Patent ID: 12189671

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Thesis Map]

First, a thesis map creation method and a thesis map created by a thesis map creation device1using the method will be described.FIG.1shows an example of a thesis map6according to an embodiment. The thesis map6allows a correlation between theses to be intuitively ascertained through visual perception. Each time when information about a thesis is input into the thesis map creation device1to be described later, the latest thesis map6that reflects the information about the thesis is created (updated) by the thesis map creation device1, and the latest thesis map6is displayed on a display unit of the thesis map creation device1.

As shown inFIG.1, the thesis map6is configured to represent, on a base map13, for each thesis, a node N (a representative sign of a node) that is a thesis position representation indicating a position of the thesis with a circle, and an edge E (a representative sign of an edge) that is a line representation connecting the nodes N.

As shown inFIG.2, in the base map, regions of a plurality of conceptual levels C1to Cn and a provisional conceptual level Cn+1 are concentrically and sequentially set around a root R that is a highest element representation indicating a target field. The plurality of conceptual levels C1to Cn are obtained by dividing a content of the target field from a higher concept toward a lower concept, each region of the plurality of conceptual levels C1to Cn corresponds to a lower concept as the region is further away from the root R, and by representing the node N in any of these regions, it is possible to visually recognize to which of the conceptual levels C1to Cn the thesis belongs. The provisional conceptual level Cn+1 is used when it is determined that the thesis does not belong to any of the plurality of conceptual levels C1to Cn, and the region of the provisional conceptual level Cn+1 is disposed further outside (below) the region of the lowest conceptual level Cn among the plurality of conceptual levels C1to Cn. In the embodiment, as the plurality of conceptual levels C1to Cn, three conceptual levels C1, C2, and C3are set from a higher concept to a lower concept, and a provisional conceptual level C4is set as the provisional conceptual level Cn+1. A reason why each region of the plurality of conceptual levels C1to C3and the provisional conceptual level C4in the base map13corresponds to a lower concept as the region is further away from the root R is that it is noted that development of knowledge, research contents, and the like tends to move sequentially from abstract to concrete (become clear) and that latest contents are often located at a lowest conceptual level, and it is conceivable that it is easy to visually perceive a concept height (high or low) through the base map13described above.

In the base map13inFIG.2, reference numerals L1to Ln denote virtual planned representation lines, and for each of the planned representation lines L1to Ln, information (node N) about each thesis is represented along each of the planned representation lines L1to Ln. The planned representation lines L1to Ln are increased or decreased according to the number of imported theses from the viewpoint of visibility. Along with processing between the nodes N of the theses, disposition positions thereof are changed (disposition is changed such that the disposition positions are adjacent to each other) when necessary.

The node N is a node (vertex) represented in the region of any of the conceptual levels C1to C4on the base map13according to information (content) of a thesis related to the node. Accordingly, it is possible to ascertain a relative positional relationship of a concept height (high or low) of the thesis related to the node N relative to another thesis through visual perception. The edge E is an edge (side) that connects the nodes N (including the root R that is the highest concept representation) related to theses when there is relevance between the theses. Accordingly, relevance and connection between the theses can be ascertained through visual perception.

As a result, the correlation between the theses can be intuitively perceived by ascertaining the node N and the edge E on the thesis map6through visual perception, and a user can advance a research in a unique direction. By representing a research content of the user by the node N and the edge E, a position of the research content of the user relative to a related thesis can be objectively ascertained.

[Overview of Thesis Map Creation System1A (Thesis Map Creation Device1)]

Next, the thesis map creation device1for creating the thesis map6will be described. In the embodiment, the thesis map creation device1is implemented by a thesis map creation system1A, and as shown inFIG.3, the thesis map creation system1A includes a user terminal2as a terminal device and a management server4with which the user terminal2is communicable via a communication network3such as the Internet. Accordingly, in the thesis map creation system1A, based on transmission of thesis information or the like from the user terminal2to the management server4, the management server4executes predetermined processing to create or update thesis map information (map data), and delivers the thesis map information as delivery information to the user terminal2. As a result, the thesis map (graph)6is displayed on a display unit of the user terminal2as shown inFIG.1(an example of the thesis map6), and the node (thesis position representation) N and the edge (line representation) E related to each imported thesis are represented in the thesis map6.

[User Terminal2]

The user terminal2may be a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, or a communicable terminal device such as a personal computer (PC). As shown inFIG.3, the user terminal2includes a communication unit7that communicates with the management server4, a display unit8that displays the delivery information and the like from the management server4, an information input unit (for example, a scanner)9that imports information such as the thesis information, an operation input unit (keyboard)10that inputs a request operation, a storage unit11, and a calculation control unit12.

The storage unit of the user terminal2includes a storage element such as a read only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM), and the storage unit11stores, in addition to a basic program necessary for operating the user terminal2, a display program (delivery information display program) for displaying the node N indicating a relative position of theses and the edge E connecting the nodes N on the base map13(seeFIG.1), a change program for changing positions and disposition postures of the node N and the edge E by a change operation (for example, a dragging operation), setting information, and the like. The various programs and the like are read by the calculation control unit12as necessary, and necessary information (input information from the information input unit9and the operation input unit10, the delivery information from the management server4, and the like) is appropriately stored in the storage unit11.

