JP2001005820A - Information retrieving device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information retrieving device capable of selectively holding a presented selection branches when narrowing the retrieved result. SOLUTION: Concerning this information retrieving device, when narrowing retrieved result data, first of all, the question nodes of respective leaves for pointing the retrieved result data stored in a retrieved result storage means 104 and answer nodes corresponding to these question nodes are extracted out of a hierarchical structure index storage means 102 by a selection branch generating means 106. Then, the selection branch generating means 106 generates a selection branch composed of question node and answer node groups. A selection branch display means 108 displays these branches for a user. When the user wants to hold this presented branch, the operation of selective holding is performed by a selective holding accepting means 151. Thus, this selection branch becomes a selective holding object and the new selection branch is continuously presented for the user.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information search apparatus for narrowing down search results using a hierarchical structure index.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a user inputs a search condition in the form of a logical expression or the like, a conventional information search apparatus searches a search target database storing search target data, and inputs the search target data from the database. The search result data corresponding to the search condition is presented to the user. However, the number of search result data may become very large depending on the input search condition. In such a case, it is necessary to narrow down the search result data.

In the case described above, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
Japanese Patent Application No. 114277 proposes the following information retrieval apparatus. In this information search device, first, the hierarchical structure index is presented to the user. Then, an upper node in the hierarchical structure index selected by the user is extracted as a question node, and a plurality of nodes located immediately below the extracted nodes are presented to the user as a group of answer nodes for the question node in a selection format. Then, the user selects one of the answer nodes from the group of answer nodes presented as these options, thereby narrowing down the search result data.

[0004]

However, in the information retrieval apparatus as described above, the user does not know which index should be selected to narrow down the search result data most efficiently. There was a problem that narrowing was not performed sufficiently. Also,
Since it is necessary to select the hierarchical structure index and to select the options in the selected hierarchical structure index, there is a drawback that the user is extremely burdened. Furthermore, even if the answer to the presented option is ambiguous, the user must select one of the options in order to continue the refined search, and there has been a problem of selecting an incorrect selection item. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, reduces the burden on the user, and, when an option or the like whose answer is unknown is presented,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an information retrieval device that allows a user to suspend the selection of the option and continue the selection of the next option.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, the narrowing-down execution means includes: an option storage means for storing an option to be presented to a user; Option extracting means for extracting an option from the means, option displaying means for presenting the option extracted by the option extracting means to the user, and suspending the user's selection with respect to the option presented by the option displaying means. Selection hold receiving means for receiving, and option-on-hold storage means for storing the options for which option-holding has been received by the option-hold receiving means, wherein the option display means is based on the contents of the option-on-hold storage means It is determined whether or not the option extracted from the option storage means is a suspended option, and if it is not a suspended option, it is presented to the user. And butterflies.

[0006] The invention described in claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1.
In the information search device described in the above, the option display means, when there are no more options that are not held and selected in the option storage means, release the hold of the options stored in the held option storage means, and The present invention is characterized in that the options are sequentially presented to the user and all options stored in the held option storage unit are cleared. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information search apparatus according to the first aspect, the option display unit stores a word corresponding to a question of an option extracted from the option storage unit and the suspended option storage unit. The stored option is compared with a word corresponding to the question of the option, and when both match, it is determined that the extracted option is a reserved option.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of one embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, 10
A search target database 1 stores a plurality of search target data. Reference numeral 102 denotes a hierarchical structure index storage unit which stores a plurality of hierarchical structure indexes.

Reference numeral 112 denotes search condition input means for receiving search conditions from a user. Search condition expression generation means 1
10 generates a search condition formula based on the search condition received from the user by the search condition input unit 112 and the search condition expression stored in the search condition expression storage unit 111. In addition, the search condition expression generation unit 110 includes the item reception unit 109
Generates a search condition expression based on the selection item received from the user and the search condition expression stored in the search condition expression storage unit 111. The search condition expression storage unit 111 stores the search condition expression generated by the search condition expression generation unit 110.

Reference numeral 103 denotes a search execution unit that searches the search target database 101 using the search expression generated by the search condition expression generation unit 110. A search result storage unit 104 stores the search results searched by the search execution unit 103. Reference numeral 105 denotes search result display means for displaying search results stored in the search result storage means 104.

