Information processing system, control method of information processing system, and program

Abstract

To improve visibility of product display even when there are many display objects in a group.SOLUTION: An information processing system comprises: acquisition means of acquiring names of a plurality of display objects respectively; and control means of performing control so that the plurality of display objects are classified and displayed by considering respective names of the plurality of display objects with the same first parts as the same group in a first hierarchy, and considering respective names of the plurality of display objects included in the same group in the first hierarchy with the same second parts as the same group in a second hierarchy that is lower by one than the first hierarchy on the basis of the names acquired by the acquisition means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technology for displaying a list of candidates to be displayed. [Background technology]

[0002] A typical website that provides a web page for each product provides a web page (hereinafter referred to as a "product name selection screen") that displays a list of product name buttons that link to the web page for each product in order to guide a user to the web page of a desired product. When displaying such a product name selection screen, if the product name is composed of a character string including an alphabetic character string, there is a technique for grouping the product names by the alphabetic character string and displaying a list of product name buttons for each group. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for grouping a group of character strings including alphanumeric characters by the alphabetic character string and sorting the grouped character strings by the numeric part of the character string. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for extracting keywords from content, grouping them if there are many candidates, and presenting the grouped keywords hierarchically. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-312267 [Patent Document 2] JP 2008-123239 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that when there are many products with different numeric character strings in a product group grouped by alphabet character strings, it is difficult for the user to find the desired product from within the group. Also, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a problem that when there are many candidates in a group of grouped candidates, it is difficult for the user to find the desired product from within the group. Similar problems exist when displaying multiple display objects, not limited to products.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to improve the visibility of the display of display objects even when there are a large number of display objects in a group. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing system according to the present disclosure is characterized by having an acquisition means for acquiring the names of each of a plurality of display objects, and a control means for controlling the plurality of display objects to be classified and displayed based on the names acquired by the acquisition means, such that objects whose first parts of their names are the same are grouped together in a first hierarchical level, and objects whose second parts of their names included in the same group in the first hierarchical level are grouped together in a second hierarchical level that is one hierarchical level below the first hierarchical level. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the visibility of product display even when there are many display objects in a group. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a product name selection screen. [Diagram 3] 11 is a sequence chart showing a display process of a product name selection screen. [Figure 4]1 is a flowchart showing a process for creating a Web page. [Diagram 5] A table showing the product information list. [Figure 6] A table showing the series ID list. [Figure 7] A table showing the number group list. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a product name selection screen that displays products in predetermined numbers. [Figure 9] 11 is a flowchart showing the process of creating a Web page that displays products in predetermined numbers. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a product name selection screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the present disclosure, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solutions of the present disclosure. Note that the same configurations will be described with the same reference numerals. Also, each process (step) in the flow chart will be indicated with a reference numeral beginning with "S".

[0010] In the embodiments disclosed below, since product names are generally given in the form of an alphabetic string followed by a numeric string, the embodiments are described using an example in which an alphabetic string is followed by a numeric string, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the present disclosure also includes cases in which an alphabetic string is followed by another string, such as a numeric string.

[0011] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing system 100 including an information processing device 110 and a server 120. The information processing device 110 includes a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, a display device 114, an input I / F (input interface) 115, and a network I / F 116. The CPU 111 executes and controls various functions by expanding a program stored in the ROM 112 into the RAM 113 and reading it out. The ROM 112 stores a program 117 such as a browser. The browser, which is one of the programs 117, is a program that displays a Web page on the display device 114, and can be operated by a user via the input I / F 115. The RAM 113 is used as a temporary storage area such as a main memory and a work area of ​​the CPU 111. Note that, in this embodiment, one CPU 111 executes each process described below using one memory (RAM 113), but is not limited to this. For example, multiple CPUs may execute each process in cooperation with multiple RAMs or storage devices.

