WO2008012966A1 - Information processing device, user interface method, and information storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

The user can recognize in advance that data to be processed can be processed by a program. An information processing device comprises display means for setting data-relating positions including data-relating positions relating to data on a program and data-relating positions relating to data to be processed by the program and so displaying the data-relating positions alone or along with the image of a space enclosed in closed regions (metaballs) that the closed regions can be identified, closed region updating means for updating the closed regions when the data-relating positions move, and program executing means for processing the data to be processed by the program when the data-relating position relating to the data on the program and the data-relating positions relating to the data to be processed are enclosed in a common closed region. A region which is a set of positions such that the sum of the values of the decreasing function of the distances to the data-relating positions is a predetermined threshold or more is defined as the closed region.

Description

 Specification

 Information processing apparatus, user interface method, and information storage medium

 Technical field

 The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a user interface method, and an information storage medium, and particularly to a user interface used when executing data processing by a program.

 Background art

 [0002] Usability of various information processing devices has been dramatically improved by a graphic user interface (GUI). In a general GUI, an icon indicating program data is displayed on the monitor, and an icon indicating the data to be processed (processing target data) is also displayed on the monitor. Then, by superimposing the display position of the icon of the processing target data on the display position of the icon of the program by a so-called drag and drop operation, arbitrary processing target data can be processed by the arbitrary program. At this time, if the icon position of the data to be processed overlaps the display position of the program icon, the color of the program icon is changed so that the user can know that both icons overlap.

 Disclosure of the invention

 Problems to be solved by the invention

 [0003] However, in the conventional GUI, until the two icons overlap, there is no change in the display of either icon, so the user cannot recognize that the processing target data can be processed by the program. There was a problem.

 [0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible for the user to recognize in advance that data to be processed can be processed by a program according to an operation by the user, It is to provide a user interface method and an information storage medium.

 Means for solving the problem

In order to solve the above problems, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention provides a program data A plurality of data related positions including a data related position related to the data and a data related position related to the processing target data to be processed by the program are set, and each data related position is singly or together with other data related positions. Display means for displaying an image of a space surrounded by the closed area so that each closed area can be identified, operation means for performing an operation for the user to arbitrarily move each data-related position in the space, and Closed area updating means for updating each closed area in the space according to movement of each data related position in the space, data related position related to the data of the program, and data related to the processing target data Execution of a program that processes the data to be processed by the program at a given timing when the position is surrounded by a common closed region The closed region updating means includes, as the closed region, a region in the space that is a set of positions where the sum of the values of the decreasing function of the distance to each data related position is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. It is characterized by setting.

 [0006] Further, the user interface method according to the present invention includes a plurality of data related positions including a data related position related to program data and a data related position related to processing target data which is a processing target of the program. A spatial image display step for displaying an image of a space surrounded by a closed area with each data-related position alone or together with another data-related position so that each closed area can be identified; A move operation accepting step for accepting an operation for the user to arbitrarily move each data related position in the space, and a closed region updating step for updating each closed region in the space according to the movement of each data related position in the space And a data related position related to the program data and a data related position related to the processing target data are surrounded by a common closed area. A program execution step of processing the data to be processed by the program at a given timing, and the closed region update step includes a value of a decreasing function value of a distance to each data related position. An area in the space, which is a set of positions where the sum is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, is set as the closed area.

[0007] Further, the information storage medium according to the present invention has a plurality of data related positions including a data related position related to program data and a data related position related to processing target data which is a processing target of the program. And each data related position is set independently. Or a display means for displaying an image of a space surrounded by a closed area together with other data-related positions so that each closed area can be identified, and for performing an operation of arbitrarily moving each data-related position in the space. Operating means, closed area updating means for updating each closed area in the space in accordance with the movement of each data related position in the space, and the data related position related to the program data and the processing target data Related data A computer-readable program that stores a program for causing a computer to function as program execution means for processing the data to be processed by the program at a given timing when related positions are surrounded by a common closed area. The closed region updating means is a value of a decreasing function of the distance to each data related position. The area in total is set at a position equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value the space is set as the closed region, and wherein the. The computer is, for example, a personal computer, a home game machine, an arcade game machine, a portable game machine, a mobile phone, or a portable information terminal. The program can be stored on a computer-readable information storage medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM.

