JP2001306613A - Full automatic system for database substitutional retrieval - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a full automatic system for database substitutional retrieval which can perform automatic retrieval from a database of patent gazettes, etc., provided as a charged or free database by automatically calling a retrieval picture for the database. SOLUTION: This system is provided with a multipurpose database 1 which stores retrieval information, etc., a retrieval part 4 which functions to automatically select and substitute a plurality of retrieval expressions in a retrieval condition setting and input field in the retrieval picture, stores a retrieval result obtained by automatically sending an indication for retrieval execution to the retrieval object database in the multipurpose database 1 in the form of an html sentence, and automatically compress the information of the retrieval result stored in the multipurpose database 1 and re-store the information in the multipurpose database 1 when the compression is possible, and an error detection part 9 for respective operation stages.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a paid / free database for each search on the Internet and a search screen of a database such as a patent gazette supplied on a CD-ROM at any time without an operator. The present invention relates to a database proxy search fully automatic system capable of automatically calling a database to automatically search a database and, if necessary, automatically sending the search result by electronic mail or mail by the Internet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, CD-ROMs of patent information and the like obtained
There is a service in which an operator sets a storage medium such as a ROM in a personal computer, the operator activates search software, the operator substitutes a search formula, presses an execution key, and the operator distributes the search results through a network. Is a service that the operator intervenes in all courses. Also, the operator calls the database on the net,
There is download software that automatically stores a search result in a storage unit of a personal computer after an operator substitutes a search expression and issues an instruction to execute a search. However, with conventional commercially available download software, for example, a database of the JPO does not accumulate information in the cache memory of a personal computer, so that information cannot be obtained, and only frame information can be obtained.

[0003] The above-mentioned conventional work or software starts with calling a search screen, input time of ID and password in the case of a pay database, substitution and execution of a search formula,
When compressing or distributing search results, manual operations by an operator were all required. In particular, when a person searches on the Internet, the calling time of the search screen of the database, the input time of the ID / password, the input time of each search condition, the pressing time of the search execution key, the search result waiting time,
There is a lot of waiting time such as a page switching waiting time when browsing results and a security information transmission permission confirmation time at the time of each information request, and the operator must constantly monitor and input instructions, and the operator is restrained for a long time. I was

Among them, the page switching waiting time when browsing the above results is particularly long, and when browsing patent publications on the Internet, there is a case where one minute or more is waited until the next page is displayed. In the case of an ordinary patent publication, there are 7 pages / item, so it takes about 10 minutes to browse and examine one item. For this reason, browsing about ten patent publications often requires a page switching waiting time of one hour or more. At the end of the process, there are many problems such as being cut off on the way due to an overload of the search server and the like, and sometimes starting over from the beginning.