As shown inFIG.3, the calculation control unit12functions as a display processing unit14, a change processing unit15, and the like based on a program read from the storage unit11. Specifically, the display processing unit14receives the thesis map information as the delivery information from the management server4, and thus functions to display, on the display unit8, the thesis map6in which the node N and the edge E are disposed on the base map13. The change processing unit15functions to change, through a change operation such as dragging, the disposition position of the node N, the disposition position and the disposition posture of the edge E on the base map13displayed on the display unit8.

[Management Server4]

As the management server4, either a single server or a cloud server may be used. As shown inFIG.3, the management server4includes a communication unit16for communicating with the user terminal2, a storage unit17as a storage device that stores various types of information (thesis information and the like) received from the user terminal2via communication units3,7, and16, and stores stored information prepared in advance, and a processing unit (calculation control unit)18as a processing device that executes various types of processing such as analysis related to the thesis information received from the user terminal2.

A specific description will be given. The storage unit17includes a storage element such as a read only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM). In order to store necessary information, the storage unit17includes a setting information storage unit19, a database unit20, a map data storage unit21, a temporary storage unit22, a thesis information storage unit23, a program storage unit24, and the like.

The setting information storage unit19stores setting information such as constants, fixed values, and base map data displayed as the base map13at the user terminal2. In the database unit20, the plurality of conceptual levels C1to Cn are sequentially set from a higher concept to a lower concept for each target field, and a large number of terms corresponding to the conceptual levels C1to Cn are stored as registration terms for each of the plurality of conceptual levels C1to Cn. In the embodiment, as the plurality of conceptual levels C1to Cn, initially, three conceptual levels C1, C2, and C3are sequentially set, and a large number of terms corresponding to the respective conceptual levels C1, C2, and C3are stored as registration terms for each of the three conceptual levels C1, C2, and C3.FIG.4shows an example in which the three conceptual levels C1, C2, and C3are set from a higher concept to a lower concept, and registration terms are stored for each of the conceptual levels C1, C2, and C3, with general chemistry being the target field. As described above, the setting information storage unit19stores the base map data. The base map data is displayed at the user terminal2as the base map13shown inFIG.2, the base map13is displayed such that each region of the plurality of conceptual levels C1, C2, and C3corresponds to a lower concept as the region is further away from the root R that is the highest element representation indicating the target field as described above with reference toFIG.2(R→C1→C2→C3), and the region of the provisional conceptual level C4is represented further outside (below) the lowest conceptual level C3among the plurality of conceptual levels C1, C2, and C3. In the embodiment, boundary lines between the regions are indicated by concentric circles having different diameters.

The map data storage unit21stores map data in which information is incorporated into the base map data based on processing by the processing unit18. In the map data, when new information is incorporated or incorporated information is changed, at that time, the changed map data is updated and stored as the map data. As will be described later, when it is determined that a feature term extracted from the thesis information does not belong to any of the plurality of conceptual levels C1, C2, and C3but belongs to the provisional conceptual level C4, the feature term and a number thereof are cumulatively and temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit22. The thesis information received from the user terminal2is accumulated and stored in the thesis information storage unit23. In the program storage unit24, in addition to a basic program, programs for executing various types of processing in the processing unit18are stored for the purpose of storing necessary programs.

The processing unit (calculation control unit)18includes a central processing unit (CPU) and functions, based on a program read from the storage unit17, as a feature term extraction unit25, a first collating unit26, a first information incorporation unit27, a second collating unit28, a second information incorporation unit29, a storage processing unit30, an update processing unit40, and the like as shown inFIG.3. Details thereof will be described later.

[Overview of Overall Processing of Thesis Map Creation System1A]