[0008] According to the present invention, a closed region, which is a region in the space, which is a set of positions at which the sum of the values of the decreasing function of the distance to each data related position is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value is identified and displayed. For this reason, when the closed area surrounding the data-related position related to the program data and the closed area surrounding the data-related position related to the processing target data approach each other according to the operation by the user, the both closed areas are integrated. Even before, both closed regions are deformed. Therefore, the user can recognize in advance that the processing target data can be processed by the program. When both closed areas are integrated and the data-related position related to the program data and the data-related position related to the processing target data are surrounded by the common closed area, the program is given at a given timing. The processing target data is processed.

 [0009] It should be noted that the "given timing" may be a timing at which both closed areas are integrated, or after the both closed areas are integrated, the user instructs processing of processing target data by a program. It may be timing. The “space” may be a three-dimensional space or a two-dimensional space, that is, a plane.

[0010] Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a case where a plurality of data-related positions are surrounded by a common closed region. In addition, grouping means for grouping data related to the data related positions is further included. In this way, a plurality of data can be easily grouped simply by moving the data-related position in the space.

 [0011] Note that the grouping means may link data-related positions surrounded by the common closed region in the space in accordance with an operation performed by the operation means. In this way, it is possible to move the space by collecting data related positions related to the grouped data.

 [0012] Further, threshold value changing means for changing the given threshold value may be further included. In this way, by changing the given threshold value, adjacent data-related positions are surrounded by a common closed area, or are surrounded by separate closed areas.

 [0013] Further, the degree of association between the data is calculated based on the attribute information of each data, and the data-related position related to the data is approached or separated in the space according to the degree of association. And associated position separation / separation means. In this way, it becomes possible to promote gnorape or to suppress grouping according to the degree of association between data, thereby improving user convenience.

 [0014] Further, the operation means may be means for allowing the user to arbitrarily move the closed areas identified and displayed by the image. When each closed area moves, one or a plurality of data-related positions surrounded by the closed area may be moved. By doing this, it is possible to move the data-related position surrounded by moving any closed region using the operating means.

 Brief Description of Drawings

 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a virtual space (before moving a closed region) managed in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a metaball function.

 FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a spatial image displayed on the display device.

 FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a virtual space (after movement of a closed region) managed in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a spatial image displayed on the display device. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the distribution of the sum of function values in the virtual space.

 FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a spatial image at the time of spatial enlarged display.

 FIG. 8 is a hardware configuration diagram of the information processing apparatus.

 FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the information processing apparatus.

 FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a data information database.

 FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a group database.

 FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another example of a spatial image.

 BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

The information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a computer, and a virtual space is constructed on a storage device of the computer. Data-related positions of various data stored in the computer or stored in another computer connected to the computer via a network are set in the virtual space. The data is, for example, data (processing target data) such as still images, moving images, music, etc., and data of programs for processing such data by playing back or editing the data. An image showing this virtual space (spatial image) is displayed on a display device constituting the information processing apparatus. This spatial image constitutes a graphical user interface for the user to instruct the grouping and release of data. It also configures a graphic user interface for the user to instruct the processing of various processing target data by the program.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of such a virtual space. As shown in the figure, a three-dimensional virtual space 10 is constructed on a computer storage device, and data-related positions 12a to 12c associated with electronic data are set in the virtual space 10, respectively. Yes. In the figure, the data related positions 12a to 12c in the virtual space 10 are respectively surrounded by three-dimensional closed regions 14a to 14c.

