Display system and display method

Abstract

A display system and method for displaying categorized information is provided. [Solution] Categorization includes one or more super categories for classifying a plurality of objects and a plurality of sub categories included in each super category. A display method for displaying categorized information includes causing a computer to execute the following operations based on information of a plurality of objects classified into each of the super categories and the sub categories: displaying a plurality of objects in a display area, the plurality of objects including one or more super symbols 61 each representing one or more corresponding super categories and a plurality of sub symbols 62 each representing a plurality of sub categories; and changing a display of at least one of the plurality of objects in the display area.

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] For example, EC (electronic commerce) sites handle a wide variety of goods and services, and therefore these items are classified and displayed in a number of categories. In addition, services that provide content such as books, videos, or music may also classify and display the content by genre. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for classifying websites that do not require login authentication into categories and displaying a list of the classified category names on the initial screen of an information processing device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-210773 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned classification of websites, it is possible to switch between displaying them in order of category and displaying them in order of time. It is also disclosed that content information belonging to categories with a high level of interest to the user is displayed in order. Thus, there are multiple methods for displaying objects classified into multiple categories, such as products, content, or websites. The optimal solution for how to display the objects varies depending on the purpose of the display, but the greater the number of objects to be classified or the number of categories, the greater the amount of data, making it more difficult to display them in an easy-to-understand manner.

[0005] For example, an e-commerce site may have millions of items, and it is necessary to handle a huge amount of data in order to display them. In order to display such a huge amount of data in an easy-to-understand way, new methods of expression using data science are required.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to provide a display system and method for displaying categorized information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A display system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a display system for displaying categorized information, the categorization including one or more higher categories for classifying a plurality of objects and a plurality of lower categories included in each of the higher categories, the display system comprising one or more processors and one or more memories configured to store display data, the display data including object data for displaying a plurality of objects in a display area, the plurality of objects including one or more higher symbols representing the one or more higher categories to which the one or more higher symbols correspond, and a plurality of lower symbols each representing the plurality of lower categories, the one or more processors being configured to execute the following operations: displaying the plurality of objects in the display area based on information of the plurality of objects classified into each of the higher categories and the lower categories; and changing the display of at least one of the plurality of objects in the display area.

[0008] A display method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a display method for displaying categorized information, the categorization including one or more higher categories for classifying a plurality of objects and a plurality of lower categories included in each of the higher categories, the method including causing a computer to execute the following steps based on information of the plurality of objects classified into each of the higher categories and the lower categories: displaying a plurality of objects in a display area, the plurality of objects including one or more higher symbols representing the one or more higher categories to which the one or more higher symbols correspond, and a plurality of lower symbols, each of the plurality of lower symbols representing a plurality of lower categories; and changing the display of at least one of the plurality of objects in the display area. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a display system according to this embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the schematic configuration of some devices related to the display system of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between a number of categories. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display area. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display screen including a main screen and a sub-screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating one upper symbol and multiple lower symbols. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the display method of this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Examples of a display system 11 and a display method for displaying categorized information will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 7. The present invention is not limited to these examples, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims, in addition to the contents indicated by the claims.

[0011] [Data display system overview] As shown in FIG. 1 , a 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 is capable of accessing the database 13 through a network 14. The display device 12 may include a part or all of the database 13. The web server 15 may be capable of accessing the database 13 through the network 14. The web server 15 provides an EC site for providing products or services.

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

[0013] A plurality of user terminals 16 may be capable of communicating with the web server 15 through the network 14. The user terminals 16 are information processing devices operated by users, such as smartphones, personal computers, and tablets. The display device 12, the web server 15, and the user terminals 16 are each an example of a computer. The web server 15 provides various information or processing results to each of the one or more user terminals 16 in response to a request from the user terminals 16.

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

[0015] 2 shows the basic configuration of a computer including 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 (e.g., ASIC, etc.) that processes at least a part of the software processes. In other words, the software processes may be executed by a processing circuitry that includes 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 central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microprocessor unit (MPU), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other arithmetic device. The processor 21 executes a series of instructions included in a computer program stored in the memory 22 in response to a signal provided thereto or in response to the establishment of a predetermined condition.

[0018] The one or more memories 22 may include, for example, a random access memory (RAM), or other volatile memory. The memory 22 may be configured to temporarily store programs and data. The one or more memories 22 may include storage that permanently stores data including programs. The programs include applications and an operating system. The storage may be, for example, a read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive, a flash memory, or other non-volatile storage device. 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 can also be realized, for example, but not limited to, as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or other wireless communication IF.

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

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

[0022] The user database includes registration information of users who use the EC site. The registration information may include, for example, but is not limited to, the name, age, gender, address, account, email address, user ID, and payment information of each of a plurality of users. Examples of payment information are a credit card number, a debit card number, or a withdrawal account number. The user database may include a purchase history of each user on the EC site. The purchase history may include, for example, but is not limited to, the purchased item, the genre and category of the item (higher category and lower category), the purchase date and time, and the purchase amount.