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and includes a time for calling a search screen of a database each time, a time for inputting an ID and a password in the case of a pay database, and a search condition. It is possible to release the operator who is restricted by the selection and input time, search execution instruction work time, search result waiting time, page switching waiting time for result browsing, security information transmission permission confirmation time at the time of each information request, and the like. It provides a database proxy search fully automatic system.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage of an address of each search database search screen, search information such as a plurality of search formulas, IDs and passwords for each client,
A multi-purpose database that stores search results, compressed search result information, requester information including each client's e-mail address, and error information, and a search target database that is automatically stored in the multi-purpose database at any time Of the search screen, automatically select / substitute a plurality of search formulas in the search condition setting / input field on the search screen, and automatically issue a search execution instruction to the search target database, and retrieve the search results obtained. A search unit having a function of storing the html sentence and the image in the multi-purpose database and automatically compressing the information amount of the search result stored in the multi-purpose database if there is room for compression, and re-storing the information in the multi-purpose database. If the search result or the compressed search result stored in the multipurpose database is a small amount of information that can withstand transmission, the Internet A delivery unit that automatically mails a search result to the e-mail address of the target client stored in the multipurpose database, and a search result or a compressed search result stored in the multipurpose database that cannot withstand transmission. In the case of a large amount of information, an information storage medium writing device for storing information in an information storage medium that can be delivered by mail or the like instead of delivery by the delivery unit is provided, and a delivery device for sending the stored information storage medium is provided. A delivery unit having a means for printing labels, and an error if a specific state continues for a predetermined time or more in each of the above-mentioned operation steps after being started from the beginning, and if an error occurs, an error content is stored in the multi-purpose database. And restart the target requester's job from the state immediately before the error occurred or from the beginning, move to the next requester's case, or restart the entire system An error detector for determining whether, is characterized by comprising a. According to the second aspect of the present invention, the address of each search database search screen is stored, and a plurality of search formulas / I
A multi-purpose database that stores search information such as D / password, search result and compressed search result information, requester information including each client's e-mail address, and error information; Call the search screen of the search target database stored in the database,
A plurality of search formulas are automatically selected and assigned to search condition setting / input fields on a search screen, and a search result obtained by automatically issuing a search execution instruction to the search target database is obtained as an html sentence and an image. A search section having a function of automatically compressing the amount of search results stored in the multipurpose database and storing it back in the multipurpose database if there is room for compression in the multipurpose database; Then, if a specific state continues for a certain period of time or more in each of the above work steps, it is regarded as an error, and if an error occurs, the content of the error is stored in the multipurpose database and the job of the target requester is changed from the state immediately before the error occurred. And an error detection unit that determines whether to restart from the beginning, move to the next client case, or restart the entire system. .

