information unit holding unit 4b stores a plurality of information units presented by this information presentation device.

The content retrieval / presentation section 5 is provided with a component designating means 5a, a corresponding information retrieval means 5b, and a content presentation means 5c. The constituent element instructing means 5a performs a process of receiving an instruction for the image constituent element displayed on the display means, and the corresponding information searching means 5b searches for an information unit corresponding to the instructed image constituent element. And
The content presenting means 5c presents the content of the retrieved information unit. For example, the content information of the retrieved information unit is displayed on the display screen.

FIG. 2 illustrates a display example of image constituent elements arranged on the screen displayed by the information presenting apparatus of this embodiment and information of information units presented corresponding to the image constituent elements. It is a figure. As shown in FIG. 2, on the display screen 20 of the information presenting apparatus of the present embodiment, a first display area 22 in which an image constituent element 21 indicating the existence of an information unit is arranged together with an image, and the image constituent element 21. A second display area 23 is provided for displaying the content of the information unit when the content display of the corresponding information unit is instructed by the designation.

In this example of the information presenting device, a plurality of information units are stored, with each trouble unit occurring in each part of the network system as an information unit.
The image constituent element indicating the existence of the information unit is represented by a small white square figure, and is arranged and displayed on the image displaying the network system.

For this reason, in the first display area 22, an image showing the network system and an image indicating the existence of the information unit are set, with the content of each trouble occurring in each part of the network system as an information unit. The component 21 is arranged and displayed on the image. Since each image constituent element 21 means the existence of an information unit of the trouble content occurring in the network, for example, when one of them is designated by the mouse cursor 24, the corresponding information unit of the information unit is displayed in response to the operation. The content information is displayed in the second display area 23.

In this case, in the network system, the image constituent element which means the existence of the information unit of the trouble that has occurred with respect to the printer is arranged in the vicinity 25 of the display portion of the image displaying the printer. In addition, an image constituent element that means the existence of an information unit of the trouble content that occurred with respect to the network is arranged near the display portion of the image that displays the network. In this way, the image components that indicate the existence of each information unit of the trouble that occurred in the network system are arranged, so it is possible to easily determine the positioning of each information unit as a whole from the arrangement situation. It will be possible.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of content information which is an information unit presented by the information presentation device. As shown in FIG. 3, the information unit 30 of the information content presented by the information presenting device has a data format of a card type, an identification number field 31 for identifying the card type information, and an information content section. And a field 32. In the application example of the information presentation related to the network of the information presentation device as shown in FIG. 2, the information content field 32 stores the information of each trouble content occurring in each part of the network system as the information unit information. To be done. The individual card-type information as the information unit 30 is held in the information unit holding means 4b.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of image data used as a fusion image. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, in the case of presenting a plurality of information units regarding the network system, image data 40 symbolizing each system element of the network system by each display portion is stored in the fusion image holding means 2b. Saved. This image data 40
, Each display part of each system element of the network system represents (symbol) each area condition. The image data 40 here has a card format as its data format, and includes an identification number field 41 for identifying the card type information and an image data field 42. In the application example of information presentation relating to the occurrence of a network trouble of the information presentation device as shown in FIG. 2, the image data 40 is image data showing the entire configuration of the network system or image data of each system element in the network system. .

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of area conditions set when arranging image constituent elements. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, when presenting a plurality of information units regarding a network system, the area condition 50 is set for each system element of the network system. The condition data of the area condition 50 corresponds to the display position of each display portion of the image data shown in FIG. The area condition 50 here is data that gives a reference position when arranging image constituent elements, and its data format is set to a tabular format. Therefore, the point name feed 51, the condition (occurrence point) field 52, and the position field 5
3 is provided, and each data is set in each field.

In this way, the area condition is set corresponding to the position (point) at which the display portion of each system element of the network system on the image data is displayed. For example, the condition data of the first area condition set here is set as a point name “Network1”, a condition (occurrence point) “net number = 129.249.234.000”, and a position “(150,150)”. The meaning of this area condition is that the location of the image component that indicates the existence of an information unit that indicates the content of the trouble that has occurred in the network is the location reference, and the content of the trouble that has occurred in the network of net number = 129.2249.234.000. When presenting the information unit of
This means that the position (150, 150) is given to the position reference for arranging the image component that means the existence of the information unit. The condition data of such a region condition 50 is
It is stored in the area strip holding means 1b.