[0023] The store database includes registration information of multiple stores (or businesses) that open on the EC site. The store registration information may include, for example, but is not limited to, each store's name, store ID, address, items sold, genres and categories (higher and lower categories) of the items sold. The store database may include sales history of each store on the EC site. The sales history may include, for example, but is not limited to, items sold, sales date and time, genres and categories (higher and lower categories) of the items, and transaction amounts.

[0024] The item database may include, but is not limited to, the name, item ID, name of the store selling the item, price, model number, genre, category (super-category and sub-category), attributes (e.g., size or color), and transaction history of each of a plurality of items. The transaction database includes transaction history on the EC site. The transaction history may include, but is not limited to, the transaction ID, purchaser (user), seller (store), transaction item, transaction item information, item genre and category (super-category and sub-category), transaction date and time, and transaction amount for each transaction. The definition database includes data for defining relationships between categories, including super-categories and sub-categories.

[0025] [EC site categorization] As shown in FIG. 3, which illustrates a portion of category classification 30, EC sites handle a wide variety of items. These multiple items are generally classified into hierarchical categories. Each category is given a genre name to facilitate management and search of items. The characters written in categories 41 to 43 in FIG. 3 are examples of genre names.

[0026] When the category classification 30 has a two-hierarchical structure, the category classification 30 may include a plurality of upper categories 41 (e.g., fashion, cosmetics, hair care, etc.) included in the first hierarchy 31, and a plurality of lower categories 42 (e.g., skin care, hair care, etc.) included in each upper category 41. The upper category 41 is also called a category of the first hierarchy 31, and the lower category 42 is also called a category of the second hierarchy 32. The plurality of lower categories 42 are included in the second hierarchy 32 below the first hierarchy 31. The second hierarchy 32 is a lower hierarchy of the first hierarchy 31. When the category classification 30 has a three-hierarchical structure, there may be a third hierarchy 33 below the second hierarchy 32, and each lower category 42 may include a plurality of categories 43 of the third hierarchy. The third hierarchy 33 is a lower hierarchy of the second hierarchy 32. The number of hierarchies and the number of categories may be increased or decreased as desired.

[0027] In operating an EC site, various data analyses are performed to properly manage the items being handled and to develop an effective sales strategy. As an example, the display device 12 is configured to display in a display area a classification of a plurality of items being offered on the EC site and transaction trends. 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] The one or more memories 22 of the display device 12 are configured to store data for display. At least a portion of the data for display may be linked to user data in the database 13, such as a user's purchase history. Alternatively or in addition, at least a portion of the data for display may be linked to at least one of an item database or a transaction database. In this case, data such as a purchase history may be an aggregate value (e.g., total sales amount) for a specified period (e.g., monthly or yearly), or a ratio of the specified period to the previous period (last month or year) may be used.

[0029] The display data may be designed along a specific theme. For example, in order to express a multi-layered structure of categories, a design imitating a mechanism of the natural world, such as an ecosystem, or a design like a planetary system may be adopted. In this case, the display data may include background data and a plurality of display objects according to the theme. It is desirable that the theme of the display data is designed so that a user can easily recognize the relationship between categories, including upper and lower categories.

[0030] [Example of category classification display] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, this example employs display data with a theme of multiple planetary systems 51 (51A to 51E) floating in space. For convenience of expression, the background is white in Figures 4 to 6, but in reality, the background of the background data is an image representing outer space with a black base to represent the universe in two or three dimensions. Each of the multiple planetary systems 51 represents multiple higher 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 higher order symbols 61 (61A to 61D, reference numerals 61E and 61F are omitted) and a plurality of lower order symbols 62 (62A to 62F). Each of the plurality of higher order symbols 61 represents a plurality of higher order categories 41. Each of the plurality of lower order symbols 62 represents a plurality of lower order categories 42. The plurality of objects may include a trajectory 63 of movement of each of the lower order symbols 62. The trajectory 63 is arranged based on the higher order symbol 61. The trajectory 63 may be constantly displayed as an object, or may be hidden.

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

[0033] Controlling the display may include at least one of moving the multiple lower symbols 62 along a trajectory 63 based on the corresponding higher-level symbol 61 and changing the display of the multiple lower symbols 62 or the trajectory 63. Controlling the display may also include changing at least one of the moving speed, moving range, or display change speed of the corresponding lower symbols 62 or the trajectory 63 according to information on the items classified into each lower category 42. An object that moves or changes its display in this way is also called a variable object. An attribute related to the change of a variable object is called a variable attribute. The variable attribute includes at least one of the moving speed, moving range, display range, or display change speed, but is not limited to these.

[0034] 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. The main screen 46 may display a navigation window 53 showing an overall image of the display contents. A display frame 52 showing the display range of the main screen 46 may be displayed within the navigation window 53.

