User-friendly information processing device and method and computer program product for retrieving and displaying objects

Claim 2

An information processing device for retrieving and displaying desired objects from a database wherein a plurality of objects including text data are registered, said information processing device comprising: setting means for setting a keyword as a retrieval constraint; retrieval means for retrieving, from the database, objects containing a word/phrase corresponding to the keyword set by the setting means or a word/phrase related to this keyword; and processing means for performing a process to display the objects retrieved by the retrieval means such that in each retrieved object, each word/phrase corresponding to the keyword set by the setting means and each word/phrase which is related to this keyword is displayed in a manner which is different than a manner in which words, included in the respective retrieved object, that do not relate or correspond to this keyword are displayed, wherein the manner in which each word/phrase corresponding to this keyword and each word/phrase related to this keyword is displayed is in accordance with a respective degree of similarity to this keyword.

Claim 3

A device in accordance with claim 1 , wherein each word/phrase corresponding to the keyword and each word/phrase related to the keyword is displayed at a display density which corresponds stepwise to the respective degree of similarity to the keyword.

Claim 4

A device in accordance with claim 2 , further comprising a storage means for storing a plurality of keywords for use as retrieval constraints and for storing degrees of similarity between each of the plurality of keywords, wherein said processing means determines each respective degree of similarity to said set keyword based on the degrees of similarity stored in the storage means.

Claim 5

An information processing method for retrieving and displaying desired objects from a database wherein a plurality of objects including text data are registered, said information processing method comprising the steps of: setting a keyword as a retrieval constraint; retrieving, from the database, objects containing a word/phrase corresponding to the keyword set in the step of setting or a word/phrase related to this keyword; and performing a process to display the objects retrieved in the step of retrieving such that in each retrieved object, each word/phrase corresponding to the keyword set in the step of setting and each word/phrase which is related to this keyword is displayed in a manner which is different than a manner in Which words, included in the respective retrieved object, that do not relate or correspond to the keyword are displayed, wherein the manner in which each word/phrase corresponding to the keyword and each word/phrase related to the keyword is displayed is in accordance with a respective degree of similarity to the keyword.

Claim 6

An information processing method for retrieving and displaying desired objects from a database wherein a plurality of objects including text data are registered, said information processing method comprising the steps of: setting a keyword as a retrieval constraint; retrieving, from the database, objects containing a word/phrase corresponding to the keyword set in the step of setting or a word/phrase related to this keyword; and performing a process to display the objects retrieved in the step of retrieving such that in each retrieved object, each word/phrase corresponding to the keyword set in the step of setting and each word/phrase which is related to this keyword is displayed in a manner which is different than a manner in Which words, included in the respective retrieved object, that do not relate or correspond to the keyword are displayed, wherein the manner in which each word/phrase corresponding to the keyword and each word/phrase related to the keyword is displayed is in accordance with a respective degree of similarity to the keyword.

Claim 7

A method mn accordance with claim 4 , wherein each word/phrase corresponding to the keyword and each word/phrase related to this keyword is displayed at a display density which corresponds stepwise to the respective degree of similarity to the keyword.

Claim 8

A computer program product which is recorded on a recording medium and which is executable by a computer for retrieving and displaying desired objects from a database, wherein a plurality of objects including text data are registered in the database, said computer program product comprising: setting means for setting a keyword as a retrieval constraint; retrieval means for retrieving, from the database, objects containing a word/phrase corresponding to the keyword set by the getting means or a word/phrase related to this keyword; and processing means for performing a process to display the objects retrieved by the retrieval means such that in each retrieved object, each word/phrase corresponding to the keyword set by the setting means and each word/phrase which is related to the keyword is displayed in a manner which is different than a manner in which words, included in the respective retrieved object, that do not relate or correspond to the keyword are displayed, wherein the manner in which each word/phrase corresponding to the keyword and each word/phrase related to the keyword is displayed is in accordance with a respective degree of similarity to the keyword.