Next, in the information presenting apparatus of this embodiment,
The entire processing operation when arranging the image constituent elements which means the existence of the information unit will be described. Referring again to FIG.
A plurality of information units to be presented by the information presenting apparatus are given, and as shown in FIG. 3, each information unit 30 is held in the information unit holding means 4b, while, as shown in FIG. The image data 40 corresponding to the information of the information unit 30 here is held in the fusion image holding means 2b, and further,
As shown in FIG. 5, with the area condition 50 stored in the area strip holding means 1b corresponding to each display portion (system element) of the image data 40, each information unit is set as the area condition. In the light of this, the processing in the case of arranging and displaying the image constituent element that means the existence of the information unit in each area will be described.

In this process, the condition conformity determining means 1b
The information unit stored in the information unit holding means 4b is read, and it is determined which area the information unit belongs to by referring to the conditions corresponding to the area of the individual area conditions stored in the area condition holding means 1a. . Condition conformity determination means 1b
When the evaluation is required, sends the evaluation value to the evaluation value calculation means 3a and calculates the evaluation value. After it is determined which region it belongs to, the position calculation means 2d calculates the position on the screen. Then, an image in which the image constituent element indicating the existence of the information unit is arranged is generated by the image generating means 2e,
It is combined with the image of the image data stored in the fused image holding means 2b. Then, the combined image is displayed on the display unit 2d. Accordingly, on the image that symbolizes the area condition in each display portion, it is possible to arrange and display the image constituent element expressing the existence of the information unit in the area according to the condition.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining an image display process for arranging and displaying such image components in a series of flows. This will be described with reference to FIG. here,
Each information unit of each trouble content that occurred in the network system is sequentially read, and based on the image data of the network system and the area condition of each display part set in advance as described above, An example of processing in the case of arranging and displaying the image constituent element (quadrangle graphic 21) expressing the existence on the image of the prepared image data will be described.

As described above, the information unit holding means 4b stores a plurality of information units of the trouble content regarding the network system in the form as shown in FIG. Further, it is assumed that the area condition holding unit 1a stores a position reference area for arranging image constituent elements and a condition for the area in a format as shown in FIG. The condition for designating the area here is expressed as a point, and the neighboring area is designated from the position of the point. However, this directly specifies the shape of the area, such as a rectangular area or a circular area. May be. Any area may be specified. Further, it is assumed that the fused image holding unit 2b stores image data information relating to a forecast network system as shown in FIG.

When the processing is started, first, step S4
In a, the fusion image display processing is performed. The image generation means 2e reads the information of the image data of the fusion image holding means 2b, and the display means 2d causes the first display area 2 on the screen to be read.
2, an image of the network is displayed in the form as shown in FIG.

When the above preparation is completed, next, step S
In 4b, the process of reading the information unit is performed. In this processing, the condition conformity determination means 1b is executed by the information unit holding means 4b.
This is done by reading each information unit (Fig. 3) of the individual trouble content of the network stored in.

Next, in step S4c, an evaluation value calculation process is performed. When it is not possible to determine whether the read information of the trouble content in the unit of information simply meets the area condition, the information is sent to the evaluation value calculating means 3a to calculate the evaluation value. For example, when the information of the trouble occurrence point in the information unit of each trouble content of the network is missing, or when the trouble occurrence point extends to multiple points, the evaluation value is calculated to give the evaluation value. Is processed. For example, in the former case, a predetermined evaluation value whose position is unknown is returned, and in the latter case, an intermediate position between a plurality of locations is calculated and given as an evaluation value. Of course, when the position can be simply determined, such as when the information of the information unit is a numerical value itself (for example, when the trouble occurrence location is given as an address), the evaluation value calculation process is unnecessary.

Next, in step S4d, area selection processing is performed. Based on the area value (FIG. 5) stored in the area condition holding means 1a by the condition conformity determination means 1b based on the evaluation value calculated by the processing in the previous step,
The area to which this information unit belongs is selected.

