Information processing apparatus, program, and information processing method

Abstract

To visually associate a plurality of tags easily.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus (terminal device 20) includes: a setting unit (CPU 21) which sets a predetermined area (connection range B4) based on designated two coordinate positions (start position B2 and end position B3); a selection unit (CPU 21) which selects an electronic tag where at least a part or a predetermined part of the region is arranged in the area set by the setting unit, or selects an electronic tag where the region of a predetermined amount or at a predetermined ratio or larger is arranged in the area set by the setting unit; and a connection unit (CPU 21) which associates, when a plurality of electronic tags are selected by the selection unit, the electronic tags in series by visual association so that the order of connecting the electronic tags can be identified.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a program, and an information processing method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique is known for connecting a plurality of objects arranged on a work field with arrows indicating the order of reproduction of the objects (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in order to connect objects to each other, it is necessary to perform the operation of connecting arrows one by one from the source object to the destination object by a drag operation. Therefore, when connecting a large number of objects, it is necessary to perform the connection operation multiple times, which is very complicated.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, a program, and an information processing method capable of easily visually associating a plurality of sticky notes.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the information processing apparatus of the present invention includes a setting unit that sets a predetermined area based on two specified coordinate positions, A selection unit that selects an electronic sticky note in which at least a part of the area or a predetermined part is arranged within the area set by the setting unit, or selects an electronic sticky note in which a predetermined amount or a region equal to or more than a predetermined ratio of the area is arranged within the area set by the setting unit, When a plurality of electronic sticky notes are selected by the selection unit, a connection unit that serially links the plurality of electronic sticky notes so that the connection order between the plurality of electronic sticky notes can be identified by visual association, Comprising.

[0007] In addition, the program of the present invention causes a computer of an information processing apparatus to A setting unit that sets a predetermined area based on two specified coordinate positions, A selection unit that selects an electronic sticky note in which at least a part of the area or a predetermined part is arranged within the area set by the setting unit, or selects an electronic sticky note in which a predetermined amount or a region equal to or more than a predetermined ratio of the area is arranged within the area set by the setting unit, When a plurality of electronic sticky notes are selected by the selection unit, a connection unit that serially links the plurality of electronic sticky notes so that the connection order between the plurality of electronic sticky notes can be identified by visual association, Function as.

[0008] In addition, the information processing method of the present invention is An information processing method executed by an information processing apparatus, A setting step of setting a predetermined area based on two specified coordinate positions, A selection step of selecting an electronic sticky note in which at least a part of the area or a predetermined part is arranged within the area set by the setting step, or selecting an electronic sticky note in which a predetermined amount or a region equal to or more than a predetermined ratio of the area is arranged within the area set by the setting unit, When a plurality of electronic sticky notes are selected by the selection step, a connection step of serially linking the plurality of electronic sticky notes so that the connection order between the plurality of electronic sticky notes can be identified by visual association, Including.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, a plurality of stickers can be easily visually associated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that although various technically preferable limitations are imposed on the embodiments described below for carrying out the present invention, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

[0012] <1. Configuration of the Learning Support System> As shown in FIG. 1, the learning support system 1 includes a server 10 and a terminal device 20. The server 10 and the terminal device 20 are communicatively connected via a communication network 30. The communication network 30 is a network that relays communication between the server 10 and the terminal device 20. For example, it is assumed to be the Internet, but it may include a LAN (Local Area Network), a dedicated line, or the like.

[0013] The learning support system 1 has an administrator support function that provides management support for account information, class information, lesson information, etc. of teachers and students to the administrator of an educational institution. In addition, the learning support system 1 has a teacher support function that provides lesson support such as creating and distributing tasks to students and conducting lessons to teachers of an educational institution. Further, the learning support system 1 has a learning support function that provides lesson support such as creating notebooks for lessons, online dictionaries, math tools, and implementing and submitting tasks from teachers to students of an educational institution.

[0014] In the present embodiment, among the functions of the learning support system 1, the learning support function will be described. The learning support function is provided to a user whose account information (ID and password) is registered in the server 10 in advance.