Reference numeral 120 denotes a narrowing-down means, which is activated when the user receives an instruction to start narrowing-down. And
The narrowing means 120 has the following configuration. 106 is an option generating means, and the hierarchical structure index storing means 10
An option is generated with reference to the search result storage unit 104 and the search result storage unit 104. An option storage unit 107 stores the options generated by the option generation unit 106. 10
Reference numeral 8 denotes an option display unit, which displays the options stored in the option storage unit 107. An item selection accepting unit 109 accepts a user's selection of an option displayed on the option displaying unit 108. Reference numeral 151 denotes a selection hold accepting unit that accepts a user's operation of holding a selection for an option displayed on the option display unit 108. Reference numeral 152 denotes a held option storage unit that stores the options that have been selected and held by the selection holding unit 151.

Next, each part of the above-described embodiment will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. The search target database 101 stores a plurality of search target data. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, in the case of a database relating to plants, a table “plant” 200 includes an ID 201 and
A plant name 202, a keyword 203, and a description 204 are stored.

The hierarchical structure index storage means 102 stores a hierarchical structure index into the search target database 101. For example, search target database 1
01, in the case of a database on plants,
An index having a hierarchical structure as shown in FIG. 3 is stored. In the example of FIG. 3, the plant data is referred to as “leaf characteristics” 300.
From the viewpoint, a hierarchical classification is used as a hierarchical structure index. In FIG. 3, "how the leaves are attached" (reference numeral 301a), "leaves are like wings" are examples of nodes, and as shown in the figure, a node is another node or Have a leaf. That is, the nodes are set with the classification contents when the search target nodes are classified hierarchically from a certain viewpoint.

Also, for example, “Kousendangsa” 302
a is an example of a leaf, and other nodes are located in a hierarchy below the leaf,
And has no leaf, and the search target database 1
01 holds an index to each search target data 101d. Generally, there are a plurality of viewpoints for classifying the search target data. For example, in the case of data relating to plants, “leaf characteristics”, “stem height”, and the like can be considered. A plurality of hierarchical structure indexes exist for different viewpoints as described above.

Next, the operation of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, search condition input means 112
Accepts search conditions from the user. Then, the input search condition is output to the search condition expression generating means 110. The search condition formula generation unit 110 combines the input search condition and the search condition expression stored in the search condition expression storage unit 111 with a logical product to generate a search condition expression that can be searched. Here, for example, the search target database 101
Is stored in the form of a relational database, the search condition expression is represented by a SQL (Structured Query) that is a standard query language of the relational database.
(Language) formula.

The search condition expression storage means 111 stores
The search condition formula generated by the search condition formula generation means 110 is stored. In the initial state, the search condition expression storage unit 111 stores a constant condition expression that can search all data in the search target database 101. Then, the search execution unit 103 includes the search condition expression generation unit 110
A search is performed on the search target database 101 based on the search condition formula generated in step (1). For example, if the search target database 101 is stored in a relational database format, a search condition expression may be issued to a relational database management system (not shown). When a corresponding search result is obtained in this way, the search result is stored in the search result storage unit 104.
Output to Then, the search result obtained by the search execution unit 103 is stored in the search result storage unit 104.

The search result display means 105 displays the search results stored in the search result storage means 104 on a display device using a graphical user interface of a computer. FIG. 4 is a display example of a search result when data on a plant is searched, and the number 401 of searched plants, a list 402 of names of searched plants,
A refinement button 403, an end button 404, and the like are displayed on the display.

The user looks at a display screen 400 as shown in FIG. 4 and selects a refinement button 403 to further narrow down the search results, and selects an end button 404 to terminate the search using a mouse or the like. Then, when the user gives an instruction to narrow down by the above-described means, the narrowing-down means 120 is activated.

Next, a question node and an answer node used in describing the operation of the narrowing means 120 will be described. First, a question node is extracted from the hierarchical structure index 102 by extracting leaves corresponding to search target data obtained as a search result, tracing the hierarchy upward from all of these leaves, and first pointing to all leaves. A node that can be operated, and such a leaf does not concentrate on only one node. On the other hand, the answer node is one of the question nodes in the hierarchical index.
A node that has a leaf pointing to the search result data at a lower level among nodes existing at the next lower level.

