JP6112762B2 - Thinking / discussion process structuring support system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a system that can support an efficient and creative creative system by visualizing, structuring, and sharing a thinking and discussion process.

  Graphical expression that organizes and summarizes complex ideas by describing the concepts, keywords, data acquired or created, etc. one after another while connecting them with relational lines (or branches) and mapping them. Techniques have been devised, and software tools therefor are also provided (see, for example, the following patent documents). By creating a map using this type of tool, you can efficiently generate ideas, visualize them, and share them. In addition, the flow of thoughts and examinations and various related information can be recorded, so new discoveries are expected.

  What elements are associated and appended to an element on the map when considering what to do next and what to consider or discuss during the map creation process? Need to know. Concepts, keywords, data, etc. connected by relationship lines may be information related to a certain thing, an image associated with a certain thing, or an analysis, opinion, or criticism about a certain thing. By extracting them, people's thoughts on a certain thing can be aggregated, and as a result, it becomes possible to infer what information will be input (written) to the map next.

  However, at present, there is no suitable means for quickly confirming an element associated with a certain element. In the case of a map created by spending a lot of time or a map written by multiple people together, many elements are included, relational lines connecting elements are diversified, and the contents are complicated. It is difficult to extract an element associated with a certain element with a human eye. If this happens, the map created at the corner may not be fully utilized.

“Mindmap (registered trademark)”, [online], [searched on September 30, 2011], Internet <URL http://www.mindmap.or.jp> “Cacoo (registered trademark)”, [online], [searched on September 30, 2011], Internet <URL http://cacoo.com>

  The present invention has been made by paying attention to the above-mentioned problem for the first time, and it is intended to enable quick confirmation of other elements associated with a certain element described in a map. .

The present invention is a system for displaying a plurality of item objects in a display area on a display of a user side terminal used by a user and displaying a relationship between associated item objects. An operation in which a user inputs a character string as an element of an item object or an operation in which data is specified as an element of an item object, an operation in which the user specifies where the item object is displayed in the display area, and a display by the user An item operation accepting unit that accepts an operation for specifying which of the item objects displayed in the area is associated with, and an item object to be displayed in the display area based on the operation accepted in the item operation accepting unit Display position, item Item information storage unit for storing character string or data or URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) indicating data as an element of the object, and information for defining the association between item objects, and information stored in the item information storage unit , And an object display control unit that displays a plurality of item objects simultaneously in the display area of a single display screen, and an operation in which a user requests a search for an item object or an element thereof, and a search keyword is input. A plurality of item objects associated with an item object that includes the search keyword received by the search operation reception unit as an element with reference to the search operation reception unit that receives the operation and information stored in the item information storage unit Search and relationship between an item object including a search keyword as an element, a plurality of item objects associated with the item object, and an item object including the search keyword as an element and a plurality of item objects associated with the item object A thought / discussion process structuring support system characterized by comprising a search result display control unit for simultaneously displaying line objects as search results within the display area of the screen of one display is constructed.

  Further, a plurality of user-side terminals used by a plurality of users and an information processing server are communicably connected via an electric communication line, and the user-side terminal is in a display area based on an operation received by the item operation reception unit. Item information transmission for transmitting to the information processing server the display position of the item object to be displayed, the URI indicating the character string or data or data serving as the element of the item object, and the association between the item objects And the display position of the item object to be displayed in the display area, the URI indicating the character string or data or data that is the element of the item object, and the association between the item objects Items that receive information An item object to be displayed in the display area provided by the information processing server from the user terminal, the information receiving unit storing information received by the item information receiving unit in the item information storage unit The item information receiving unit that receives the display position, the character string or data that is the element of the item object, the URI indicating the data or the data, and the information that defines the association between the item objects, and the information received by the item information receiving unit If the system includes an item information storage unit that stores information and an item information transmission unit that transmits information stored in the item information storage unit to the user terminal, a plurality of users can cooperate with the item. Objects can be installed and edited. In other words, ideas can be put out and ideas can be gathered through the collaboration of multiple people.

Further, in the present invention, the user side terminal used by the user and the information processing server are communicably connected via an electric communication line, and a plurality of item objects are displayed in the display area on the display of the user side terminal, and A system for displaying a relationship between item objects that are associated with each other, in which a user side terminal performs an operation in which a user inputs a character string as an element of an item object or an operation in which data is specified as an element of an item object, Item operation accepting unit for accepting an operation for designating which position in the display area the item object is displayed and an operation for designating which of the item objects displayed in the display area is associated with the user And based on the operation received by the item operation reception unit. An item information storage unit for storing a display position of the item object to be displayed in the display area, a character string or data or data indicating the element of the item object, and information defining an association between the item objects; Based on the operation received by the item operation receiving unit, the display position of the item object to be displayed in the display area, the character string or the data or data serving as the element of the item object, and the association between the item objects Referring to the information stored in the item information transmission unit and the item information storage unit that transmits the prescribed information to the information processing server, a plurality of item objects are simultaneously displayed in the display area of the screen of one display. object Display control unit, a search operation accepting unit that accepts an operation for inputting a search keyword, and a search keyword or item received by the search operation accepting unit. A search request transmitting unit for transmitting a search request including information indicating an item object including the search keyword as an element, with reference to information stored in the information storage unit, to the information processing server; and transmitting the search request As a result of the information processing server, a response receiving unit that receives information indicating an item object or an element of the item object, and a plurality of items indicated by the item object including the search keyword as an element and the information received by the response receiving unit Need item objects and search keywords A search result display control unit for simultaneously displaying, as a search result, a relation line object that connects an item object included as an element and a plurality of item objects associated with the item object as a search result in a display area of one display screen; The information processing server brings the display position of the item object to be displayed in the display area, which is brought from the user side terminal, the character string or the data or the data that becomes the element of the item object, and the item objects An item information receiving unit that receives information defining the association, an item information storage unit that stores information received by the item information receiving unit, a search request receiving unit that receives a search request brought from the user terminal, and an item Store in information storage A plurality of item objects associated with the item object including the search keyword included in the search request received by the search request receiving unit as an element, or the information included in the search request A plurality of item objects associated with the indicated item object, and a response transmission unit that returns information indicating the extracted item object or the element of the item object to the user terminal. A structured support system for thinking and discussion processes characterized by

