Information navigation system

An information navigation system for supporting browsing of data which are linked mutually includes an starting point determination supporter, a browsing supporter, and a positioning supporter. The starting point determination supporter supports detection of first data being a starting point for an information navigation. The browsing supporter displays the first data and second data linked to the first data as in a virtual space, to allow a user to select data to be browsed next. The positioning supporter displays a current browsing position on a map which indicates a relation between all data.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an information navigation system, and more particularly to a system that supports browsing of data group by a user to acquire desired information from the data group that is associated mutually with a link.

BACKGROUND ART

Following ways have been used for searching information from a data group like retrieval of office document in an industry, document retrieval from an electronic library, and Web page browsing in a WWW (World Wide Web) that is linked.

a. Use of Search Engine

By using a full-text search technology that is used for text information, attributes and outline of title of data that matches with a keyword that is input by a user are listed up in an order of degree of matching and is provided to the user. The user selects data from the list that matches with his requirement and browses contents of the data.

b. Use of Category

By some way, a data group is classified according to levels in categories and the user searches information by using the category levels.

c. Use of Link

Information that matches with the user's requirement is searched by tracing a link from data that is selected by some way.

However in ‘a’ mentioned above, sometimes the number of search results that are provided by a search engine is enormous and the order in which the search results are provided does not match with the user's requirement. In such case, it is difficult for the user to get the desired information. Sometimes, sufficient information cannot be obtained by browsing a single data. In such case, it is difficult to judge an order in which a plurality of data that is listed up is to be browsed. Sometimes, data that has to be browsed may not be even listed up.

In ‘b’ mentioned above, when the classification in categories does not match with the user's requirement, it is difficult for the user to get the desired information. Moreover, similarly as in ‘a’ mentioned above, when sufficient information cannot be obtained by browsing a single data, it causes a problem.

In ‘c’ mentioned above, when the link is not proper, there is a possibility of browsing unnecessary data. Moreover, while tracing the link, the search may go astray due to inability to return to an original data etc.

To obtain the desired information efficiently from the data group that is linked mutually, it is desirable to start from suitable data and go on browsing related data in a suitable order. When a wrong order is followed, it is desirable to return to the original data or to data that is browsed earlier. For this, it is necessary to solve the following issues (problems) (1) to (4).(1) How to decide from which data to start?(2) How to decide as to which data has to be browsed next?(3) How to identify position of data that is browsed or data that is being browsed in the overall data that has to be browsed.(4) How to visualize efficiently, a link relationship between data.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information navigation system in which these issues are solved.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An information navigation system according to one aspect of the present invention is for supporting browsing of data which are linked mutually. The information navigation system includes an starting point determination supporter that supports detection of first data being a starting point for an information navigation; a browsing supporter that displays the first data and second data linked to the first data as in a virtual space, to allow a user to select data to be browsed next; and a positioning supporter that displays a current browsing position on a map which indicates a relation between all data.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A first and a second embodiment of the present invention are described below with reference to diagrams.

A first embodiment of the present invention is described based onFIG. 2toFIG. 10.FIG. 2is a diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3is a diagram indicating a user interface of an starting point determination unit.FIG. 4is an illustration of grouping of starting point candidate documents in which a link relationship is used.FIG. 5is an illustration of a group classification display of the starting point candidate documents in which the group classification is displayed as lists.FIG. 6is an illustration of a visualized display of the group classification of the starting point candidate documents.FIG. 7is an illustration of a user interface (1) of a browsing supporting unit.FIG. 8is an illustration of a user interface (2) of the browsing supporting unit.FIG. 9is an illustration of a user interface (1) of a positioning supporting unit.FIG. 10is an illustration of a user interface (2) of the positioning supporting unit.

In the diagram, the same reference numerals indicate the same sections.1denotes an starting point determination unit,2denotes a supporting unit,3denotes a browsing supporting unit,4denotes a positioning supporting unit,11denotes a CPU (Central Processing Unit),12denotes a storage,13denotes a terminal device,14denotes a search-condition input section, and15denotes a search-result display section.