[0012] The display device 114 is a device that displays the above-mentioned Web pages and the like, and is a liquid crystal display device or the like. The input I / F 115 is an interface that accepts data input and operation instructions from a user, and is composed of a physical keyboard, buttons, a touch panel, and the like. The display device 114 and the input I / F 115 may be composed of an operation panel or the like, and may be integrated. The network I / F 116 communicates with other information processing devices and the like via a network such as the Internet. The network I / F 116 may be Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like, or may be wireless communication such as a USB bus, serial communication, or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The information processing device 110 is not limited to a PC or a notebook PC, and may be a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or the like.

[0013] The server 120 is a web server that provides a website. The server 120 includes a CPU 121, a ROM 122, a storage device 123, a network I / F 124, a RAM 125, an input I / F 126, and an output I / F 127. The CPU 121 executes and controls various functions by expanding and reading out a program stored in the ROM 122 into the RAM 125. The ROM 122 stores web content 128 such as HTML, images, and JavaScript and PHP, which are programs that perform display processing of the web page. The storage device 123 stores a DB 129 such as a product information list of products to be displayed. The RAM 125 is used as a temporary storage area such as a main memory and a work area of ​​the CPU 121. In this embodiment, one CPU 121 executes each process described below using one memory (RAM 125), but is not limited to this. For example, multiple CPUs may execute each process in cooperation with multiple RAMs or storage devices. Here, the product information list includes model names of printers, MFPs, PCs, PDAs, smartphones, tablet terminals, music players, game consoles, digital cameras, e-book readers, and the like.

[0014] The input I / F 126 is an interface for receiving data input and operation instructions from a user, and is composed of a physical keyboard, a button, a touch panel, etc. The output I / F 127 is an interface for outputting various data and various information. The input I / F 126 and the output I / F 127 may have the same configuration, and may output a screen and receive operations from a user with the same configuration. The network I / F 124 communicates with other information processing devices, etc. via a network such as the Internet. The network I / F 116 may be Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like, or may be wireless communication such as a USB bus, serial communication, or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). In this embodiment, the information processing device 110 and the server 120 can communicate with each other via the Internet 152.

[0015] In this embodiment, a process flow will be described in which a program, which is one of the Web contents 128 of the server 120, groups and displays product selection buttons on a product name selection screen displayed by a browser, which is one of the programs 117 of the information processing device 110. The process of this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

[0016] FIG. 2(a) is a diagram of a product name selection screen 200 (accordion closed) showing an example of a browser screen displayed on the display device 114 of the information processing device 110. The product name selection screen 200 includes an accordion 201, and shows a screen in a state in which the accordion 201 is closed. The accordion 201 includes an open / close button 202 and a title 203. The open / close button 202 has a function of opening and closing the accordion 201, and displays "+" when it is closed and displays "-" when it is open. Note that the accordion 201 can be in either an open state or a closed state in the initial display. FIG. 2(b) is a diagram of a product name selection screen 210 (accordion open). The product name selection screen 210 shows a screen in a state in which the accordion 201 of the product name selection screen 200 is open, and includes the accordion 201 and a group display content section 211. The group display content portion 211 includes a product selection button 212 and a separator 213. Note that the separator 213 is optional and does not need to be displayed.

[0017] 3 is a sequence chart showing a display process of a product name selection screen, which shows a process up to displaying a product name selection screen 200 on a browser 301. The browser 301 is one of the programs 117 stored in the ROM 112 of the information processing device 110. The program 302 on the browser is a program that is downloaded from the Web content 128 stored in the ROM 122 of the server 120 to the RAM 113 of the information processing device 110 together with a Web site and runs on the browser 301. The program 302 on the browser is, for example, a program such as JavaScript (registered trademark), and performs a process of displaying a Web page on the browser 301, etc. The program 303 on the server 120 is the program 128 that runs on the server 120. The program 303 on the server 120 is, for example, a program such as PHP, and performs a process of creating a Web page used in the Web page display process performed by the program 302 on the browser, etc.