Alternatively, the user side terminal used by the user and the information processing server are communicably connected via an electric communication line, and a plurality of item objects are displayed in the display area on the display of the user side terminal and are associated with each other. System that displays the relationship between item objects, and the user side terminal operates to input a character string as an element of an item object or to specify data as an element of an item object, and the user displays an item object Item operation accepting unit for accepting an operation for designating which position in the area to display, and an operation for designating which of the item objects displayed in the display area is associated with the user, and item operation Display based on operations received at the reception Item information storage unit for storing the display position of the item object to be displayed in the area, the character string or the data or data indicating the element of the item object, and information defining the association between the item objects, and the item operation Information specifying the display position of the item object to be displayed in the display area, the URI indicating the character string or data or data as the element of the item object, and the association between the item objects based on the operation received by the receiving unit Object information transmission unit for transmitting information to the information processing server, and object display for displaying a plurality of item objects simultaneously in the display area of the screen of one display with reference to information stored in the item information storage unit Information, a search operation accepting unit that accepts an operation for inputting a search keyword, and a search request including a search keyword accepted by the search operation accepting unit. A search request transmission unit that transmits information to the processing server, a response reception unit that receives information indicating an item object that is provided from the information processing server as a result of transmitting the search request, and information that is stored in the item information storage unit , Search for a plurality of item objects associated with the item object indicated in the information received by the response receiving unit, and an item object including the search keyword as an element and a plurality of items associated with the item object Using objects and search keywords as elements A search result display control unit that simultaneously displays as a search result a display area of a single display screen as a search result for a relation line object that connects an item object that is included and a plurality of item objects associated with the item object. The information processing server provides the display position of the item object to be displayed in the display area, the URI indicating the character string or data or data that is the element of the item object, and the item objects An item information receiving unit that receives information defining the association, an item information storage unit that stores information received by the item information receiving unit, a search request receiving unit that receives a search request from a user terminal, and item information Remembered in the memory A response transmission unit that returns an information indicating an item object including, as an element, a search keyword included in the search request received by the search request reception unit, which is searched with reference to the information, to the user terminal. Thinking / discussion process structuring support system characterized by

  Furthermore, a plurality of user-side terminals used by a plurality of users and the information processing server should be communicably connected via an electric communication line, and the user-side terminal should be displayed in a display area provided from the information processing server. An item information receiving unit that receives a display position of an item object, a character string that is an element of the item object, a URI indicating data or data, and information that defines an association between item objects, The received information is also stored in the item information storage unit, and the information processing server includes an item information transmission unit that transmits information stored in the item information storage unit to the user terminal. If multiple users collaborate to install item objects, It is possible to edit the door. In other words, ideas can be put out and ideas can be gathered through the collaboration of multiple people.

  According to the present invention, other elements associated with a certain element described in the map can be quickly confirmed.

The figure which shows the whole outline | summary of the thought / discussion process structuring support system in one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which illustrates the map which can be created using the system of the embodiment, an item object, and a relation line object. The figure which shows the display mode of the search result by the system of the embodiment. The figure which shows the display mode of the search result by the system of the embodiment. The figure which shows the hardware resource with which the user side terminal in the embodiment is provided. The functional block diagram of the user side terminal in the embodiment. The figure which shows the hardware resource with which the information processing server in the embodiment is provided. The functional block diagram of the information processing server in the embodiment. The functional block diagram of the user side terminal in one Embodiment of this invention. The functional block diagram of the information processing server in the embodiment.

  <First Embodiment> An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the thought / discussion process structuring support system of the present embodiment aggregates one or a plurality of user-side terminals 1 that are directly operated by each user and map data created by the user. The information processing server 2 is configured to be connected to each other via an electric communication line such as a public network represented by the Internet or a mobile phone network, a WAN (Wide Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), etc. The

  First, touch on maps that can be created using this system. Examples of maps are shown in FIGS. In the map, a plurality of item objects 4 are arranged in the display area 3 and the associated item objects 4 are connected by a relationship line object 5 representing a mutual relationship.

  The display area 3 may be a two-dimensional plane or a virtual three-dimensional space. In the present embodiment, the display area 3 is a two-dimensional plane (sheet). The map includes one or a plurality of display areas 3.

  The item object 4 can take various forms (shape, color, dimensions, etc.). The item object 4 has as its element a character string directly input by the user or some data specified by the user. In the former case, the character string as an element is directly displayed in the item object 4. In the latter case, the element data itself is not necessarily displayed in the item object 4, but a URI or data file name indicating the data, an icon indicating the data type, a thumbnail image indicating the data content, or the like Could be displayed instead. Basically, the item object 4 has a contour line surrounding the element, but an item object 4 without a contour line is also conceivable.

  It is also possible to superimpose another item object 4 on the item object 4 (or place another item object 4 inside). At this time, the item object 4 underlying another item object 4 (or containing another item object 4) is referred to as a “base item” object.

  The relationship line object 5 can also take various forms (line thickness and color, line type (solid line, broken line, chain line, straight line or curved line), presence / absence and direction of an arrow, etc.).

  The user can install the item object 4 at an arbitrary position coordinate in the display area 3 and can freely select the mode of the item object 4. In addition, an arbitrary character string can be input or arbitrary data can be designated as an element of the item object 4. Further, the user determines which item object 4 existing in the display area 3 is associated with which item object 4, that is, which item object 4 and which item object 4 are connected by a relation line, and the display area Arbitrary relational line object 5 can be set in 3. The aspect of the relationship line object 5 can also be freely selected.

  One map can be created jointly by a plurality of users. That is, each user can freely set the item object 4 and the relationship line object 5 in the same display area 3 by operating the user terminal 1 used by each user.