Next, overall processing of the thesis map creation system1A will be described with reference toFIGS.5and6.(1) In the thesis map creation system1A, the management server4transmits initial screen information to the user terminal2under a condition that the user terminal2accesses the management server4, and the user uses the initial screen information to transmit information about the target field and the thesis to the management server4. The initial screen information is displayed as an initial screen31on the display unit8of the user terminal2as shown inFIG.7, and the initial screen31is provided with a target field input field32for inputting the target field, a thesis input field33, and a transmission display (transmission button)34. The target field input field32is a field for inputting the target field desired by the user by direct input or by selecting one of a plurality of pulled-down choices. The thesis input field33is a field for inputting the thesis information desired by the user by copy paste or the like. As the thesis information to be input to the thesis input field33, information received from the information input unit9, information downloaded from a thesis accumulation site, or the like is used. The transmission display34becomes active based on input to the target field input field32and the thesis input field33, and by selecting (clicking) the transmission display34in such an active state, input information input into the target field input field32and the thesis input field33is transmitted to the management server4.(2) In the thesis map creation system1A, when the management server4receives the thesis information from the user terminal2, the processing unit18of the management server4sequentially executes the following processing to create the thesis map information (map data).(2-1) As shown inFIG.5, the feature term extraction unit25of the processing unit18extracts a feature term from information about a received thesis. In this case, as the information about the thesis where the feature term is extracted, any one of the entire thesis, a title of the thesis, and a summary (abstract) of the thesis, or both the title of the thesis and the abstract of the thesis may be appropriately selected, and in the extraction of the feature term, an extraction target can be set to a term such as a phrase or a word in the thesis information as appropriate.(2-2) When the extraction of the feature term by the feature term extraction unit25is finished, as shown inFIG.5, the first collating unit26of the processing unit collates identity between the feature term and a registration term stored in the database unit20of the storage unit17, and determines to which of the plurality of conceptual levels C1to C3where the registration term belongs the feature term belongs. In this case, the collating (determination) of the identity between the feature term and the registration term is not limited to a case where the feature term and the registration term are exactly the same, and appropriate processing may be executed, such as determining the identity for a registration term including the feature term by performing a fuzzy search using a LIKE operator of SQL statement.FIG.8is a conceptual diagram showing the processing content described above using a processing example of a thesis1shown inFIG.6. In an upper portion ofFIG.8, the first collating unit26determines that a feature term w11belongs to the conceptual level C1and feature terms w12and w13belong to the conceptual level C2among a plurality of feature terms (indicated by small circles) w (used as a representative sign of the feature term) extracted by the feature term extraction unit25.(2-3) When the determination by the first collating unit26is finished and it is determined to which of the conceptual levels C1to C3the feature term belongs, as shown inFIG.5, the first information incorporation unit27of the processing unit18incorporates information about a node N1of the thesis1into the map data such that the node N1is represented in a region of a lowest conceptual level among the conceptual levels to which the feature term belongs, and the second information incorporation unit29incorporates information about an edge E1(line representation) into the map data such that the node N1is represented as being connected to the root R indicating the target field with the edge E1. If the above-described processing of the thesis1is continued as an example, based on a result shown in the upper portion ofFIG.8, the first information incorporation unit27incorporates the information about the node N1into the base map data such that the node N1of the thesis1is displayed in the region of the conceptual level C2that is the lowest conceptual level among the conceptual levels to which the feature term belongs, as shown in a lower portion inFIG.8, and the second information incorporation unit29incorporates the information about the edge E1into the map data such that the node N1and the root R are represented as being connected by the edge E1. A reason why the node is represented in the region of the lowest conceptual level among the conceptual levels to which the feature term belongs is that it is noted that development of knowledge, research contents, and the like tends to move from abstract to concrete (become clear) and that latest contents are often located at a lowest conceptual level, and such a fact is utilized through a location of the feature term. A reason why the root R and the node N1are represented as being connected by the edge E1is that it is clear that the feature term that is a basis for the node N belongs to any of the plurality of conceptual levels C1to C3for the target field and is related to the target field.(2-4) On the other hand, when the first collating unit26determines that in the feature term extracted by the feature term extraction unit25, there is the feature term which does not belong to any of the conceptual levels C1to C3, the first information incorporation unit27incorporates the information about the node N into the map data such that the node N is represented in the region of the provisional conceptual level C4. This is because the feature term that does not show identity with any of the registration terms belonging to the conceptual levels C1to C3can be regarded as a latest and specific term (belonging to a lower conceptual level) or a completely different term. In this case, when in the feature term extracted by the feature term extraction unit25, there is the feature term which belongs to the conceptual levels C1to C3as well as the provisional conceptual level C4, the second information incorporation unit29incorporates the information about the edge E into the map data such that in the thesis map6the node N in the region of the provisional conceptual level C4and the root R are represented as being connected by the edge E. This is because, as long as there is a feature term determined as belonging to the conceptual levels C1to C3, it can be estimated that although the feature term belongs to the provisional conceptual level C4, the feature term is relevant to the target field. In this regard, according to the determination of the first collating unit26, when the feature term extracted by the feature term extraction unit25is limited to be a feature term belonging to the provisional conceptual level C4and there is no feature term belonging to the conceptual levels C1to C3, the first information incorporation unit27incorporates the information about the node N to be positioned in the region of the provisional conceptual level C4into the map data such that the node is represented in an independent (isolated) state in the region of the provisional conceptual level C4, and the second information incorporation unit29does not incorporate, into the map data, the information about the edge E that connects the node N in the region of the provisional conceptual level C4to the root R.(2-5) The above-described contents will be specifically described with reference to processing examples of theses3and4shown inFIGS.6and9. As for the thesis3, since a feature term w32belongs to the region of the provisional conceptual level C4and a feature term w31belongs to the conceptual level C2other than the provisional conceptual level among feature terms extracted by the feature term extraction unit25, the first and second information incorporation units27and29incorporate information about a node N3and information about an edge E3into the map data such that the node N3is represented in the region of the provisional conceptual level C4and the edge E3connecting the node N3and the root R is represented on the thesis map6. For the thesis4, since it is determined that feature terms w41to w44extracted by the feature term extraction unit25do not belong to any of the conceptual levels C1to C3but belong to the region of the provisional conceptual level, the first information incorporation unit27incorporates information about a node N4into the map data such that the node N4is represented independently (isolatedly) in the region of the provisional conceptual level on the thesis map6, and the second information incorporation unit29does not incorporate the information about the edge E into the map data.(2-6) When the incorporation processing of the first and second information incorporation units27and29and the like are finished and when it is determined based on a collating result of the first collating unit26and a stored content (map data) in the storage unit17that the feature term extracted by the feature term extraction unit25belongs not only to the lowest conceptual level among the conceptual levels C1to C3but also to a conceptual level higher than the lowest conceptual level, and that there is already a node N related to another thesis in a region of the same conceptual level as the higher conceptual level to which the feature term belongs, the second collating unit28collates relevance between the feature term and a feature term that is a basis for the node N of the other thesis at the same conceptual level. This is to determine the relevance between the theses. In this case, various methods including the same determination as the identity determination of the first collating unit26can be used for collating (determining) the relevance between the feature term extracted by the feature term extraction unit25and the feature term that is the basis for the node N of the other thesis.(2-7) An upper portion ofFIG.10shows the processing contents described above with reference to a specific processing example of a thesis2relative to the thesis1. In the thesis2, a feature term w21belongs to the conceptual level C1, a feature term w22belongs to the conceptual level C2, and a feature term w23belongs to the conceptual level C3. For this reason, the first information incorporation unit27incorporates information about a node N2into the map data such that the node N2is represented in the region of the conceptual level C3that is the lowest conceptual level among these conceptual levels. In the thesis2, the feature terms w21and w22also belong to the conceptual levels C1and C2higher than the conceptual level C3that is the lowest conceptual level, and among these, there is already the node N1of the thesis1(another thesis) in the region of the conceptual level C2to which the feature term w22belongs. Therefore, the second collating unit28determines such a fact, and determines relevance between the feature term w12or w13that is a basis for the node N1and the feature term w22of the thesis2.(2-8) When the processing of the second collating unit28is finished and when it is determined that there is relevance between the collated feature terms based on a collating result of the second collating unit28, the second information incorporation unit29further determines a conceptual level closest to the lowest conceptual level among the conceptual levels where the feature terms are relevant, and incorporates information about an edge E2into the map data such that the node N in the region of the lowest conceptual level and the node N based on the other thesis represented in a region of a conceptual level closest to the lowest conceptual level among the conceptual levels where the feature terms are relevant are connected with the edge E2.