[0015] The server 10 is a WEB server device provided on the cloud of the communication network 30 and provides the above-described learning support function to the terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 is an information processing device used by a user, for example, a notebook PC. However, the terminal device 20 is not limited to a notebook PC and may be other information processing devices such as a desktop PC, a tablet PC, or a smartphone. Also, the terminal device 20 in FIG. 1 represents one of a plurality of terminal devices 20 used by a plurality of users.

[0016] <1-1. Configuration of Server> As shown in FIG. 2, the server 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, an operation unit 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a display unit 14, a storage unit 15, and a communication unit 16. Each unit of the server 10 is connected via a bus 17.

[0017] The CPU 11 controls each unit of the server 10. The CPU 11 reads out a specified program among various programs stored in the storage unit 15 and expands it in the RAM 13, and executes various processes in cooperation with the expanded program. The operation unit 12 has a keyboard having various keys and a pointing device such as a mouse that accepts position input, accepts key input and position input operation input from the user, and outputs the operation information to the CPU 11. The RAM 13 is a volatile semiconductor memory capable of reading and writing information, provides a working area for the CPU 11, and temporarily stores data and programs. The display unit 14 has a display panel such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and displays various display information input from the CPU 11 and the like on the display panel. The storage unit 15 is composed of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), etc., and is a storage unit capable of reading and writing information, and stores various data and various programs.

[0018] The storage unit 15 stores a learning support providing program P1 for executing the learning support providing process described later and a learning support program P2 for executing the learning support process described later. The learning support program P2 includes a notebook program P21 for executing the notebook process described later. The learning support providing program P1 is a program executed by the CPU 11. The learning support program P2 and the notebook program P21 are programs for execution on the browser of the terminal device 20. The browser is software that connects to a WEB server, receives and displays WEB page data.

[0019] Further, the storage unit 15 stores notebook management information for managing information related to notebooks created by the user in the learning support function. The storage unit 15 stores notebook management information for each user. The user can create a sticker (electronic sticker) and place the sticker on the notebook in the learning support function.

[0020] FIG. 3 is an example of a notebook screen 100 that displays a notebook, and sticky notes 101a to 101d are arranged in the notebook. The notebook is a notebook-type WEB component (digital component), which is a display element to be displayed on the display unit 24 (see FIG. 4) of the terminal device 20. The sticky note is a WEB component that records learning items in various expressions. Here, an example in which the shape of the sticky note is substantially rectangular will be described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Also, the sticky notes can be connected by directed connection lines. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the sticky note 101a and the sticky note 101b are displayed in a state of being connected by a connection line A1 having the sticky note 101a as the start end (connection source) and the sticky note 101b as the end (connection destination). The sticky note 101b and the sticky note 101c are displayed in a state of being connected by a connection line A2 having the sticky note 101b as the start end (connection source) and the sticky note 101c as the end (connection destination). The sticky note 101c and the sticky note 101d are displayed in a state of being connected by a connection line A3 having the sticky note 101c as the start end (connection source) and the sticky note 101d as the end (connection destination). In the present embodiment, the connection lines A1, A2, and A3 are arrows, but the present invention is not limited to arrows as long as the line includes direction information. A plurality of sticky notes connected by a connection line have an order (sequence) according to the direction of the connection line. The order of the plurality of connected sticky notes is, for example, the display order of the slide show function that sequentially displays each sticky note at set time intervals, or the order of the learning schedules of each sticky note. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the order of the sticky notes 101a to 101d is, in order from the top, the sticky note 101a, the sticky note 101b, the sticky note 101c, and the sticky note 101d. In the present embodiment, the connection line is not branched (connected from one sticky note to one sticky note and not connected from one sticky note to a plurality of sticky notes). The shape and size of the sticky note are assumed to be those that can be arranged in the notebook. The user can move the sticky note arranged in the notebook to an arbitrary position in the notebook via the operation unit 22.

[0021] The notebook management information has, in association with each other, identification information of the target notebook, identification information of the sticky notes arranged in the notebook, coordinate information of the sticky notes in the notebook, identification information of the sticky notes of the connection source / connection destination of the sticky notes, and the like.