  Moreover, about each item object 4, several users can attach a score and / or a tag, respectively. For example, if each user can give a score value such as “good (or agree)” or “bad (or disagree)” to one item object 4, about one item object 4 By summing up the score values given by a plurality of users, it is possible to determine the score of the item object 4 such that “good” is 10 votes, “bad” is 2 votes, and subtracted 8 votes.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the user terminal 1 includes a processor 1a, a main memory 1b, an auxiliary storage device 1c, a general-purpose personal computer, a workstation, a portable information terminal, a mobile phone terminal (including a smartphone), and the like. The operation input device 1d, the microphone 1e, the speaker 1f, the audio codec 1g, the camera 1h, the display 1i, the video codec 1j, the communication interface 1k, and the like are provided with hardware resources such as a controller (system controller, I / O controller, etc.) 1l. It is controlled by and cooperates.

  The auxiliary storage device 1c is a hard disk drive, a flash memory, an optical disk drive, or the like.

  The operation input device 1d is a pointing device such as a keyboard or a push button that can be operated with fingers, a mouse, a touch panel, or a track pad. The operation input device 1d may be a remote controller that wirelessly communicates with the user terminal 1.

  The audio codec 1g decodes the encoded audio data and outputs the audio from the speaker 1f, or encodes the audio collected via the microphone 1e. The video codec 1j decodes encoded image (still image or moving image) data and displays and outputs it on the screen of the display 1i, or encodes a video taken via the camera 1h. The video codec 1j may be a so-called GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). Each of the audio codec 1g and the video codec 1j can be implemented as software instead of hardware.

  The communication interface 1g is a device for performing information communication via an electric communication line, and is typified by a NIC (Network Interface Card) or a wireless transceiver, but in addition to these, an interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE1394, or the like. Can also be adopted.

  A program to be executed by the processor 1a is stored in the auxiliary storage device 1c. When the program is executed, the program is read from the auxiliary storage device 1c into the main memory 1b and decoded by the processor 1a. In this embodiment, a known OS (Operating System) program and various device driver programs attached thereto are preinstalled, and mediate use of the hardware resources by other programs. In addition, web browser programs and plug-in programs that function on the web browser (for example, Adobe (registered trademark) Flash player, JAVA (registered trademark) VM, etc.), video / audio playback programs, word processor programs, spreadsheet programs, etc. Application programs are also installed in advance.

  In addition, a program (or script) necessary for constructing the system according to the present invention is installed, and hardware resources are operated according to the program, and the item operation reception unit 101 and item information storage shown in FIG. The function as the part 102, the item information transmission part 103, the item information reception part 104, the object display control part 105, the search operation reception part 106, and the search result display control part 107 is exhibited. Incidentally, this program is provided from the information processing server 2 via an electric communication line, is received by the user terminal 1, stored in the auxiliary storage device 1c, and executed. This program is interpreted by a plug-in and operates on a web browser.

The function of each part is explained in detail. The item operation accepting unit 101 accepts an operation by the user's hand via the operation input device 1d. As an operation to accept,
An operation for designating where in the display area 3 the item object 4 is to be displayed; for example, designation of position coordinates in the display area 3 using a pointing device, etc. • A character string is input as an element of the item object 4 Operation: For example, manual input of a character string using a keyboard, etc.-Operation for designating data as an element of the item object 4; for example, manual input of a URI indicating target data using a keyboard, or target data using a pointing device Directory or file selection, etc.-Operation to attach a score or tag to the item object 4 in the display area 3; for example, designation of the target item object 4 using a pointing device, and target using a keyboard or pointing device Item of Input, designation, change, etc. of the score or tag value attached to the object 4-operation for designating which of the item objects 4 in the display area 3 is associated with; for example, association using a pointing device An operation of sequentially selecting one item object 4 and another item object 4 to perform, an operation of dragging and dropping one item object 4 to another item object 4, etc. Aspect of item object 4 or relation line object 5 For example, designation of target objects 4 and 5 using a pointing device and designation, change, etc. of the mode of target objects 4 and 5 using a keyboard or pointing device.

  The item information storage unit 102 uses a required storage area of the main memory 1b or the auxiliary storage device 1c, and information about the contents of the map, that is, the item object 4 and the relation line object arranged in the display area 3 by the user's hand 5 is stored. The information stored in the item information storage unit 102 is based on an operation received by the item operation reception unit 101 of the user terminal 1 used by any user. The information stored in the item information storage unit 102 includes the following.

(I) Map information / ID for identifying a map
-Time stamp of map creation date / time, etc.-User-named map name-URI pointing to the map itself
Others (ii) Display area information for each display area 3 ID for identifying display area 3
ID that identifies the map to which the display area 3 belongs (parent)
-Time stamp such as the creation date / time and modification date / time of the display area 3-Name of the display area 3 named by the user-URI indicating the display area 3 itself
Others (iii) Item object information for each item object 4 ID for identifying the item object 4
ID for identifying the map to which the item object 4 belongs (parent) and / or ID for identifying the display area 3
-Time stamp such as the creation date / time and modification date / time of the item object 4-ID for identifying the user who created the item object 4
-Whether or not change (editing) by a user different from the created user is allowed-When the item object 4 is installed on another item object 4, that is, the base item object 4, an ID for identifying the base item object 4
Aspect of the shape, color, dimensions, etc. of the item object 4 A position coordinate in the display area 3 of the item object 4 A score and / or a tag attached to the item object 4 An element of the item object 4 is a character string In some cases, when the character string and the character string when the character string is displayed in the item object 4, the size of the character, etc., if the element of the item object 4 is data other than the character string, the data or the data URI pointing to
-When the element of the item object 4 is data other than a character string, file name, hyperlink, icon, thumbnail image, etc. to be displayed in the item object 4-Information defining the association between the item objects 4. Specifically, the ID of one or a plurality of item objects 4 associated with the item object 4 and the ID of the relationship line object 5 connecting the item object 4
(Iv) Relation line object information and relation line object 5 ID for each relation line object 5
ID for identifying the map to which the relation line object 5 belongs and / or ID for identifying the display area 3
-Time stamp such as the creation date / time and modification date / time of the relationship line object 5-ID for identifying the user who created the relationship line object 5
Can be changed (edited) by a user different from the created user? Aspects such as line thickness, color, line type, presence / absence of arrow and orientation of the relationship line object 5 The item information transmission unit 103 is an item operation reception unit 101. Based on the operation received in step 1, the same information as that written in the item information storage unit 102, that is, the position coordinates indicating where the item object 4 is to be displayed in the display area 3, and the element of the item object 4 A target character string or data or a URI indicating the data, a score or tag attached to the item object 4, an association between the item objects 4, an aspect of the item object 4 or the relationship line object 5, and other information. 4 or ID for identifying the relationship line object 5, user Along with an ID for identifying the information, a time stamp, and the like, the information is transmitted to the information processing server 2 via a telecommunication line. The reason for transmitting the information is to provide the information to the user terminal 1 used by another user and share it with the user terminal 1 used by another user. In the present embodiment, all information related to the contents of the objects 4, 5 and other maps installed by each user is collected in the information processing server 2. Therefore, the user-side terminal 1 that has accepted an operation such as installation or change of the objects 4 and 5 by the user's hand transmits information corresponding to the accepted operation to the information processing server 2 via the telecommunication line. To do.