[0035] The main screen 46 may display a plurality of subjects including a higher-level symbol 61 and a plurality of lower-level symbols 62. The sub-screen 47 may display information on a plurality of items classified into a selected category of the higher-level category 41 or the lower-level category 42. Selection of the category 41, 42 can be performed, for example, by selecting the corresponding symbol 61, 62. The white arrow superimposed on 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 contents, such as setting the display color, selecting the display category, or selecting the display data. By operating these buttons 48, it is possible to change, for example, the display color of various display objects, change the representation theme, select the upper symbol 61 (upper category 41) to be displayed, or change the target period of the data. The number of buttons 48 and the operation contents of each of them can be changed as desired.

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

[0038] The arrangement of the multiple higher order symbols 61 may be determined based on data of objects classified into the corresponding higher order categories 41. For example, the distance between the multiple higher order symbols 61 may be determined based on the association or degree of association between the corresponding higher order categories 41. The degree of association between two higher order categories 41 may be calculated based on the number of common purchasers (users) who purchased two items classified into the two corresponding higher order categories 41. For example, if many of the users who purchased products in the "cosmetics and hair care" genre also purchased products in the "home and pets" genre, "cosmetics and hair care" and "home and pets" have many overlapping purchasers as customer bases, and therefore the degree of association is high.

[0039] As a result of arranging a plurality of higher order symbols 61 based on these rules, the higher order symbols 61 arranged near the center of the display area 50 correspond to higher order categories 41 that have a buyer base that overlaps with other higher order categories 41. Conversely, the higher order categories 41 that correspond to the higher order symbols 61 arranged near the periphery of the display area 50 have an independent buyer base, that is, a buyer base that purchases only items in that category 41. A higher order category 41 that has a buyer base that overlaps with other higher order categories 41 can be said to be an important category from the viewpoint of promotion, even if its total sales amount is small.

[0040] The multiple 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 multiple higher order symbols 61. Each line 54 may represent the relationship between two higher order categories 41 corresponding to the two higher order symbols 61 connected by the line 54, or the degree of the relationship. For example, some higher order symbols 61 having a particularly high degree of relationship among the multiple higher order symbols 61 may be connected by a line 54 (54B, 54C, 54E). In this case, the line 54 may be thicker as the degree of relationship increases. The line 54 may be a straight line, a wavy line, or a curved line, but is not limited to these, and may be designed according to the theme of expression. The line 54 may be changed in thickness according to an index such as the degree of relationship, and may also be changed in blinking speed.

[0041] The line 54 may be a flow line representing the movement of a user between a plurality of upper categories 41. The movement includes a user who purchases an item classified into one of two upper categories 41 (e.g., the "cosmetics and hair care" genre) in a certain period of time, and then purchases an item classified into the other upper category 41 (e.g., the "home and pets" genre) in another (later) period of time.

[0042] In the case where there is a direction of movement, such as movement dynamics, the movement line 54 may be a dashed line with the direction of movement indicated by the blinking direction, or the movement direction may be indicated by an arrow. For example, if the movement line 54 is directed from the "Cosmetics and Hair Care" genre to the "Home and Pets" genre, it indicates that a certain number of purchasers who purchased items in the "Cosmetics and Hair Care" genre in the previous period have purchased items in the "Home and Pets" genre in the current period.

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

[0044] The orbit 63 is an elliptical shape imitating the orbit of a planet. However, the orbit 63 may have any shape as long as it is a shape for arranging or moving each of the multiple lower symbols 62 corresponding to one higher-order symbol 61 with one higher-order symbol 61 as a reference. For example, the orbit 63 can be arbitrarily changed to a straight line, an arc shape, an ellipse shape, or a circle shape according to the theme of the expression. Similarly, the display change of the lower symbols 62 is not limited to a rotational movement, and can be arbitrarily changed to a pendulum movement, a linear movement, a reciprocating movement, a vibration, a flashing, a change in size, or the like. When the lower symbols 62 do not move, the orbit 63 may simply be a line indicating the distance or relationship with the higher-order symbol 61.

[0045] The speed at which the lower symbols 62 move along the track 63 may vary depending on the information of the items classified into the corresponding subcategory 42. For example, the moving speed may be made faster as the rate of increase in the currently displayed data for the current period (e.g., quantity such as total sales amount) compared to the previous period (previous month or previous year) increases. For example, in the example of FIG. 6, the rate of increase in the total sales amount of the corresponding subcategory 42 (e.g., "men's cosmetics") is greater than the other subcategories 42, so the lower symbol 62F moves faster than the 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 result of calculation using various data including user data. For example, the size or color of at least one of the higher order symbols 61 and the lower order symbols 62 may be determined according to information (e.g., total sales amount) of the items classified into the corresponding categories 41, 42.

[0047] For example, in FIG. 6, the lower symbols 62A with the highest total sales amount of the items classified in the corresponding category 42 are colored in a warm color (e.g., red) and the lower symbol 62F with the lowest total sales amount are colored in a cool color (e.g., purple) to determine the color arrangement (e.g., orange and green) of the lower symbols 62B to 62E between them. Furthermore, the lower symbols 62A with the highest total sales amount are colored in a maximum size and the lower symbol 62F with the lowest total sales amount are colored in a minimum size to determine the size of the lower symbols 62B to 62E between them. 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 items traded or the number of purchasers. Note that if the sizes are directly proportional to the data, the balance of the display may be poor, so it is preferable to adjust the relative sizes at an appropriate ratio based on a specified calculation.

