Display system and display method

Abstract

To provide a display system and a display method for displaying information that is classified into categories.SOLUTION: A category classification includes one or more upper-level categories, and a plurality of lower-level categories included in each of the upper-level categories, both of upper and lower categories being used to classify a plurality of targets. A display method for displaying information that is classified into categories includes causing a computer to, based on information of the plurality of targets that is classified into each of the upper-level categories and the lower-level categories, execute displaying a plurality of objects in a display area. The plurality of objects includes one or more upper-level symbols 61, representing the one or more upper-level categories to which the one or more upper-level symbols 61 correspond, and a plurality of lower-level symbols 62, each of the plurality of the lower-level symbols 62 represents the plurality of lower-level categories. The method also includes causing the computer to, based on the information, execute changing display of at least one of the plurality of objects in the display area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a display system and a display method.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in an EC (electronic commerce) site, since it handles a wide variety of product and service items, those items are classified into a plurality of categories and displayed. Also, in content providing services such as books, videos, or music, the content may be classified and displayed for each genre. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method of classifying a web site that does not require login authentication by category and displaying a list of the classified category names on the initial screen of an information processing apparatus.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above classification of the website, the display in category order and the display in time order can be switched. Further, it is also disclosed to display in order from the content information belonging to the category with a high level of user interest. Thus, there are a plurality of methods for displaying an object classified into a plurality of categories such as products, content, or websites. And the optimal solution for how to display the object varies depending on the purpose of the display, but as the quantity of the object to be classified or the number of categories increases, the data amount increases and it becomes difficult to display clearly.

[0005] For example, the number of items on an e-commerce site can reach several millions, and it is necessary to handle a huge amount of data for display. In order to display such a huge amount of data in an easy-to-understand manner, a new expression method using data science is required.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a display system and a display method for displaying category-classified information.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] A display system according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a display system for displaying category-classified information, wherein the category classification includes one or more upper categories for classifying a plurality of objects and a plurality of lower categories included in each of the upper categories, the display system includes one or more processors and one or more memories configured to store display data, the display data includes object data for displaying a plurality of objects in a display area, the plurality of objects include one or more upper symbols representing the one or more upper categories corresponding to the one or more upper symbols and a plurality of lower symbols each representing one of the plurality of lower categories, and the one or more processors are configured to display the plurality of objects in the display area based on information of the plurality of objects classified into each of the upper categories and the lower categories, and to change a display of at least one of the plurality of objects in the display area.

[0008] A display method according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a display method for displaying categorically classified information. The categorical classification includes one or more upper categories for classifying a plurality of objects, and a plurality of lower categories included in each of the upper categories. The method causes a computer to display a plurality of objects in a display area based on information of the plurality of objects classified into each of the upper categories and the lower categories. The plurality of objects include one or more upper symbols representing the one or more upper categories corresponding to the one or more upper symbols, and a plurality of lower symbols, each of the plurality of lower symbols representing the plurality of lower categories. And changing the display of at least one of the plurality of objects in the display area.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, an example of a display system 11 and a display method for displaying category-classified information will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. The present invention is not limited to these examples, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims in addition to the content indicated by the claims.

[0011] [Overview of the Data Display System] As shown in FIG. 1, the display system 11 according to the present disclosure includes a display device 12. The display system 11 may further include a database 13. The database 13 may be held in a server device (not shown). The display device 12 can access the database 13 through a network 14. The display device 12 may include part or all of the database 13. A web server 15 may be able to access the database 13 through the network 14. The web server 15 provides an EC site for providing goods or services.

[0012] The objects traded on the EC site may include not only physical goods but also services such as, for example, electronic tickets, accommodation reservations, insurance products, or investment products. Hereinafter, a plurality of goods or services traded on the EC site are collectively referred to as "items". In this example, an "item" is an example of an object classified by category, and "object information" includes various information related to the transaction of the item.

[0013] A plurality of user terminals 16 may be able to communicate with the web server 15 through the network 14. The user terminal 16 is an information processing device operated by a user, such as, for example, a smartphone, a personal computer, or a tablet. Each of the display device 12, the web server 15, and the user terminal 16 is an example of a computer. The web server 15 provides various information or processing results to each user terminal 16 in response to requests from one or more user terminals 16.

[0014] The network 14 includes, for example, the Internet, a WAN (Wide Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), a provider terminal, a wireless communication network, a wireless base station, a dedicated line, and the like. It is not necessary for all combinations of the devices shown in FIG. 1 to be communicable with each other, and the network 14 may include a partially local network.

[0015] FIG. 2 shows a basic configuration of a computer such as the display device 12, the web server 15, and the user terminal 16. The computer includes, for example, one or more processors 21, one or more memories 22, and a communication IF (interface) 32. The computer may further include an input device 24 and a display 25. The one or more processors 21, the one or more memories 22, the communication IF 23, the input device 24, and the display 25 are connected to each other by a communication bus 26. The configurations of the display device 12, the web server 15, and the user terminal 16 may be different from each other.

[0016] The one or more processors 21 are, for example, processing circuits configured to execute various software processes. The processing circuit may include a dedicated hardware circuit (such as an ASIC or the like) that processes at least a part of the software process. That is, the software process may be executed by a processing circuit including at least one of one or more software processing circuits and one or more dedicated hardware circuits.

[0017] The one or more processors 21 are, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processor Unit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or other arithmetic devices. The processor 21 executes a series of instructions included in a computer program stored in the memory 22 in response to a given signal or in response to a predetermined condition being satisfied.

[0018] The memory 22 or more than one may include, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory), or other volatile memories. The memory 22 may be configured to temporarily store programs and data. The memory 22 or more than one may include a storage for permanently storing data including programs. The programs include applications and operating systems. The storage may be, for example, a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a hard disk drive, a flash memory, or other non-volatile storage devices. The storage may be a removable storage device such as a memory card.