The item information receiving unit 104 is provided with the coordinates of the display position of the item object 4 to be displayed in the display area 3, the character string or the data or the data that is the element of the item object 4, Information that defines the association between the item objects 4 is received via the telecommunication line. As an opportunity to receive information from the information processing server 2,
Map information relating to one or a plurality of maps stored in advance in the information processing server 2 (the item information storage unit 202 thereof) when the user views the map for the first time or intends to participate in the creation or editing of the map , Display area information, item object information, and relation line object information are collectively downloaded from the information processing server 2, or
-Information on the installation of the new objects 4 and 5 or the change of the element contents and mode of the objects 4 and 5 already installed, which is input by other users by operating the user terminal 1, in other words, the current item It is assumed that a difference between the map stored and held in the information storage unit 102 and the latest map edited by another user's operation is received from the information processing server 2. In the latter case, information may be pushed from the information processing server 2 to the user side terminal 1, or the user side terminal 1 may pull down the latest information by periodically inquiring the information processing server 2. . In any case, the received information is stored in the item information storage unit 102.

  The object display control unit 105 reads the map information, display area information, item object information, and relation line object information stored in the item information storage unit 102, draws the display area 3 on the screen of the display 1i, and reads the display area 3 Based on the obtained information, a plurality of item objects 4 and relation line objects 5 are drawn and displayed in the display area 3.

  In addition, the object display control unit 105 designates a certain place or range in the display area 3 by the user's hand (this designation is accepted via the operation input device 1d) or in advance in the display area 3 When a specific place or range is set as a condition, when the item object 4 and / or the relation line object 5 is positioned in the place or range, the item object 4 and / or the relation line object 5 is displayed. The aspect can be changed from the normal one, and the item object 4 and / or the relation line object can be animated or other actions.

  The search operation reception unit 106 receives an operation for requesting a search for the item object 4 or its elements by the user's hand. The search operation accepting unit 106 accepts an operation for inputting a search keyword via the operation input device 1d, in particular, a keyboard or the like.

  The search result display control unit 107 refers to the information stored in the item information storage unit 102 and searches for the item object 4 associated with the item object 4 including the search keyword received by the search operation reception unit 106 as an element. To do. That is, it is determined whether or not each item object 4 existing on the map display area 3 matches the search keyword.

  In the search, for the item object 4 having a character string as an element, it is determined whether or not a search keyword is included in the character string. On the other hand, for the item object 4 having data other than a character string as an element, it may be determined whether or not a search keyword is included in the file name of the data, a URI indicating the data, or the like. It may be determined whether or not the search keyword is included in the contents of the data (particularly, document data or the like).

  When a URI indicating data is described as an element of the item object 4, the data indicated by the URI is not stored in the main memory 1b or the auxiliary storage device 1c of the user terminal 1. May be a resource. At that time, in accordance with a required communication protocol (for example, HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)), the computer (which may be the information processing server 2) storing the data indicated by the URI is connected via an electric communication line. And then downloading the data pointed to by the URI to the user terminal 1 and referring to the contents of the data to determine whether or not a search keyword is included.

  Further, the search result display control unit 107 refers to the information stored in the item information storage unit 102 and searches for the item object 4 associated with the item object 4 including the search keyword as an element. As already described, the ID of an item object 4 associated with a certain item object 4 is described as item object information. Therefore, it is possible to extract all the item objects 4 to be searched by extracting the ID of the item object 4 associated with the item object 4 including the search keyword as an element.

  The search result display control unit 107 can extract the item object 4 to be searched from among a large number of item objects 4 belonging to any of the plurality of display areas 3 or the map. In short, it is possible to search a plurality of display areas 3 or maps at once. The search result display control unit 107 belongs to the display area 3 or map that is currently viewed (displayed on the screen of the display 1i) by the user who has input the search keyword using the user terminal 1 or is currently operated by the user. In addition to extracting the corresponding item object 4 from the selected item object 4, the item object 4 belonging to the display area 3 or map other than that (for example, created, viewed or operated by another user) The corresponding item object 4 can be extracted from the list.

  Thereafter, the search result display control unit 107 displays the extracted item object 4 or the element of the item object 4 on the display 1i as a search result.

  3 and 4 show display examples of search results. FIGS. 3 and 4 are display examples of search results when the search keyword is “fact data”. The item object 4 including the search keyword “fact data” as an element is denoted by reference numeral 4A in FIGS. In addition, the item object 4 associated with the item object 4 including the search keyword “fact data” as an element is denoted by reference numeral 4B in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the search result is displayed on the map display area 3 by highlighting, changing the color, or blinking the corresponding item object 4B. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, the elements of the corresponding one or more item objects 4B may be displayed as a list. In the case of a list display, the display order of the corresponding item object 4B is determined according to the score or tag attached to each corresponding item object 4B (by ascending order or descending order of the score or tag value). It is preferable. Alternatively, the display order of the item objects 4B may be determined according to the mode of the corresponding item object 4B, and the relationship line object 5 interposed between the corresponding item object 4B and the item object 4A including the search keyword as an element. The display order of the item object 4B may be determined according to the aspect, and the display order of the item object 4B may be determined according to the number of relational line objects 5 connected to the corresponding item object 4B.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the information processing server 2 includes hardware resources such as a processor 2a, a main memory 2b, an auxiliary storage device 2c, and a communication interface 2d, such as a general-purpose server computer. It is controlled and cooperates.