[0022] In addition, in the learning support function, the storage unit 15 stores note management information for managing information related to the notes created by the user. The note management information includes information such as the identification information of the target note, the type of the note, and the content of the note. The type of the note is information indicating types corresponding to notes such as text notes, camera notes, link notes, file notes, dictionary notes, and tool notes. Each type of note will be described in detail later. The note content indicates the content of the note and is information that can specifically indicate a character string, an image, a video, etc. In addition, the note content includes information related to display settings such as the display size and background color of the note.

[0023] The communication unit 16 is a communication unit such as a network card connected to the communication network 30. The communication unit 16 transmits and receives information to and from external devices such as the terminal device 20 on the communication network 30 according to the instructions of the CPU 11. The communication unit 16 is a wired communication unit that is wired-connected to the communication network 30, but is not limited thereto, and may be a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication and is configured to be connected to the communication network 30 via a base station or an access point.

[0024] <1-2. Configuration of the Terminal Device> As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal device 20 includes a CPU 21, an operation unit 22, a RAM 23, a display unit 24, a storage unit 25, a communication unit 26, and a photographing unit 27. Each unit of the terminal device 20 is connected via a bus 28. The CPU 21 controls each unit of the terminal device 20. The CPU 21 reads out a specified program from among various programs stored in the storage unit 25 and expands it in the RAM 23, and executes various processes in cooperation with the expanded program.

[0025] The operation unit 22 has a keyboard with various keys and a pointing device that accepts position input. It receives key input and position input operation inputs from the user and outputs the operation information to the CPU 21. Here, it is assumed that the operation unit 22 has a mouse as the pointing device. Further, the operation unit 22 may include a touch panel integrally formed on the display panel of the display unit 24 and be configured to receive touch input from the user.

[0026] The RAM 23 is a volatile semiconductor memory capable of reading and writing information. It provides a working area for the CPU 21 and temporarily stores data and programs. The display unit 24 has a display panel such as an LCD or an EL display, and displays various display information input from the CPU 21 and the like on the display panel. The storage unit 25 is composed of an HDD, an SSD, etc., and is a storage unit capable of reading and writing information, and stores various data and various programs. The storage unit 25 stores a browser program P3 for executing the above-described browser.

[0027] The communication unit 26 is a communication unit such as a network card connected to the communication network 30. The communication unit 26 transmits and receives information to and from external devices such as the server 10 on the communication network 30 according to the instructions of the CPU 21. The communication unit 26 is a wired communication unit connected to the communication network 30 by wire, but is not limited thereto, and may be a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication and is configured to be connected to the communication network 30 via a base station or an access point. The imaging unit 27 is a digital camera unit having an optical system and an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor). It images a subject, generates image data of a still image or a moving image, and outputs it to the CPU 21.

[0028] <2. Operation of the Learning Support System> Next, the operation of the learning support system 1 of this embodiment will be described. In the learning support system 1, a case where a user who is a student uses the learning support function on the terminal device 20 and uses the notebook function therein will be described. First, on the terminal device 20, triggered by the input of an instruction to execute a browser from the user via the operation unit 22, the CPU 21 executes the browser according to the browser program P3. Then, on the terminal device 20 while the browser is being executed, triggered by the input of the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the WEB page providing the learning support function of the server 10 from the user via the operation unit 22, the CPU 21 uses the input URL to transmit a login request of the user to the server 10 via the communication unit 26.

[0029] On the server 10, when the CPU 11 receives a login request from the terminal device 20 via the communication unit 16, it executes a learning support providing process according to the learning support providing program P1 stored in the storage unit 15. First, the CPU 11 generates login screen data and transmits it to the terminal device 20 that is the request source. Then, on the terminal device 20, the CPU 21 receives the login screen data from the server 10 via the communication unit 26 and displays it on the display unit 24. Then, the CPU 21 accepts the input of the ID and password from the user via the operation unit 22 and transmits the input ID and password to the server 10 via the communication unit 26.

[0030] On the server 10, when the CPU 11 receives the ID and password from the terminal device 20 via the communication unit 16, it performs user login authentication using the received ID and password. When the user login authentication by the CPU 11 is successful, it reads out the learning support program P2 from the storage unit 15 and transmits the learning support program P2 to the terminal device 20 that has passed the login authentication via the communication unit 16.

[0031] In the terminal device 20, the CPU 21 receives the learning support program P2 from the server 10 via the communication unit 26, executes the learning support program P2 on the browser, and executes the learning support process. In this way, the terminal device 20 realizes the learning support process on the browser. In the learning support process, the CPU 21 receives the input of operation information from the user via the operation unit 22, and provides functions such as a notebook function and a class support function according to the input operation information. Further, in the learning support process, the CPU 21 appropriately transmits and receives various types of information necessary for the learning support process to and from the server 10 via the communication unit 26.

[0032] Hereinafter, the main body of the execution of the learning support process is the CPU 21. When the CPU 21 reads the information stored in the storage unit 15 of the server 10, it transmits a request for information to the server 10 via the communication unit 26. When the CPU 11 of the server 10 receives a request for information from the terminal device 20 via the communication unit 26, it reads the information from the storage unit 15 and returns it to the terminal device 20. These series of processes are simply described as the CPU 21 acquiring the information stored in the storage unit 15.

[0033] In the terminal device 20 during the execution of the learning support process, triggered by the input of a request to execute notebook processing that realizes the notebook function from the user via the operation unit 22, the CPU 21 executes notebook processing according to the notebook program P21 in the learning support program P2 received from the server 10. In this way, the main body of the notebook processing is the CPU 21.

[0034] (Notebook Processing) The notebook processing will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 5. First, the CPU 21 acquires the notebook management information and the sticker management information of the logged-in user stored in the storage unit 15 of the server 10 (step S1). Next, based on the notebook management information and the sticker management information acquired in step S1, the CPU 21 displays a notebook screen 100 for displaying the notebook on the display unit 24 (step S2).

[0035] FIG. 6 shows an example of a notebook screen 100 on which stickers 101a to 101d are arranged. In the example shown in FIG. 6, none of the stickers 101a to 101d are connected to each other. The notebook screen 100 has a storage icon 102, a submission icon 103, a transmission / reception icon 104, a multiple selection button 105, a button group 106, and an end button 107. When the notebook screen 100 of a new notebook is displayed in step S2, no stickers are displayed on the initial notebook screen 100.

[0036] The storage icon 102 is an icon for storing a sticker dragged and moved onto the storage icon 102 by the user within the notebook screen 100 in a predetermined folder. The submission icon 103 is an icon for submitting a sticker dragged and moved onto the submission icon 103 by the user within the notebook screen 100 to a predetermined submission destination. The transmission / reception icon 104 is an icon for transmitting a sticker dragged and moved onto the transmission / reception icon 104 by the user within the notebook screen 100 to the terminal device 20 used by other users. Also, the transmission / reception icon 104 is an icon for receiving a sticker transmitted from other users when clicked and input-operated by the user. The multiple selection button 105 is an icon for accepting a designation of a range (connection range) for selecting a plurality of stickers connected by a connection line when clicked and input-operated by the user.

[0037] The button group 106 is a plurality of buttons for accepting a start instruction or the like for transitioning to a process of creating a sticker arranged on the notebook screen 100. The button group 106 includes a text button 106a, a camera button 106b, a link button 106c, a file button 106d, a dictionary button 106e, and a tool button 106f.

[0038] The text button 106a is a button for transitioning to a screen for creating a text sticker on which text input via the operation unit 22 (for example, a keyboard) is displayed. The camera button 106b is a button for transitioning to a screen for creating a camera sticker on which a captured image captured by the imaging unit 27 is displayed. The link button 106c is a button for transitioning to a screen for creating a link sticker with a link destination URL on the WEB. The file button 106d is a button for acquiring files such as image files, video files, and PDF files and transitioning to a screen for creating a file sticker on which an image of the acquired file is displayed. The dictionary button 106e is a button for transitioning to a screen for creating a dictionary sticker on which a headword registered in the dictionary database and explanatory information corresponding to the headword are displayed. The tool button 106f is a button for transitioning to a screen for creating information included in various tools as a tool sticker. The end button 107 is a button for instructing the end of the notebook process.

[0039] Returning to FIG. 5, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the multiple selection button 105 has been click-input-operated by the user via the operation unit 22 (step S3). When the multiple selection button 105 has not been click-input-operated by the user (step S3; NO), the CPU 21 returns the notebook process to step S3.