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

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

[0050] In the example of FIG. 6, the orbital plane of each of the multiple orbits 63 centered on one higher-level symbol 61 is inclined with respect to a common reference plane (not shown, for example, a horizontal plane) at an inclination angle according to information on the item classified into the corresponding lower-level category 42. The inclination angle may be determined based on information other than the size, color, or distance from the higher-level symbol 61 of the lower-level symbol 62. For example, the inclination angle may be increased as the growth rate of the total sales amount relative to the previous period (for example, the previous month or the previous year) increases. In the example of FIG. 6, the lower-level category 42F has a smaller total sales amount than the other lower-level categories 42A to 42E, but has a larger growth rate of the total sales amount. In other words, this indicates that the lower-level category 42F is a best-selling genre.

[0051] [How to display category classification] A method of displaying category classification is illustrated in Fig. 7. The flow in Fig. 7 is started, for example, when a display operation of the display window 45 (for example, starting an application) is performed, and is ended, for example, when a closing operation of the display window 45 (for example, closing an application) is performed.

[0052] First, in step S11, the processor 21 of the display device 12 reads data to be displayed (e.g., 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 (e.g., symbols 61, 62, trajectory 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 trajectory 63.

[0053] In step S13, the processor 21 of the display device 12 performs calculations using the read data to determine a variable attribute (e.g., a moving speed) of a variable object (e.g., a lower symbol 63). Step S13 may be performed before step S12 or simultaneously with step S12.

[0054] In step S14, the processor 21 of the display device 12 displays various objects (e.g., symbols 61, 62, track 63, and line 54) in the display area 50 based on the display attributes determined in step S12. In addition, in step S15, the processor 21 of the display device 12 performs display control of the variable objects (e.g., movement control of the lower symbol 63) based on the variable attributes determined in step S13. Step S15 may be started simultaneously with step S14.

[0055] Some or all of the objects to be displayed may be displayed based on the defined display attributes without performing calculations. When the display attributes of all objects are defined, step S12 may be omitted. Variable attributes may also be defined in advance for variable objects. When the variable attributes of all variable objects are defined, step S13 may be omitted.

[0056] [Effects of the present disclosure] The various objects displayed in the display area 50 are not merely illustrations that are designed for appearance, but display conditions (e.g., display attributes and variable attributes) are determined based on the information of the items classified into the upper category 41 and the lower category 42. Therefore, the information related to the items can be visualized in an easily understandable manner. Furthermore, by moving some of the objects (e.g., circular movement of the lower symbols 62) or changing the display (e.g., blinking of the flow line 54), the temporal fluctuation of the information can be visualized by the speed of movement or change.

[0057] The display data can also be generated to represent three-dimensional space. However, if the display area 50 is a two-dimensional display, what is visible is a two-dimensional screen. In such a two-dimensional screen, a three-dimensional space can be represented by creating a sense of depth from the shape of the orbit 63 displayed in the display area 50 and the manner in which the lower symbols 62 move. If the display data is generated in three or more dimensions, an operation to change the viewpoint on the display area 50 may be possible.

[0058] One example of a conventional data display method is a method of displaying the total monthly sales amount for multiple subcategories 42 in a table. This table only lists numbers in rows and columns, making it difficult to visually recognize features such as increases and decreases in sales amount or differences between categories. In addition, when graphing table data, it is difficult to express multiple features in one graph. In contrast, the display method of the present disclosure can simultaneously visualize differences or variations in data by reflecting data in display attributes or variable attributes such as size, color, arrangement, movement speed, and tilt angle of multiple objects.

[0059] Here, if many objects are displayed or move in different ways, the amount of information may become too large and it may be difficult to understand. In the present disclosure, the display is designed according to a theme that many people have basic knowledge about, such as "outer space," so that people who see it can intuitively understand the regularity of the shapes or movements of multiple objects. Therefore, even if a large amount of information is included, the data can be comprehensively grasped by relying on the world view expressed by the objects, such as first understanding the arrangement of multiple higher-level symbols 61, then understanding the state of the planetary system corresponding to each higher-level category 41, and further grasping the situation of the lower-level category 42 from the arrangement, size, and movement of multiple lower-level symbols 62.

[0060] In this example, related expression elements are given similar meanings, such as the size and color of the lower symbols 62 reflecting the relative size of the same total sales amount, and the inclination angle of the track 63 and the moving speed of the lower symbols 62 reflecting the growth rate of the total sales amount. In this way, by appropriately reflecting the meaning of the data in the expression of the object, it is possible to facilitate more intuitive understanding.

[0061] The display contents of 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. This allows information related to an item to be viewed from multiple angles. In addition, since objects are linked to actual data, it is possible to output data linked to a selected object (for example, the lower symbol 62). For example, by selecting a lower symbol 62 with a large inclination angle of the trajectory 63, data on the currently best-selling genre can be obtained.

