JP2000348034A - System and method for stored matter management - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To clearly specify target stored mater and their storage place only by retrieval from a database by mutually relating and storing character data, image data, and storage area data relating to the stored matter. SOLUTION: A management terminal 4 inputs the character data and image data of the stored matter and further specifies the position of the stored matter, and those character data, image data, and storage area data are mutually related and stored in the database 1. A retrieval terminal 3 retrieves the stored matter. For example, when a key word is inputted, the stored matter specified with the key word are retrieved from the database 1 and the result is displayed on the retrieval terminal 3. Storage area data relating to the retrieved stored matter are read out of the database 1 and on the basis of the storage area data, the location of the retrieved stored matter is visually displayed. Further, the character data and image data representing the contents of the retrieved stored matter are read out of the database 1 and displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system and method for managing a collection using not only characters but also visual data, and more particularly to an organization for managing a large amount of collection such as libraries, museums, museums, and rental stores. And can be suitably used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in institutions that manage a large amount of collections, such as libraries, museums, museums, and rental shops, a database that stores information (collection names, characteristics, storage locations, and the like) on the collections is stored. By constructing, we manage those collections. However, since the information on the stored items is mainly expressed by characters, there are the following problems.

[0003] First, even if a desired storage location is searched from a database, an accurate location cannot be confirmed intuitively. Without searching for information, the location of the collection could not be specifically identified.

[0004] Second, if the user does not accurately remember information such as a name or a feature that specifies the target collection, the search result obtained from the database does not include the target collection. It was difficult to judge whether or not it was done. For example, if it is a book, there is no problem if the title and author name are clearly known, but for ambiguous information such as "books for gardening", books obtained as a result of searching the database based on that information The only way to confirm whether or not it was the one actually went to the storage was confirmed. However,
In libraries, museums, museums, etc., what is freely viewed or displayed is often a part of the entire collection, and many other collections are stored under stricter management standards, so they are freely viewed or displayed In the area where the collection is located, it is not always possible to find the target even if you go to the area or classification related to the target collection.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to clearly specify a target storage object and its storage location only by searching a database relating to the storage object. And

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, first, in accordance with the present invention, character data in which information relating to a stored object is represented by characters and information relating to a stored object are visually represented. Means for constructing a database that stores the image data and the storage area data that visually represent the storage area in association with each other, and specifies a location in the storage area that is visually displayed or specifies a keyword. Means for retrieving stored items from a database by inputting, means for visually displaying the location of the searched stored items, and means for displaying the contents of the searched stored items by character data or image data This is a storage management system characterized by this.

[0007] In the invention of claim 2, character data expressing information on the stored object in characters, image data visually expressing the information on the stored object, and storage area data visually expressing the storage area. Constructing a database in which the stored items are stored in association with each other, searching for stored items from the database by specifying a location in the storage area visually displayed or inputting a keyword, A stored object management method characterized by including a step of visually displaying a location of the object and a step of displaying the contents of the searched stored object by character data or image data.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

[0009] An example of the configuration of the stored article management system of the present invention is as follows.
As shown in FIG. The database 1 is a computer to which the auxiliary storage device 2 is attached. The database 1 is character data that expresses information relating to the stored objects in characters, image data that visually represents information relating to the stored items, and a visual expression that represents the storage area. Storage area data to be stored and managed in association with each other.

As an example of character data, in the case of a book, information on the contents of the book and its storage location, such as a field name, a classification name, a book name, an author name, a table of contents, a text, an index, and a shelf number, are written in characters. It is an expression. To give an example of image data, a book is a visual representation of information about the appearance and contents of the book, such as a cover and a photograph of a page. To give an example of storage area data, if it is a book, a layout diagram illustrating the arrangement of bookshelves distinguished by field or classification, an array diagram illustrating the arrangement of books on the bookshelf, etc.
This is data that visually represents the positions of the stored items in the storage area.

By associating the character data, the image data, and the storage area data with each other, it is possible to search for a stored object from a keyword and visually display the location and contents of the stored object in addition to the characters. Become. It is also possible to search for a stored object by designating a location from the visually displayed storage area, and visually display the location and contents of the stored item in addition to characters.

The database 1 is connected to a search terminal 3 which is a computer and a management terminal 4 which is also a computer via a network 6. In the management terminal 4, character data of a stored object is input by an input device such as a keyboard, and image data such as a photograph or an illustration is input by an image input device such as a digital camera or a scanner. Further, by designating the position of the stored object in the storage area, the character data, the image data, and the storage area data are stored in the database 1 in association with each other.