[0018] In S310, when the user inputs the URL of a product name selection screen page stored in Web content 128 of server 120 into browser 301, CPU 111 of information processing device 110 performs the following process. CPU 111 of information processing device 110 requests server 120 (program 302 on the browser) to display a product name selection screen page via browser 301. When CPU 121 of server 120 accepts the request to display the product name selection screen page from information processing device 110, processing proceeds to S311. In S311, CPU 121 of server 120 issues an instruction to program 303 on server 120 via program 302 on the browser to request creation of a product name selection screen. When CPU 121 of server 120 accepts the request to create a product name selection screen via program 303 on server 120, processing proceeds to S312.

[0019] In S312, the CPU 121 of the server 120 acquires the product information list 400 shown in FIG. 4 from the DB 129 stored in the storage device 123 via the program 303 on the server 120. When the product information list 400 is acquired, the process proceeds to S313. The product information list 400 includes information of a product name 401 and a series ID 402. In S313, the CPU 121 of the server 120 extracts unique character strings one by one from the series ID 402 of the product information list 400 via the program 303 on the server 120. The CPU 121 of the server 120 sorts the extracted character strings in natural order to create the series ID list 500 shown in FIG. 5. When the series ID list 500 is created, the process proceeds to S314. The series ID list 500 includes information of the series ID 501, and is stored in the RAM 125 of the server 120. In the example of FIG. 5, the series ID 501 is composed of an alphabetic character string. In S314, the CPU 121 of the server 120 executes a process of creating a Web page via the program 303 on the server 120. The processes of S313 to S314 in this embodiment are executed by the program 303 on the server 120, but these processes may be executed by the program 302 on the browser.

[0020] The process of creating a Web page executed in S314 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the process from when CPU 121 of server 120 starts creating a Web page via program 303 on server 120 to when it ends. In S601, CPU 121 of server 120 repeats the following process in order for the number of series ID lists 500 created in S313 via program 303 on server 120. In S602, CPU 121 of server 120 compares series ID 501 in series ID list 500 with series ID 402 in product information list 400 via program 303 on server 120, and extracts all matching product names 401. When all product names 401 have been extracted, the process proceeds to S603.

[0021] In S603, the CPU 121 of the server 120 creates an empty numeric group list 700 for the series ID 501 via the program 303 on the server 120. When the empty numeric group list 700 is created, the process proceeds to S604. Here, the numeric group list 700 shown in FIG. 7 includes information on numeric groups 701 and product names 702. The CPU 121 of the server 120 repeats the following process in order for the number of product names 401 extracted in S602 via the program 303 on the server 120.

[0022] In S605, the CPU 121 of the server 120 acquires the numeric character string contained in the product name via the program 303 on the server 120. When the numeric character string contained in the product name is acquired, the process proceeds to S606. In S606, the CPU 121 of the server 120 acquires the first numeric character from the left of the numeric character string via the program 303 on the server 120. When the first numeric character from the left of the numeric character string is acquired, the process proceeds to S607. Here, the process of S605 to S606 will be described using an example. For example, if the product name is "ABC7350", the CPU 121 of the server 120 acquires the numeric character string "7350" in S605 via the program 303 on the server 120. Before acquiring the numeric character string "7350", the character string "ABC" acquired as the series ID 501 is an alphabetic character string. The alphabetic character string "ABC" and the numeric character string "7350" are in the same group, and the numeric character string "7350" is classified as a character string one level below the alphabetic character string "ABC." Next, the CPU 121 of the server 120 acquires the numeric character "7," the first character from the left, which is part of the numeric character string "7350," in S606 via the program 303 on the server 120.

[0023] In S607, the CPU 121 of the server 120 judges whether the number acquired in S606 exists in the number group 701 of the number group list 700 via the program 303 on the server 120. If it is judged in S607 that the number group already exists, the process proceeds to S610. If it is judged in S607 that the number group does not exist, the process proceeds to S608. In S608, the CPU 121 of the server 120 adds a new number group to the number group 701 via the program 303 on the server 120, and the process proceeds to S609. In S609, the CPU 121 of the server 120 adds a product name to the number group added via the program 303 on the server 120, and the process proceeds to S611. In S610, the CPU 121 of the server 120 adds a product name to the existing number group of the number group 701 via the program 303 on the server 120, and the process proceeds to S611. In S611, if the repeated processing from S604 has not ended, the process returns to S604, whereas if the repeated processing from S604 has ended, the process proceeds to S612.

[0024] In S612, the CPU 121 of the server 120 performs group display processing via the program 303 on the server 120, and the processing proceeds to 613. Here, the processing of S612 will be described in detail. The CPU 121 of the server 120 creates the accordion 201 and the group display content section 211 on the product name selection screen 210 via the program 303 on the server 120. The CPU 121 of the server 120 displays the product names 702 as product selection buttons 212 for each group of the number groups 701 of the number group list 700 in the group display content section 211 via the program 303 on the server 120. The group display content section 211 also displays the separators 213 for each group (see FIG. 2(b)). The CPU 121 of the server 120 closes the accordion 201 on the product name selection screen 210 via the program 303 on the server 120, and sets the state to that shown in the product name selection screen 200 (see FIG. 2(a)). In S613, if the repeated processing from S601 has not ended, the process returns to S601. If the repeated processing from S601 has ended, the process of the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0025] Return to the display sequence of the product name selection screen in Fig. 3. When the process of S314 is completed, the process proceeds to S315. In S315, CPU 121 of server 120 returns the web page of product name selection screen 200 to program 302 on the browser via program 303 on server 120. When program 302 on the browser receives the web page of product name selection screen 200, the process proceeds to S316. In S316, CPU 121 of server 120 displays the web page of product name selection screen 200 on browser 301 of information processing device 110 via program 302 on the browser. When the web page of product name selection screen 200 is displayed on browser 301 of information processing device 110, the process of the sequence chart shown in Fig. 3 ends.

[0026] According to this embodiment, in a configuration for displaying a list of product names consisting of a combination of an alphabetic character string (alphabetic portion) and a numeric character string (other character types), in addition to a display method for grouping and displaying by alphabetic character string, the products are further grouped and displayed by numbers. This allows a user to identify the first character from the left of the numeric character string of a desired product name and determine whether or not a group of products grouped by numbers includes the desired product name. By identifying the first character from the left of the alphabetic character string and numeric character string of a desired product, a user can search for the product from the group of products grouped by alphabetic character string and numeric character respectively. Therefore, it is possible to improve the visibility of the product display even when there are many products in a group.

[0027] [Second embodiment] In the first embodiment, a process for grouping and displaying products grouped by alphabetic character strings and then further grouping and displaying them by numbers is described. In the present embodiment, a process for grouping and displaying products grouped by numbers when the number of products grouped by alphabetic character strings is a predetermined number or more (above a threshold) is described. Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.

[0028] 8 is a diagram of a product name selection screen 800 that displays products for each predetermined number (threshold), showing an example of a browser screen displayed on the display device 114 of the information processing device 110. In this embodiment, the predetermined number (threshold) is described as 15. The product name selection screen 800 includes an accordion 201, a group display content section 211, the accordion 201, and a sequential display content section 810. The group display content section 211 includes a product selection button 212 and a separator 213. Note that the separator 213 is optional and does not need to be displayed. The sequential display content section 810 includes the product selection button 212.

[0029] 3, the processes from S310 to S313 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described in this embodiment. Upon completion of the processes up to S313, in S314, the CPU 121 of the server 120 executes a process of creating a Web page via the program 303 on the server 120. The process of creating a Web page will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 9.

[0030] 9 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by CPU 121 of server 120 via program 303 on server 120 from when the display of product name buttons begins to when the display ends. In S901, CPU 121 of server 120 repeats the following processing in order for the number of series ID lists 500 created in S313 via program 303 on server 120. In S902, CPU 121 of server 120 compares series ID 501 in series ID list 500 with series ID 402 in product information list 400 via program 303 on server 120, and extracts all matching product names 401. When all product names 401 have been extracted, the processing proceeds to S903.

[0031] In S903, the CPU 121 of the server 120 determines whether the number of product names 401 extracted in S902 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (a threshold value) via the program 303 on the server 120. The predetermined number (threshold value) is a value defined by the Web content 128 of the server 120. The predetermined number (threshold value) may be a value that is automatically calculated based on the display area, such as the window size width of the group display content section 211 and the button width of the product selection button 212. If the CPU 121 of the server 120 determines that the number of product names 401 extracted in S902 is less than the predetermined number (less than the threshold value), the process proceeds to S904. If the CPU 121 of the server 120 determines that the number of product names 401 extracted in S902 is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (threshold value), the process proceeds to S905.

[0032] In S904, the CPU 121 of the server 120 performs a sequential display process via the program 303 on the server 120. The sequential display process will now be described. The CPU 121 of the server 120 creates the accordion 201 and the sequential display content section 810 on the product name selection screen 800 via the program 303 on the server 120. The CPU 121 of the server 120 displays the product selection buttons 212 in the sequential display content section 810 via the program 303 on the server 120 in a display form in which the product selection buttons 212 are listed in the order of the product names acquired in S902 (see FIG. 8). When the product selection buttons 212 are displayed in the sequential display content section 810 with the above display form specified, the process proceeds to S915.

[0033] In S905, the CPU 121 of the server 120 creates an empty numeric group list 700 for the series ID 501 via the program 303 on the server 120. When the empty numeric group list 700 is created, the process proceeds to S906. The CPU 121 of the server 120 repeats the following process in order for the number of product names 401 extracted in S905 via the program 303 on the server 120. In S907, the CPU 121 of the server 120 acquires a numeric character string contained in the product name via the program 303 on the server 120. When the numeric character string contained in the product name is acquired, the process proceeds to S908. In S908, the CPU 121 of the server 120 acquires the first character from the left of the numeric character string via the program 303 on the server 120. When the first character from the left of the numeric character string is acquired, the process proceeds to S909.

[0034] In S909, the CPU 121 of the server 120 judges whether the number acquired in S909 exists in the number group 701 of the number group list 700 via the program 303 on the server 120. If it is judged in S909 that the number group already exists, the process proceeds to S912. If it is judged in S909 that the number group does not exist, the process proceeds to S910. In S910, the CPU 121 of the server 120 adds a new number group to the number group 701 via the program 303 on the server 120, and the process proceeds to S911. In S911, the CPU 121 of the server 120 adds a product name to the number group added via the program 303 on the server 120, and the process proceeds to S913. In S912, the CPU 121 of the server 120 adds a product name to the existing number group of the number group 701 via the program 303 on the server 120, and the process proceeds to S913. In S913, if the repeated processing from S906 has not ended, the process returns to S906. If the repeated processing from S906 has ended, the process proceeds to S914.

[0035] In S914, the CPU 121 of the server 120 performs group display processing via the program 303 on the server 120, and the process proceeds to S915. In S915, if the repeated processing from S901 has not ended, the process returns to S901. If the repeated processing from S901 has ended, the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 ends.

[0036] A specific example will be described with reference to FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the threshold for branching in S903 is assumed to be 15. As shown in FIG. 4, series ID "ABC" has 16 products, and series ID "XYZ" has 14 products. In the case of the first embodiment, the product list for series ID "XYZ" is displayed vertically in six rows, as shown in FIG. 10. Since the display of product names is long vertically, a long display area is required to display all products including other series IDs. The user needs to operate a scroll bar or the like to display the button for the desired product, which is time-consuming for the user.

[0037] When the method of this embodiment is used, in the branch of S903, the number of products of the series ID "ABC" is 16, which is equal to or greater than the threshold, so that the processing of S905 and subsequent steps is executed. On the other hand, the number of products of the series ID "XYZ" is 14, which is less than the threshold, so that the processing of S904 is executed. Therefore, the product list shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. Even in the method of this embodiment, the user can grasp the first character from the left of the alphabetic character string and numeric character string of the desired product, and the visibility of the product display can be improved. Furthermore, since the display method is switched based on the number of products in the series ID, it is possible to display the series ID with a small number of products in a small number of display rows. Compared to the case of the first embodiment described above, the product list of the series ID "XYZ" can be displayed vertically in three rows as shown in FIG. 8. Therefore, it is possible to display all products including other series IDs in a shorter display area, and the user can display the button of the desired product without operating a scroll bar or the like, reducing the operational burden on the user.

[0038] The various controls described above as being performed by CPU 121 of server 120 may be performed by a single piece of hardware, or the entire device may be controlled by multiple pieces of hardware (e.g., multiple processors or circuits) sharing the processing.

[0039] [Other embodiments] The present disclosure can also be realized by executing the following process. It can also be achieved by supplying a recording medium on which program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments is recorded to an information processing device or a server, and having the information processing device or the server (or a CPU) read and execute the program code stored in the recording medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments, and the storage medium on which the program code is stored constitutes the present disclosure.

[0040] Examples of storage media for supplying the program code include flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, ROMs, DVDs (registered trademarks), and the like.

[0041] The present disclosure also includes a case where the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments are realized by a computer executing the read program code.Furthermore, the present disclosure also includes a case where an Operating System (OS) or the like running on a computer performs a part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code, and the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments are realized by the processing.

[0042] Furthermore, the present disclosure also includes a case where the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into a computer or a function expansion unit connected to a computer, and then the following processing is executed. That is, the present disclosure also includes a case where a CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code, and the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments are realized by the processing.

[0043] Furthermore, the program code can be supplied to the information processing device via a communication means such as the Internet, a LAN, or a dedicated line.

[0044] The disclosure of the above-described embodiment includes the following configurations.

[0045] (Configuration 1) An information processing system comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring the names of each of a plurality of display objects; and a control means for controlling the plurality of display objects to be classified and displayed based on the names acquired by the acquisition means, so that objects having the same first parts of their names are grouped together in a first hierarchy, and objects having the same second parts of their names included in the same group in the first hierarchy are grouped together in a second hierarchy that is one hierarchy level below the first hierarchy.

[0046] (Configuration 2) The information processing system according to configuration 1, wherein each of the names of the multiple display objects includes an alphabetic portion and a portion of another character type, and the first portion is the alphabetic portion.

[0047] (Configuration 3) The information processing system according to configuration 2, wherein the second portion is a portion at the beginning of the portion of the other character type.

[0048] (Configuration 4) The information processing system according to configuration 3, wherein the other character type is a number.

[0049] (Configuration 5) The information processing system according to configuration 3, wherein each of the names of the plurality of display objects is a character string in which the alphabetic portion is followed by the portion of the other character type.

[0050] (Configuration 6) An information processing system according to configuration 1, characterized in that when the multiple display objects are classified and displayed by the control means, multiple display objects belonging to the same group are displayed in the second hierarchy even without an operation to specify the second hierarchy.

[0051] (Configuration 7) An information processing system according to configuration 1, characterized in that when the multiple display objects are classified and displayed by the control means, multiple display objects belonging to the same group are displayed in the second hierarchy in response to an operation specifying the second hierarchy.

[0052] (Configuration 8) The information processing system according to configuration 1, wherein the control means controls the display objects to be displayed by classifying them in the second hierarchy if the number of display objects belonging to the same group in the first hierarchy is equal to or greater than a threshold value, and controls the display objects to be displayed without classifying them in the second hierarchy if the number of display objects belonging to the same group in the first hierarchy is less than the threshold value.