The starting point determination unit1provides to a user, data that is candidates for an starting point from where information navigation starts, and supports operation of selecting the starting point from the data. For this, there is a technique in which documents are classified according to category in advance and from these documents, the user selects a document that becomes an starting point. In another technique, by using a search engine that uses a full-text search technology, the user limits starting point candidate documents by inputting a keyword and selects a document that becomes the starting point. A LIST OF CATEGORY CLASSIFICATION on a left side bottom inFIG. 3indicates the former method and a LIST OF FULL-TEXT SEARCH RESULTS on a right side indicates an starting point candidate according to the technique using the search engine.

InFIG. 3, in the former case, MR. EGAWA PROJECT, MR. HIROTA PROJECT, MR. TAKAKURA PROJECT, MR. YAMAGUCHI PROJECT, MR. SHINDO PROJECT are documents related to projects of an MW) 2ND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. Search is performed by selecting a desired category.

In the latter case, as a search condition, as indicated on left side bottom inFIG. 3, when the full-text search is performed with a keyword AKIHABARA ELECTRIC, as shown on the right side, BUSINESS: COUNTERPART INFORMATION: AKIHABARA ELECTRIC (CUSTOMER), DOCUMENT: PROPOSAL Jan. 7, 2001, STATEMENT OF DELIVERY Mar. 2, 1999, EMPLOYEE INFORMATION: MR. UEHARA (SALES), EMPLOYEE INFORMATION: MR. ENDO (SALES), BUSINESS COUNTERPART INFORMATION: OBATA TRANSPORT (DISTRIBUTION), BUSINESS COUNTERPART INFORMATION: AKIHABARA ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENTS (CUSTOMER), PRODUCT INFORMATION: PRODUCT INFORMATION Jan. 8, 2000, and EMPLOYEE INFORMATION: MR. SHIIYA (SALES) are indicated.

Thus, when there is a possibility that a multiple number of starting point candidate documents may be listed up, as shown inFIG. 4, the documents are classified in a plurality of groups so that the documents for which the link (relationship) between the documents is strong are grouped in a same group. In other words, as shown inFIG. 3, from1. BUSINESS COUNTERPART INFORMATION: AKIHABARA ELECTRIC (CUSTOMER) to6. BUSINESS COUNTERPART INFORMATION: OBATA TRANSPORT (DISTRIBUTION), are classified as group1. From7. BUSINESS COUNTERPART INFORMATION: AKIHABARA ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENTS (CUSTOMER) to9. EMPLOYEE INFORMATION: MR. SHIIYA (SALES) are classified as group2. DOCUMENT: CUSTOMER INFORMATION RESEARCH DOCUMENT Jan. 7, 1998 that is not displayed inFIG. 3is classified as group3. Further, as shown on right side inFIG. 5, it is provided to the user, thereby allowing to select suitably a document that becomes the starting point. Instead of displaying a list of the group classification of the starting point candidate documents as shown inFIG. 5, as shown inFIG. 6, as it is displayed in the search-result display section on a right side of a display, hit data is popped, and label and link are displayed. Further, the data is expressed as nodes, and color is changed according to classification of the data. An arrangement can be made so that the user can specify how many links are to be traced from the hit data.

The supporting unit2, during information search by the user, supports selecting data that has to be browsed next by the user, supports finding where in a data group the user is browsing, and includes a browsing supporting unit3and a positioning supporting unit4.

The browsing supporting unit3, for supporting selection of a document that is to be browsed next by the user, displays in a virtual space, data that is attainable by tracing few links (for example two to three links) from the document. In other words, the browsing supporting unit3displays the data on the search-result display section15.

In a case of displaying the data on the search-result display section15, as shown inFIG. 7, icons that indicate attribute or content of the data like DOCUMENT: PROPOSAL, DOCUMENT: STATEMENT OF DELIVERY can be used. As shown inFIG. 8, icons that indicate attribute or content of the data can also be used. These icons are useful, as these icons can also provide link relationship in addition to indicating attributes and content of the data. Data that has to be searched next can be selected suitably based on the data displayed.

A display area of the search-result display section15can be zoomed and can be moved upward, downward, to left, and to right and displayed by a navigator16. If the zooming is the maximum, a global map17that is mentioned latter can be displayed instead of displaying in a different frame.

The position supporting unit4displays an overall data group as a map that indicates mutual relationship, i.e. as a current position on the global map17for the user to know as to where in the data group, the user is browsing.