These closed regions 14a to 14c are displayed on the display device as region images to be described later by a so-called computer graph status method called a metaball. In other words, each data-related position 14a to 14c is associated with a metaball function, and a value obtained by adding the values of these functions (metaball density value) is a given threshold value (surface indication value). The set of positions in the virtual space 10 as described above, that is, the regions are determined as closed regions (regions occupied by the metaballs) 14a to 14c. Fig. 2 shows an example of the metaball function. As indicated by the solid line in the figure, the metaball function is a decreasing function with respect to the distance from each data-related position, and is greater than a predetermined distance LM. It has a value of zero. For example, if one data-related position is placed in the virtual space 10, or if multiple data-related positions are located at a distance of 2 LM or more from each other, the data-related positions are associated with each other. The surface of the closed region surrounding the data-related position is provided at a position where the value of the function of the metaball becomes a given surface indication value, that is, at a distance L0 from each data-related position. In other words, a spherical surface having a radius L0 centered on each data-related position is the surface of the closed region surrounding the data-related position. For example, when two data-related positions are set to a distance of less than 2LM in the virtual space 10, the value obtained by adding the values of the metaball functions related to these data-related positions is the given surface indication. The surface of the closed region of 1 or 2 is provided at the position where the value is obtained. That is, if one closed region surface is provided, the closed region surrounds two data-related locations. Also, if two closed area surfaces are provided, they surround each data-related location. Then, when another data related position surrounded by the other closed area approaches the data related position surrounded by one closed area, and when both positions are less than 2 LM, the other closed position of the two closed areas is closed. The part close to the area will swell. If the data-related positions are brought closer, the two closed areas are integrated, and two data-related positions are surrounded by one closed area.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an image (spatial image) showing the virtual space 10 displayed on the display device constituting the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. The spatial image shown in FIG. 1 is a visualization of the virtual space 10 shown in FIG. 1.A data-related position 12a and a closed area 14a surrounding the data-related position 12a, a data-related position 12b, and a closed area surrounding it. 14 includes a region image 18b corresponding to 14b, a data-related position 12c, and a region image 18c corresponding to the closed region 14c surrounding it. This spatial image is obtained by setting the viewpoint and the line-of-sight direction in the virtual space 10 and imaging the state of the line-of-sight viewed from the viewpoint. In addition, the corresponding data related position 12 is associated with the area image 18. An image relating to the recorded data is included. For example, a thumbnail image related to data may be represented in the area image 18, or a character string of a data name (file name) may be represented in the area image 18.

 The spatial image also includes a cursor image 16. The cursor image 16 is a spatial image in accordance with an operation on an input device including a pointing device such as a mouse and a coordinate input unit such as a touch pad that constitutes the information processing device. It is designed to move inside. By placing the cursor image 16 in one of the area images 18 with the input device and moving the cursor image 16 while holding down the predetermined button on the input device (by performing a so-called drag-and-drop operation). ), And can move the region image 18 in the spatial image. Along with this, the data-related position corresponding to the region image 18 moves in the virtual space 10. The information processing apparatus may be provided with a camera (imaging means), and the area image 18 may be moved in the spatial image according to the movement of the user imaged by the camera.

[0022] The closed regions 14a to 14c in the virtual space 10 are deformed according to the movement of one of the data-related positions by such an operation, and some or all of them are integrated in some cases. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the virtual space 10 after the operation for bringing the data related position 12b closer to the data related position 12a is performed. As shown in the figure, when the data related position 12b is brought closer to the data related position 12a, the closed area 14b corresponding to the data related position 12b is integrated with the closed area 14a corresponding to the data related position 12a. A closed area 14ab that surrounds both the position 12a and the data-related position 12b appears in the virtual space 10. FIG. 5 shows a spatial image obtained by visualizing the virtual space 10 in the state shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, this spatial image includes a region image 18ab showing a closed region 14ab formed by integrating the closed region 14a and the closed region 14b. This area image 18ab includes thumbnail images associated with the data associated with the data-related positions 12a and 12b surrounded by the corresponding closed area 14ab. FIG. 6 shows the distribution of the sum of the function values on the line 15 passing through the data-related positions 12a to 12c shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, as a result of the proximity of the data related position 12a and the data 12b, the sum of the function values corresponding to the data related positions 12a and 12b exceeds the surface indication value d at the position between them. As a result, an integrated closed region 14ab is generated.