If a processing content (seeFIG.10) of the thesis2relative to the thesis1is continued as an example, the second information incorporation unit29determines whether there is relevance between the feature term w12or w13that is the basis for the node N1of the thesis1that is the other thesis and the feature term w22of the thesis2based on the collating result of the second collating unit28, and when it determines that there is relevance, as shown in a lower portion ofFIG.10, the information about the edge E2is incorporated into the map data such that the node N2and the node N1are connected with the edge E2. In this case, since the node N1of the thesis1that is the other thesis is present only in the conceptual level C2to which the feature term w22belongs, in this processing example, the conceptual level C2is the conceptual level closest to the lowest conceptual level C3among the conceptual levels where the feature terms are relevant.(2-9) When the above-described processing is finished, the storage processing unit30stores the map data in which processing information of the processing device18is incorporated as latest map data in the map data storage unit21of the storage unit17. The storage processing unit30incorporates, into the map data at any time, not only information based on the series of processing described above but also change information on the thesis map6from the user terminal2to make the map data up-to-date. The thesis map information thus created or updated is delivered to the user terminal2as delivery information through the communication unit16and the network3, and the latest thesis map6is displayed on the display unit8of the user terminal2. As a result, the user can easily obtain the latest thesis map6in which information (the node N and the like) of each related thesis is incorporated without reading the thesis, and a burden on the user is reduced. In this case, all or a part of an identification code or a thesis title are shown on each node N in the thesis map6in order to indicate on which thesis the node N is based, further, corresponding thesis information in the storage unit17(thesis information storage unit23) is associated with each node N by using a hyperlink or the like, and the corresponding thesis information in the storage unit17can be accessed by selecting (clicking) the node N.(2-10) For each of a plurality of theses, the series of processing described above is executed, and when it is determined that the feature term extracted by the feature term extraction unit25should belong to the provisional conceptual level C4without belonging to any of the conceptual levels C1to C3, the feature term w and a number thereof are cumulatively stored in the storage unit17(temporary storage unit22). When it is determined that a cumulative number wt of the temporarily stored feature term is equal to or larger than a predetermined number w0, the update processing unit40incorporates the provisional conceptual level C4so far as the lowest conceptual level C4subsequent to the conceptual level C3into the plurality of normal conceptual levels C1to C3having a concept of a hierarchical relationship, and stores the feature term temporarily stored so far as a registration term belonging to the conceptual level C4in the database unit20. The update processing unit40sets a new provisional conceptual level C5along with such a change from the provisional conceptual level C4to the normal conceptual level C4, disposes a region of the provisional conceptual level C5outside (below) the conceptual level C4, and stores a content thereof at a lowest position in the storage unit17, similarly to the case of the provisional conceptual level C4. Accordingly, thereafter, also in processing of the provisional conceptual level C5, when it is determined that the feature term extracted by the feature term extraction unit25does not belong to any of the plurality of conceptual levels C1to C4, the feature term is regarded as belonging to the provisional conceptual level C5as in the case of the provisional conceptual level C4, and the feature term and the cumulative number are temporarily stored in the storage unit17(seeFIG.5).(3) When the map data (thesis map information) is delivered from the management server4to the user terminal2, the thesis map6as shown inFIG.1is displayed on the display unit8of the user terminal2as described above.(3-1) In this case, as shown inFIG.5, the user can change the disposition position of the node N, the disposition position and the disposition posture of the edge E, and the like by a change operation such as a dragging operation (manual correction) while viewing the thesis map6through the display unit8of the user terminal2. This is because, although the thesis map6can be obtained and a correlation between related theses can be ascertained through visual perception by the thesis map6without reading contents of the related theses, a content of the thesis map6may not always be a content according to an intention of the user. Therefore, the user can change, based on the change processing unit15of the user terminal2, the disposition position of the node N, the disposition position and the disposition posture of the edge E, and the like on the thesis map6by the dragging operation or the like while viewing the thesis map6displayed on the display unit8. Such changed information (information about the node N and information about the edge E) is transmitted to the management server4, the management server4performs predetermined processing (correction processing) based on the received information, and processing information thereof is incorporated into the map data (thesis map information). The updated latest map data is stored in the storage unit17by the storage processing unit30and is delivered to the user terminal2by the communication unit16, and the thesis map6corrected to the content intended by the user is displayed on the display unit8of the user terminal2.