As a display of the global map17, as shown inFIG. 9, the global map17is displayed, content that is displayed on the search-result display section15is encircled in a frame, and the current position, what is being looked at currently, is displayed by node colors to enable to distinguish. The link that is traced is displayed by a specific color so that it can be distinguished. By doing so, the current position, a position of data searched, a link that is already traced etc. can be shown to the user. The user, by having a look at this, can easily return to the original data or to data that was browsed previously, thereby preventing the user from going astray while browsing.

Another display technique of the global map17, as shown inFIG. 10, is to display the data in a form of a map together with the link, to show by colors of blocks the current position, what is being looked at currently, to be able to distinguish, and to display the link that is traced by a specific color so that it can be distinguished. By doing so, the current position, the position of the data that is already searched the link that is already traced can be shown to the user similarly as inFIG. 9. The user, by having a look at this, can easily return to the original data or to the data that was browsed previously, thereby preventing the user from going astray while browsing.

The CPU11operates the starting point determination unit1, the browsing supporting unit3, and the positioning supporting unit4in the information navigation system according to the present invention. When this system is built over the Internet, the CPU is installed at a server's end.

The storage12stores documents that form the information navigation.

The terminal device13inputs required data when the user uses the information navigation system and displays display data shown inFIG. 3, andFIG. 5toFIG. 10for an interface with the user, which is transmitted from the CPU11to the search-result display section15. The terminal device13is an information terminal like a personal computer and includes the search-condition input section14, the search-result display section15etc.

The search-condition input section14is for inputting data, for example, in a case of a full-text search information navigation system, for inputting a keyword, for inputting data that is selected from data that is displayed on the search-result display section15.

The search-result display section15displays a full-text search result that is obtained by inputting the keyword by the user for identifying the starting point and displays browsing support that is displayed in continuation with the full-text search result.

The search-result display section15displays the list of full-text search results as shown inFIG. 3, a group classification of the starting point candidate documents in the form of a list as shown inFIG. 5, pops up the hit data and displays labels and links as shown inFIG. 6, can express the data as nodes and displays by changing colors according to the type of data. An arrangement can be made so that the user can specify as to how many links are to be traced from the hit data. The user can select in advance the type of display shown inFIG. 5orFIG. 6from the display inFIG. 3, by indicating after the display inFIG. 3.

The navigator16, as mentioned earlier, zooms in the display area of the search-result display section15, moves upward, downward, to left, and to right and displays. If the zooming is made to be the maximum, the global map can be displayed instead of displaying in a different frame.

The global map17, as mentioned earlier, displays as to where the data group is currently and as to where in the data group, the user is browsing, and displays the history of the data.

The global map17displays, as shown inFIG. 9, the global map17, encircles content displayed on the search-result display section15, and displays the current position and as to what is being looked at currently by node colors to enable to distinguish. The global map17displays the link that is traced by a specific color so that it can be distinguished. By doing so, the current position, the position of data searched, the link that is already traced etc. can be shown to the user. The user, by having a look at this, can easily return to the original data or to the data that was browsed previously, thereby preventing the user from going astray while browsing.

Another display technique of the global map17, as shown inFIG. 10, is to display the data in the form of the map together with the link, to show by colors of blocks the current position, what is being looked at currently, to be able to distinguish, and to display the link that is traced by a specific color so that it can be distinguished. By doing so, the current position, the position of the data that is already searched, the link that is already traced can be shown to the user similarly as inFIG. 9. The user, by having a look at this, can easily return to the original data or to the data that is browsed previously, thereby preventing the user from going astray while browsing.