 As described above, in the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the cursor image 16 is moved to the spatial image by the input device, and the data-related position is moved in the virtual space 10 according to the movement. Can be made. When the data-related position of one data approaches the data-related position of another data, the closed area surrounding each data-related position is deformed, and then the two closed areas are integrated. At this time, if the data associated with each of the plurality of data related positions surrounded by the integrated closed region is a processing target of the program, they are grouped. The region image related to the integrated closed region includes a thumbnail image related to the processing target data associated with the data-related position surrounded by the closed region. When a plurality of closed areas 14 are integrated in this way, when a part of the data related positions surrounded by the integrated closed areas 14 is moved after that, the remaining data related positions surrounded by the closed areas 14 are also virtual space 10. Are linked to each other. As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to easily gnoleize the processing target data simply by bringing the data related position related to arbitrary processing target data close to the data related position related to other processing target data. it can. In addition, since the region images related to the grouped processing target data group include thumbnail images related to the processing target data group, what kind of contents the grouped processing target data group has The user can grasp intuitively.

[0024] Further, in the present embodiment, the program data and the data to be processed by the program, that is, the data to be processed are included in the data associated with each of the plurality of data related positions surrounded by the integrated closed region. Is included, the processing of the data to be processed by the program is executed. That is, when the user performs an operation to bring the closed area related to the program close to the closed area related to the processing target data, both are deformed and then integrated. Then, by integrating the closed areas in this way, it is possible to instruct the processing of the processing target data by the program. The interval between the data-related position associated with the program and the data-related position associated with the processing target data immediately after the processing of the processing target data by the program is started or after waiting for the processing to end Is forcibly expanded, and the integrated closure The area is divided into a closed area related to the program and a closed area related to the processing target data. In order to forcibly separate the data-related positions, for example, a physical simulation may be used to reproduce how both data-related positions are separated by a repulsive force that is inversely proportional to the distance between them or a power value thereof. .

 In the present embodiment, when at least one of the closed region of the program or the closed region of the processing target data is moved in this manner and the closed regions are brought close to each other, the closed regions are deformed. Therefore, it is possible to make the user recognize in advance that the processing target data is processed by the program according to the operation by the user.

 [0026] It should be noted that both closed regions may remain integrated after the processing of the program. In this case, the texture indicating the processing history of the program may be attached to the closed area. The texture indicating the processing history includes, for example, an image showing that an amount of liquid corresponding to the number of processed processing target data has accumulated in the closed region, an image formed by combining thumbnail images of the processing target data, and the like. Available.

[0027] In the present embodiment, the user can arbitrarily change the above-described surface indication value. As described above, the position of the surface of each closed region 14 is determined by the surface indication value. In the present embodiment, the surface indication value can be arbitrarily changed by the user using the input device so that the position of the surface of each closed region 14 can be changed. That is, as shown in FIG. 7A, for example, when a region image 18ab showing a closed region surrounding two data-related positions is displayed on the display device, the region image 18ab is indicated by the cursor image 16. However, if an operation for changing the surface indication value to a large value (for example, double-clicking the mouse) is performed, the surface indication value is changed to a large value. Then, as shown in FIG. 5B, the area image 18ab is separated into two area images 18a and 18b. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, by changing the surface indication value d to a larger surface indication value d ′, the region having the sum of the function values exceeding the surface indication value d ′ is narrowed. Image 18ab is separated into region images 18a and 18b. At this time, a spatial image that is enlarged and displayed around the position in the virtual space 10 designated by the cursor image 16 is displayed on the display device. When the area image 18ab is separated into two area images 18a and 18b, the grouping of the data related to the area image 18a and the data related to the area image 18b is canceled accordingly. You can do it. When the user can change the surface indication value in this way, the user can immediately know how many pieces of data the area image relates to, and convenience is improved. If an operation to change the surface indication value to a small value (for example, an operation to change the surface indication value d ′ in FIG. 6 to the surface indication value d), the surface indication value is changed to a small value. The In this case, the region images 18a and 18b are integrated again and changed to the region image 18ab.