[0019] The communication IF 23 is configured to connect to the network 14. The communication IF 23 is configured to communicate with other devices connected to the network 14. The communication IF 23 is realized, for example, as a LAN or other wired communication IF. The communication IF 23 may also be realized, for example, as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or other wireless communication IF, but is not limited thereto.

[0020] The input device 24 is, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, and may include buttons, keys, switches, touch pads, or microphones. The display 25 may be, for example, a liquid crystal monitor or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) monitor, or a touch screen having a touch panel that also serves as the input device 24.

[0021] Database 13 is configured to store various types of data related to the operation of the EC site. Database 13 includes, for example, a user database, a store database, an item database, and a transaction database. Database 13 may further include a definition database. Web server 15 may include part or all of database 13. Web server 15 reads information related to transactions from database 13 or updates database 13 along with transactions. Display device 12 is configured to read data necessary for display from database 13.

[0022] The user database includes registration information of users who use the EC site. The registration information may include, for example, the name, age, gender, address, account, email address, user ID, and payment information of each of a plurality of users, but is not limited thereto. Examples of payment information are credit card numbers, debit card numbers, or the numbers of debit accounts. The user database may include the purchase history of each user on the EC site. The purchase history may include, for example, purchased items, item genres and categories (upper-level categories and lower-level categories), purchase date and time, and purchase amount, but is not limited thereto.

[0023] The store database includes registration information of a plurality of stores (or merchants) that have stores on the EC site. The store registration information may include, for example, the name, store ID, location, sold items, item genres and categories (upper-level categories and lower-level categories) of each store, but is not limited thereto. The store database may include the sales history of each store on the EC site. The sales history may include, for example, sold items, sales date and time, item genres and categories (upper-level categories and lower-level categories), and transaction amount, but is not limited thereto.

[0024] The item database may include, but is not limited to, the name, item ID, store name of the seller, price, model number, genre, category (upper category and lower category), attributes (such as size or color), and transaction history of each of the multiple items. The transaction database includes the transaction history on the EC site. The transaction history may include, but is not limited to, the transaction ID of each transaction, the purchaser (user), the seller (store), the transaction item, information about the transaction item, the genre and category of the item (upper category and lower category), the transaction date and time, and the transaction amount. The definition database includes data for defining the relationships between categories including upper categories and lower categories.

[0025] [Category Classification of EC Site] As illustrated in part of Category Classification 30 in Figure 3, the EC site deals with a wide variety of items. These multiple items are generally classified into hierarchical categories. Each category is assigned a genre name to facilitate the management and search of items. The characters described in Categories 41 - 43 in Figure 3 represent examples of genre names.

[0026] When Category Classification 30 has a two - layer structure, Category Classification 30 may include a plurality of upper categories 41 (such as fashion, cosmetics & hair care, etc.) included in the first layer 31, and a plurality of lower categories 42 (such as skin care, hair care, etc.) included in each upper category 41. The upper category 41 is also referred to as the category of the first layer 31, and the lower category 42 is also referred to as the category of the second layer 32. The plurality of lower categories 42 are included in the second layer 32 under the first layer 31. The second layer 32 is a lower layer of the first layer 31. When Category Classification 30 has a three - layer structure, there may be a third layer 33 further under the second layer 32, and each lower category 42 may include a plurality of third - layer categories 43. The third layer 33 is a lower layer of the second layer 32. The number of layers and the number of categories can be arbitrarily increased or decreased.

[0027] In operating an EC site, various data analyses are performed in order to appropriately manage the items handled and formulate effective sales strategies. As an example, the display device 12 is configured to display, in a display area, the classification of a plurality of items listed on the EC site and the trends of transactions. As shown in FIG. 1, the display area 50 in this example is the screen of the display 25 of the display device 12.

[0028] One or more memories 22 of the display device 12 are configured to store display data. At least a part of the display data may be associated with user data in the database 13, for example, the purchase history of the user. Instead of this, or in addition to this, at least a part of the display data may be associated with at least one of an item database or a transaction database. In this case, data such as a purchase history may be an aggregated value (for example, total sales) for a specified period (for example, monthly or annually), or a ratio to the previous period (last month or last year) in the specified period may be used.

[0029] The display data may be designed along a specific theme. For example, in order to represent a multi-layer structure of categories, a design imitating the mechanism of nature, such as an ecosystem, may be adopted, or a design such as a galaxy system may be adopted. In this case, the display data may include background data along the theme and a plurality of display objects. It is desirable that the theme of the display data is a design that allows the user to easily recognize the relationship between categories including upper-level categories and lower-level categories.

[0030] [Example of Category Classification Display] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, in this example, display data with a theme of a plurality of galaxy systems 51 (51A to 51E) floating in the universe is adopted. In FIGS. 4 to 6, for convenience of expression, the background is white, but actually, the background of the background data is an image representing a cosmic space with a black tone in order to represent the universe in two dimensions or three dimensions. Each of the plurality of galaxy systems 51 represents a plurality of upper-level categories 41.

[0031] The display data may include object data for displaying a plurality of objects to be displayed in the display area 50. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the plurality of objects may include a plurality of upper symbols 61 (61A to 61D, reference numerals 61E and 61F are not shown) and a plurality of lower symbols 62 (62A to 62F). Each of the plurality of upper symbols 61 represents a plurality of upper categories 41. Each of the plurality of lower symbols 62 represents a plurality of lower categories 42. The plurality of objects may include a trajectory 63 of movement of each lower symbol 62. The trajectory 63 is arranged with reference to the upper symbol 61. The trajectory 63 may be always displayed as an object or may not be displayed.

[0032] The processor 21 of the display device 12 may be configured to display a plurality of objects including a plurality of upper symbols 61 and a plurality of lower symbols 62 in the display area 50 based on information on items classified into each of the upper category 41 and the lower category 42. Further, the processor 21 of the display device 12 may control the display of one or more objects (for example, a plurality of lower symbols 62 corresponding to each upper symbol 61) among the plurality of objects in the display area 50.