Next, in step S4e, position calculation processing is performed. By this processing, the display position of the image constituent element (quadrangle figure 21) that means the existence of the information unit is calculated by the position calculation means 2d if it meets the condition of the area. The display position of the image constituent element calculated here is associated with the information unit of the corresponding trouble content.

Therefore, in the next step S4f,
Performs correspondence generation processing. A table of correspondence information between the display position of the image constituent element obtained in the process of the previous step and the identification number of the information unit whose existence is meant by the image constituent element is generated. The generated correspondence relationship information table is stored in the correspondence relationship holding unit 4a in a form as shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is an example of a correspondence relationship information table showing the relationship between the display position of an image constituent element and the identification number of the information unit whose presence is instructed by the image constituent element. In this correspondence table 80, the display position 81 of the image constituent element is associated with the identification number 82 of the information unit corresponding to this image constituent element, and the relationship is registered.

Next, the processing flow advances to step S4g. In step S4g, image generation is performed based on the display positions of the image constituent elements calculated previously. Upon receiving the display position of the image constituent element, the image generation means 2e generates an image of the image constituent element (small white square figure) indicating the existence of the information unit at the display position. Next, in step S4h, the image of the generated image component is combined with the fusion image previously displayed on the display unit 2d, and the intermediate image is displayed.

Next, in step S4i, the processing is controlled. The control from the steps S4b to S4h is repeatedly performed until the reading of the necessary information units is completed, and the result is displayed and the process is ended in the next step S4j. That is, the composite image of the finally generated fused image of the network system image and the image of the image constituent element is displayed on the display unit 2d, and the process ends. here,
The finally generated image has a form as shown in FIG. 9, and in the first display area 22, a white square indicating the existence of information units of various trouble contents on the image representing the network. An image in which the graphic (image component) 21 is arranged is displayed.

As a result, in the first display area 22, together with the image displaying the network system, the information unit of the content of each trouble occurring in each part of the network system is displayed by the image constituent element 21 meaning the existence thereof. , Is displayed at the corresponding position in the image of the network system. Each image component 21 here means the existence of an information unit of the content of the trouble that has occurred in the network. Therefore, for example, if one of the image components is designated by the mouse cursor 24, the operation is performed. Correspondingly, the content information of the information unit is displayed in the second display area 23.

Next, the process of presenting the contents of the information unit (contents of network trouble) by the instruction of the image constituent element will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of content information presentation processing, and FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of content information presentation operation. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

As shown in FIG. 11, the mouse cursor 24
Thus, for example, when a quadrangle graphic of an image constituent element indicating the existence of an information unit of the content of a trouble that has occurred in the network is designated, the display color of the image constituent element changes, and the image constituent element becomes the selected state. Thereby, the presentation process of the content of the information unit corresponding to this image constituent element is started. That is, when the processing of the image component instruction is performed in step S13a, the component instruction means 5a
The instruction of the image constituent element is received from the user, and this position information is sent to the correspondence information searching means 5b.

Next, in step S13b, the correspondence retrieval process is performed. This processing is performed by the correspondence information search means 5
b searches the correspondence relation table (80: FIG. 8) stored in the correspondence relation holding means 4a based on the position information instructed by the user in the process of the previous step, and the information unit of the information unit is searched from the position information. Obtain an identification number (ID).

Next, in step S13c, information unit search processing is performed. This processing is performed by the correspondence information search means 5b.
However, based on the identification number (ID), the information unit holding means 4b is searched and the corresponding information unit is taken out. Finally, in step S13d, the content of the extracted information unit is displayed on the content presenting means 5c, and the processing is ended. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11, the second display area 23 of the display screen is displayed.
In, the content information of the information unit corresponding to the instructed image constituent element is displayed. As information included in such information units, the contents of network troubles are presented here as text information. However, instead of such text information, information that includes voice, image, video, etc. It doesn't matter.

In this way, the corresponding information unit is presented by instructing the image component, so that the corresponding information unit can be easily accessed. In the case of this application example, the trouble content regarding the network system is used as an information unit, and the occurrence position is used as an area condition,
Since the image components that indicate the existence of each information unit are displayed, the image components that indicate the existence of the information unit of the trouble content regarding the printer are arranged near the display portion of the image displaying the printer. In addition, the image constituent element, which means the existence of the information unit of the trouble content that occurred with respect to the network, is arranged in the vicinity of the display portion of the image displaying the network.