 [0028] Further, in the present embodiment, the degree of association between data is calculated based on the attribute of each data (for example, the type of data), and the data-related position of the data is approximated in the virtual space 10 according to the degree of association. Alternatively, they are separated. As a result, when data-related positions of data whose relevance is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold are located within a predetermined distance in the virtual space 10, these data-related positions can be moved and approached. In addition, when the data related positions of the data whose relevance is less than the predetermined threshold are located within a predetermined distance in the virtual space 10, it is possible to move and separate these data related positions. This makes it easy to group related data, makes it difficult to group related data, and improves convenience.

 Hereinafter, a configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the information processing apparatus includes a display device 20, a computer 22, and an input device 24. The display device 20 is configured by a CRT, an LCD, or the like. The computer is mainly composed of a processor and a memory, and is realized by using, for example, a personal computer, a home game machine, a home server, or the like. The input device 24 includes a pointing device such as a mouse, a keyboard, and a remote controller.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the computer 22 of the information processing apparatus functionally includes a spatial image generation unit 32, a surface indication value change unit 34, a data-related position update unit 38, a data information database 40, a group linkage unit 42. The data-related location / separation unit 44, the group management unit 46, the program execution unit 47, and the group database 48 are included. These functions are realized by the computer 22 executing the program according to the present embodiment. The

 [0031] First, the data information database 40 is provided in a storage device such as a hard disk provided in the computer 22, and as shown in FIG. 10, data ID, path, data related position, thumbnail data, Attribute 1 and attribute 2 are stored in association with each other. The data ID is identification information of data stored in the computer 22 or another computer (not shown) connected to the computer 22 in communication. The path is data that specifies the location of the data identified by the data ID. The data related position is a position coordinate in the virtual space 10 associated with the data identified by the data ID. The thumbnail data is data that specifies the location of the thumbnail image related to the data identified by the data ID. Attribute 1 is data indicating the attribute of the data identified by the data ID, and here is one or a plurality of keywords related to the data. Attribute 2 is data that specifies a program for processing the processing target data if the data identified by the data ID is processing target data. Further, if the data identified by the data ID is program data, it is data (for example, file extension of data) that specifies the type of data to be processed by the program.

 [0032] The gnole database 48 is also provided in a storage device provided in the computer 22, and stores a gnole ID and a data ID in association with each other as shown in FIG. As described above, in the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, a group is formed by a plurality of data, and the group ID is data for identifying the group of the data. The data ID is the data ID of each data belonging to the gnole identified by the gnole ID.

[0033] The data-related position update unit 38 selects a data-related position to be operated according to the position of the cursor image 16 operated by the input device 24, and sets the data-related position according to the movement of the cursor image 16. Moving within the virtual space 10. For example, when the tip of the cursor image 16 is located in any one of the area images 18, among the positions in the spatial image corresponding to the data-related positions in the area image 18, the tip of the cursor image 16 Select the closest object to move. Then, the moving direction and the moving amount of the cursor image 16 at the time of drag and drop are acquired, and the moving object is set as the moving object according to them. To move the data-related position selected. Then, the data related position update unit 38 updates the data related position selected as the movement target already stored in the data information database 40 to the one after the movement. In addition, when the data-related position update unit 38 moves any data-related position, the data-related position, moving direction, and amount of data associated with the data-related position are transferred to the group linkage unit 42. Notice. When the cursor image 16 operated by the input device 24 is located in any of the area images 18, all the positions in the spatial image corresponding to the data related positions in the area image 18 are to be moved. You can choose as les. In this case, the movement direction and movement amount of the cursor image 16 at the time of drag and drop are acquired, and the data related position selected as the movement target is moved according to them, and the region image 18 itself is not moved accordingly. 'Yeah.