  A program to be executed by the processor 2a is stored in the auxiliary storage device 2c. When the program is executed, the program is read from the auxiliary storage device 2c into the main memory 2b and decoded by the processor 2a. In this embodiment, a known OS program and various device driver programs attached thereto are installed in advance, and mediate use of the hardware resources by other programs. In addition, a web server program and other application programs, a program to be transmitted and provided to the user terminal 1 via an electric communication line, and the like are installed in advance.

  On that basis, a program necessary for constructing the system according to the present invention is installed, and hardware resources are operated according to the program, so that the item information receiving unit 201, the item information storage unit 202, the item information shown in FIG. The function as the transmission unit 203 is exhibited. It should be noted that the function of each unit shown in FIG. 8 is distributed to a plurality of server computers and does not prevent the server computer from cooperating to form the information processing server 2.

  The function of each part is explained in detail. The item information receiving unit 201 is provided with the position coordinates indicating the position in the display area 3 where the item object 4 is displayed, the character string or data that is an element of the item object 4, or the data A URI or a score attached to the item object 4, an association between the item objects 4, an aspect of the item object 4 or the relationship line object 5, and other information, and a target item object 4 or the relationship line object 5. An ID for identifying, an ID for identifying a user, a time stamp, and the like are received via a telecommunication line. These pieces of information received from the user-side terminal 1 are performed by a user who uses the user-side terminal 1 and are based on an operation received by the user-side terminal 1.

  The item information storage unit 202 stores information received by the item information reception unit 201 using a required storage area of the main memory 2b or the auxiliary storage device 2c. The item information storage unit 202 collects all information regarding the contents of the objects 4, 5 and other maps set by each user. The information stored and accumulated by the item information storage unit 202 includes information stored by the item information storage unit 102 in the user terminal 1.

  The item information transmission unit 203 includes a position coordinate that indicates where the item object 4 is to be displayed in the display area 3, and the element of the item object 4, which is provided from the user terminal 1 used by one user. A character string or data or a URI indicating the data, a score or tag attached to the item object 4, an association between the item objects 4, an aspect or other information of the item object 4 or the relation line object 5, and a target item An ID for identifying the object 4 or the relationship line object 5, an ID for identifying the user, a time stamp, and the like are transmitted to the user terminal 1 used by another user via the telecommunication line. This is to allow other users to share information related to the objects 4 and 5 that are installed or changed by a certain user so that all users can collaborate by referring to the same map. .

  In the present embodiment, the system displays a plurality of item objects 4 in the display area 3 on the display of the user terminal 1 used by the user, and displays the relationship between the associated item objects 4, The user terminal 1 performs an operation in which the user inputs a character string as an element of the item object 4 or an operation in which data is specified as an element of the item object 4, and the position in which the user displays the item object 4 in the display area 3 Received by the item operation accepting unit 101 and the item operation accepting unit 101 for accepting an operation for designating which one of the item objects 4 displayed in the display area 3 is associated with which operation. Items to be displayed in the display area 3 based on the operation Item information storage unit 102 for storing a display position of the object 4, a character string or data or URI indicating the item object 4, and information defining association between the item objects 4, and an item information storage unit An object display control unit 105 that displays a plurality of item objects 4 in the display area 3 with reference to the information stored in 102, and an operation in which a user requests a search for the item object 4 or its elements. The search operation reception unit 106 that receives an operation for inputting a keyword and the information stored in the item information storage unit 102 are referred to and associated with the item object 4 that includes the search keyword received by the search operation reception unit 106 as an element. Item object 4 A thought / discussion process structuring support system comprising a search result display control unit 107 that displays and displays the retrieved item object 4 or an element of the item object 4 as a search result on the display did.

  According to the present embodiment, the user can quickly confirm other elements associated with a certain element described in the map. Therefore, it extracts information related to a certain thing, images associated with a certain thing, analysis about a certain thing, opinion, criticism, etc. described by a plurality of users on a map, and easily summarizes people's thoughts on that thing. This will greatly improve the convenience of creating and developing ideas using maps. Also, when thinking about what to do next and what to consider or discuss in the process of creating a map, what elements are associated and appended to an element on the map The user can easily know what information is to be input (written) to the map next time.

  In addition, a plurality of user-side terminals 1 used by a plurality of users and the information processing server 2 are communicably connected via an electric communication line, and the user-side terminal 1 performs an operation received by the item operation receiving unit 101. Based on the display position of the item object 4 to be displayed in the display area 3, the character string or the data or data indicating the element of the item object 4, and information defining the association between the item objects 4 The item information transmitting unit 103 that transmits to the server 2 and the display position of the item object 4 to be displayed in the display area 3, the character string or data that is an element of the item object 4, or The URI that points to the data and the relationship between the item objects 4 An item information receiving unit 104 that receives information for specifying the attachment, and also stores the information received by the item information receiving unit 104 in the item information storage unit 102. 1, the display position of the item object 4 to be displayed in the display area 3, the character string or the data or the data indicating the element of the item object 4, and the information specifying the association between the item objects 4 The item information receiving unit 201 that receives the information, the item information storage unit 202 that stores the information received by the item information receiving unit 201, and the information stored in the item information storage unit 202 are transmitted to the user terminal 1. Since the system includes the item information transmission unit 203, Users install the item object 4 in conjunction, it is possible to edit them object. In other words, ideas can be put out and ideas can be gathered through the collaboration of multiple people.

  It should be noted that the present embodiment can be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the function of the user terminal 1, particularly the search processing function, can be implemented by the user terminal 1 alone (standalone). The information processing server 2 is not essential.

  It is also possible to adopt a peer-to-peer model in which user-side terminals 1 used by each user directly exchange information without going through the information processing server 2. In this case, the item information transmission unit 103 transmits information to one or more other user-side terminals 1, and the item information reception unit 104 receives information from the other user-side terminals 1.

  <Second Embodiment> The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the information processing server 2 is responsible for part or all of the search processing. Hereinafter, the difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described. The functional blocks and processing not particularly described can be the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The user side terminal 1 in the present embodiment is installed with a program (or script) necessary for constructing the system according to the present invention, operates hardware resources according to the program, and operates the items shown in FIG. Reception unit 101, item information storage unit 102, item information transmission unit 103, item information reception unit 104, object display control unit 105, search operation reception unit 106, search request transmission unit 108, response reception unit 109, search result display control unit The function as 107 is demonstrated.

  In response to the user accepting an operation for requesting a search for the item object 4 or its element by the search operation accepting unit 106, the search request transmitting unit 108 directs the search request to the information processing server 2 and sets up a telecommunication line. Send through. When the information processing server 2 is responsible for all of the search processing, the search request including the search keyword received by the search operation receiving unit 106 is transmitted to the information processing server 2. On the other hand, when the user-side terminal 1 performs the process of searching for the item object 4 including the search keyword as an element, which is a part of the search process, the information stored in the item information storage unit 102 is referred to, Alternatively, the information indicating the item object 4 including the search keyword as an element, that is, the ID for identifying the item object 4 including the search keyword as an element is extracted from the plurality of display objects 3 or the item objects 4 belonging to the map. Is sent to the information processing server 2. The details of the search for the item object 4 including the search keyword as an element are as described in the first embodiment (in the function section of the search result display control unit 107), and are therefore omitted here.

  The response receiving unit 109 receives information indicating the item object 4 or the element of the item object 4 that is provided from the information processing server 2 as a result of transmitting the search request via the telecommunication line. What is received by the response receiving unit 109 is an identification ID extracted from the information processing server 2 and indicating the item object 4 associated with the item object 4 including the search keyword as an element, and / or the search keyword. Is an element of the item object 4 associated with the item object 4 including the element.

  The search result display control unit 107 displays the item object 4 or the element of the item object 4 indicated in the information received by the response receiving unit 109 on the display 1e as a search result. The other points are the same as the search result display control unit 107 in the first embodiment.

  The information processing server 2 in the present embodiment is also installed with a program necessary for constructing the system according to the present invention, operates hardware resources according to the program, and receives the item information receiving unit 201 and item shown in FIG. It functions as an information storage unit 202, an item information transmission unit 203, a search request reception unit 204, and a response transmission unit 205. It should be noted that the function of each unit shown in FIG. 10 is distributed to a plurality of server computers, and the server computer does not interfere with the formation of the information processing server 2 in cooperation.

  The search request receiving unit 204 receives a search request generated from the user side terminal 1 via the telecommunication line.

  In response to the search request receiving unit 204 receiving the search request, the response transmission unit 205 searches the item object 4 associated with the item object 4 including the search keyword as an element, and extracts the extracted item object 4. The information indicating the identification ID and / or the element information of the item object 4 associated with the item object 4 including the search keyword as an element is sent to the user terminal 1 that has caused the search request. Reply via. When a search keyword is included in the search request, the information stored in the item information storage unit 202 is referred to, and the search keyword is selected from one or a plurality of display areas 3 or item objects 4 belonging to the map. After searching for the item object 4 included as an element, the item object 4 associated with the item object 4 is extracted. On the other hand, when the search request includes an identification ID indicating the item object 4 including the search keyword as an element, the information stored in the item information is referred to and one or more display areas 3 or maps are displayed. The item object 4 associated with the item object 4 identified by the ID is extracted from the item object 4 to which it belongs. Then, the information indicating the extracted item object 4 or the element of the item object 4 is transmitted to the user terminal 1.

  In the present embodiment, the user terminal 1 used by the user and the information processing server 2 are connected to be communicable via an electric communication line, and a plurality of item objects 4 are displayed in the display area 3 on the display of the user terminal 1. As a system for displaying and displaying the relationship between the associated item objects 4, the user terminal 1 performs an operation in which a user inputs a character string as an element of the item object 4 or an element of the item object 4. An operation for designating data, an operation for designating in which position in the display area 3 the item object 4 is displayed by the user, and an item object 4 displayed in the display area 3 and which An item operation receiving unit 101 that receives an operation for specifying whether to associate, and an item operation Based on the operation received by the receiving unit 101, the display position of the item object 4 to be displayed in the display area 3, the URI indicating the character string or data or data that is an element of the item object 4, and the item objects 4 Based on the operation received by the item operation storage unit 101 and the item information storage unit 102 that stores the information that defines the association, the display position of the item object 4 to be displayed in the display area 3 and the element of the item object 4 Information stored in the item information storage unit 102 and the item information transmission unit 103 that transmits to the information processing server 2 information that specifies the character string or the data or URI indicating the data and the association between the item objects 4 In the display area 3 An object display control unit 105 for displaying a plurality of item objects 4, a search operation receiving unit 106 for receiving an operation for a user to search for the item object 4 or an element thereof and inputting a search keyword, and a search operation The information processing server 2 sends a search request including information indicating the item keyword 4 including the search keyword received by the receiving unit 106 or the search keyword searched with reference to information stored in the item information storage unit 102 as an element. A search request transmission unit 108 that transmits information to the server, a response reception unit 109 that receives information indicating the item object 4 or an element of the item object 4 that is provided from the information processing server 2 as a result of transmitting the search request, and a response Shown in the information received by the receiver 109 A search result display control unit 107 for displaying the item object 4 or an element of the item object 4 on the display as a search result. The information processing server 2 is provided in the display area 3 provided from the user terminal 1. An item information receiving unit 201 for receiving a display position of the item object 4 to be displayed, a character string or data or data indicating the element of the item object 4, and information defining an association between the item objects 4; The item information storage unit 202 that stores the information received by the item information reception unit 201, the search request reception unit 204 that receives a search request from the user terminal 1, and the information stored in the item information storage unit 202 The search request receiving unit 204 The item object 4 associated with the item object 4 including the search keyword included in the search request as an element is searched, or the item object 4 associated with the item object 4 indicated by the information included in the search request. And a response transmission unit 205 that returns information indicating the extracted item object 4 or information indicating the element of the item object 4 to the user-side terminal 1. A support system was configured.