[0062] For example, in an organization that operates an EC site, if promotion staff are assigned to each of categories 41 and 42, each staff member can extract user information from categories that are highly related to his / her own category and promote the category he / she is in charge of. By promoting between categories in this way, it becomes possible to promote sales throughout the entire EC site.

[0063] [Effects of this disclosure] According to the present disclosure, the following effects can be achieved. (1) By representing the information of categories 41 and 42 with symbols 61 and 62, respectively, it is possible to visualize the item data of superordinate category 41 and the item data of subordinate category 42. Furthermore, by changing the display of some of the objects, for example, the subordinate symbol 62, it is possible to make the subordinate symbol 62 stand out or to have the change in display reflect a change in information.

[0064] (2) By treating a plurality of lower symbols 62 as variable objects relative to one higher symbol 61 and determining the movement speed of these lower symbols 62 based on data, the difference in data between a plurality of lower categories 42 can be visualized.

[0065] (3) The shape, size, color, or arrangement of objects including symbols 61 and 62 can be determined based on related data, thereby making the data visible. (4) By determining the arrangement of multiple lower-level symbols 62 for one higher-level symbol 61 based on information about items classified into the corresponding lower-level category 42, the differences in item data for multiple lower-level categories 42 for one higher-level category 41 can be visualized.

[0066] (5) By moving a plurality of lower level symbols 62 along a trajectory 63 based on a corresponding higher level symbol 61, the item data of the lower level category 42 corresponding to each lower level symbol 62 can be visualized.

[0067] (6) By determining the inclination angles of multiple orbits 63 based on related data, the differences in the data can be visualized. (7) By connecting higher-level symbols 61 with lines 54, the association or degree of association between corresponding higher-level categories 41 can be visualized.

[0068] (8) By connecting higher-level symbols 61 with flow lines 54, the movement of users between corresponding higher-level categories 41 can be visualized. (9) By determining the distance between multiple higher order symbols 62 based on the association or degree of association between the corresponding higher order categories 41, the association between the higher order categories 41 can be visualized.

[0069] (10) By calculating the relevance between two higher-level categories 41 based on the number of purchasers who purchased two items classified into each of the two corresponding higher-level categories 41, the number of overlapping purchasers of the two higher-level categories 41 can be visualized.

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

[0071] (12) By determining the display attribute based on the quantity within the current period (prescribed period) and the variable attribute based on the rate of change between the quantity in the previous period and the quantity in the current period, the current quantity can be reflected in the display attribute 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 a plurality of symbols 61, 62 are linked to data of the corresponding categories 41, 42, respectively, by selecting the symbols 61, 62, the data of the corresponding categories 41, 42 can be extracted.

[0073] (14) The main screen 46 displays an overall picture of the data, and the sub-screen 47 can display additional information related to the upper category 41 corresponding to the selected upper symbol 61. This allows the main screen 46 to display an overall picture of the data, while the sub-screen 47 can selectively display additional information as necessary.

[0074] (15) Since the multiple higher-level symbols 61 are represented as the central star of a planetary system 51 floating in space, the multiple lower-level symbols 62 can be represented as planets revolving around the higher-level symbol 61 along an orbit 63. This makes it possible to borrow the natural laws of a planetary system to clearly visualize the independent relationships between the multiple higher-level categories 41, and the relationship between one higher-level category 41 and the multiple lower-level categories 42 that belong to it.

[0075] [Example of change] This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that there is no technical contradiction.

[0076] [Change Example 1] The multiple higher level symbols 61 may differ in at least one of shape, size, and color based on information on items classified into the corresponding higher level categories 41. For example, the shapes of the multiple higher level symbols 61 may be changed according to the total sales amount or the growth rate of the total sales amount. Similarly, the multiple lower level symbols 62 may differ in at least one of shape, size, and color based on information on items classified into the corresponding lower level categories 42.

[0077] [Change Example 2] Symbols corresponding to categories in different hierarchical levels, for example, higher-level symbols 61 and lower-level symbols 62, may have different shapes. For example, a plurality of higher-level categories may be represented as a galaxy, with the higher-level symbol 61, a genre name (character object), displayed at the center of the galaxy. In this case, the orbits 63 of the lower-level symbols 62 may be spirals extending radially from the center of the galaxy. The lower-level symbols 62 may move toward the center or away from the center depending on the increase or decrease in the total sales amount or number of users compared to the corresponding previous period.

[0078] [Change Example 3] Categorization is not limited to categorizing items into genres. For example, the system and method of the present disclosure may be applied to categorizing a plurality of services. In this case, the upper categories may be a plurality of services such as web shopping, ticket reservations, securities trading, insurance product sales, facility reservations, e-book sales, and content viewing such as movies or music, and the lower categories may correspond to the genres of each service. In this case, the target may be users of each service, and the display attributes and variable attributes of various objects may be determined based on the number of users or sales amount. This makes it possible to perform analysis to formulate marketing measures that recommend the use of a certain service to users of another service.

[0079] Alternatively, the system and method of the present disclosure may be applied to categorizing multiple brands. In this case, the customers (purchasers) of each brand may be targeted, and the movement of users between higher-level categories (brands) may be analyzed. Alternatively, the products handled by a certain brand may be categorized by genre, and the total sales amount or number of users for each genre may be analyzed. Such an analysis may be used, for example, to consider a collaboration partner in a collaboration project with a brand in another genre, or to consider the brand of goods to be used in advertising. In addition, multiple point services that allow points to be converted into each other may be treated as higher-level categories, and the items handled or exchange benefits of each point service may be treated as lower-level categories.

[0080] Web pages or advertisement pages may be classified. In this case, the degree of relevance between pages classified into different categories may be analyzed, or a customer journey across categories may be analyzed, and the results may be used to create web pages or advertisement pages or for marketing activities.

[0081] [Change Example 4] The relevance between categories can also be calculated using a machine learning program. As an example, the purchase history (list of purchased items) of multiple purchasers (users) can be used as training data, and Word2Vec can be used as an algorithm to predict the closeness between categories. For example, a purchaser's purchase list is "soft drinks" - "outdoor goods" - "running shoes" ... Then, by vectorizing similar purchase lists for multiple purchasers, the similarity between the purchasers can be calculated. The relevance between items or users in categories can be determined based on such similarity.

[0082] [Change Example 5] The theme of the representation of the objects in the display area 50 can be changed arbitrarily according to the category classification or the classification target. For example, objects with topography, flora, or fauna may be set on the theme of a natural ecosystem. For example, the height of a mountain or tree, the length of a river, or the number of animals and plants may be used to represent the size of a quantity, or the moving speed of an animal may be controlled. Alternatively, a puzzle-like world view may be represented using an object with a geometric pattern, or a higher category may be represented by a similar item. For example, a higher category of 1 may be represented by a clock object, and the fluctuation of information of an object belonging to a lower category may be represented by the movement of a pendulum, or the fluctuation of information may be represented by the rotation speed of the hour hand, minute hand, or second hand. For a pendulum object, different information may be reflected in the display attributes such as the rotation speed, rotation angle, and length of the pendulum.

[0083] [Change Example 6] The display method or display method of the present disclosure may be used by item sellers to manage items, and may also be used by item purchasers to consider purchasing items.

[0084] [Change Example 7] The display area 50 is not limited to a two-dimensional display, but may be a three-dimensional display area using, for example, technologies such as 3D holograms.

[0085] [Change Example 8] Display attributes of various objects may be determined based on the quantity (total sales amount, total number of sales, or number of purchasers) of objects (items) classified into each category within a specified period. In this case, display attributes (e.g., shape, size, or color of at least one object) may be determined based on the quantity in the specified period (first period), and variable attributes of the object (e.g., movement speed, movement range, movement distance, mode of change, speed of change, or range of change) may be determined based on the rate of change (e.g., increase rate or decrease rate) between the quantity in the first period and the quantity in a second period prior to the first period (e.g., last month or last year).

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

[0087] [Change Example 10] In the above embodiment, a case where multiple higher order symbols are displayed is exemplified, but one higher order symbol and multiple lower order symbols corresponding to the higher order symbol may be displayed. That is, the categorization may include one higher order category and multiple lower order categories included in the higher order category. In this case, the multiple objects include one higher order symbol corresponding to one higher order category.

[0088] Aspects grasped based on the above embodiment and modified examples are listed below. [1] 1. A display system for displaying categorized information, comprising: The category classification includes one or more super categories for classifying a plurality of objects, and a plurality of sub categories included in each of the super categories, and the display system includes: one or more processors; one or more memories configured to store data for display; the display data includes object data for displaying a plurality of objects in a display area; The plurality of objects include: one or more higher order symbols, the one or more higher order symbols representing the one or more corresponding higher order categories; a plurality of subordinate symbols, each of the plurality of subordinate symbols representing a plurality of subcategories; The one or more processors, based on information of the plurality of objects classified into each of the higher category and the lower category, displaying the plurality of objects in the display area; Varying a display of at least one of the plurality of objects in the display area; A display system configured to execute the [2] the at least one display-changing object is a floating object; The one or more processors, based on information related to the variable object among the information of the plurality of targets, determining a variance attribute of the variance object; Varying a display of the variable object based on the variable attribute; configured to run The change attribute includes at least one of a moving speed, a moving range, a display range, or a speed of a display change; 13. A display system according to claim 12. [3] The one or more processors: determining display attributes of at least one of the plurality of objects based on information associated with a corresponding object of the plurality of target information; displaying the plurality of objects in the display area based on the display attributes; configured to run The display attributes include at least one of shape, size, color, or arrangement; A display system according to the above [1] or [2]. [4] determining the display attribute includes determining an arrangement of the plurality of lower symbols with respect to one of the higher symbols based on information of objects classified into a corresponding lower category; 13. A display system according to claim 12, wherein said display system is [5] changing the display includes moving the plurality of lower order symbols along a trajectory based on a corresponding one of the upper order symbols; A display system according to any one of the above [1] to [4]. [6] The orbit is an arc, an ellipse, or a circle centered on the most significant symbol of the one, The orbital plane of each of the plurality of orbits centered on the one higher-level symbol is inclined with respect to a common reference plane at an inclination angle according to information of an object classified into a corresponding lower-level category. 13. A display system according to claim 12, wherein said display system is [7] The one or more higher order categories include a plurality of higher order categories, the one or more significant symbols include a plurality of significant symbols, the plurality of objects includes a line connecting at least two of the plurality of higher order symbols; the line represents a relationship or a degree of relationship between two higher-level categories corresponding to the two higher-level symbols connected by the line; A display system according to any one of the above [1] to [6]. [8] The plurality of targets includes a plurality of items of goods or services traded on the EC site, a user database configured to store information of a plurality of users of the e-commerce site; the user database includes a purchase history of each of the plurality of users on the EC site; the line is a flow line representing the movement of the user among the plurality of higher-level categories; The movement dynamics include a user who purchases an item classified in one of the two superordinate categories during a certain period of time, and purchases an item classified in the other superordinate category during another period of time. 13. A display system according to claim 12, wherein said display system is [9] The one or more higher order categories include a plurality of higher order categories, The one or more significant symbols include a plurality of significant symbols, determining display attributes of the plurality of objects includes determining distances between the plurality of higher order symbols based on degrees of association between the corresponding higher order categories; 13. A display system according to claim 12, wherein said display system is

[10] The plurality of targets includes a plurality of items of goods or services traded on the EC site, The relevance between the two higher-level categories is calculated based on the number of purchasers who purchased two items classified into the two corresponding higher-level categories, respectively. 1. A display system according to claim 7 or 9.

[11] The plurality of targets includes a plurality of items of goods or services traded on the EC site, The information on the subject includes quantities during a specified period associated with items classified into each category; The quantity includes at least one of a total sales amount, a total number of sales, or a number of purchasers; A display system according to any one of the above [1] to

[10] .

[12] the at least one display-changing object is a floating object; The one or more processors: determining display attributes of at least one of the plurality of objects based on information associated with a corresponding object of the plurality of target information; displaying the plurality of objects in the display area based on the display attributes; determining a variable attribute of at least one variable object of the plurality of objects based on information related to a corresponding variable object among information of the plurality of objects; controlling a display of the at least one variable object based on the variable attribute; configured to run The display attribute is determined based on a quantity within a specified period of time; The variable attribute is determined based on a rate of change between a quantity in a period prior to the specified period and a quantity in the specified period. A display system according to any one of the above items [1] to

[11] .

[13] a database configured to store data about the plurality of subjects; 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, when any one of the plurality of objects is selected, displaying data associated with the selected object. A display system according to any one of the above [1] to

[12] .

[14] the display area is a two-dimensional display screen, the display screen including a main screen for displaying the plurality of objects and a sub-screen aligned with the main screen; the one or more processors are configured to, when one of the one or more higher order symbols is selected on the main screen, execute a process of displaying, on the sub-screen, additional information related to the higher order category corresponding to the selected higher order symbol; the additional information includes information regarding each of the plurality of subcategories included in the superordinate category; A display system according to any one of the above [1] to

[13] .

[15] the display data includes background data; the background represented by the background data represents a universe in two or more dimensions; Each of the higher symbols is represented as a 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 revolving around a corresponding central star in an orbit. A display system according to any one of the above [1] to

[14] .

[16] A display method for displaying categorized information, comprising: The categorization includes one or more super categories for classifying a plurality of objects, and a plurality of sub categories included in each of the super categories; The method includes causing a computer to: A display area is provided for displaying a plurality of objects, the plurality of objects comprising: one or more higher order symbols, the one or more higher order symbols representing the one or more corresponding higher order categories; a plurality of subordinate symbols, each of the plurality of subordinate symbols representing a plurality of subcategories; Varying a display of at least one of the plurality of objects in the display area; A display method comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[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 hierarchy, 32...second hierarchy, 33...third hierarchy, 41...higher 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...higher symbol, 62, 62A, 62B, 63C, 63D, 63E...lower symbol, 63...orbit.