 [0034] The group link unit 42 refers to the group database 48 and links the data-related positions of other data belonging to the same gnope when the data-related positions of data belonging to any group move. Is. That is, when any of the data-related positions is updated, the data ID, the movement direction, and the movement amount notified from the data-related position update unit 38 are acquired. Then, it is checked whether the acquired data ID is already stored in the gnolepe database 48. If it is stored, the other data ID stored in association with the same group ID is read out. Then, the data related position related to the read data ID is read from the data information database 40, and the value is updated according to the moving direction and moving amount notified from the data related position updating unit 38.

[0035] The data related position approach / separation unit 44 reads the data of each attribute 1 stored in the data information database 40, calculates the degree of association between the data, and according to the degree of association, the data related position of the data information database 40 Update the data. For example, when calculating the relevance of two pieces of data, the attribute 1 data related to the data is read from the data information database 40, and the data is calculated based on the number of common keywords included in the data. What is necessary is just to calculate the relevance degree. Furthermore, the data-related positions of those data are read from the data information database 40, and both are read according to the degree of association. Move them closer together or away from each other.

 [0036] For example, let d be the distance between data-related position P and data-related position P, and these data

 When the relevance s is calculated based on the data attribute related to the relevance position, the distance d is an increase function of the relevance s, for example, the constraint distance lc determined by kl X s is less than or equal to lc.

 Both data-related positions P and P are constrained by a virtual spring. In other words, the natural length of this hypothetical spring is assumed to be a decreasing function of relevance s, for example, kl X (1 / s), and the spring constant k is related to

An increasing function of degree s, for example, kd X s is preferable (kl and kd are constants). In this way, the higher the relevance s is, the closer the data related position P and the data related position P are, the closer to and away from each other. In addition, the higher the relevance _{s, the} stronger (faster) the data-related position P and the data-related position P approach or move away from each other. Furthermore, the higher the relevance s, the greater the restraint distance k, and the farther data related positions P and P are spring restrained.

 [0037] Further, as will be described later, after the processing of the processing target data is executed by the program, the data-related position associated with the program and the data-related position associated with the processing target data are forcibly set. And release the integration of the closed region.

The spatial image generation unit 32 generates an image showing the virtual space 10 based on the information stored in the data information database 40, that is, a spatial image, and causes the display unit 20 to display it. Specifically, some or all of the data-related positions are read from the data information database 40 according to the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction set in the virtual space 10. Then, the position of the surface of the closed region 14 in the virtual space 10 is determined according to the data-related position and the function of the metaball. In other words, the position where the value obtained by adding the values of the function of the metaball associated with each data-related position becomes the given surface indication value is the position of the surface of the closed region surrounding one or more of these data-related positions. To be determined. Then, the thumbnail data associated with the data-related position surrounded by each closed region 14 whose surface position is determined in this way is read out from the data information database 40, and the thumbnail image specified by the thumbnail data is read out from each closed image. Place on the surface of area 14. In this way, an image of the virtual space 10 in which the thumbnail image is arranged on the surface of each closed region 14 is generated according to the viewpoint position and the line-of-sight direction, and is displayed on the display device. Display with position 20.

 [0039] When determining the position of the surface of each closed region as described above, the gnolepe management unit 46 newly determines whether the surface of any closed region has been integrated with another closed region. Judgment is made on whether or not conversion is released.