Therefore, for example, when there are many troubles concerning the printer of the network system, many image components are arranged and displayed in the vicinity of the display portion of the printer. Elements are displayed overlapping. In this case, the individual image components displayed in an overlapping manner are difficult to see, and it becomes difficult to perform an operation of distinguishing and instructing many individual image components. This can be solved by moving the position of the arrangement of the individual image components or by making the image display of the individual image components semi-transparent.

Next, a modified example of such an embodiment of the information presenting apparatus of the present invention will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a display example when the image display of the image constituent element is semi-transparent, and FIG. 13 illustrates a display example when the image display position of the image constituent element is moved to avoid duplication. FIG. Further, FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a display example when the image display position of the image component is moved to display a graph.

First, a description will be given of the processing in the case where the image display of the image constituent elements is semi-transparent and the composite image is displayed. Corresponding to the processing in this case, the information presenting apparatus of this embodiment is provided with a semitransparent image generating means 2c. When the image of the image constituent element is generated (step S4g), the translucent process sends the image of the image constituent element to the semitransparent image generating means 2c to obtain the semitransparent image of the image of the image constituent element. Then, this semi-transparent image is combined. As a result, the finally obtained composite image with the fusion image displaying the image of the image component is displayed in a form as shown in FIG. Thereby, since the overlapping portion of the image components is clearly displayed, even when the individual image components are displayed in an overlapping manner, it is possible to easily confirm the existence of the individual image components displayed in an overlapping manner. It becomes easy to perform an operation of distinguishing and instructing many individual image constituent elements.

Next, the processing for displaying the image constituent elements so as not to overlap the fused image will be described. In the processing in this case, as shown in FIG. 13, the display position of the image of the image constituent element is moved to avoid duplication and displayed. Corresponding to the processing in this case, the information presenting apparatus of this embodiment is provided with the component rearrangement means 2a. The process of avoiding the duplication of images of the image constituents is calculated here when the position calculation means 2d calculates the display position of the image constituents in the case of performing the position calculation processing of the image constituents (step S4e). The display position is sent to the component rearrangement means 2a. The component rearrangement means 2a returns the position data as it is to the position calculation means 2d when it does not overlap each display portion of the fusion image. In case of overlap,
Positions that do not overlap as much as possible are calculated and returned to the position calculating means 2d. The determination as to whether or not they overlap is made based on the information of the image data of the fused image stored in the fused image holding unit 2b. Alternatively, the determination may be made by detecting the image displayed on the display unit 2f. As a result, the overlapping portion of the image components is eliminated and displayed. Therefore, it is easy to perform an operation of distinguishing and instructing many individual image constituent elements.

As a new position calculation method for moving the display position of the image of the image constituent element, a method of determining the position from the original position using a random number or the like, or a range for moving the display position is set and the image is displayed. A method of detecting a non-existing position is used. By performing such processing, it is possible to arrange the image constituent elements so as not to overlap the image prepared in advance, as shown in FIG.

Further, when the display position of the image of the image constituent element is moved, as shown in FIG. 14, the image display position of the image constituent element is moved so that the display position is adjusted to meet the area condition. The image components to be displayed can be modified so as to be displayed graphically. For example, as described above, when there are many troubles that occur in the printer of the network system, many image components are arranged and displayed in the vicinity of the display portion of the printer. , The quadrangles of the individual image components that are displayed in large numbers are vertically stacked to be displayed as a graph. As a result, the number of image components that are partially overlapped and displayed is reduced. Further, in this case, the number of troubles that have occurred in the printer of the network system is also shown at the same time. Such a process is also performed by the component rearrangement unit 2a that performs a process of moving the arrangement position of each image component. As a result, the overlapping portion of the image components is partially eliminated and displayed. Therefore, it is easy to perform an operation of distinguishing and instructing many individual image constituent elements.