Claim 9

A computer program product which is recorded on a recording medium and which is executable by a computer for retrieving and displaying desired objects from a database, wherein a plurality of objects including text data are registered in the database, said computer program product comprising: setting means for setting a keyword as a retrieval constraint; retrieval means for retrieving, from the database, objects containing a word/phrase corresponding to the keyword set by the getting means or a word/phrase related to this keyword; and processing means for performing a process to display the objects retrieved by the retrieval means such that in each retrieved object, each word/phrase corresponding to the keyword set by the setting means and each word/phrase which is related to the keyword is displayed in a manner which is different than a manner in which words, included in the respective retrieved object, that do not relate or correspond to the keyword are displayed, wherein the manner in which each word/phrase corresponding to the keyword and each word/phrase related to the keyword is displayed is in accordance with a respective degree of similarity to the keyword.

Claim 10

A computer program product in accordance with claim 6 , wherein each word/phrase corresponding to the keyword and each corresponds stepwise to the respective degree of similarity to the keyword.

Claim 11

An information processing device for retrieving and displaying desired objects from a database wherein a plurality of objects are registered with pieces of attribute information, said information processing device comprising setting means for setting a piece of attribute information as a retrieval constraint; retrieval means for retrieving, from the database, objects based on the piece of attribute information set by the setting means; and processing means for performing, a process to display each object retrieved by the retrieval means in a manner according to a respective degree of similarity between pieces of attribute information annexed to the respective retrieved object and the piece of attribute information set by the setting means.

Claim 12

An information processing device for retrieving and displaying desired objects from a database wherein a plurality of objects are registered with pieces of attribute information, said information processing device comprising setting means for setting a piece of attribute information as a retrieval constraint; retrieval means for retrieving, from the database, objects based on the piece of attribute information set by the setting means; and processing means for performing, a process to display each object retrieved by the retrieval means in a manner according to a respective degree of similarity between pieces of attribute information annexed to the respective retrieved object and the piece of attribute information set by the setting means.

Claim 13

A device in accordance with claim 8 , further comprising a storage means for storing a plurality of pieces of attribute information and for storing degrees of similarity between each of the plurality of pieces of attribute information, wherein said processing means determines each respective degree of similarity between the pieces of attribute information annexed to the respective retrieved object and the piece of attribute information set by the setting means based on the degrees of similarity stored in the storage means.

Claim 14

A device in accordance with claim 8 , wherein each retrieved object is displayed at a display density which corresponds stepwise to the respective degree of similarity.

Claim 15

A device in accordance with claim 8 , wherein each retrieved object is displayed with a frame having a thickness which corresponds stepwise to the respective degree of similarity.

Claim 16

An information processing method for retrieving and displaying, desired objects from a database wherein a plurality of objects are registered with pieces of attribute information, said information processing method comprising the steps of: setting a piece of attribute information as a retrieval constraint; retrieving, from the database, objects based on the piece of attribute information set In the step of setting; and performing a process to display each object retrieved in the step of retrieving in a manner according to a respective decree of similarity between pieces of attribute information annexed to the respective retrieved object and the piece of attribute information set in the step of setting.

Claim 17

An information processing method for retrieving and displaying, desired objects from a database wherein a plurality of objects are registered with pieces of attribute information, said information processing method comprising the steps of: setting a piece of attribute information as a retrieval constraint; retrieving, from the database, objects based on the piece of attribute information set In the step of setting; and performing a process to display each object retrieved in the step of retrieving in a manner according to a respective decree of similarity between pieces of attribute information annexed to the respective retrieved object and the piece of attribute information set in the step of setting.

Claim 18

A method in accordance with claim 12 , wherein each retrieved object is displayed at a display density which corresponds stepwise to the respective degree of similarity.

Claim 19

A method in accordance with claim 12 , wherein each retrieved object is displayed with a frame having a thickness which corresponds stepwise to the respective degree of similarity.

Claim 20

A computer program product which is recorded on a recording medium and which is executable by a computer for retrieving and displaying desired objects from a database, wherein a plurality of objects are registered in the database with pieces of attribute information, said computer program product comprising: setting means for setting a piece of attribute information as a retrieval constraint; retrieval means for retrieving, from the database, objects based on the piece of attribute information set by the setting means; and processing means for performing a process to display each object retrieved by the retrieval means in a manner according to a respective degree of similarity between pieces of attribute information annexed to the respective retrieved object and the piece of attribute information set by the setting means.