[0007]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a first embodiment of a fully-automated database proxy search system according to the present invention. The first embodiment is an embodiment based on the first aspect of the present invention. When a request is made by the requester, the operator operates the input unit 2 based on the request of the requester to input a database address, a plurality of search formulas, an ID / password (for a fee) on the Internet for each requester. E-mail address, postal code, address telephone number, etc. are registered and stored in the multipurpose database 1. Then, a timer (not shown) built in the search unit 4 at an arbitrary time set by the operator (usually a nighttime period when the database is relatively free and other searchers are not troubled). The search unit starts automatically and connects the line through the Internet line 7. afterwards,
The necessary data of the first search target requester is read out from the multipurpose database 1, the initial screen of the search target database 8 is displayed on the display unit 3 such as a CRT, etc.
Enter the D password to automatically execute the command.
For example, in the case of a free database such as the electronic patent library of the JPO, it is possible to call up the search screen immediately.
Automatically select multiple selection fields on the search screen, automatically input the previous search formula in each input field, and automatically select the search, send or execute button on the screen and issue an instruction Is executed. As a result, the search server of the partner searches its own search target database 8 and displays the number of extracted items, a list, and the like on the screen of the display unit 3. The displayed search result is automatically stored in the multi-purpose database 1 as an html sentence and an attached image, and when a plurality of, for example, patent publications are displayed in the extraction list, the first patent publication is selected. Display the statement etc. At that time, the work start time and the absence of an error are stored in the error-free / start / end time record file of the multipurpose database 1. After the specifications and drawings of each screen are automatically stored in the multi-purpose database 1, the next screen is displayed by automatically performing the page switching, and the next specification and drawings are displayed as described above. The drawings and the like are stored in the multi-purpose database 1, and this process is repeated. When the information of one patent publication is stored in the multi-purpose database 1, the multi-purpose database 1 indicates that there is no error in the error existence / start / end time record file, and the work ends. Remember the time. Thereafter, for example, a next document switching instruction is automatically executed. Of course, the document may be returned to the extraction list and the document may be specified again. Then, the next patent gazette is displayed. When all the gazettes are stored in the same manner as described above, if there is no error in collecting information of all patent gazettes in the multi-purpose database 1 in the presence / absence / start / end time recording file of the error, The start and end times are stored. If there is room for compression in the content stored in the compression unit (not shown) inside the search unit 4, the content is compressed and stored in the multipurpose database 1 again. Also in this process, the presence or absence of an error in the multipurpose database 1
If there is no error in the start / end time record file,
Of course, the end time is stored. In the following, the multipurpose database 1 in each process is checked for errors at the start,
The end time record file is configured to store no error at the start of the work and the work start time, and store no error at the end of the work and the work end time. Usually, drawings such as patent publications are gif
Since it is compressed by jpeg.tiff, there is not much room for recompression, so this step can be omitted. Thereafter, the search unit 4 determines whether or not the capacity of the information stored in the multipurpose database 1 is a capacity that allows communication on the Internet. This is because the size of the mail that can be stored is determined by the client (naturally, this data is stored in the multipurpose database 1 in advance as client information). Therefore, if the amount of information is several times, the retrieval unit 4 divides the storage content of the multipurpose database 1 and distributes it to the E-mail address, invoice content,
Synthesize the search results and automatically instruct delivery to the delivery requester. However, if the amount of information cannot be delivered by e-mail-currently about 15 megabytes or more (communication speed and provider's e-mail storage capacity will increase in the future), the delivery unit is automatically set. 6 is started. And an information storage medium writing device (not shown in the figure) for storing the information on a built-in CD-ROM or DVD (digital versatile disk) or the like; CD-R
An OM writer or DVD writer) automatically stores the information on a CD-ROM or DVD as an information storage medium, and prints the address and name of the client using a delivery label printing printer (not shown). End the search for the requester. In these steps, it is always started from the beginning, and if a specific state continues in each step of each work step for a certain period of time or more, it is regarded as an error. An error flag (flag) is set in the end time recording file, the content of the error occurrence and the time of the error occurrence are stored, and the job of the target client is restarted from immediately before according to the severity of the error (for example, the immediately preceding patent publication). Or start over from the first step, or give up and move on to the next requester's case (in this case, unfortunately later, manually process the case with an error when an operator is present) ) Or an error detection unit 9 that determines whether to restart the entire system. The error presence / start / end time record file of the multi-purpose database 1 is always recorded on the CRT screen of the display unit 3 or, if there are a plurality of printers, by a printer other than the delivery label printing printer at the end of all work, Can be confirmed at the time of coming to work. And after that,
A large-capacity CD-ROM or DVD in which the operator confirms the error information of all processes and records the search results to the requester in the remaining inside and outside places that could not be delivered by e-mail on the Internet
It is only necessary to attach a delivery label printed on the information storage medium such as by the time of going to work and deliver it by mail or the like. In addition,
If the search work is performed at night to avoid the congestion time of the search database as in the embodiment, only the execution time is designated before leaving the office, and all the work is completed by the time of coming to work the next morning. Since the search is completed, not only does not bother other searchers, but also the operator can use the time more effectively.