[0067]

As described above, according to the information presenting apparatus of the present invention, the stored information unit is read,
It becomes possible to arrange the image constituent element expressing the existence of the information unit in a specific area on the image prepared in advance corresponding to the condition of the area. At the same time, direct indication of the arranged image component makes it possible to access the corresponding information. As a result, it becomes possible to arrange the information units themselves that meet various conditions while having the feeling of arranging the information units themselves on the image. This is very effective when analyzing a large amount of information, setting the direction of future information collection, or devising an idea. Further, in particular, since the image constituent elements can be arranged directly on the image, there is an effect that the understanding is deepened and the persuasive power is increased when the analysis result of the information is presented to another person.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an information presentation device according to an embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 illustrates a display example of image constituent elements arranged on a screen displayed by the information presenting apparatus of the present embodiment and information of information units presented corresponding to the image constituent elements. Figure,

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of content information as an information unit presented by the information presentation device,

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of image data used as a fusion image,

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of region conditions set when arranging image constituent elements;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an image display process for arranging and displaying image components in a series of flows;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example of a fusion image displayed in a first display area 22 on the screen,

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a correspondence relationship table showing a relationship between a display position of an image constituent element and an identification number of an information unit whose presence is instructed by the image constituent element;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an image display example of standard image components,

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of content information presentation processing;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a content information presentation operation;

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a display example in the case where the image display of image components is made semi-transparent;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display example in the case where the image display positions of image constituent elements are moved to avoid duplication;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a display example in the case where an image display position of an image component is moved to display a graph.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Condition determination part, 1a ... Area condition holding means, 1b ... Condition matching determination means, 2 ... Display processing part, 2a ... Component rearrangement means, 2b ... Fusion image holding means, 2c ... Semi-transparent image generation means, 2d ... Position calculation means, 2e ... Image generation means, 2d
... display means, 3 ... information unit evaluation section, 3a ... evaluation value calculation means, 4 ... information holding section, 4a ... correspondence holding section, 4b ...
Information unit holding means, 5 ... Content search presenting section, 5a ... Constituent element instructing means, 5b ... Corresponding information searching means, 5c ... Content presenting means, 20 ... Display screen, 21 ... Image constituent element, 22 ... First display area , 23 ... Second display area, 24 ... Cursor, 25 ... Vicinity of display area, 30 ... Information unit, 31 ... Identification number field, 32 ... Information content field, 40
... image data, 41 ... identification number field, 42 ... image data field, 50 ... area condition, 51 ... point name feed, 52 ... condition (occurrence location) field, 53 ... position field, 80 ... correspondence table, 81 ... image configuration Element display position, 82 ... Identification number of information unit.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An information presenting apparatus for storing a plurality of information units and presenting an image constituent element indicating the existence of each information unit in an area representing the characteristic, according to the characteristic of each information unit. An information unit holding means for holding a plurality of information units, and an area condition holding means for holding a relationship between a condition for selecting the information unit and an area for arranging an image constituent element indicating the existence of the selected information unit. A condition conformity determining unit that determines which region the information unit belongs to based on the condition held by the region condition holding unit, and a position that determines the position where the image component is arranged based on the judgment of the condition conformity determining unit An image obtained by combining the calculation means, the fusion image holding means for holding the image, the image stored in the fusion image holding means, and the image in which the image constituent element is arranged at the position determined by the position calculation means. An information presenting apparatus comprising: an image generating unit that generates the image and a display unit that displays the generated image. 2. The information presenting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: moving the position calculated by the position calculating means to a position that does not overlap the display portion of the entity of the image held in the fusion image holding means. An information presenting apparatus, comprising: a component rearrangement unit that causes the information to be rearranged. 3. The information presenting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising image processing means for performing image processing on an image component that indicates the presence of an information unit or an image held in a fused image holding means. An information presentation device characterized by: 4. The information presenting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an evaluation value calculation means for calculating a value obtained by evaluating an information unit stored in the information unit holding means, and the information value unit is operated by the evaluation value calculation means. An information presenting apparatus characterized in that a condition for selecting an information unit for an area changes depending on a value evaluated. 5. The information presentation device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a component instruction means for receiving an instruction to the image component displayed on the display means; and an information unit corresponding to the instructed image component. A correspondence information search means for searching the information unit, a content presentation means for presenting the contents of the searched information unit, and a correspondence relation holding means for storing the correspondence relation between the information unit and the position of the image constituent element corresponding to the information unit. An information presenting device comprising: