Metaphor selecting/switching system in information processors

摘要

A metaphor selecting/switching system in an information processor which incorporates metaphor and function groups 3 and 2 independently, selects a matched metaphor/function combination based on similarities between metaphors and functions and lets input and output of information be performed via an input/output means comprises attribute lists 4 and 5 having information on attributes and similarities regarding each metaphor and each function, a similarity calculator means 6 for calculating similarities from the information on the similarities regarding each metaphor and each function, and a control means 7 for controlling the switching of one metaphor to another and the matching of a particular metaphor with a particular function, said switching of one metaphor to another being performed by calculating said similarities whenever operation is performed via said input/output means. Thus, the function or metaphor having the highest similarity is automatically selected as a well-matched metaphor/function combination. This makes it unnecessary for the user to memorize which metaphor corresponds to which function, and so releases the user from troublesome work. In addition, the user can be presented with information with the metaphor most familiar to her or him, because the matching of metaphors with functions is achieved in terms of similarities therebetween. Even with an information processor having additional functions, the work load on the user can be reduced, because it can be used with metaphors familiar with her or him.