An operation according the present invention, in a case of technique in which the starting point determination unit uses a search engine is described below briefly.(1) The user, inputs in advance by keys from the search-condition input section14, for example selecting the information navigation system according to the present invention that uses the full-text search. Further, the user inputs a keyword, for example AKIHABARA ELECTRIC by using the search-condition input section14.(2) This is identified by the starting point determination unit1of the CPU11. Each document stored in the storage12is subjected to full-text search by the search engine which is omitted in the diagram and as shown inFIG. 3a document that becomes the starting point is selected. While selecting, as shown inFIG. 4since the documents are classified in groups so that the documents for which the link between the documents is strong are in the same group, as shown inFIG. 5the documents are classified in groups and are presented. Further, as shown inFIG. 6orFIG. 7the documents are linked and displayed.(3) The user selects the required document from the plurality of documents. Due to this, the document selected from the storage12is read and displayed on the search-result display section15. If the document is not the documents desired by the user, the user returns to a screen inFIG. 6orFIG. 7, refers to the link, and selects the next document. Thus, the desired document can be obtained efficiently.(4) However, while the selection operation is being repeated, the user forgets the documents that had been selected. As a result, the user goes on browsing the same documents repeatedly and is unable to return to the original condition, thereby going astray during browsing. In such case, the user inputs positioning supporting data from the search-condition input section14. For example, the user touches a specific key and clicks a specific area of the search-result display section15.(5) Due to this, the positioning supporting unit4is operated and as shown inFIG. 9orFIG. 10, the global map17is displayed. From the display, the user understands search condition, performs a suitable selection control, and can return to the original condition, thereby recovering from the condition of going astray.(6) If the user cannot obtain the desired document even by following this, the user returns to the beginning, inputs the keyword newly and starts selection from the beginning.

Thus, according to the present invention, the desired information can be acquired efficiently from the data group that is mutually linked. Concretely, identification of the starting point for deciding from which data the browsing is to be started is supported and browsing support for deciding as to which data has to be browsed next is realized. Due to this, it is possible to start from the suitable data and related data can be browsed in a suitable order.

Moreover, due to realization of positioning support for knowing as to where the data that was browsed or the data that is being browsed is positioned in the overall data that has to be browsed, it is easy to return to the original data or to the data that was browsed before, if the order is wrong.

Further, a second embodiment of the present invention is described based onFIGS. 11 to 22.FIG. 11is a diagram indicating the second embodiment.FIG. 12is a diagram indicating a tabular structure of a link database121stored in a storage120shown in FIG.11.FIG. 13is a diagram indicating a tabular structure of a history database122stored in the storage120shown inFIG. 11.FIG. 14is a diagram indicating a tabular structure of a positioning database123stored in the storage120.FIG. 15is a flow chart illustrating an operation according to the second embodiment.FIG. 16is a flow chart illustrating a link-data display process shown inFIG. 15.FIG. 17is a flow chart illustrating a history-data display process shown inFIG. 15.FIG. 18is a flow chart illustrating positioning supporting process shown inFIG. 15.FIG. 19is a diagram indicating an example of a display of search results according to the second embodiment.FIG. 20is a diagram indicating an example of a display of link data etc. according to the second embodiment.FIG. 21is a diagram indicating an example of a display of the link data, the history data, and the positioning data etc. according to the second embodiment.FIG. 22is a diagram indicating an example of the link data, the history data, the positioning data etc. according to the second embodiment.

The second embodiment that is described below in detail is a modified example of the first embodiment described above and has peculiarities such as displaying efficiently the link relation of data group that is mutually linked and displaying efficiently data that was referred to during navigation when the data is referred to once again, and further is structured with an object of improving a user interface.

In an information navigation system shown inFIG. 11,100denotes a terminal device,110denotes a CPU,111denotes a search section,112denotes a link-data display control section,113denotes a history-data display control section,120denotes a storage,130denotes a display, and140denotes a search-condition input section.

The terminal device10inputs required data when the user uses the information navigation system and displays screens shown inFIG. 19toFIG. 22for interface with the user that are transmitted from the CPU110to the display130. The terminal device is an information terminal like a personal computer and includes the search-condition input section140, the display130etc.

The search-condition input section140is for inputting data, for example in a case of the full-text search information navigation system, for inputting a keyword, for inputting data that is selected from data that is displayed on the display130.

The display130is for displaying the full-text search result that is obtained by inputting the keyword by the user for identifying the starting point and displaying browsing support that is displayed in continuation with the full-text search result.

The CPU110operates the search section111, the link-data display control section112, the history-data display control section113, the positioning supporting section114etc. The search section111searches documents stored in the storage120by keyword search etc. The link-data display control section112performs control for displaying link condition of the data based on the search result in the search section111. The history-data display control section113performs control for displaying history when the user traces link of the data, by thumbnail images.

The positioning supporting section114displays an overall data group as a map that indicates mutual relationship, i.e. as a current position on a global map for the user to know as to where in the data group the user is browsing.

The storage120stores data (documents, images etc.) that is included in the information navigation. Moreover, the storage120includes a link database121(refer toFIG. 12), a history database122(refer toFIG. 13), and a positioning database123(refer toFIG. 14).