  According to the present embodiment, the user can quickly confirm other elements associated with a certain element described in the map. Therefore, it extracts information related to a certain thing, images associated with a certain thing, analysis about a certain thing, opinion, criticism, etc. described by a plurality of users on a map, and easily summarizes people's thoughts on that thing. This will greatly improve the convenience of creating and developing ideas using maps. Also, when thinking about what to do next and what to consider or discuss in the process of creating a map, what elements are associated and appended to an element on the map The user can easily know what information is to be input (written) to the map next time.

  In addition, a plurality of user-side terminals 1 used by a plurality of users and the information processing server 2 are communicably connected via an electric communication line, and the user-side terminal 1 is provided from the information processing server 2. 3, the display position of the item object 4 to be displayed in 3, the character string or the data or the data indicating the element of the item object 4, and the information specifying the association between the item objects 4 are directed to the information processing server 2. The item information transmitting unit 103 for transmitting the information, the information received by the item information receiving unit 104 is also stored in the item information storage unit 102, and the information processing server 2 stores the information in the item information storage unit 202. A system including an item information transmission unit 203 for transmitting information to the user terminal 1; Lever, established the item object 4 a plurality of users jointly, it is possible to edit them object. In other words, ideas can be put out and ideas can be gathered through the collaboration of multiple people.

  It should be noted that the present embodiment can be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, the final process in the search, that is, the process of extracting the item object 4 associated with the item object 4 including the search keyword as an element is executed by the information processing server 2. It is also conceivable to execute it on the side terminal 1. In this case, the information processing server 2 searches the item object 4 including the search keyword in the element, and searches the item object 4 associated with the item object 4 including the search keyword in the user terminal 1. The processing procedure of performing is taken.

  For this purpose, the search request transmitting unit 108 in the user terminal 1 transmits a search request including the search keyword received by the search operation receiving unit 106 to the information processing server 2.

  The search request receiving unit 204 in the information processing server 2 receives a search request including a search keyword that is provided from the user terminal 1. The response transmission unit 205 refers to the information stored in the item information storage unit 202 and searches for the item object 4 including the search keyword as an element from one or a plurality of display areas 3 or item objects 4 belonging to the map. In addition, an identification ID which is information indicating the item object 4 is returned to the user terminal 1.

  In turn, the response receiving unit 109 in the user terminal 1 provides the information indicating the item object 4 including the search keyword as an element, that is, the ID for identifying the item object 4, which is provided from the information processing server 2 as a result of transmitting the search request. Receive.

  Thus, the search result display control unit 107 in the user terminal 1 refers to the information stored in the item information storage unit 102, and responds from one or a plurality of display areas 3 or item objects 4 belonging to the map. The item object 4 indicated by the information received by the receiving unit 109, that is, the item object 4 associated with the item object 4 identified by the ID received by the response receiving unit 109 is searched. Then, the extracted item object 4 or the element of the item object 4 is displayed on the display 1i as a search result.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in detail above. In both the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the object display control unit 105 in the user terminal 1 connects the associated item objects 4 with a relationship object, and draws the relationship line object 5 together with the item object 4. Although the relationship between the item objects 4 is represented by displaying them, as another aspect, the relation line object 5 is not drawn, but the distance between the associated item objects 4 is made closer The relationship between the item objects 4 may be expressed by drawing in a state where the item objects 4 are in contact with each other.

  Further, in a situation where there are a plurality of users and a plurality of user-side terminals 1 are connected to a telecommunication line, one of the user-side terminals 1 may also serve as the information processing server 2.

  In addition, the specific configuration of each unit, the processing procedure, and the like can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  The present invention can be used as a system that supports a creative process in which one or more users think and create ideas.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... User side terminal 2 ... Information processing server 3 ... Display area 4 ... Item object 5 ... Relation line object

Claims (8)