 [0040] For example, all of the data-related positions surrounded by a certain closed area and all the data-related positions surrounded by another closed area are arranged in the virtual space 10 at each position on a line connecting them. The sum of the metaball function values associated with the data-related positions is calculated. If the position where the value is less than the surface indication value does not exist on the line, it is determined that the both closed regions are newly integrated. In addition, if there is at least one position on the line where the sum of the metaball function values is less than the surface indication value, the two closed areas related to the two selected data-related positions are still integrated. Judge that it is not. In addition, the group management unit 46 is associated with all the data related positions arranged in the virtual space 10 at each position on the line connecting one of the data related positions surrounded by a certain closed area and the other. Calculate the sum of the metaball function values. If there is no position on the line whose value is less than the surface indication value, these data-related positions are still surrounded by a common closed area (unification is maintained). to decide. Also, if there is at least one position on the line where the sum of the function values of the metaball is less than the surface indication value, the integration is canceled and the one data-related position is surrounded by another closed region. Judge that

 [0041] Further, as another aspect, a fixed-size casting box (configured by polygons) is arranged for each data-related position so as to surround the data-related position, and the bounding boxes interfere with each other. The above-mentioned detailed integration determination may be performed only when the casting boxes interfere with each other. Alternatively, it may be more easily determined whether the closed areas are integrated and whether the integration is released or not, depending on whether the casting boxes interfere with each other.

[0042] As yet another aspect, it is determined whether or not the distance between the data-related positions is less than a predetermined distance, and the above-described detailed integration determination is performed only when the distance is less than the predetermined distance. You may do it. Or, more simply, the distance between data-related positions is less than a predetermined distance. Whether or not each closed region has been integrated or whether the integration has been released may be determined based on whether or not the integration is complete.

 [0043] When the closed areas are integrated, the gnole management unit 46 associates the data IDs of the data associated with the data-related positions surrounded by the integrated closed areas with the common group ID. Stored in the group database 48. Thus, when closed areas are integrated, data is gnolled accordingly. When the integration is released, the data IDs of the data associated with the data-related positions surrounded by the separated closed regions are stored in the gnole database 48 in association with different gnole IDs. If one or both of the separated closed areas enclose only one data-related position, the data ID of the data associated with the data-related position is deleted from the group database 48.

 [0044] Further, in particular, when the closed region surrounding the data-related position associated with the program data and the closed region surrounding the data-related position associated with the processing target data of the program are newly integrated A part or all of the processing target data associated with the data-related position surrounded by the latter closed region is processed by a program associated with the data-related position surrounded by the former. That is, referring to the attribute 2 column of the data information database 40, it is determined whether or not the data related position related to the program and the data related position related to the processing target data are surrounded by a common closed area. If this happens, start the program and specify the data to be processed as its argument. In this case, the number of data-related positions of the processing target data surrounded by the integrated closed area is checked by referring to the group database 48. If there is one, the processing data is immediately processed by the program. To do. If the number is plural, the menu screen is displayed and a part or all of the instructed is instructed by the user, and then the instructed part or all is processed. Alternatively, all or a part selected according to a predetermined criterion may be sequentially processed.

[0045] After processing the processing target data by the program, the program execution unit 47 causes the data related position approach / separation unit 44 to separate the data related position related to the program and the data related position related to the processing target data. Instruct. The surface indication value changing unit 34 changes the surface indication value described above in response to an operation on the input device 24. Thereby, the size of each closed region 12 is increased or decreased.

 [0047] According to the information processing apparatus described above, a plurality of data can be easily gnolled simply by moving the data-related position 12 in the virtual space 10 using the input device 24 such as a mouse. Convenience is improved.

 Note that the information processing apparatus described above can be variously modified, and for example, other images may be included in the spatial image. For example, if the view image 17 is included in the spatial image and the region image 18 is dragged and dropped at the position of the view image 17, an image related to the region image is displayed inside the view image 17. Also good. For example, as shown in Fig. 12 (a), when the region image 18ab related to the two data is dragged and dropped to the position of the view 17 image 17 using the cursor image 16, as shown in Fig. 12 (b). In addition, the thumbnail images of the two pieces of data related to the region image 18ab may be displayed separately on the view frame image 17. In this way, data information related to the region image 18 can be output by an intuitive operation.