The link database121shown inFIG. 12stores link data that indicates link relationship in the data group and includes fields like OBJECT ID, ATTRIBUTE, DATE, COMMENT, URL, OBJECT ID LIST etc.

The OBJECT ID is an identifier for identifying the data (object). The ATTRIBUTE is an attribute of the data (for example, a company, a department, a personnel etc.), the DATE is a date on which the data is created. The COMMENT is a remark of the data. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) indicates a location when the data is stored actually. The OBJECT ID LIST is a list of object IDs of data (second level data) that is linked to the data (first level data).

The history database122shown inFIG. 13stores history data related to history in a case where the user has traced a link of the data and includes fields like HISTORY DATA ID, HISTORY THUMBNAIL IMAGE, OBJECT ID, DATE AND TIME etc.

The HISTORY DATA ID is an identifier for identifying history data. The HISTORY THUMBNAIL IMAGE is a reduced image just before the user has traced the link, the OBJECT ID is an identifier for identifying the first level data (displayed in a selection data display area250) selected on a screen200corresponding to a thumbnail image and corresponds to the object ID shown inFIG. 12. The DATE AND TIME is a date and time of creation of the history data.

The positioning database123shown inFIG. 14stores positioning data for supporting the user to understand as to where in the data group the user is browsing and includes the fields OBJECT ID, ATTRIBUTE, DATE etc. mentioned earlier.

Next, the operation according to the second embodiment is described with reference to flow charts shown inFIG. 15toFIG. 18and examples of display of screens shown inFIG. 19toFIG. 22. At step SA1shown inFIG. 15, the user inputs by using keys for example from the search-condition input section140, selecting an information navigation system in which full-text search is used. Further, the user inputs a keyword, for example ELECTRIC EQUIPMENT COMPANY in a field211for search condition input area210in a search condition input area on the screen200shown inFIG. 19and presses a search button212.

At step SA2, the search section111of the CPU110performs full search of each document stored in the storage120by the search engine (omitted in the diagram) and displays the search result (1. COMPANY A, 2. COMPANY B, 3. COMPANY C etc.), in a search result display area220.

The user, for example selects COMPANY A that becomes an starting point from the search result of the search result display area220. Due to this, data corresponding to the COMPANY A is displayed on a selected data display area250of the screen200shown inFIG. 20. Moreover, the positioning supporting section114stores in the positioning database123(refer toFIG. 14) an object ID (in this case, F000001), an attribute (in this case, company), and a date (in this case, Apr. 4, 1984) related to COMPANY A selected and updates.

Further, the positioning supporting section114displays a layout point2611to an area260a(company) corresponding to the attribute mentioned above (in this case, company) in a global map area260shown inFIG. 20.

A global map in which the mutual relationship of the overall data group is displayed for the user to know as to where the user is browsing in the data group is displayed in the global map area260.

In the global map area260, a horizontal direction corresponds to an attribute of the data selected by the user. Concretely, the area260acorresponds to a company that is an attribute. An area260bcorresponds to a department that is an attribute. An area260ccorresponds to a personnel that is an attribute. An area260dcorresponds to a document that is an attribute. Moreover, a vertical direction in the global map area260corresponds to a time base.

According to the second embodiment, the search section111has a function similar to the starting point determination unit1shown inFIG. 2and the search result mentioned above may be displayed by a method described in the first embodiment.

At step SA3, the link-data display control section112as shown inFIG. 20, performs a link-data display process to display link data that is related to COMPANY A mentioned above (refer toFIG. 19) which is selected by the user.

Concretely, at step SB1shown inFIG. 16, the link-data display control section112refers to the link database121(refer toFIG. 12) and acquires from each URL first level data corresponding to object ID list of COMPANY A (object ID F000001).

At step SB2, the link-data display control section112determines a main display range of the first level data in a local map area230shown inFIG. 20. For example, the link-data display control section112displays12main first level data in a main display range of 4×3 (height×width) and decides to display first level data that could not be displayed in the main display range by overlapping in a direction of depth.

At step SB3, the link-data display control section112rearranges the first level data based on the attribute. At step SB4, the link-data display control section112acquires second level data that is linked with each first level data.

Concretely, the link-data display control section112refers to the link database121(refer toFIG. 12) and acquires second level data that corresponds to the object ID list of each first level data from each URL.