A system for displaying a plurality of item objects in a display area on a display of a user terminal used by a user and displaying a relationship between associated item objects,
The user terminal
An operation in which a user inputs a character string as an element of an item object or an operation in which data is specified as an element of an item object, an operation in which the user specifies where the item object is displayed in the display area, and a display by the user An item operation receiving unit that receives an operation for specifying which of the item objects displayed in the area is associated with;
Stipulates the display position of the item object to be displayed in the display area based on the operation received by the item operation reception unit, the character string or data or data indicating the element of the item object, and the association between the item objects An item information storage unit for storing information to be performed;
An object display control unit that refers to information stored in the item information storage unit and simultaneously displays a plurality of item objects in the display area of the screen of one display;
A search operation receiving unit that receives an operation for inputting a search keyword, which is an operation in which a user requests a search for an item object or an element thereof,
An item object that refers to the information stored in the item information storage unit, searches for a plurality of item objects associated with the item object that includes the search keyword received by the search operation reception unit as an element, and includes the search keyword as an element And a plurality of item objects associated with the item object and an item object including a search keyword as an element and a relation line object connecting the plurality of item objects associated with the item object as a search result, a single display screen A thought / discussion process structuring support system characterized by comprising a search result display control section for simultaneously displaying in a display area of A plurality of user terminals used by a plurality of users and an information processing server are communicably connected via an electric communication line,
The user terminal
Stipulates the display position of the item object to be displayed in the display area based on the operation received by the item operation reception unit, the character string or data or data indicating the element of the item object, and the association between the item objects An item information transmitter that transmits information to the information processing server;
Received from the information processing server, the display position of the item object to be displayed in the display area, the character string or the data or data indicating the element of the item object, and the information specifying the association between the item objects An item information receiving unit that stores information received by the item information receiving unit in the item information storage unit,
Information processing server
Receives information specifying the display position of the item object to be displayed in the display area, the URI indicating the character string or data or data that is the element of the item object, and the association between the item objects, which is provided from the user terminal An item information receiving unit,
An item information storage unit for storing information received by the item information receiving unit;
The thought / discussion process structuring support system according to claim 1, further comprising: an item information transmission unit configured to transmit information stored in the item information storage unit to a user terminal. An item in which a user-side terminal used by a user and an information processing server are communicably connected via an electric communication line, a plurality of item objects are displayed in a display area on a display of the user-side terminal, and associated with each other A system that displays the relationship between objects,
The user terminal
An operation in which a user inputs a character string as an element of an item object or an operation in which data is specified as an element of an item object, an operation in which the user specifies where the item object is displayed in the display area, and a display by the user An item operation receiving unit that receives an operation for specifying which of the item objects displayed in the area is associated with;
Stipulates the display position of the item object to be displayed in the display area based on the operation received by the item operation reception unit, the character string or data or data indicating the element of the item object, and the association between the item objects An item information storage unit for storing information to be performed;
Stipulates the display position of the item object to be displayed in the display area based on the operation received by the item operation reception unit, the character string or data or data indicating the element of the item object, and the association between the item objects An item information transmitter that transmits information to the information processing server;
An object display control unit that refers to information stored in the item information storage unit and simultaneously displays a plurality of item objects in the display area of the screen of one display;
A search operation receiving unit that receives an operation for inputting a search keyword, which is an operation in which a user requests a search for an item object or an element thereof,
A search request including information indicating an item object including the search keyword received by the search operation receiving unit or the information stored in the item information storage unit and including the search keyword as an element is directed to the information processing server. A search request transmitter for transmitting
A response receiving unit that receives information indicating a plurality of item objects or elements of the item objects, which is provided from the information processing server as a result of transmitting the search request;
Relationship between an item object including a search keyword as an element, a plurality of item objects indicated in the information received by the response receiving unit, and an item object including the search keyword as an element and a plurality of item objects associated with the item object A search result display control unit that simultaneously displays a line object as a search result within a display area of a single display screen;
Information processing server
Receives information specifying the display position of the item object to be displayed in the display area, the URI indicating the character string or data or data that is the element of the item object, and the association between the item objects, which is provided from the user terminal An item information receiving unit,
An item information storage unit for storing information received by the item information receiving unit;
A search request receiving unit for receiving a search request from the user side terminal;
Refer to the information stored in the item information storage unit, search for a plurality of item objects associated with the item object including the search keyword included in the search request received by the search request receiving unit as an element, or A response transmission unit that searches a plurality of item objects associated with the item object indicated by the information included in the search request and returns information indicating the extracted item object or the element of the item object to the user terminal. Thinking / discussion process structuring support system characterized by comprising An item in which a user-side terminal used by a user and an information processing server are communicably connected via an electric communication line, a plurality of item objects are displayed in a display area on a display of the user-side terminal, and associated with each other A system that displays the relationship between objects,
The user terminal
An operation in which a user inputs a character string as an element of an item object or an operation in which data is specified as an element of an item object, an operation in which the user specifies where the item object is displayed in the display area, and a display by the user An item operation receiving unit that receives an operation for specifying which of the item objects displayed in the area is associated with;
Stipulates the display position of the item object to be displayed in the display area based on the operation received by the item operation reception unit, the character string or data or data indicating the element of the item object, and the association between the item objects An item information storage unit for storing information to be performed;
Stipulates the display position of the item object to be displayed in the display area based on the operation received by the item operation reception unit, the character string or data or data indicating the element of the item object, and the association between the item objects An item information transmitter that transmits information to the information processing server;
An object display control unit that refers to information stored in the item information storage unit and simultaneously displays a plurality of item objects in the display area of the screen of one display;
A search operation receiving unit that receives an operation for inputting a search keyword, which is an operation in which a user requests a search for an item object or an element thereof,
A search request transmission unit that transmits a search request including the search keyword received by the search operation reception unit to the information processing server;
A response receiver that receives information indicating an item object, which is provided from the information processing server as a result of transmitting the search request;
A plurality of item objects associated with the item object indicated in the information received by the response receiving unit with reference to the information stored in the item information storage unit, and an item object including a search keyword as an element Display of one display screen as a search result of a relation line object connecting a plurality of item objects associated with the item object and an item object including a search keyword as an element and a plurality of item objects associated with the item object A search result display control unit that simultaneously displays in the area,
Information processing server
Receives information specifying the display position of the item object to be displayed in the display area, the URI indicating the character string or data or data that is the element of the item object, and the association between the item objects, which is provided from the user terminal An item information receiving unit,
An item information storage unit for storing information received by the item information receiving unit;
A search request receiving unit for receiving a search request from the user side terminal;
A response that returns an information indicating an item object that includes a search keyword included in the search request received by the search request receiving unit as an element and that is searched with reference to information stored in the item information storage unit toward the user side terminal A thought / discussion process structuring support system characterized by comprising a transmitter. A plurality of user terminals used by a plurality of users and an information processing server are communicably connected via an electric communication line,
The user terminal
Received from the information processing server, the display position of the item object to be displayed in the display area, the character string or the data or data indicating the element of the item object, and the information specifying the association between the item objects Comprising an item information receiving unit for storing information received by the item information receiving unit in the item information storage unit,
Information processing server
The thought / discussion process structuring support system according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising an item information transmission unit configured to transmit information stored in the item information storage unit to a user terminal. It is used to construct the thought / discussion process structuring support system according to claim 1 or 2,
A program that causes a computer serving as a user-side terminal to function as at least the item operation reception unit, the item information storage unit, the object display control unit, the search operation reception unit, and the search result display control unit according to claim 1. It is used for constructing the thought / discussion process structuring support system according to claim 3, 4 or 5,
The computer which becomes a user side terminal is at least the item operation reception unit, the item information storage unit, the item information transmission unit, the object display control unit, the search operation reception unit, the search request transmission unit, the response according to claim 3, 4 or 5 A program that functions as a reception unit and a search result display control unit. It is used for constructing the thought / discussion process structuring support system according to claim 3, 4 or 5,
A program that causes a computer serving as an information processing server to function as at least the item information receiving unit, the item information storage unit, the search request receiving unit, and the response transmission unit according to claim 3, 4, or 5.

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