A position change of the node N will be specifically described with reference to a processing example of a thesis5shown inFIGS.6and11. In processing of the thesis5, it is determined that a feature term w51extracted by the feature term extraction unit25does not belong to any of the conceptual levels C1to C3, and it is assumed that a node N5is independently (isolatedly) disposed in the region of the provisional conceptual level C4(see an upper portion ofFIG.11). However, when the user moves the node N5to the region of the conceptual level C3by a dragging operation or the like on an assumption that a position of the node N5is not intended, information thereof is transmitted to the management server4, and the management server4executes predetermined correction processing based on the information and updates the map data so far to the latest map data in which the processing information is incorporated. This map data is delivered to the user terminal2, and the node N5is displayed in a state of remaining in the region of the conceptual level C3that is a movement destination, and an edge E5connecting the thesis node N5whose movement is finished and the root R is newly displayed by automatic correction (see a lower portion inFIG.11). In this case, it is determined whether there is the feature term w51that is a basis for the node N5, as the registration term belonging to the conceptual level C3that is the movement destination, and when there is not the feature term w51as the registration term belonging to the conceptual level C3that is the movement destination, the feature term w51is stored as a registration term belonging to the conceptual level C3. On the other hand, the feature term w51temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit22of the storage unit17is deleted.

The change in the disposition position and the disposition posture of the edge E will be described in detail with reference toFIGS.6and12based on a processing example of a thesis7relative to a thesis6. In the thesis map6, in relation to the thesis6, a node N6is represented in the region of the conceptual level C3and the node N6is connected to the root R by an edge E6, whereas in relation to the thesis7, a node N7is disposed in the region of the provisional conceptual level C4and the node N7is connected to the root R by an edge E7(see an upper portion ofFIG.12). However, when the user rotates the edge E7around the node N7to the node E6by a dragging operation or the like such that a connection target of the edge E7extending from the node N7is the node N6in the region of the conceptual level C3on an assumption that the connection target of the edge E7extending from the node N7is not intended, information thereof is transmitted to the management server4, and the management server4creates correction information based on the information and delivers the map data including the correction information to the user terminal2. Accordingly, the edge E7is displayed as connecting the nodes N7and N6(see a lower portion ofFIG.12). Such a series of change processing can be set to start, for example, under a condition that the edge E7or a virtual extension line thereof passes through (crosses) the node N7and the node N6due to the rotation (movement) of the edge E7.(3-2) In such a thesis map6(for example, as shown inFIG.1), a relationship between each of the plurality of conceptual levels C1to C3or the provisional conceptual level C4and each of the nodes N, and a correlation between each of the nodes N and each of the edges E are stored in the storage unit17, and thus the user can display the thesis map6on the user terminal2as a tree structure converted as shown inFIG.13based on a request signal from the user terminal2to the management server4.

Therefore, in the thesis map creation system1A, it is possible to create the thesis map6that indicates the correlation between the related theses with the node N and the edge E without reading the related theses, and it is possible to easily create and update the thesis map6. Accordingly, the correlation between the related theses can be ascertained through visual perception, and the research can be advanced in a unique direction. In addition, it is possible to acquire the node N and the edge E of a research content of the user by importing the research content of the user as a thesis, and to enable objective positioning of the research content of the user relative to the related theses.

Even if a content of the thesis map6is against an intention of the user (including those in which contents of actual related theses are not accurately reflected), at this time, the thesis map6can be easily changed by the change operation on the user terminal2, and the changed thesis map6can be used as the latest thesis map6. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the creation of the thesis map6for research support and to implement accuracy of a content thereof.

Next, a specific processing example of the above contents in the user terminal2will be described with reference to a flowchart shown inFIG.14. S represents a step.

First, in S1, it is determined whether an access signal is transmitted from the user terminal2to the management server4. When it is determined that the access signal is transmitted (S1is YES), the initial screen information is transmitted from the management server4to the user terminal2, and thus in S2, it is determined whether the initial screen information from the management server4is received. When S2is YES, the initial screen31is displayed on the display unit8of the user terminal2(S3).