At step SB5, the link-data display control section112, based on a result of the rearrangement at step SB3, disposes each first level data and disposes second level data that is linked, around each first level data. Furthermore, each first level data that is not in the main display range is disposed such that it is overlapped in the direction of depth.

At step SB6, the link-data display control section112based on disposing at step SB5, displays first level data2311,2312, . . . ,231a, . . . and second level data23211,23212etc. in the local map area230shown inFIG. 20in the form of icons.

For example, around the first level data2311, the second level data23211,23212,23213, . . . that are linked to the first level data2311are displayed. Around the first level data2312, second level data23221,23222, . . . that are linked to the first level data2312are displayed. Similarly, around the first level data231a, second level data232a1,232a2, . . . that are linked to the first level data231aare displayed.

Here, for the display in the form of icons, the first level data and the second level data are displayed by icons of different shapes corresponding to attributes etc.

At step SB7, the link-data display control section112displays each second level data that is displayed in the local map area230while rotating around the first level data.

AT step SB8, the link-data display control section112makes a judgment of whether a scroll instruction (command) to scroll display of the local map area230is there. Concretely, the link-data display control section112makes a judgment of whether any of a left-scroll button270, a return button271, and a right-scroll button272is pressed by the user.

The left-scroll button270is for scrolling the display of the local map area230to left by a predetermined amount and displaying the first level data that is displayed by overlapping in the direction of depth on right side, in the main display range. The return button271is for returning the local map area230to a display a condition before scrolling. The right-scroll button272is for scrolling the display of the local map area230to right by a predetermined amount and displaying the first level data (omitted in the diagram) that is displayed by overlapping in the direction of depth on left side.

If the judgment at step SB8is Yes, at step SB10, the link-data display control section112executes scroll process of scrolling the display of the local map area230. The user, while pressing the left-scroll button270, the return button271, and the right scroll button272, displays the desired first level data in the main display range.

Whereas, if the judgment at step SB8is No, at step SB9, the link-data display control section112makes a judgment of whether the desired first level data is selected by the user from the plurality of first level data displayed in the local map area230and sets a judgment result as No.

If the first level data231a(Mr. Ken-ichi Hasegawa) displayed in the local map area230shown inFIG. 20is selected by the user, the link-data display control section112sets the judgment result at step SB9as Yes and ends the link-data display process. If the judgment result at step SB9is No, process from step SB7onward is executed.

Coming back toFIG. 15, at step SA4, the history-data display control section113as shown inFIG. 21, executes a history-data display process for displaying history thumbnail icons as history data in a history view area240.

Concretely, at step SC1shown inFIG. 17, the history-data display control section113reduces the size of a display image of the local map area230just before selecting the first level data at step SB9(refer toFIG. 16) and acquires this as a history thumbnail image (in this case, displayed in a display area240a;refer toFIG. 21).

At step SC2, the history-data display control section113associates a history data ID, an object ID of the first level data corresponding to the thumbnail image, and a date to the history thumbnail image, then stores as history data in the history database122(refer toFIG. 13), and updates the history database122.

At step SC3, the history-data display control section113makes a judgment of if the number of thumbnail images displayed in the history view area24is greater than the regulated number. This regulated number is a number of display areas240ato240d(=4) in the history view area240.

If a judgment result at step SC3is Yes, at step SC4, the history-data display control section113deletes the oldest history data of date and time from the history database122(refer toFIG. 13) and also deletes history thumbnail images corresponding to the history data from the history view area240.

In this case, let the judgment result at step SC3be No. Then, at step SC5, the history-data display control section113, displays new thumbnail images that are stored in the history database122at step SC2in the history view area240shown inFIG. 21and ends the history-data display process. The history thumbnail images displayed in the display area240acorrespond to display content of the local map area230shown inFIG. 20.

Coming back toFIG. 15, at step SA5, the positioning supporting section114displays a global map in the global map area260(refer toFIG. 21) and executes positioning support process for supporting the positioning.

Concretely, at step SD1shown inFIG. 18, the positioning supporting section114stores an object ID (in this case, F056894), an attribute (in this case, personnel), and a date (in this case, Aug. 7, 1986) related to the first level data231a(refer toFIG. 20) selected by the user at step SB9(refer toFIG. 16) are stored in the positioning database123and updated.