[0040] On the other hand, when a user clicks and inputs a plurality of selection buttons 105 (step S3; YES), the CPU 21 accepts a drag-and-drop operation via the operation unit 22 by the user on the notebook screen 100 (step S4). FIG. 7 shows an example of the locus B1 of the drag-and-drop operation accepted in step S4. Next, the CPU 21 determines a connection range based on the drag-and-drop operation accepted in step S4 (step S5). In step S5, as shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 21 sets a rectangular area with the start position B2 and the end position B3 of the drag-and-drop operation as the diagonal as the connection range B4. That is, the CPU 21 sets a predetermined area (connection range B4) based on the coordinate positions of the specified two locations (start position B2 and end position B3). The CPU 21 functions as a setting unit. Step S5 is a setting step.

[0041] Next, the CPU 21 determines whether there are a plurality of sticky notes whose at least a part of the area overlaps with the connection range determined in step S5 and which are not connected to other sticky notes (step S6). If there are a plurality of sticky notes whose at least a part of the area overlaps with the connection range and which are not connected to other sticky notes (step S6; YES), the CPU 21 designates the plurality of sticky notes as connected sticky notes to be connected by connection lines in the following process (step S7). In the example shown in FIG. 7, the connected sticky notes are sticky notes 101a to 101d. That is, the CPU 21 selects, as connected sticky notes, the electronic sticky notes in which at least a part of the area is arranged within the set predetermined area (connection range B4). The CPU 21 functions as a selection unit. Steps S6 and S7 are selection steps. Also, the CPU 21 excludes the electronic sticky notes that have already been connected by visual association (connection lines) and selects a plurality of electronic sticky notes as connected sticky notes.

[0042] Next, the CPU 21 determines the reference position in the linked note based on the direction of the drag-and-drop operation received in step S4 (step S8). Specifically, if the direction from the start position to the end position of the drag-and-drop operation is from the upper left to the lower right, the CPU 21 sets the reference position in the linked note to the upper left corner of the linked note. If the direction from the start position to the end position of the drag-and-drop operation is from the lower left to the upper right, the CPU 21 sets the reference position in the linked note to the lower left corner of the linked note. If the direction from the start position to the end position of the drag-and-drop operation is from the lower right to the upper left, the CPU 21 sets the reference position in the linked note to the lower right corner of the linked note. If the direction from the start position to the end position of the drag-and-drop operation is from the upper right to the lower left, the CPU 21 sets the reference position in the linked note to the upper right corner of the linked note. In the example shown in FIG. 7, since the direction from the start position B2 to the end position B3 of the drag-and-drop operation is from the upper left to the lower right, the CPU 21 sets the reference position in the linked note to the upper left corner of the linked note.

[0043] Next, the CPU 21 determines the connection order in the linked sticky note based on the start position of the drag-and-drop operation received in step S4 and the reference position of the linked sticky note determined in step S8 (step S9). Specifically, the CPU 11 determines the connection order in ascending order of the distance from the start position of the drag-and-drop operation to the reference position in the linked sticky note. That is, the CPU 21 determines the connection order among a plurality of electronic sticky notes based on the specified two coordinate positions (start position B2 and end position B3) and the specified order (the direction of the drag-and-drop operation) when the two coordinate positions are specified. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the linked sticky note with the shortest distance from the start position B2 of the drag-and-drop operation to the upper left corner of the sticky note, which is the reference position of the linked sticky note, is sticky note 101a. Also, the linked sticky note with the second shortest distance from the start position B2 to the upper left corner of the sticky note, which is the reference position of the linked sticky note, is 101b. Also, the linked sticky note with the third shortest distance from the start position B2 to the upper left corner of the sticky note, which is the reference position of the linked sticky note, is 101c. Also, the linked sticky note with the fourth shortest distance from the start position B2 to the upper left corner of the sticky note, which is the reference position of the linked sticky note, is 101d. Therefore, the CPU 21 determines the connection order in the linked sticky note as sticky note 101a, sticky note 101b, sticky note 101c, and sticky note 101d from the top.