The above-described question node and answer node will be described using the hierarchical structure index “leaf shape” 500 in FIG. 5 as an example. Now, the leaf corresponding to the search target data obtained as a search result is referred to as “America Sendangsa” 502
a, "Shirobana Sengusa" 502b, "Awayuki Sengusa" 502c, "Koshibusa Sengusa" 502d,
"Shizozaki" 502e, "Sendangsa" 502f
6 cases.

First, an upper node that points to all of these leaves is a "leaf shape" 501a in FIG. 5, which is a question node. The answer nodes corresponding to this are two nodes, “sharp” 501b and “round” 501c, which are located immediately below. Similarly, the hierarchical index “habitat”
The question node at 550 is “habitat” 551a, and the answer node to this is “grassland” 551b,
There are three nodes, "wetland" 551d and "rough land" 551h.

Next, the operation of the narrowing means 120 will be described with reference to the drawings. First, search result display means 105
In, when the user gives an instruction to narrow down,
The option generation unit 106 determines whether the number of search results stored in the search result storage unit 104 is one or less (step S600 in FIG. 6). If the number of search results is one or less, the process is terminated. If the number of search results is two or more, question nodes in all the hierarchical indexes related to the search result data are acquired in the hierarchical index storage unit 102 (step S1). S601).

Next, when the question node is obtained, it is determined whether or not the obtained number of question nodes is "0" (step S602). If the obtained question node is “0”, the process is terminated, and if the obtained question node is not “0”, an answer node for each obtained question node is obtained (step S603).

Next, options are generated (step S6).
04). Here, for all the question nodes acquired in step S601, options with the respective answer nodes acquired in step S603 as selection items are generated.
This operation will be described with reference to FIG. 5 as an example. First, “leaf shape” 501a is acquired as a question node in step S601, and “pointed” as its answer node.
Assume that 501b and “round” 501c have been acquired in step S603. In this case, an option of “What is the shape of the leaf ?: 1. Sharp, 2. Round” is generated.

Next, the above-mentioned options are ordered.
In the present embodiment, a method of rearranging the items in the descending order of the number of selection items generated in step S604 is used.
As another method, an order relationship may be given to all the nodes in advance, and the nodes may be rearranged in that order, or may be selected by some algorithm. The method is not limited to the method described here. Then, the option generating unit 106 generates a plurality of options as described above, and after ordering the plurality of options, outputs the options to the option storage unit 107. Then, the option storage unit 107 stores these input options based on the ordering.

Next, the option display means 108 will be described with reference to the drawings. The option display unit 108 first extracts an option from the option storage unit 107 (step S801 in FIG. 8). At this time, the options are extracted in order from the higher-ranked option.

Next, the option display means 108 determines whether or not the extracted option is an option to be held for selection stored in the held option storage means 152 (step S802). Here, whether or not the option is to be held for selection is determined based on whether or not the question node of the option stored in the held option storage unit matches the question node of the extracted option. Then, when the extracted option is the selection suspension target, the option other than the selection suspension target is searched from the option storage unit 107 (step S803). Then, if no option other than the selection-suspended target is retrieved, it is checked whether or not an option exists in the suspended option storage unit 152 (step S8).
04).

As a result, if there is an option to be held for selection, the held option storage unit 152 is emptied (step S805). Then, step S801 is performed again.
Return to On the other hand, if the option extracted in step S802 is not a selection hold target, the option is displayed on a display device (not shown) (step S806).

FIG. 7 shows an example of the option display means 108.
This is a display example of the display, which is obtained when the hierarchical structure index “habitat” 550 in FIG. 5 is taken as an example. Now, assuming that “habitat ?: 1. grassland, 2. wetland, 3. wasteland” is extracted as an option, as shown in the screen of FIG.
“1. Grassland”, “2. Wetland”, and “3. Wasteland” are displayed in the display fields 702a, 702b, and 702c of the selection items, respectively. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 703 denotes the number of search results searched by the search execution unit 103 of FIG. 1, 704 denotes a list of search result data, 705 denotes a selection execution button,
Reference numeral 706 indicates a selection hold button.