[0049] Further, in the above description, when the closed region related to the program and the closed region related to one or more processing target data are integrated, a part or all of the processing target data is promptly executed by the program. The power to start the process The process may be performed after an explicit instruction from the user. In this case, a data ID for identifying the program or processing target data associated with the data-related position surrounded by the integrated closed region is once registered in the gnole database 48, and later, the integrated closed region is registered. In other words, if there is an instruction to execute a program specifying Gnorape, the processing target data should be processed by the program as described above.

Claims

The scope of the claims  [1] A plurality of data related positions including a data related position related to the program data and a data related position related to the processing target data which is the processing target of the program are set, and each data related position is set independently. Or a display means for displaying an image of a space surrounded by the closed area together with other data-related positions so that each closed area can be identified, and for performing an operation for the user to arbitrarily move each data-related position in the space Operating means,  Closed region updating means for updating each closed region in the space according to movement of each data-related position in the space;  When the data-related position related to the program data and the data-related position related to the processing target data are surrounded by a common closed region, the processing target data is processed by the program at a given timing. Program execution means, wherein the closed area update means is configured to close the area in the space, which is a set of positions at which a sum of values of a decrease function of the distance to each data related position is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Set as area,  An information processing apparatus characterized by that.  [2] In the information processing device according to claim 1,  In addition, when a plurality of data-related positions are surrounded by a common closed region, the data-related position further includes a gnoleizing means for gnoleizing the data related to the data-related positions.  An information processing apparatus characterized by that. [3] In the information processing device according to claim 2,  The grouping means links data-related positions surrounded by the common closed area in the space according to an operation performed by the operation means.  An information processing apparatus characterized by that. [4] In the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,  Threshold change means for changing the predetermined threshold is further included.  An information processing apparatus characterized by that. [5] In the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Based on the attribute information of each data, the degree of association between the data is calculated, and according to the degree of association, a data-related position approaching / separating means for causing the data-related position related to the data to approach or separate in the space is provided. In addition,  An information processing apparatus characterized by that. [6] In the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,  The operation means is a means for the user to arbitrarily move each closed area identified and displayed by the image, and when each closed area moves, one or a plurality of closed areas are surrounded by the closed area. Move the data-related position of  An information processing apparatus characterized by that. [7] A plurality of data related positions including a data related position related to the program data and a data related position related to the processing target data which is the processing target of the program are set, and each data related position is set independently. Or a spatial image display step for displaying an image of a space surrounded by closed regions together with other data-related positions so that each closed region can be identified;  A move operation accepting step for accepting an operation for the user to arbitrarily move each data-related position in the space; and  A closed region update step of updating each closed region in the space according to movement of each data-related position in the space;  When the data-related position related to the program data and the data-related position related to the processing target data are surrounded by a common closed region, the processing target data is processed by the program at a given timing. The closed region update step includes a program execution step, and the closed region update step includes the step of closing the region in the space, which is a set of positions at which the sum of values of the decreasing function of the distance to each data related position is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold Set as area,  A user interface method characterized by the above. [8] A plurality of data related positions including a data related position related to the program data and a data related position related to the processing target data which is the processing target of the program are set. Display means for displaying an image of a space in which each data-related position is alone or together with other data-related positions surrounded by a closed area so that each closed area can be identified, and each data-related position in the space Operating means for the user to arbitrarily move  Closed region updating means for updating each closed region in the space according to movement of each data-related position in the space; and  When the data-related position related to the program data and the data-related position related to the processing target data are surrounded by a common closed region, the processing target data is processed by the program at a given timing. Program execution means  A computer-readable information storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as  The closed region update means sets, as the closed region, an area in the space that is a set of positions at which the sum of values of the decreasing function of the distance to each data related position is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.  A computer-readable information storage medium storing a program characterized by the above.