[0033] Controlling the display may include at least one of moving a plurality of lower symbols 62 along a trajectory 63 with reference to the corresponding upper symbol 61 and changing the display of the plurality of lower symbols 62 or the trajectory 63. Further, controlling the display may include changing at least one of the moving speed, moving range, or display change speed of the corresponding lower symbol 62 or trajectory 63 according to the information on the item classified into each lower category 42. Thus, an object that moves or whose display changes is also referred to as a variable object. Also, an attribute related to the variation of the variable object is referred to as a variable attribute. The variable attribute includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the moving speed, moving range, display range, or display change speed.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 5, when the display area 50 is defined by a two-dimensional display window 45, the display window 45 may include a main screen 46 and a sub-screen 47. The display window 45 may be displayed by starting an application. A navigation window 53 showing an overall image of the display content may be displayed on the main screen 46. A display frame 52 showing the display range of the main screen 46 may be displayed within the navigation window 53.

[0035] A plurality of subjects including a higher-order symbol 61 and a plurality of lower-order symbols 62 may be displayed on the main screen 46. Information on a plurality of items classified into the selected category among the higher-order category 41 or the lower-order category 42 may be displayed on the sub-screen 47. The selection of the categories 41, 42 can be executed, for example, by selecting the corresponding symbols 61, 62. The white arrow overlapping the planetary system 51A in FIG. 5 indicates the mouse pointer.

[0036] The display window 45 may include one or more buttons 48 for changing the display content, such as a display color setting, a display category selection, or a display data selection. By operating these buttons 48, for example, it becomes possible to change the display color of various display objects, change the expression theme, select the higher-order symbol 61 (higher-order category 41) to be displayed, or change the target period of the data. The number of buttons 48 and the operation content of each can be arbitrarily changed.

[0037] When the processor 21 of the display device 12 selects any one of the plurality of higher-order symbols 61, the processor 21 may cause additional information related to the higher-order category 41 corresponding to the selected higher-order symbol 61 to be displayed on the sub-screen 47. The additional information may be information regarding each of the plurality of lower-order categories 42 included in the higher-order category 41. In the example of FIG. 5, the genre name of each lower-order category 42 and the number of users who purchased the items of that lower-order category 42 are displayed on the sub-screen 47.

[0038] The arrangement of the plurality of upper symbols 61 may be determined based on the target data classified into the corresponding upper categories 41. For example, the distance between the plurality of upper symbols 61 may be determined based on the relationship or degree of association between the corresponding upper categories 41. The degree of association between two upper categories 41 may be calculated based on the number of common purchasers (users) who purchased two items respectively classified into the corresponding two upper categories 41. For example, if many users who bought products in the "Cosmetics·Hair Care" genre also purchased products in the "Living·Pet" genre, "Cosmetics·Hair Care" and "Living·Pet" have many overlapping purchasers as their customer base, so the degree of association is high.

[0039] As a result of arranging the plurality of upper symbols 61 based on such rules, the upper symbol 61 arranged near the center of the display area 50 corresponds to the upper category 41 that has an overlapping purchaser layer with other upper categories 41. Conversely, the upper category 41 corresponding to the upper symbol 61 arranged near the periphery of the display area 50 means that it has an independent purchaser layer, that is, a purchaser layer that purchases only the items of that category 41. The upper category 41 that has an overlapping purchaser layer with other upper categories 41 can be said to be an important category from the perspective of promotion even if the total sales amount is small.

[0040] The plurality of objects may include one or more lines 54 (54B, 54C, 54E). Each line 54 is displayed so as to connect at least two of the plurality of upper symbols 61. Each line 54 may represent the relationship or the degree of association between the two upper categories 41 corresponding to the two upper symbols 61 connected by that line 54. For example, some of the plurality of upper symbols 61 with particularly high degrees of association may be connected by a line 54 (54B, 54C, 54E). In this case, the higher the degree of association, the thicker the line 54 may be. The line 54 may be a straight line, a wavy line, or a curved line, but is not limited thereto and can be designed according to the expression theme. In addition to changing the thickness according to an index such as the degree of association, the line 54 may be made to change the blinking speed.

[0041] Line 54 may be a flow line representing the movement dynamics of a user among a plurality of upper categories 41. The movement dynamics may include that a user who purchases items classified into one of two upper categories 41 (for example, the "Cosmetics & Hair Care" genre) during a certain period purchases items classified into the other upper category 41 (for example, the "Housing & Pet" genre) during another (later) period.

[0042] When there is a direction to the movement as in the movement dynamics, the flow line 54 may be shown as a dashed line, indicating the direction of movement in the blinking direction, or may be indicated by an arrow. For example, when the flow line 54 is going from the "Cosmetics & Hair Care" genre to the "Housing & Pet" genre, it indicates that a certain number of purchasers who purchased items in the "Cosmetics & Hair Care" genre in the previous period purchased items in the "Housing & Pet" genre this period, compared with the previous period.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 6, each upper symbol 61 may be represented as the central star of a planetary system 51 floating in the universe. Also, a plurality of lower symbols 62 for one upper symbol 61 are represented as planets revolving along orbits 63 (63A to 63F) centered on the corresponding central star (upper symbol 61). Since the symbols 61 and 62 represent stars, circular (spherical) objects are adopted, but the shape of each object can be arbitrarily changed according to the expression theme. In this example, together with the upper symbol 61, the corresponding genre name is displayed in the display area 50 in characters. The genre name of the lower symbol 62 may be displayed in the display area 50 along with an operation such as mouse over.

[0044] The orbit 63 has an elliptical shape that mimics the orbit of a planet. However, the orbit 63 may have any shape as long as it is for arranging or moving each of the plurality of lower symbols 62 corresponding to the upper symbol 61 of 1 with respect to the upper symbol 61 of 1. For example, the orbit 63 can be arbitrarily changed to a straight line, an arc, an ellipse, or a circle according to the theme of the expression. Similarly, the display change of the lower symbol 62 can be arbitrarily changed not only to rotational motion but also to pendulum motion, linear motion, reciprocating motion, vibration, blinking, or change in size. When the lower symbol 62 does not move, the orbit 63 may simply be a line indicating the distance or relationship with the upper symbol 61.

[0045] The moving speed of the lower symbol 62 moving along the orbit 63 may change according to the information of the item classified into the corresponding lower category 42. For example, the greater the increase rate when comparing the currently displayed current-term data (e.g., quantity such as total sales) with the previous term (previous month or previous year), the faster the moving speed may be. For example, in the example of FIG. 6, since the increase rate of the total sales of the lower symbol 62F corresponding to the corresponding lower category 42 (e.g., "men's cosmetics") is greater than that of other lower categories 42, the revolving speed is faster than that of other lower symbols 62.

[0046] The display device 12 (processor 21) may be configured to control the display in the display area based on the calculation result using various data including user data. For example, the size or color of at least one of the upper symbol 61 and the lower symbol 62 may be determined according to the information of the item classified into the corresponding categories 41, 42 (e.g., total sales).

[0047] For example, in FIG. 6, for a plurality of lower symbols 62 corresponding to the upper symbol 61 of 1, the lower symbol 62A with the largest total sales amount of the items classified into the corresponding category 42 is set to a warm color (e.g., red), and the lower symbol 62F with the smallest total sales amount is set to a cool color (e.g., purple), and the color schemes (e.g., orange and green) of the intermediate lower symbols 62B to 62E are determined. Further, for a plurality of lower symbols 62 corresponding to the upper symbol 61 of 1, the lower symbol 62A with the largest total sales amount is set to the largest size, and the lower symbol 62F with the smallest total sales amount is set to the smallest size, and the sizes of the intermediate lower symbols 62B to 62E are determined. In this case, instead of the total sales amount, the size or color may be determined based on other quantities such as the number of traded items or the number of purchasers. Note that if the size is made directly proportional to the data according to the data, the balance in the display may deteriorate, so it is advisable to adjust the relative size at an appropriate ratio based on a specified calculation.

[0048] When any of a plurality of upper symbols 61 and a plurality of lower symbols 62 is selected, data associated with the categories 41 and 42 corresponding to the selected symbol may be displayed on the sub-screen 47 or another window. For example, when one lower symbol 62 is selected, the total sales amount of the items in the corresponding lower category 42 or a purchaser list (user list) may be displayed.

[0049] The arrangement of a plurality of lower symbols 62 with respect to the upper symbol 61 of 1 may be determined based on the information of the items classified into the corresponding lower category 42. For example, the distance between the lower symbol 62 and the upper symbol 61 of the orbit 63 may be made closer as the total sales amount of the items in the corresponding lower category 42 is larger. In this case, instead of the total sales amount, the distance with respect to the upper symbol 61 may be determined based on other quantities such as the number of traded items or the number of purchasers.

[0050] In the example of FIG. 6, each orbital plane of a plurality of orbits 63 centered on the upper symbol 61 of 1 is inclined with respect to a common reference plane (not shown, for example, a horizontal plane) at an inclination angle according to the information of the items classified into the corresponding lower category 42. The inclination angle may be determined based on information different from the size, color, or distance from the upper symbol 61 of the lower symbol 62. For example, the larger the growth rate of the total sales amount for the previous period (for example, last month or the previous year), the larger the inclination angle may be. In the example of FIG. 6, the lower category 42F has a smaller total sales amount than the other lower categories 42A to 42E, but has a large growth rate of the total sales amount. That is, the lower category 42F indicates a popular genre.

[0051] [Display method of category classification] FIG. 7 illustrates a display method of category classification. The flow of FIG. 7 is started, for example, with the display operation (for example, the start of the application) of the display window 45, and ends with the close operation (for example, the end of the application) of the display window 45.

[0052] First, in step S11, the processor 21 of the display device 12 reads data to be displayed (for example, purchase history or transaction history for a specified period) from the database 13. Next, in step S12, the processor 21 of the display device 12 performs calculations using the read data and determines the display attributes of various objects (for example, symbols 61, 62, orbits 63, line 54) to be displayed in the display area 50. The display attributes are, for example, the size or color of each symbol 61, 62, the distance between the symbols 61, 62, or the inclination angle of the orbit 63.

[0053] In step S13, the processor 21 of the display device 12 performs calculations using the read data and determines the variation attributes (for example, moving speed) of the variable object (for example, the lower symbol 63). Step S13 may be executed before step S12 or may be executed simultaneously with step S12.

[0054] In step S14, the processor 21 of the display device 12 causes various objects (for example, symbols 61 and 62, orbit 63, and line 54) to be displayed in the display area 50 based on the display attributes determined in step S12. Further, in step S15, the processor 21 of the display device 12 performs display control of the variable object (for example, movement control of the lower symbol 63) based on the variable attributes determined in step S13. Step S15 may start simultaneously with step S14.

[0055] Some or all of the objects to be displayed may be displayed based on the specified display attributes without performing calculations. If the display attributes of all the objects are specified, step S12 can be omitted. For the variable object, the variable attributes may also be specified in advance. If the variable attributes of all the variable objects are specified, step S13 can be omitted.

[0056] [Operation of the present disclosure] The various objects displayed in the display area 50 are not merely illustrations considering appearance, but the display conditions (for example, display attributes and variable attributes) are determined based on the information of the items classified into each of the upper category 41 and the lower category 42. Therefore, the information related to the item can be visualized clearly. Further, by moving some of the objects (for example, the circular movement of the lower symbol 62) or changing the display (for example, the blinking of the flow line 54), the temporal variation of the information can be visualized according to the movement speed or the change speed.

[0057] The display data can also be generated to represent a three-dimensional space. However, when the display area 50 is a two-dimensional display, what can be visually recognized is a two-dimensional screen. In such a two-dimensional screen, a three-dimensional space can be represented by creating a three-dimensional effect from the shape of the orbit 63 and the movement state of the lower symbol 62 displayed in the display area 50. When the display data is generated in three or more dimensions, an operation for changing the viewpoint with respect to the display area 50 may be available.

[0058] As an example of a conventional data display method, there is a method of showing in a table the total monthly sales of a plurality of sub-categories 42. In this table, only numbers are arranged in rows and columns, and it is difficult to visually recognize features such as increases or decreases in sales amounts or differences between categories. Also, in the method of converting the table data into a graph, it is difficult to represent a plurality of features in one graph. In contrast, in the display method of the present disclosure, by reflecting data in display attributes or variable attributes such as the size, color, arrangement, moving speed, and tilt angle of, for example, a plurality of objects, differences or variations in the data can be visualized simultaneously.

[0059] Here, if many objects are displayed or move in different ways, the amount of information may increase and it may become difficult to understand. In the present disclosure, the display is designed along a theme with which many people have basic knowledge, such as "cosmic space", so that people who view this can intuitively understand the shape or movement regularity of a plurality of objects. Therefore, even if a large amount of information is included, first understand the arrangement of a plurality of upper symbols 61, then understand the state of the galaxy corresponding to each upper category 41, and further, based on the arrangement, size, and movement of a plurality of lower symbols 62, grasp the situation of the sub-category 42. In this way, it is possible to comprehensively grasp the data relying on the worldview represented by the objects.

[0060] In this example, the size and color of the lower symbol 62 reflect the relative magnitude of the same total sales amount, or for example, the tilt angle of the orbit 63 and the moving speed of the lower symbol 62 reflect the growth rate of the total sales amount. Similar meanings are given to related expression elements in this way. By appropriately reflecting the meaning of the data in the expression of the object in this way, it becomes possible to assist more intuitive understanding.

[0061] The display content in the display area 50 can be changed, for example, by re-executing the control of steps S11 to S15 in response to the operation of the button 48. Therefore, the information related to the item can be viewed from various angles. In addition, since the object is associated with the actual data, it becomes possible to output the data associated with the selected object (for example, the lower symbol 62). For example, if a lower symbol 62 with a large inclination angle of the orbit 63 is selected, the data of the current best-selling genre can be obtained.

[0062] For example, in the operation organization of an EC site, if a promotion person is arranged for each of the categories 41 and 42, each person can extract user information of the category with a high degree of relevance to their own responsible category and conduct a promotion for the responsible category. By promoting the promotion between categories in this way, it becomes possible to promote sales across the entire EC site.

[0063] [Effects of the present disclosure] According to the present disclosure, the following effects can be achieved. (1) By representing the information of the categories 41 and 42 by the symbols 61 and 62 respectively, the item data of the upper category 41 and the item data of the lower category 42 can be visualized. Furthermore, by changing the display of some of the objects, for example, the lower symbol 62, the lower symbol 62 can be made prominent, or the change in information can be reflected in the change in the display.

[0064] (2) By determining the moving speed of a plurality of lower symbols 62 as variable objects with respect to one upper symbol 61 based on data, the difference in data between a plurality of lower categories 42 can be visualized.

[0065] (3) By determining the shape, size, color, or arrangement of the object including the symbols 61 and 62 based on the relevant data, the data can be visualized. By determining the arrangement of a plurality of lower symbols 62 with respect to the upper symbol 61 of (4) 1 based on the information of the items classified into the corresponding lower category 42, the difference in the item data of the plurality of lower categories 42 with respect to the upper category 41 of 1 can be visualized.

[0066] (5) By moving a plurality of lower symbols 62 along a trajectory 63 with respect to the corresponding upper symbol 61 of 1 as a reference, the item data of the lower category 42 corresponding to each lower symbol 62 can be visualized.

[0067] (6) By determining the inclination angles of a plurality of trajectories 63 based on related data, the difference in those data can be visualized. (7) By connecting the upper symbols 61 to each other with a line 54, the relationship or degree of relationship between the corresponding upper categories 41 can be visualized.

[0068] (8) By connecting the upper symbols 61 to each other with a flow line 54, the movement dynamics of the user between the corresponding upper categories 41 can be visualized. (9) By determining the distance between a plurality of upper symbols 62 based on the relationship or degree of relationship between the corresponding upper categories 41, the relationship between the upper categories 41 can be visualized.

[0069] (10) By calculating the degree of relationship between two upper categories 41 based on the number of purchasers who purchased two items classified into the corresponding two upper categories 41 respectively, the number of overlapping purchasers of the two upper categories 41 can be visualized.

[0070] (11) By determining the display attributes and variable attributes of an object based on quantities such as total sales, total number of sales, or number of purchasers, the corresponding quantity data can be visualized.

[0071] (12) By determining the display attributes based on the quantity within the current period (specified period) and determining the variable attributes based on the change rate between the quantity of the previous period and the quantity of the current period, the current quantity can be reflected in the display attributes of the object, and the change in quantity can be reflected in the display change of the object. And by expressing the change in quantity as a display change, the change can be intuitively conveyed.

[0072] (13) When data of categories 41 and 42 corresponding to each of a plurality of symbols 61 and 62 are associated, by selecting symbols 61 and 62, the data of the corresponding categories 41 and 42 can be extracted.

[0073] (14) On the main screen 46, an overall image of the data can be displayed, and on the sub-screen 47, additional information related to the upper category 41 corresponding to the selected upper symbol 61 can be displayed. Thereby, while showing the overall image of the data on the main screen 46, the additional information can be selectively displayed on the sub-screen 47 as needed.

[0074] (15) Since a plurality of upper symbols 61 are expressed as the central stars of the planetary systems 51 floating in the universe, a plurality of lower symbols 62 can be expressed as planets revolving along an orbit 63 centered on the upper symbol 61. Thereby, by borrowing the natural laws of the planetary system, the independent relationships between a plurality of upper categories 41 and the relationship between one upper category 41 and a plurality of lower categories 42 belonging to it can be clearly visualized.

[0075] [Modified Example] This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically non - conflicting range.

[0076] [Modified Example 1] The plurality of upper symbols 61 may differ in at least one of shape, size, or color based on the information of the items classified into the corresponding upper category 41. For example, the shape of the plurality of upper symbols 61 may be changed according to the total sales amount or the growth rate of the total sales amount. Similarly, the plurality of lower symbols 62 may also differ in at least one of shape, size, or color based on the information of the items classified into the corresponding lower category 42.

[0077] [Modification Example 2] Symbols corresponding to categories of different hierarchies, for example, the upper symbol 61 and the lower symbol 62, may have different shapes. For example, the plurality of upper categories may be represented as a galaxy, and the genre name (character object) which is the upper symbol 61 may be displayed at the center of the galaxy. In this case, the orbits 63 of the plurality of lower symbols 62 may be spirals extending radially from the center of the galaxy. And the plurality of lower symbols 62 may move towards the center or conversely move away from the center according to the increase or decrease of the total sales amount or the number of users in the corresponding previous period ratio.

[0078] [Modification Example 3] The category classification is not limited to the genre classification of items. For example, the systems and methods of the present disclosure may be applied to the category classification of a plurality of services. In this case, the upper category may be a plurality of services such as web shopping, ticket reservation, securities trading, insurance product sales, facility reservation, e-book sales, and content viewing such as movies or music in addition to web shopping, and the lower category may correspond to the genre classification of each service. In this case, regarding the users of each service as the target, the display attributes and variation attributes of various objects may be determined based on the number of users or the sales amount. Thereby, it becomes possible to perform an analysis for formulating a marketing measure for recommending the use of other services to the users of a certain service.

[0079] Alternatively, the systems and methods of the present disclosure may be applied to the categorical classification of multiple brands. In this case, it may be targeted at the customers (purchasers) of each brand, and the movement dynamics of users among the upper-level categories (brands) may be analyzed. Alternatively, the products handled by a certain brand may be classified into categories by genre and used for the analysis of the total sales amount or the number of users for each genre. Such analysis can be used, for example, to consider collaboration partners in a collaboration plan with brands of other genres or to consider the brands of items used in advertising. In addition, multiple point services that can convert points with each other may be used as upper-level categories, and the items handled or exchange benefits of each point service may be used as lower-level categories.

[0080] Web pages or advertising pages may be targeted for classification. In this case, by analyzing the degree of relevance between pages classified into different categories or analyzing the customer journey across categories, it can be used to assist in creating web pages or advertising pages or to conduct marketing activities.

[0081] [Modification Example 4] The degree of relevance between categories can also be calculated using a machine learning program. As an example, using the purchase histories (lists of purchased items) of multiple purchasers (users) as training data and using Word2Vec as an algorithm, the proximity between categories may be predicted. For example, the purchase list of a certain purchaser is "soft drink" - "outdoor goods" - "running shoes" ···. And for multiple purchasers, when similar purchase lists are vectorized, the similarity between purchasers is calculated. Based on such similarity, the relevance of items or users between categories may be determined.

[0082] [Modification Example 5] The expression themes of multiple objects in the display area 50 can be arbitrarily changed according to the category classification or the object to be classified. For example, objects with terrain, flora, or fauna can be set with the theme of the natural ecosystem. For example, the magnitude of the quantity can be expressed by the height of a mountain or a tree, the length of a river, or the number of animals and plants, or the moving speed of an animal can be controlled. Alternatively, a world view like a puzzle can be expressed using geometric pattern objects, or the upper category can be expressed using the same kind of articles. For example, the upper category of 1 can be represented by a clock object, and the variation of information of objects belonging to the lower category can be represented by the movement of a pendulum or the rotation speed of the hour hand, minute hand, or second hand. For the pendulum object, different information can be reflected in display attributes such as rotation speed, rotation angle, and pendulum length.

[0083] [Modification Example 6] The display method or display method of the present disclosure may be used not only by the person selling the item for item management but also by the purchaser of the item for considering the purchased item.

[0084] [Modification Example 7] The display area 50 is not limited to a two-dimensional display. For example, a three-dimensional display area may be adopted using a technology such as a 3D hologram.

[0085] [Modification Example 8] The display attributes of various objects may be determined based on the quantity (total sales amount, total number of sales, or number of purchasers) within the specified period of the object (item) classified into each category. In this case, the display attributes (for example, the shape, size, or color of at least one object) are determined based on the quantity in the specified period (the first period), and the variation attributes of the object (for example, moving speed, moving range, moving distance, mode of change, speed of change, or range of change) may be determined based on the change rate (for example, increase rate or decrease rate) between the quantity in the first period and the quantity in the second period (for example, last month or the previous year) before the first period.

[0086] [Modification Example 9] The information to be classified can be arbitrarily changed according to the target and category classification. Also, the aggregation period of the data used in one display can be arbitrarily changed. The information of the target may be a quantity (total sales amount, total number of sales, or number of purchasers), but is not limited thereto. For example, the information of the target may be a score converted from quantitative or qualitative data, or a numerical value calculated by a program including a machine learning model.

[0087] [Modification Example 10] In the above embodiment, the case of displaying a plurality of upper symbols has been exemplified, but one upper symbol and a plurality of lower symbols corresponding to the upper symbol may be displayed. That is, the category classification may include one upper category and a plurality of lower categories included in the upper category. In this case, the plurality of objects includes one upper symbol corresponding to one upper category.

[0088] Aspects understood based on the above embodiment and modification examples are listed below. [1] A display system for displaying information classified by category, The category classification includes one or more upper categories for classifying a plurality of targets and a plurality of lower categories included in each of the upper categories, and the display system includes One or more processors, One or more memories configured to store display data, The display data includes object data for displaying a plurality of objects in a display area, The plurality of objects includes One or more upper symbols representing the one or more upper categories corresponding to the one or more upper symbols, A plurality of lower symbols, each of the plurality of lower symbols representing the plurality of lower categories, The one or more processors are based on the information of the plurality of objects classified into each of the upper category and the lower category, causing the plurality of objects to be displayed in the display area, changing the display of at least one of the plurality of objects in the display area, and a display system configured to execute. [2] The object whose at least one display changes is a variable object, and the one or more processors are based on the information related to the variable object among the information of the plurality of objects, determining a variable attribute of the variable object, changing the display of the variable object based on the variable attribute, and is configured to execute, wherein the variable attribute includes at least one of a moving speed, a moving range, a display range, or a speed of display change. The display system according to [1] above. [3] The one or more processors determine at least one display attribute of the plurality of objects based on the information related to the corresponding object among the information of the plurality of objects, and cause the plurality of objects to be displayed in the display area based on the display attribute, and is configured to execute, wherein the display attribute includes at least one of a shape, a size, a color, or an arrangement. The display system according to [1] or [2] above. [4] Determining the display attribute includes determining the arrangement of the plurality of lower symbols with respect to one upper symbol based on the information of the object classified into the corresponding lower category. The display system according to [3] above. [5] Changing the display includes moving the plurality of lower symbols along an orbit centered on the corresponding one upper symbol. The display system according to any one of [1] to [4] above. [6] The orbit is an arc, an ellipse, or a circle centered on the one upper symbol. The orbital planes of the plurality of orbits centered on the one upper symbol are inclined with respect to a common reference plane at an inclination angle corresponding to the information of the object classified into the corresponding lower category. The display system according to [5] above. [7] The one or more upper categories include a plurality of upper categories. The one or more upper symbols include a plurality of upper symbols. The plurality of objects includes a line connecting at least two of the plurality of upper symbols. The line represents the relationship or degree of association between two upper categories corresponding to the two upper symbols connected by the line. The display system according to any one of [1] to [6] above. [8] The plurality of objects includes items of a plurality of products or services traded on an EC site. It includes a user database configured to store information of a plurality of users of the EC site. The user database includes the purchase history of each of the plurality of users on the EC site. The line is a flow line representing the movement dynamics of the user among the plurality of upper categories. The movement dynamics includes that a user who purchases an item classified into one of the two upper categories in a certain period purchases an item classified into the other upper category in another period. The display system according to [7] above. [9] The one or more upper categories include a plurality of upper categories. The one or more upper symbols include a plurality of upper symbols. Determining the display attributes of the plurality of objects includes determining the distance between the plurality of upper symbols based on the degree of association between the corresponding upper categories. The display system according to [3] above.

[10] The plurality of objects include items of a plurality of products or services traded on an e-commerce site. The degree of association between two of the upper categories is calculated based on the number of purchasers who have purchased two items classified into the corresponding two upper categories, respectively. The display system according to [7] or [9] above.

[11] The plurality of objects include items of a plurality of products or services traded on an e-commerce site. The information of the object includes the quantity within a specified period related to the item classified into each category. The quantity includes at least one of the total sales amount, the total number of sales, or the number of purchasers. The display system according to any one of [1] to

[10] above.

[12] The object whose at least one display changes is a variable object. The one or more processors Determining the display attribute of at least one of the plurality of objects based on the information related to the corresponding object among the information of the plurality of objects; Displaying the plurality of objects in the display area based on the display attribute; Determining the variation attribute of at least one variable object among the plurality of objects based on the information related to the corresponding variable object among the information of the plurality of objects; Controlling the display of the at least one variable object based on the variation attribute; configured to execute The display attribute is determined based on the quantity within a specified period. The variable attribute is determined based on the change rate between the quantity in the period before the specified period and the quantity in the specified period. The display system according to any one of [1] to

[11] above.

[13] Comprising a database configured to store data for the plurality of objects, At least one of the plurality of object data is associated with data related to the corresponding object among the data stored in the database, The displaying includes displaying data associated with the selected object when any one of the plurality of objects is selected. The display system according to any one of [1] to

[12] above.

[14] The display area is a two-dimensional display screen, and the display screen includes a main screen for displaying the plurality of objects and a sub-screen arranged alongside the main screen. The one or more processors are configured to execute displaying additional information related to the upper category corresponding to the selected upper symbol on the sub-screen when one of the one or more upper symbols is selected on the main screen. The additional information includes information regarding each of the plurality of lower categories included in the upper category. The display system according to any one of [1] to

[13] above.

[15] The display data includes background data. The background represented by the background data represents the universe in two or more dimensions. Each of the upper symbols is represented as the central star of a galaxy floating in the universe. The plurality of lower symbols for one of the upper symbols are represented as planets revolving along an orbit centered on the corresponding central star. The display system according to any one of [1] to

[14] above.

[16] A display method for displaying categorically classified information, The category classification includes one or more upper categories for classifying a plurality of objects, and a plurality of lower categories included in each of the upper categories. The method causes a computer to, based on information of the plurality of objects classified into each of the upper categories and the lower categories, display a plurality of objects in a display area, where the plurality of objects include one or more upper symbols that represent the one or more upper categories corresponding to the one or more upper symbols, and a plurality of lower symbols, where each of the plurality of lower symbols represents one of the plurality of lower categories, and change the display of at least one of the plurality of objects in the display area. The display method includes causing the above to be executed.