[0044] Next, the CPU 21 connects the connection slips to each other one-to-one with connection lines and displays them based on the connection order determined in step S9 (step S10). That is, when the CPU 21 selects a plurality of electronic slips as connection slips, the plurality of slips are serially linked so that the connection order between the plurality of electronic slips can be identified by a visual association (connection line). The CPU 21 functions as a connection unit. Step S10 is a connection step. FIG. 3 shows an example in which connection slips (slips 101a to 101d) are connected by connection lines A1 to A3 and displayed. In step S10, the CPU 21 connects from the midpoint of any side constituting the source slip to the midpoint of any side constituting the destination slip with a connection line so that the length of each connection line is the shortest. When the CPU 21 receives a drag-and-drop operation on any of the connected slips by the user, only the slip on which the drag-and-drop operation is performed is moved on the notebook screen 100 among the plurality of connected slips. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 21 displays a connection mark 101e on the first slip (slip 101a) among the connected slips. The connection mark 101e is a mark indicating that any slip is connected to the slip 101a and the slip 101a is the first slip. Note that as shown in FIG. 3, it is preferable to display the connection mark 101e protruding in a tongue shape as a part of the slip to improve its visibility.

[0045] Next, the CPU 21 determines whether the user has clicked on the linked mark 101e via the operation unit 22 (step S11). If the user has clicked on the linked mark 101e (step S11; YES), the CPU 21 superimposes the plurality of linked sticky notes (step S12). That is, the CPU 21 displays the plurality of electronically linked sticky notes superimposed in series based on the instruction operation by the user. When the linked mark 101e of the sticky note 101a shown in FIG. 3 is clicked, the CPU 21 superimposes the linked sticky notes 101a to 101d as shown in FIG. 8 and displays them on the notebook screen 100 as the superimposed sticky note 101f. At this time, the CPU 21 displays the superimposed sticky note 101f such that two sticky notes overlap. Also, the CPU 21 displays the content of the top sticky note (sticky note 101a) on the superimposed sticky note 101f. Further, the CPU 21 displays a superimposed mark 101g on the superimposed sticky note 101f. The superimposed mark 101g is a mark indicating that a plurality of linked sticky notes are superimposed. Also, when the CPU 21 receives a drag-and-drop operation on the superimposed sticky note 101f by the user, it moves the superimposed sticky note 101f on the notebook screen 100 based on the drag-and-drop operation.

[0046] Next, the CPU 21 determines whether the user has clicked on the superimposed mark 101g via the operation unit 22 (step S13). If the user has clicked on the superimposed mark 101g (step S13; YES), the CPU 21 expands the superimposed sticky note 101f and returns it to the state of the linked sticky notes 101a to 101d shown in FIG. 3 (step S14). The relative positions between the expanded sticky notes 101a to 101d are the same as the relative positions before being superimposed. When the superimposed sticky note 101f is moved based on the drag-and-drop operation as described above, when the CPU 21 expands the superimposed sticky note 101f, it displays the linked sticky notes 101a to 101d in a state where they are moved by the same amount as the movement amount of the superimposed sticky note 101f.

[0047] Also, when there are no multiple tags whose connection range overlaps at least a part of the area and which are not connected to other sticky notes (step S6; NO), when the user does not click and input the connected mark 101e (step S11; NO), or when the user does not click and input the overlapping mark 101g (step S13; NO), the CPU 21 proceeds with the notebook process to step S15.

[0048] Next, the CPU 21 determines whether the user has clicked and input the end button 107 via the operation unit 22 (step S15). When the user has clicked and input the end button 107 (step S15; YES), the CPU 21 ends the notebook process. On the other hand, when the user has not clicked and input the end button 107 (step S15; NO), the CPU 21 proceeds with the notebook process to step S3.

[0049] Note that in the above notebook process, instead of step S11, the CPU 21 may execute step S10 and then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, superimpose the connected tags 101a to 101d and display them as the superimposed tag 101f on the notebook screen 100. That is, the CPU 21 may serially link a plurality of electronic sticky notes and then, after a predetermined time has elapsed, superimpose and display the plurality of electronic sticky notes.

[0050] Also, in the above notebook process, the CPU 21 may accept a selection operation of the type of sticky note (text sticky note, camera sticky note, link sticky note, file sticky note, dictionary sticky note, tool sticky note, etc.) by the user via the operation unit 22, exclude the connected sticky notes of a type different from the type selected by the user, and display the connected sticky notes connected by connection lines. That is, in this case, the CPU 21 connects and displays the connected sticky notes of the type selected by the user to each other by connection lines.