Claims

1. 1. A display system for displaying categorized information, comprising: The category classification includes one or more higher-level categories for classifying a plurality of items of goods or services traded on the EC site, and a plurality of lower-level categories included in each of the higher-level categories, and the display system includes: one or more processors; one or more memories configured to store data for display; a transaction database configured to store transaction data including transaction histories of the plurality of items, the transaction data including at least one of a total sales amount, a total number of items sold, or a number of purchasers of items classified into the one or more superordinate categories and each of the plurality of subordinate categories; Equipped with the display data includes object data for displaying a plurality of objects in a display area of ​​a display connected to a computer; The plurality of objects include: one or more higher order symbols, the one or more higher order symbols representing the one or more corresponding higher order categories; a plurality of sub-symbols, each of the plurality of sub-symbols representing a plurality of subcategories; a plurality of movement trajectories for each of the plurality of lower order symbols, the movement trajectories having an inclination angle with respect to a common reference plane corresponding to each of the upper order symbols; The one or more processors: determining display attributes of the plurality of objects, the display attributes including a relative distance of the plurality of lower symbols to each of the higher symbols and a tilt angle of the plurality of orbits, the relative distance being calculated to be shorter as the quantity of the lower category corresponding to the lower symbol is larger, and the tilt angle being calculated to be larger as the growth rate of the quantity of the lower category corresponding to the lower symbol is larger; displaying the plurality of objects in the display area; moving at least one of the plurality of lower level symbols along the track in the display area; A display system configured to execute the

2. The one or more processors include: determining a relative moving speed of the plurality of lower order symbols, the moving speed being calculated so as to be faster as the growth rate of the quantity of the lower order category corresponding to the lower order symbol is larger; moving the plurality of lower level symbols along the trajectory at the moving speed; configured to execute The display system of claim 1 .

3. the one or more processors are configured to determine a size of the plurality of sub-symbols; The size is calculated so that the larger the number of the sub-categories corresponding to the sub-symbols is, the larger the size is. The display system of claim 1 .

4. The orbit is an arc, an ellipse, or a circle centered on each of the higher-order symbols. The display system of claim 1 .

5. the one or more higher order categories are a plurality of higher order categories, the one or more most significant symbols are a plurality of most significant symbols, the plurality of objects includes a line connecting at least two of the plurality of higher order symbols; the display attributes include the line thickness; determining the display attribute includes calculating a thickness of the line so that the thickness of the line increases as the number of overlapping purchasers who purchased two items classified into the corresponding two higher-level categories increases; The display system of claim 1 .

6. The one or more higher-level categories are a plurality of higher-level categories, the one or more most significant symbols are a plurality of most significant symbols, a user database configured to store information of a plurality of users of the EC site; the user database includes a purchase history of each of the plurality of users at the EC site; the plurality of objects includes a line connecting at least two of the plurality of higher order symbols; the line is a dotted line that represents the movement of the user among the plurality of higher-level categories by moving a blinking direction; the display attributes include a blinking direction; determining the display attribute includes determining a direction of blinking such that, when a user who has purchased an item classified into one of the two higher-level categories in a period before a certain period purchases an item classified into the other higher-level category in the certain period, the blinking moves from a higher-level symbol corresponding to the one higher-level category to the higher-level symbol corresponding to the other higher-level category; The display system of claim 1 .

7. the one or more higher order categories are a plurality of higher order categories, the one or more most significant symbols are a plurality of most significant symbols, the display attribute includes a distance between the plurality of higher-level categories; determining the display attribute includes calculating a relative distance between two higher-level categories so that the relative distance is shorter as the overlapping number of purchasers who purchased two items classified into the two corresponding higher-level categories increases; The display system of claim 1 .

8. Each of the one or more higher order symbols and the plurality of lower order symbols is associated with the transaction data of a corresponding category; the one or more processors, when any one of the one or more higher order symbols and the plurality of lower order symbols displayed in the display area is selected, display, on the display, the transaction data associated with the selected symbol. A display system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. the display area is a two-dimensional display screen, the display screen including a main screen for displaying the plurality of objects and a sub-screen aligned with the main screen; the one or more processors are configured to, when one of the one or more higher order symbols is selected on the main screen, execute a process of displaying, on the sub-screen, additional information related to the higher order category corresponding to the selected higher order symbol; the additional information includes information regarding each of the plurality of subcategories included in the superordinate category; A display system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. A display method for displaying categorized information, comprising: The category classification includes one or more higher-level categories for classifying a plurality of items of goods or services traded on the EC site, and a plurality of lower-level categories included in each of the higher-level categories; The method includes: a computer calculating a quantity related to at least one of a total sales amount, a total number of sales, or a number of purchasers of items classified into the one or more higher order categories and each of the plurality of lower order categories; A method for displaying a plurality of objects in a display area of ​​a display connected to a computer, the plurality of objects comprising: one or more higher order symbols, the one or more higher order symbols representing the one or more corresponding higher order categories; a plurality of sub-symbols, each of the plurality of sub-symbols representing a plurality of subcategories; a plurality of movement trajectories for each of the plurality of lower order symbols, the movement trajectories having an inclination angle with respect to a common reference plane corresponding to each of the upper order symbols; determining display attributes of the plurality of objects, the display attributes including a relative distance of the plurality of lower symbols to each of the higher symbols and a tilt angle of the plurality of orbits, the relative distance being calculated to be shorter as the quantity of the lower category corresponding to the lower symbol is larger, and the tilt angle being calculated to be larger as the growth rate of the quantity of the lower category corresponding to the lower symbol is larger; moving at least one of the plurality of lower level symbols along the track in the display area; A display method comprising:

Images