Explanation of Signs

[0089] 11... Display system, 12... Display device, 13... Database, 14... Network, 15... Web server, 16... User terminal, 21... Processor, 22... Memory, 23... Communication IF, 24... Input device, 25... Display, 26... Communication bus, 30... Category classification, 31... First layer, 32... Second layer, 33... Third layer, 41... Upper category, 42... Lower category, 45... Display screen, 46... Main screen, 47... Sub screen, 48... Button, 50... Display area, 51, 51A, 51B, 51C, 51D, 51E... Planetary system, 52... Display frame, 53... Navigation window, 54... Line, 61... Upper symbol, 62, 62A, 62B, 63C, 63D, 63E... Lower symbols, 63... Orbit.

Claims

1. A display system for displaying categorically classified information, wherein the categorical classification includes one or more upper categories for classifying a plurality of objects and a plurality of lower categories included in each of the upper categories, and the display system includes one or more processors, and one or more memories configured to store display data, wherein the display data includes object data for displaying a plurality of objects in a display area, wherein the plurality of objects include one or more upper symbols representing the one or more upper categories corresponding to the one or more upper symbols, and a plurality of lower symbols, each of the plurality of lower symbols representing one of the plurality of lower categories, wherein the one or more processors are configured to display the plurality of objects in the display area based on information of the plurality of objects classified into each of the upper categories and the lower categories, and change the display of at least one of the plurality of objects in the display area, A display system configured to perform the above.

2. The object whose display changes by at least one is a variable object, wherein the one or more processors are configured to determine a variable attribute of the variable object based on information related to the variable object among the information of the plurality of objects, and change the display of the variable object based on the variable attribute, wherein the variable attribute includes at least one of a moving speed, a moving range, a display range, or a speed of display change, The display system according to claim 1.

3. The one or more processors are configured to determine a display attribute of at least one of the plurality of objects based on information related to the corresponding object among the information of the plurality of objects, and display the plurality of objects in the display area based on the display attribute, wherein the display attribute includes at least one of a shape, a size, a color, or an arrangement, The display system according to claim 1.

4. Determining the display attribute includes determining an arrangement of the plurality of lower symbols with respect to one of the upper symbols based on information of an object classified into a corresponding lower category. The display system according to claim 3. ​ ​

5. Changing the display includes moving the plurality of lower symbols along a trajectory based on the corresponding one upper symbol. The display system according to claim 1.

6. The trajectory is an arc, ellipse, or circle centered on the one upper symbol, and each trajectory plane of the plurality of trajectories centered on the one upper symbol is inclined with respect to a common reference plane at an inclination angle according to the information of the object classified into the corresponding lower category. The display system according to claim 5.

7. The one or more upper categories include a plurality of upper categories, the one or more upper symbols include a plurality of upper symbols, the plurality of objects include a line connecting at least two of the plurality of upper symbols, and the line represents the relationship or degree of association between two upper categories corresponding to the two upper symbols connected by the line. The display system according to claim 1.

8. The plurality of objects include items of a plurality of products or services traded on an EC site, and include a user database configured to store information of a plurality of users of the EC site, wherein the user database includes the purchase history of each of the plurality of users on the EC site, the line is a flow line representing the movement dynamics of the user among the plurality of upper categories, and the movement dynamics include that a user who purchases an item classified into one of the two upper categories during a certain period purchases an item classified into the other upper category during another period. The display system according to claim 7.

9. The one or more upper categories include a plurality of upper categories, the one or more upper symbols include a plurality of upper symbols, and determining the display attribute includes determining the distance between the plurality of upper symbols based on the degree of association between the corresponding upper categories. The display system according to claim 3.

10. The plurality of objects include items of a plurality of products or services traded on an EC site, and the degree of association between two of the upper categories is calculated based on the number of purchasers who have purchased two items respectively classified into the two corresponding upper categories. The display system according to claim 9.

11. The plurality of objects include items of a plurality of products or services traded on an EC site, The information of the object includes the quantity within a specified period related to items classified into each category, The quantity includes at least one of the total sales amount, the total number of sales, or the number of purchasers, The display system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. The object whose at least one display changes is a variable object, The one or more processors, Determining at least one display attribute of the plurality of objects based on the information related to the corresponding object among the information of the plurality of objects, Displaying the plurality of objects in the display area based on the display attribute, Determining the variation attribute of at least one variable object among the plurality of objects based on the information related to the corresponding variable object among the information of the plurality of objects, Controlling the display of the at least one variable object based on the variation attribute, Are configured to execute, The display attribute is determined based on the quantity within the specified period, The variation attribute is determined based on the change rate between the quantity in the period before the specified period and the quantity in the specified period, The display system according to claim 11.

13. Comprising a database configured to store data about the plurality of objects, At least one of the plurality of object data is associated with the data related to the corresponding object among the data stored in the database, The displaying includes displaying the data associated with the selected object when any one of the plurality of objects is selected, The display system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

14. The display area is a two-dimensional display screen, and the display screen includes a main screen for displaying the plurality of objects and a sub-screen arranged beside the main screen, The one or more processors are configured to execute displaying additional information related to the upper category corresponding to the selected upper symbol on the sub-screen when one of the one or more upper symbols is selected on the main screen, The additional information includes information about each of the plurality of lower categories included in the upper category, The display system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

15. The display data includes background data, The background represented by the background data represents the universe in two or more dimensions, each of the upper symbols is represented as the central star of a planetary system floating in the universe, the plurality of lower symbols for one of the upper symbols are represented as planets orbiting along an orbit centered on the corresponding central star, The display system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

16. A display method for displaying categorically classified information, wherein the categorical classification includes one or more upper categories for classifying a plurality of objects and a plurality of lower categories included in each of the upper categories, the method causes a computer to, based on information on the plurality of objects classified into each of the upper category and the lower category, display a plurality of objects in a display area, wherein the plurality of objects are one or more upper symbols representing the one or more upper categories corresponding to the one or more upper symbols, and a plurality of lower symbols, each of the plurality of lower symbols representing the plurality of lower categories, changing the display of at least one of the plurality of objects in the display area, and executing the method.

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