[0051] Also, in the above notebook processing, the CPU 21 may concatenate the linked sticky notes for each type of sticky note. For example, when the linked sticky notes include a plurality of text sticky notes and a plurality of camera sticky notes, the CPU 21 concatenates and displays the text sticky notes with a connecting line, and concatenates and displays the camera sticky notes with a connecting line. In this case, the CPU 21 does not concatenate the text sticky notes and the camera sticky notes.

[0052] Also, in step S6 of the above notebook processing, the CPU 21 may determine whether there are a plurality of sticky notes in which a predetermined amount or a region of a predetermined ratio or more is arranged within the connection range determined in step S5 and which are not connected to other sticky notes. The predetermined amount or the predetermined ratio is set in advance. In this case, in step S7, the CPU 21 sets a plurality of sticky notes in which a predetermined amount or a region of a predetermined ratio or more is arranged within the connection range and which are not connected to other sticky notes as linked sticky notes. That is, the CPU 21 selects, as linked sticky notes, electronic sticky notes in which a region of a predetermined amount or a predetermined ratio or more is arranged within a set predetermined area (connection range B4).

[0053] Also, in step S6 of the above notebook processing, the CPU 21 may determine whether there are a plurality of stickers in which a predetermined portion is arranged within the connection range determined in step S5 and which are not connected to other stickers. The predetermined portion is, for example, the connection mark 101h shown in FIGS. 3, 6 to 8. The connection mark 101h is an instruction means for instructing to connect stickers to each other. When the connection mark 101h of a predetermined first sticker is dragged and dropped to a predetermined second sticker by the user, the CPU 21 connects the first sticker and the second sticker with a connection line having the first sticker as the connection source and the second sticker as the connection destination. Also, the predetermined portion in the sticker is, for example, the center of the sticker area. And in step S7, the CPU 21 sets a plurality of stickers in which a predetermined portion is arranged within the connection range and which are not connected to other stickers as connected stickers. That is, the CPU 21 selects, as connected stickers, electronic stickers in which a predetermined portion is arranged within a set predetermined area (connection range). In the example shown in FIG. 7, when a sticker in which the connection mark 101h is arranged within the connection range B4 and which is not connected to other stickers is selected as a connected sticker, the connected stickers are stickers 101a to 101c. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which, in this case, the connected stickers (stickers 101a to 101c) are connected to each other one-to-one by connection lines A1 and A2 and displayed. Note that as shown in FIGS. 3, 6 to 9, it is preferable that the connection mark 101h is displayed so as to protrude in a tongue shape as a part of the sticker to improve its visibility.

[0054] <3. Effects> As described above, the information processing apparatus (terminal device 20) of the present embodiment includes a setting unit (CPU 21) that sets a predetermined area (connection range B4) based on two specified coordinate positions (start position B2 and end position B3), and selects an electronic sticky note in which at least a part of the area or a predetermined part is arranged within the area set by the setting unit, or selects an electronic sticky note in which an area of a predetermined amount or a predetermined ratio or more is arranged within the area set by the setting unit. A selection unit (CPU 21), and a connection unit (CPU 21) that, when a plurality of electronic sticky notes are selected by the selection unit, serially links the plurality of electronic sticky notes so that the connection order between the plurality of electronic sticky notes can be identified by visual association. As a result, it is possible to omit the work of connecting the connection lines one by one from the source sticky note to the destination sticky note by a drag-and-drop operation. Therefore, a plurality of sticky notes can be easily visually associated with each other.

[0055] Further, in the information processing apparatus (terminal device 20) of the present embodiment, the connection unit (CPU 21) determines the connection order between a plurality of electronic sticky notes based on two specified coordinate positions (start position B2 and end position B3) and the specified order (direction of the drag-and-drop operation) when the two coordinate positions are specified. As a result, the connection order between a plurality of sticky notes can be easily determined.

[0056] Further, in the information processing apparatus (terminal device 20) of the present embodiment, the selection unit (CPU 21) excludes the electronic sticky notes that are already connected by visual association and selects a plurality of electronic sticky notes. As a result, only the unconnected sticky notes can be connected by a connection line.