[0053] (Configuration 9) An information processing system as described in Configuration 8, characterized in that both a plurality of display objects in a display form classified at the second hierarchy and included in a first group in the first hierarchy, and a plurality of display objects in a display form not classified at the second hierarchy and included in a second group in the first hierarchy, are displayed.

[0054] (Configuration 10) The information processing system according to configuration 8, wherein the threshold value differs depending on the size of a display area in which the multiple display objects are displayed.

[0055] (Configuration 11) The information processing system according to configuration 1, wherein each of the names of the multiple display objects is a product model name.

[0056] (Configuration 12) The information processing system according to configuration 11, wherein the product is a printer.

[0057] (Configuration 13) A program for causing at least one computer to function as each of the means of the information processing system according to any one of configurations 1 to 12.

[0058] (Configuration 14) A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing at least one computer to function as each of the means of the information processing system described in any one of configurations 1 to 12.

[0059] (Configuration 15) A method for controlling an information processing system, comprising: a step of acquiring names of each of a plurality of display objects; and a step of controlling, based on the names acquired in the acquiring step, so that the plurality of display objects are classified and displayed in such a manner that objects having the same first portion of their names are grouped together in a first hierarchy, and objects having the same second portion of their names included in the same group in the first hierarchy are grouped together in a second hierarchy that is one hierarchy level below the first hierarchy.

Claims

1. An acquisition means for acquiring the names of each of a plurality of display objects; Based on the names acquired by the acquisition means, the plurality of display objects whose names have the same first portion are grouped together in a first hierarchy; A plurality of display objects included in the same group in the first hierarchy, the second parts of the names of which are the same, are regarded as being in the same group in a second hierarchy which is one hierarchy lower than the first hierarchy, A control means for controlling the display of the plurality of display objects in a classified manner; An information processing system comprising:

2. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein each of the names of the plurality of display objects includes an alphabetical portion and a portion of another character type, and the first portion is the alphabetical portion.

3. 3. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the second portion is a leading portion of the portion of the other character type.

4. 4. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the other character types are numbers.

5. 4. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein each of the names of the plurality of display objects is a character string in which the alphabetic character portion is followed by the portion of the other character type.

6. The information processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that when the multiple display objects are classified and displayed by the control means, multiple display objects belonging to the same group are displayed in the second hierarchy even without an operation to specify the second hierarchy.

7. The information processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that when the multiple display objects are classified and displayed by the control means, multiple display objects belonging to the same group are displayed in the second hierarchy in response to an operation specifying the second hierarchy.

8. The control means If the number of display objects belonging to the same group in the first hierarchy is equal to or greater than a threshold, the display objects are classified in the second hierarchy and displayed; If the number of display objects belonging to the same group in the first hierarchy is less than the threshold value, control is performed so that the display objects are displayed without being classified in the second hierarchy.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

9. The information processing system according to claim 8, characterized in that both a plurality of display objects in a display form classified at the second hierarchy and included in a first group in the first hierarchy, and a plurality of display objects in a display form not classified at the second hierarchy and included in a second group in the first hierarchy, are displayed.

10. The information processing system according to claim 8 , wherein the threshold value differs depending on a size of a display area in which the plurality of display objects are displayed.

11. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein each of the names of the plurality of display objects is a model name of a product.

12. 12. The information processing system according to claim 11, wherein the product is a printer.

13. A program for causing at least one computer to function as each of the means of the information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. 13. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing at least one computer to function as each of the means of the information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

15. obtaining names of each of a plurality of display objects; Based on the names acquired in the acquiring step, the plurality of display objects whose names have the same first portion are grouped together in a first hierarchical level; A plurality of display objects included in the same group in the first hierarchy, the second parts of the names of which are the same, are regarded as being in the same group in a second hierarchy which is one hierarchy lower than the first hierarchy, A step of controlling the display of the plurality of display objects in a classified manner; 13. A method for controlling an information processing system comprising:

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