At step SD2, the positioning supporting section114displays a layout point2612to the area260c(personnel) corresponding to the attribute (in this case personnel) of the first level data231a(refer toFIG. 20) in the global map area260shown inFIG. 21.

At step SD3, the positioning supporting section114displays a line2621that connects the layout points2611and2612and ends the positioning support process. Due to this, the user can know generally that data related to the personnel linked to the data related to the company is traced after the data related to the company in the data group.

Coming back toFIG. 15, at step SA6, a judgment of whether another search is there is made and if a judgment result is Yes, the process from step SA1onward is executed. Whereas, if the judgment result at step SA6is No, at step SA3, the link-data display process related to the first level data (refer toFIG. 20) selected at step SB9(refer toFIG. 16) is executed.

Concretely, at step SB1shown inFIG. 16, the link-data display control section112refers to the link database121(refer toFIG. 12) and acquires from each URL first level data corresponding to the object ID list of the first level data231a(refer toFIG. 20).

At step SB2, the link-data display control section112determines a main display range of the first level data in the local map area230shown inFIG. 20.

At step SB3, the link-data display control section112rearranges the first level data based on the attribute. At step SB4, the link-data display control section112acquires second level data that is linked with each first level data.

At step SB5, the link-data display control section112, based on a result of the rearrangement at step SB3, disposes each first level data and disposes second level data that is linked, around each first level data. Furthermore, each first level data that is not in the main display range is disposed such that it is overlapped in the direction of depth.

At step SB6, the link-data display control section, based on disposing at step SB5, displays first level data232a1,232a2, . . . ,232a8, . . . and second level data233a11,233a12, . . . ,233a81,233a82, . . . in the local map area230shown inFIG. 20, in the form of icons. The first level data232a1,232a2, . . . ,232a8, . . . is second layer data232a1,232a2, . . . linked to the first level data231ashown inFIG. 20. Here, since the first level data shown inFIG. 21and the second level data shown inFIG. 20are same, for the sake of convenience, the same reference numerals are used for the two.

At step SB7, the link-data display control section112displays each second level data that is displayed in the local map area230while rotating around the first level data.

AT step SB8, the link-data display control section112makes a judgment of whether a scroll instruction to scroll display of the local map area is there. If a judgment result at step SB8is Yes, at step SB10, the link-data display control section112executes scroll process of scrolling the display of the local map area230.

At step SB9, the link-data display control section112makes a judgment of whether the desired first level data is selected by the user from the plurality of first level data displayed in the local map area230. Here, if the first level data232a8(1st development department) that is displayed in the local map area shown inFIG. 21is selected by the user, the link-data display control section112sets a judgment result at step SB9as Yes and ends the link-data display process.

From here onward, by executing the process from step SA4shown inFIG. 15onward, thumbnail images corresponding to the local map area230shown inFIG. 21are displayed in a display area240bin the history view area240on the screen200shown inFIG. 22. Moreover, first level data233a81,233a82, . . . and second level data234a811,234a812, . . . that are linked to the first level data232a8are displayed in the local map area230.

The first level data233a81,233a82, . . . are second level data233a81,233a82, . . . that are linked to the first level data232a8. Here, since the first level data shown inFIG. 22and the second level data shown inFIG. 21are same, for the sake of convenience, the same reference numerals are used for the two.

Furthermore, a layout point2613(area260b) corresponding to the first level data232a8(refer toFIG. 21) and a line2622that connects the layout point2613and the layout point2612are displayed in the global map area260.

Thus, as explained above, according to the second embodiment, as shown in the local map area230inFIG. 20, while displaying the data, data that is linked from (to) the first level data is referred to as second level data and the second level data is displayed in the form of icons around the first level data. Therefore, links of the data groups that are linked mutually can be displayed efficiently.

The first embodiment and the second embodiment of the present invention are explained above in detail with reference to diagrams. However, the present invention is not limited to the first and the second embodiment and any modifications and changes within a scope that do not deviate the basic idea of the present invention are included in the present invention.

For example, in the embodiments mentioned above, a computer program that realizes functions of the first and the second embodiment may be recorded in a computer readable recording medium and the computer program recorded in the recording medium allowed to be read and executed by a computer so that each function is realized.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As mentioned above, an information navigation system according to the present invention is useful for search and display of data groups that are mutually linked.