The search terminal 3 searches for a stored item by designating a location from the visually displayed storage area or by inputting a keyword.
In the case of using a keyword, when a keyword is input using an input device such as a keyboard, a stored object specified by the keyword is searched from the database 1, and the result is displayed on the search terminal 3. The storage area data related to the searched storage object is read from the database 1, and the location of the storage object searched based on the storage area data is visually displayed. Further, character data and image data representing the contents of the retrieved storage item are read from the database 1 and displayed.

When a place in the storage area visually displayed is designated, the stored object at the designated place is searched from the database 1 and the result is displayed. The location of the stored item is visually displayed, and character data and image data representing the content of the stored item are read out from the database 1 and displayed.

Note that there may be a plurality of management terminals, and a plurality of search terminals. Further, the type of network may vary. For example, it may be a bus-type LAN as shown in FIG. 1 or the Internet.

Here, according to the flowchart of FIG.
A method of constructing a database will be described by describing a step of registering information on one stored article in the database.

STEP 1: Character data representing information on the stored items in characters is input from the management terminal 4.

STEP 2: Image data visually representing information on the stored object, such as a photograph of the stored item and an illustration of the stored item, is input from the management terminal 4 using the image input device 5.

STEP 3: The storage area data stored in the database 1 is read, and the storage area is visually displayed on the management terminal 4. Then, from the management terminal 4, the location of the stored item in the storage area is designated. Database 1
Stores character data, image data, and storage area data in association with each other.

Next, a method for retrieving stored items from a database will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

STEP 1: The search terminal 3 selects a search by a keyword or a search by designating a location in a storage area visually displayed. When the keyword search is selected, the process proceeds to STEP2. On the other hand, when the search by designating the location in the storage area visually displayed is selected, the process proceeds to STEP5.

STEP2: The search terminal 3 searches the database 1 by inputting a keyword specifying a stored item.

STEP3: The search result of the database 1 is displayed on the search terminal 3. As a result of the search, if there is a stored item specified by the keyword, the process proceeds to STEP4. On the other hand, if there is no stored article specified by the keyword, the process returns to STEP 2 to search by changing the keyword.

STEP 4: The storage area data stored in the database 1 is read out, and the location where the searched storage object exists is visually displayed on the search terminal 3.

STEP 5: The management terminal 3 is read by reading the storage area data stored in the database 1.
From among the storage areas visually displayed in, specify a place where it is thought that the target storage object is located.

STEP 6: The details of the designated place are visually displayed on the search terminal 3.

STEP 7: Pick up one of the searched collections, read out character data or image data representing the contents from the database 1, display the contents in characters on the search terminal 3, and at the same time, display photographs and illustrations, etc. Is also displayed visually. By checking the displayed contents, it is confirmed whether or not the stored item is the target.

STEP 8: E for the target stored material
Proceed to ND and end the search. On the other hand, if it is not the target storage, the process returns to SETP7, and the content of another searched storage is displayed and confirmed.

[0029]

As a result, the present invention has the following effects.

First, since the contents of the stored object are visually displayed in a photograph or an illustration in addition to the characters, the contents of the stored object can be clearly confirmed.

Second, since the place where the stored object exists is visually displayed, there is an effect that the place can be clearly confirmed.

Third, in addition to the keyword search, the search can be performed by designating a location in the storage area visually displayed, so that the search can be easily performed.

Therefore, there is an effect that a target storage object and its storage location can be clearly specified only by searching the database relating to the storage object.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a stored object management system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a process of registering one stored item in a database.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of searching for a stored item from a database.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Database 2 ... Auxiliary storage device 3 ... Search terminal 4 ... Management terminal 5 ... Image input device

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A storage system in which character data expressing information on a stored object in characters, image data visually expressing information on a stored object, and storage area data visually expressing a storage area are stored in association with each other. Means for constructing a database, and means for retrieving stored items from the database by designating a location in the storage area visually displayed or entering a keyword. And a means for displaying the contents of the searched collection by character data or image data. 2. A storage system in which character data expressing information on a stored object in characters, image data visually expressing information on a stored object, and storage area data visually expressing a storage area are stored in association with each other. Constructing a database, searching for stored items from the database by specifying a location in the storage area visually displayed, or entering a keyword, and visually retrieving the location of the searched storage item. And a step of displaying the contents of the searched collection by character data or image data.