[0057] Further, in the information processing apparatus (terminal device 20) of the present embodiment, after serially linking a plurality of electronic sticky notes, the connection unit (CPU 21) displays the plurality of electronic sticky notes in a superimposed manner after a predetermined time has elapsed. As a result, it is possible to omit the instruction operation for the user to superimpose the plurality of connected sticky notes.

[0058] Also, in the information processing apparatus (terminal device 20) of the present embodiment, the connection unit (CPU 21) displays a plurality of electronically attached notes that are serially linked and overlapped based on an instruction operation by the user. Thereby, the user can overlap a plurality of linked notes at a desired timing.

[0059] In the above description, an example in which the storage units 15 and 25 (HDD, SSD) are used as the computer-readable medium of the program according to the present invention has been disclosed, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As other computer-readable media, it is possible to apply a flash memory or a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Further, a carrier wave is also applied to the present invention as a medium for providing the data of the program according to the present invention via a communication line.

[0060] Note that the description in the above embodiment is an example of the information processing apparatus and the program according to the present invention, and is not limited thereto. For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the execution subject of the notebook process is the CPU 21 of the terminal device 20 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the CPU 11 of the server 10 may execute the notebook process. In this case, the CPU 11 of the server 10 corresponds to the "setting unit", the "selection unit", and the "connection unit", and the server 10 corresponds to the "information processing apparatus". Further, regarding the notebook process, a part of the process may be executed by the CPU 11 of the server 10, and the remaining process may be executed by the CPU 21 of the terminal device 20.

[0061] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0062] 1... Learning support system, 10... Server, 20... Terminal device (information processing device), 11... CPU, 21... CPU (setting unit, selection unit, connection unit), 12, 22... Operation unit, 13, 23... RAM, 14, 24... Display unit, 15, 25... Storage unit, 16, 26... Communication unit, 17, 28... Bus, 27... Photographing unit, 30... Communication network

Claims

1. A setting unit that sets a predetermined area based on two specified coordinate positions; A selection unit that selects an electronic sticky note in which at least a part of the area or a predetermined part is arranged within the area set by the setting unit, or selects an electronic sticky note in which a predetermined amount or a region of a predetermined ratio or more is arranged within the area set by the setting unit; A connection unit that, when a plurality of electronic sticky notes are selected by the selection unit, serially connects the plurality of electronic sticky notes so that the connection order between the plurality of electronic sticky notes can be identified by visual association; An information processing apparatus comprising the above.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection unit determines the connection order based on the two coordinate positions and the designation order when the two coordinate positions are designated.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects the plurality of electronic sticky notes while excluding the electronic sticky notes that have been connected by the visual association.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection unit superimposes and displays the plurality of electronic sticky notes after a predetermined time has elapsed since the plurality of electronic sticky notes are serially connected.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection unit superimposes and displays the plurality of serially connected electronic sticky notes based on an instruction operation by a user.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined part is an instruction means for instructing to connect the electronic sticky notes to each other by the visual association.

7. A program that causes a computer of an information processing apparatus to function as: A setting unit that sets a predetermined area based on two specified coordinate positions; A selection unit that selects an electronic sticky note in which at least a part of the area or a predetermined part is arranged within the area set by the setting unit, or selects an electronic sticky note in which a predetermined amount or a region of a predetermined ratio or more is arranged within the area set by the setting unit; A connection unit that, when a plurality of electronic sticky notes are selected by the selection unit, serially connects the plurality of electronic sticky notes so that the connection order between the plurality of electronic sticky notes can be identified by visual association; as described above.

8. An information processing method executed by an information processing apparatus, comprising: A setting step of setting a predetermined area based on two specified coordinate positions; A selection step of selecting an electronic sticky note in which at least a part or a predetermined portion of the area is arranged within the area set by the setting step, or selecting an electronic sticky note in which a predetermined amount or an area of a predetermined ratio or more is arranged within the area set by the setting step; A connection step of, when a plurality of electronic sticky notes are selected in the selection step, serially connecting the plurality of electronic sticky notes so that the connection order between the plurality of electronic sticky notes can be identified by visual association; An information processing method including the above.

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