In subsequent S4and S5, it is determined whether an input of the target field into the target field input field32and an input of the thesis information to the thesis input field33on the initial screen31are performed. When it is determined that the input is performed to both the fields32and33(YES in S4and S5), the transmission display34on the initial screen31is active (S6), and in subsequent S7, it is determined whether the transmission display34is selected (clicked) to confirm an intention of transmitting the input information (S4and S5). When S7is NO, the determination in S7is repeated. On the other hand, when S7is YES, it is determined in S8whether the map data created based on the transmission of the thesis information and the like is received from the management server4, and when S8is YES, the thesis map6based on the map data is displayed on the display unit8of the user terminal2in S9. Accordingly, each node N and each edge E on the thesis map6can be recognized through visual perception, and the correlation between the related theses can be intuitively perceived. As a result, the user can advance a research pursuing uniqueness.

Specific processing examples of the above-described contents in the management server4will be described based on flowcharts shown inFIGS.15to17. Q represents a step.

First, in Q1, it is determined whether the access signal from the user terminal2is received. When it is determined that the access signal is received (Q1is YES), the initial screen information is delivered to the user terminal2to prompt transmission of the target field and the thesis information (Q2), and the management server4stands by for a reply from the user terminal2.

In subsequent Q3, based on the initial screen information in Q2described above, it is determined whether information about the target field and the thesis is transmitted. This is because when there is no such information, it is not possible to create the thesis map6reflecting the thesis. Therefore, when Q3is NO, a transmission request for both the target field and the thesis which are appropriate information is transmitted (Q4), the processing returns to Q2, and the initial screen information is delivered again. When Q3is YES, it is determined in Q5whether the current processing is processing for a first time, and when Q5is YES, the latest map data so far (base map data in the case of creation for a first time) and an upper limit value (predetermined number) w0of the cumulative number of the feature term that can be determined as belonging to the provisional conceptual level are read in Q6, and the registration terms and the like of the conceptual levels C1to C3in the target field are read in Q7. When the determination in Q5is NO, the processing proceeds to Q7.

When processing of Q7is finished, subsequently, the feature term is extracted by the feature term extraction unit25in Q8, and the identity between the extracted feature term and the registration term in the storage unit17is collated by the first collating unit26in Q9. Then, in subsequent Q10, it is determined whether the extracted feature term belongs to any of the plurality of conceptual levels C1to C3based on a result in Q9. A determination aspect in Q10(an aspect in which the feature term belongs to any of the plurality of conceptual levels C1to C3) includes a case where as far as at least one of feature terms belongs to any of the plurality of conceptual levels C1to C3, since it is determined that another feature term does not belong to any of the plurality of conceptual levels C1to C3, it belongs to the provisional conceptual level C4. When Q10is YES, in Q11, the conceptual level to which the feature term belongs is specified, in Q12, the number mc of corresponding conceptual levels specified in Q11is specified, and for each corresponding conceptual level, a rank of lowest and a higher rank with the lowest rank serving as a reference is specified. In this case, as for the corresponding conceptual level specified in Q11, when it is determined that at least one feature term belongs to any of the plurality of conceptual levels C1to C3and the other feature term belongs to the provisional conceptual level C4based on the determination in Q10, it is determined that the provisional conceptual level C4also corresponds to the corresponding conceptual level (Q11), and at this time, the provisional conceptual level C4is determined as the lowest conceptual level (Q12).

When processing in Q12is finished, it is determined in Q13whether a lowest conceptual level Cb specified in Q12among the corresponding conceptual levels in Q11corresponds to the conceptual level C3. When Q13is YES, node information in which a node disposition position is the region of the conceptual level C3on the base map is created in Q14, and the node information is stored as the map data in Q15.

When Q13is NO, it is determined in Q16whether the lowest conceptual level Cb specified in Q12corresponds to the conceptual level C2. When Q16is YES, node information in which the node disposition position is the region of the conceptual level C2on the base map13is created in Q17, the processing proceeds to Q15, and the node information is stored as the map data. When Q16is NO, it is determined in Q18whether the lowest conceptual level Cb specified in Q12corresponds to the conceptual level C1. When Q18is YES, node information in which the node disposition position is the region of the conceptual level C1on the base map13is created in Q19, the processing proceeds to Q15, and the node information is stored as the map data. When Q18is NO, since the lowest conceptual level Cb specified in Q12does not correspond to any of the conceptual levels C1to C3, at this time, node information in which the node disposition position is the region of the provisional conceptual level C4on the base map13is created in Q20, the processing proceeds to Q15, and the node information is stored as the map data.

When the processing in Q15is finished, it is determined in Q21whether the number mc of the corresponding conceptual levels specified in Q12satisfies mc=1. When Q21is YES, edge information connecting the root R and the node in the region of the lowest conceptual level Cb is created in Q22(see the processing example of the thesis6inFIG.6), the edge information is incorporated into the map data, and the map data is stored (updated) as the latest map data in the storage unit17in subsequent Q23. On the other hand, when Q21is NO, in Q24, a rank m of the corresponding conceptual level (Q12) from the lowest conceptual level Cb specified in Q12to higher levels is set to m=1, and in subsequent Q25, it is specified to which of the conceptual levels C1to C3a first corresponding conceptual level Cm (a representative sign for all ranks) from the lowest conceptual level Cb to the higher levels corresponds. In subsequent Q26, it is determined whether there is a node N of another thesis in the region of the conceptual level specified in Q25to which the conceptual level Cm corresponds (=the conceptual level Cm). When Q26is NO, in Q27, the rank m is added by 1 (m=m+1) to become a next rank, and in Q28, it is determined whether the rank m is equal to or larger than the number mc of the corresponding conceptual levels specified in Q12. When Q28is NO, the processing returns to Q25, and it is repeatedly determined whether there is a node N of another thesis sequentially for conceptual levels from the lowest conceptual level Cb to the higher levels among the conceptual levels to which the feature term extracted by the feature term extraction unit25belongs. On the other hand, when Q28is YES, it is determined that there is no node N of another thesis at all conceptual levels higher than the lowest conceptual level Cb among the conceptual levels to which the feature term extracted by the feature term extraction unit25belongs, the processing proceeds to Q22, and edge information connecting the node N in the region of the lowest conceptual level Cb and the root R is created.