If the user wishes to suspend the selection of the presented option, the user performs an operation of temporarily suspending the selection of the option (step S808). For example, the user can press the selection hold button 706 to hold the selection operation on the screen of FIG. Thus, when the selection hold accepting unit 151 receives an instruction for temporarily holding from the user, the held option storage unit 152 adds this option to the stored contents (step S813 in FIG. 8). Then, when this option is stored in the held option storage unit 152, the process returns to step S801, and the selection display unit 108 extracts the next option stored in the option storage unit 107.

In step S808, when the user performs selection on the presented selection item, the user selects three selection items "1. grassland" 702a and "2. Wetlands ”702b,“ 3.
After selecting one selection item from the “rough land” 702c, the user presses a selection execution button 705. Thus, when the item selection receiving unit 109 receives the selection of the selection item from the user, the item selection receiving unit 109 stores the selected selection item in the search condition expression generation unit 1.
Output to 10 Then, the search condition expression generating means 110
Generates a search condition formula for the input selection item (step S809).

Then, the search execution unit 103 executes the search for the generated conditional expression, and outputs the search result to the search result storage unit 104 (step S810). Then, the search result storage unit 104 stores the input search result, and the search result display unit 105 displays the search result stored in the search result storage unit 104 on the display device (step S811). Then, when the user performs a search refinement operation again, the option generating unit 106 generates options by referring to the hierarchical index storage unit 102 and the search result storage unit 104 (step S812).

Then, returning to step S801 in FIG.
The above operation is repeated. At this time, the content of the option stored in the held option storage unit 152 is kept held.

[0033]

As described above, according to the information retrieval apparatus of the present invention, option generating means for generating options in the hierarchical structure index, and option storage for storing a plurality of options generated by the option generating means. Means, option extracting means for extracting an unreserved option from option storing means, option displaying means for presenting the option extracted by the option extracting means to the user, and selecting the option presented by the option displaying means. A selection hold receiving unit that receives a user's selection hold, and a held option storage unit that stores the option whose selection has been received by the selection hold reception unit.

This eliminates the need for the user to select the hierarchical structure index, thereby reducing the burden on the user. Further, since the user can suspend the selection of the presented selection item, even if an option or the like whose answer is unknown is presented, the user can continue to select the next option.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of contents of a search target database 101 in FIG. 1;

3 is a relationship diagram showing a relationship between a content example of a hierarchical structure index 102 in FIG. 1 and a search target database 101 in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a search result display screen 400 of FIG.

FIG. 5 shows the hierarchical indexes 500 and 550.
It is a figure showing the example of contents of.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example of an option generation unit 106;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen 700 displayed when narrowing down search result data.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example of option display means 108;

[Description of Signs] 101: Search target database, 102: Hierarchical structure index storage means, 103: Search execution means, 104: Search result storage means, 105: Search result display means, 106 ...
Option generating means, 107: Option storing means, 108: Option displaying means, 109: Item selection receiving means, 110: Search condition formula generating means, 111: Search condition formula storing means, 11
2 ... search condition input means, 120 ... narrowing means, 151
... Selection hold accepting means, 152 ... Holded option storage means

Claims (3)

[Claims] A search execution unit configured to execute a data search with respect to a search condition input by a user; and a search condition limited in order to further narrow down search result data obtained by the search execution unit. And the answer group corresponding to the question is presented to the user as an option, and the user selects an answer corresponding to the presented question item from the answer group, thereby narrowing down the search result data. In the information search device having a narrowing-out executing unit, the narrowing-down executing unit includes: an option storing unit that stores an option to be presented to a user; an option extracting unit that extracts an option from the option storing unit; Option display means for presenting the option extracted by the means to the user; and the selection presented by the option display means Against,
A selection hold receiving unit that receives a user's selection hold; and a held option storage unit that stores the option that has received the selection held by the selection hold reception unit, wherein the option display unit stores the held option. An information search apparatus characterized by determining whether or not an option extracted from the option storage means is a held option based on the contents of the means, and presenting the option to the user if the option is not a held option. 2. The option display means releases the options stored in the held option storage means when there are no more options not on hold selected in the option storage means, and sequentially provides the options to the user. 2. The information search device according to claim 1, wherein all of the options stored in the held option storage unit are cleared when presented. 3. The option display means compares a word corresponding to the option question extracted from the option storage means with a word corresponding to the option question stored in the suspended option storage means, and the two match. 2. The information retrieval apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the selection is made, the extracted option is determined to be a suspended option.