Claim 21

A computer program product which is recorded on a recording medium and which is executable by a computer for retrieving and displaying desired objects from a database, wherein a plurality of objects are registered in the database with pieces of attribute information, said computer program product comprising: setting means for setting a piece of attribute information as a retrieval constraint; retrieval means for retrieving, from the database, objects based on the piece of attribute information set by the setting means; and processing means for performing a process to display each object retrieved by the retrieval means in a manner according to a respective degree of similarity between pieces of attribute information annexed to the respective retrieved object and the piece of attribute information set by the setting means.

Claim 22

A computer program product in accordance with claim 15 , wherein each retrieved object is displayed at a display density which corresponds stepwise to the respective degree of similarity.

Claim 23

A computer program product in accordance with claim 15 , wherein each retrieved object is displayed with a frame having a thickness which corresponds stepwise to the respective degree of similarity.

Claim 24

An information processing device for retrieving and displaying desired objects from a database wherein a plurality of objects are registered, said information processing device comprising: setting means for setting an object as a retrieval constraint; retrieval means for retrieving, from the database, objects based on the object set by the setting means; and processing means for performing a process to display each object retrieved by the retrieval means in a manner according to a respective degree of similarity between the respective retrieved object and the object set by the setting means.

Claim 25

An information processing device for retrieving and displaying desired objects from a database wherein a plurality of objects are registered, said information processing device comprising: setting means for setting an object as a retrieval constraint; retrieval means for retrieving, from the database, objects based on the object set by the setting means; and processing means for performing a process to display each object retrieved by the retrieval means in a manner according to a respective degree of similarity between the respective retrieved object and the object set by the setting means.

Claim 26

A device in accordance with claim 18 , further comprising a storage means for storing degrees of similarity between each of the plurality of objects registered in the database, wherein said processing means determines each respective degree of similarity between the objects retrieved by the retrieval means and the object set by the setting means, based on the degrees of similarity stored in the storage means.

Claim 27

A device in accordance with claim 18 , wherein each retrieved object is displayed at a display density which corresponds stepwise to the respective degree of similarity.

Claim 28

A device in accordance with claim 18 , wherein each retrieved object is displayed with a frame having a thickness which corresponds stepwise to the respective degree of similarity.

Claim 29

An information processing method for retrieving and displaying desired objects from a database wherein a plurality of objects are registered, said information processing method comprising the steps of: setting an object as a retrieval constraint; retrieving, from the database, objects based on the object set in the step of setting; and performing a process to display each object retrieved in the step of retrieving in a manner according to a respective degree of similarity between the respective retrieved object and the object set in the step of setting.

Claim 30

An information processing method for retrieving and displaying desired objects from a database wherein a plurality of objects are registered, said information processing method comprising the steps of: setting an object as a retrieval constraint; retrieving, from the database, objects based on the object set in the step of setting; and performing a process to display each object retrieved in the step of retrieving in a manner according to a respective degree of similarity between the respective retrieved object and the object set in the step of setting.

Claim 31

A method in accordance with claim 22 , wherein each retrieved object is displayed at a display density which corresponds stepwise to the respective degree of similarity.

Claim 32

A method in accordance with claim 22 , wherein each retrieved object is displayed with a frame having a thickness which corresponds stepwise to the respective degree of similarity.

Claim 33

A computer program product which is recorded on a recording medium and which is executable by a computer for retrieving and displaying desired objects from a database, wherein a plurality of objects are registered in the database, said computer program product comprising: setting means for setting an object as a retrieval constraint; retrieval means for retrieving, from the database, objects based on the object set by the setting means; and processing means for performing a process to display each retrieved object retrieved by the retrieval means in a manner according to a respective degree of similarity between the respective retrieved object and the object set by the setting, means.

Claim 34

A computer program product which is recorded on a recording medium and which is executable by a computer for retrieving and displaying desired objects from a database, wherein a plurality of objects are registered in the database, said computer program product comprising: setting means for setting an object as a retrieval constraint; retrieval means for retrieving, from the database, objects based on the object set by the setting means; and processing means for performing a process to display each retrieved object retrieved by the retrieval means in a manner according to a respective degree of similarity between the respective retrieved object and the object set by the setting, means.

Claim 35

A computer program product in accordance with claim 25 , wherein each retrieved object is displayed at a display density which corresponds stepwise to the respective degree of similarity.

Claim 36

A computer program product in accordance with claim 25 , wherein each retrieved object is displayed with a frame having a thickness which corresponds stepwise to the respective degree of similarity.