If Q26is YES, there is a node N of another thesis at the corresponding conceptual level Cm of an m-th rank (a conceptual level corresponding to Cm), and at this time, it is determined in Q29whether there is relevance between a feature term that is a basis for the conceptual level Cm and a feature term that is a basis for the node N of the other thesis. This is because that connection between the thesis and the other thesis is determined under a hierarchical conceptual relationship based on presence or absence of the relevance between the feature terms. When Q29is NO, the processing proceeds to Q27to perform the determination in Q29at a conceptual level of a next rank, and when Q29is YES, in Q30, edge information connecting the node (a node disposed in the region of the lowest conceptual level Cb) N of the thesis and the node N of the other thesis is created (see the processing example of the thesis2inFIG.6) to clarify the connection between the thesis and the other thesis under the hierarchical conceptual relationship, the edge information is incorporated into the map data, and the map data is stored (updated) as the latest map data in the storage unit17in Q23.

On the other hand, when it is determined that Q10is NO, since no feature term in Q8belongs to any of the conceptual levels C1to C3, at this time, the processing proceeds to Q31, and node information in which the node disposition position is the region of the provisional conceptual level C4on the base map is created, such independent (isolated) node information is incorporated into the map data (see the processing of the thesis4inFIG.6), and the map data is stored (updated) as the latest map data in the storage unit17in Q23.

When the processing in Q23is finished, the map data in Q23is delivered to the user terminal2in subsequent Q32. Accordingly, the thesis map6is displayed on the display unit8of the user terminal2.

In subsequent Q33, when the lowest conceptual level Cb corresponds to the provisional conceptual level C4, a feature term that is a basis thereof and a number thereof are specified and cumulatively stored in the temporary storage unit22of the storage unit17in subsequent Q34. In subsequent Q35, it is determined whether the cumulative number wt of the feature term stored in the temporary storage unit22is equal to or larger than the predetermined number w0. When Q35is NO, the processing is ended, whereas when Q35is YES, in Q36, the provisional conceptual level C4is incorporated into the map data as the lowest normal conceptual level following the conceptual levels C1to C3, the feature term stored in the temporary storage unit22is stored in the database unit20as a registration term of the conceptual level C4, and in Q37, a new provisional conceptual level C5and a region thereof on the base map are set and stored.

FIG.18is a flowchart specifically showing processing of the management server4along with the change operation on the user terminal2. U represents a step.

First, when change operation information about the thesis map6is received from the user terminal2in U1, it is determined in U2whether the change operation information in U1is based on node movement. When U2is YES, it is determined in U3whether a moved node before movement is disposed in any region of the plurality of conceptual levels C1to C3, and when U3is YES, it is determined in U4whether a movement destination of the moved node is in any region of the plurality of conceptual levels C1to C3. When U4is YES, in U5, edge correction information is created, which is adjusted such that the moved node and a partner node so far (including the root R) are connected with an accurate length. In this case, when the moved node and the partner node are located in a region of the same conceptual level, correction is performed such that the moved node and the root R are connected by an edge. Such edge correction information is incorporated into the map data together with the information about the moved node in U6, the map data is stored in the storage unit17as the latest map data, and the map data is delivered to the user terminal2in subsequent U7. Accordingly, at the user terminal2, the thesis map6showing the moved node and the corrected edge is displayed on the display unit8of the user terminal2.

The timing when U4is NO is the timing when the moved node moves to the region of the provisional conceptual level C4, and at this time, in08, in relation to a thesis related to the moved node, it is determined whether there is any feature term extracted by the feature term extraction unit25in any of the conceptual levels C1to C3. When U8is YES, the processing proceeds to U5, and in U5, the edge correction information that makes a connection state between the moved node moving to the region of the provisional conceptual level C4and the partner node (including the root R) so far accurate is created. Thereafter, the same processing as described above is performed (U6, U7). When U8is NO, since the moved node is isolated in the target field, edge deletion information for deleting the edge so far is created in U9, and then the processing proceeds to U6.

The timing when U3is NO is the timing when the moved node is present at the provisional conceptual level C4before the movement and moves to any of the conceptual levels C1to C3related to the target field. At this time, it is determined in U10whether there is any feature term extracted by the feature term extraction unit25in a region (conceptual levels C1to C3) other than the movement destination region of the moved node with respect to the thesis related to the moved node. When U10is YES, the processing proceeds to U5, and in U5, the edge correction information that makes the connection state between the moved node and the partner node (including the root R) so far accurate is created, and thereafter, the same processing as described above is performed (U6, U7). In this case, when the moved node and the partner node are located in a region of the same conceptual level, correction is performed such that the moved node and the root R are connected by an edge. When U10is NO, only a feature term serving as a basis for the moved node that is isolated before the movement is related to the target field, and thus edge information for newly connecting the root R and the moved node is created in U11, and then the processing proceeds to U6.

The timing when U2is NO is the timing when a movement operation is performed on the edge E, and at this time, it is determined in U12whether the moved edge or an extension line thereof crosses both nodes to be connected at the time when the movement is finished. When U12is NO, the processing returns to U2, and when U12is YES, the processing proceeds to U5. When the processing reaches U5through YES in U12in this way, in U5, edge correction information for accurately connecting both nodes crossed by the moved edge or the extension line thereof is created, and then the processing proceeds to U6.

FIG.19shows another embodiment. In the other embodiment, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

In the other embodiment shown inFIG.19, when creating the thesis map6, the user terminal2(personal computer) that is a terminal device is caused to perform a role performed by the management server4, and the processing related to the thesis map6is completed only by the user terminal2. Therefore, in the user terminal2, a first storage unit11A and a second storage unit11B are provided in the storage unit11, the first storage unit11A has the same function as the storage unit11of the user terminal2according to the above-described embodiment, and the second storage unit11B has the same function as the storage unit17of the management server4according to the above-described embodiment. Therefore, the second storage unit11B includes the setting information storage unit19, the database unit20, the map data storage unit21, the temporary storage unit22, the thesis information storage unit23, and the program storage unit24, similarly to the storage unit17of the management server4. The calculation control unit12includes, in addition to components (the display processing unit14and the change processing unit15) having the same functions as those of the user terminal2according to the above-described embodiment, components functioning in the processing unit18of the management server4according to the above-described embodiment (the feature term extraction unit25, the first collating unit26, the first information incorporation unit27, the second collating unit28, the second information incorporation unit29, the storage processing unit30, and the update processing unit40).

Accordingly, when related thesis information, own research information (thesis information), and the like are received by the user terminal2, the user terminal2performs processing thereon, and the thesis map6is displayed on the display unit8of the user terminal2as a processing result content.

The invention described in the above-described embodiments includes the following aspects.(1) Target theses include theses and research reference materials in a wide range such as natural science, formal science, social science, and humanities.(2) The plurality of conceptual levels are not limited to three, that is, C1to C3, and may be any number like C1to Cn (n is any integer).(3) The virtual planned representation line in the thesis map6(base map13) may be visually unrecognizable or visually recognizable.(4) In the base map13, the regions of the plurality of conceptual levels C1to C3are partitioned by spherical surfaces having different diameters around the root R.(5) In the base map13, in order to distinguish the regions of the plurality of conceptual levels C1to C3, a boundary line may be provided or the regions may be colored differently.(6) In the base map13, in order to distinguish the regions of the plurality of conceptual levels C1to C3, no boundary line is provided.(7) The predetermined number w0of the cumulative number wt of the feature term w that can be stored in the temporary storage unit22is set as desired.(8) The following programs can be used as thesis map creation device programs.(8-1) A thesis map creation device program for causing a computer to function as the feature term extraction unit25, the first collating unit26, and the first information incorporation unit27.(8-2) A thesis map creation device program for causing a computer to function as the feature term extraction unit25, the first collating unit26, the first information incorporation unit27, the second collating unit28, and the second information incorporation unit29.(8-3) The thesis map creation device program according to the configuration (8-1) or (8-2) described above, in whichthe function of the first information incorporation unit27is set such that, when it is determined based on the collating result of the first collating unit26that in the feature term extracted by the feature term extraction unit25, there is the feature term which does not belong to any of the plurality of conceptual levels C1to C3, the feature term is regarded as belonging to the provisional conceptual level C4, and the thesis position representation information is incorporated in the region of the provisional conceptual level C4in the base map data13.(8-4) The thesis map creation device program according to (8-3) described above, further causing the computer to function as the storage processing unit30and the update processing unit40.(9) The thesis includes a program, software, and the like created in a language such as a programming language or a machine language, for example, Python, JavaScript, and C++. In this case, in order to create a map of the program or the software, for example, a featured object is extracted as a feature term by the feature term extraction unit of the processing device from a type of the programming language used in the program or the software, a content of an application field or the like in which the programming language is used, and a content of a source code or the like used in the program, the software, or the like. Meanwhile, in the storage device, a term that takes into account a change in the programming language used in the application field, a change (simplification, sophistication, and the like) in the source code and the like can be stored as the registration term for each conceptual level.(10) The program shown in (8) described above is recorded (stored) in a recording medium.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The invention can be used to easily obtain a thesis map in which a correlation between theses can be ascertained through visual perception.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1thesis map creation device1A thesis map creation system (thesis map creation device1)2user terminal (thesis map creation system1A, thesis map creation device1)3network4management server (thesis map creation system1A)6thesis map8display unit of user terminal9information input unit13base map17storage unit (storage device) of management server18processing unit (processing device) of management server25feature term extraction unit26first collating unit27first information incorporation unit28second collating unit29second information incorporation unit30storage processing unit40update processing unitC1to C3plurality of conceptual levelsC4provisional conceptual levelCb lowest conceptual levelE edge (line representation)N node (thesis position representation)R root (highest element representation)w feature term