When a company or the like searches a company's in-house database, a search screen is always required, so that the database surrogate search fully automatic system of the present invention can be used. When a company or the like internally uses the database surrogate search fully automatic system of the present invention, the database surrogate search fully automatic system may be used at the request of each department of the company. .

If there is at least one personal computer with a built-in writing function, such as a CD-ROM or DVD, and at least one printer connected to it, it is possible to replace it with an independent error monitoring program and another independent program. I can do it. The other programs can be replaced with one program. Even though the price of the current personal computer is around 100,000 yen, the storage capacity is about 20 gigabytes and the OS such as Windows with the multitasking function in which a plurality of programs run at the same time is widely used. You can move it. In particular, the error detection program is important and always monitors each program like a watchdog, and monitors the work start time and end time of each part. This is because in the case of a multitasking OS, it is easy to forcibly terminate the program and restart the same program in the event of a runaway because the running program may run away for some reason and enter a frozen (frozen) state. And restart the entire system, automatically start the error detection program again,
It is also possible to specify the interrupted process / work from the end time record file, start a program to be restarted, and re-execute from a specified location. Further, the present invention can be constructed on an intranet (in-house network, home network, etc.) composed of a plurality of personal computers.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. This second embodiment is an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention. As shown in FIG.
In the embodiment, unlike FIG. 1, the search unit 4 for automatically substituting and executing a plurality of search condition expressions on the screen and the error detection unit 9 for constantly monitoring the operation of the system are provided. The delivery unit 5 and the delivery unit 6 are not provided. For this reason, the second embodiment distributes electronic mail to the Internet, or writes a CD-ROM or D
It is suitable when individuals or companies that do not need to deliver VD or the like by mail or the like are used internally. The other configuration and operation are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0011] If the fully automated database proxy search system of claims 1 and 2 is used for so-called search watching work (collection of information on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis), the fully automatic database proxy search system of the present invention can be used. It can fully demonstrate its essence. This is because, for example, when the search watching operation is performed every day, the number of daily e-mail reports is reduced, which brings a great effect. For example, when the patent officer of each company watches at the Patent Office's patent electronic library, it searches every day, once a week, once a month, using the exact same search formula, limiting the target search period. However, this is a difficult operation as described in the above-mentioned conventional example. Using the present invention,
CD-ROM issued by the JPO that is sold almost every day
If the search screen is automatically called up at the time of issuance of the patent or the night of the data update of the patent electronic library, the application date, publication date, registration date, etc. are automatically specified and the information is collected automatically, It can be delivered to patent officers by e-mail with the least amount of information with little inconvenience to searchers. Since the latest patent information is accumulated in the personal computer etc. only by the time of receiving the e-mail, the patent clerk directly waits for data distribution, such as the time-consuming page switching such as the patent electronic library directly. You can instantly switch pages without having to worry about it.

In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, an example is shown in which the database proxy search fully automatic system invention is performed on a database on the Internet. For example, a CD-ROM issued by the Patent Office is obtained. This CD-RO
Needless to say, M may be used. That is, at present, inventions filed with the Patent Office are issued almost daily on a CD-ROM. If this CD-ROM is set in a personal computer (this must be performed by an operator), the full-automatic proxy search and retrieval can be performed as described in the first embodiment.
Delivery and delivery can be performed, and full-automatic proxy search can be performed as described in the second embodiment.

[0013]

According to the present invention, it is possible to automate operations other than the limited operations such as the input operation of the search requester information, the input operation of the search condition, and the operation of checking the presence or absence of an error in each work process. Screen call time, ID / password input time in case of paid database, search condition selection and input time, search execution command work time, search result waiting time, page switching waiting time for result browsing, security at each information request The operator is free from all waiting times such as information transmission permission confirmation time, search result information compression work time, search result distribution work time on the net, and time to store in the information storage medium for large amounts of information. Thus, there is an excellent effect that the time during which the operator is restrained can be effectively used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multipurpose database 2 Input part 3 Display part 4 Search part 5 Distribution part 6 Delivery part 7 Internet line 8 Search target database 9 Error detection part

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. Storage of the address of each search database search screen, search information such as a plurality of search formulas, IDs, passwords, etc. for each requester, search results and compressed search result information, and each request Requester information, including the sender's email address,
A multi-purpose database for accumulating error information, and a search screen for a search target database stored in the multi-purpose database automatically called at an arbitrary time, and a plurality of search conditions are automatically set in a search condition setting / input field on the search screen. Is selected and substituted, and the search result obtained by automatically issuing a search execution instruction to the search target database is stored in the multipurpose database as an html sentence and an image. A search unit having a function of compressing the amount of information of the search results stored in the multipurpose database and re-storing the information in the multipurpose database; the search results stored in the multipurpose database or the compressed search results can withstand transmission If the amount of information is small, search results are sent to the target client's e-mail address stored in the multipurpose database on the Internet. A delivery unit that dynamically e-mails, if the search result or the compressed search result stored in the multipurpose database has a large amount of information that cannot withstand transmission, mail is used instead of the delivery by the delivery unit A delivery unit having an information storage medium writing device for storing the information storage medium in a deliverable information storage medium, and having a means for printing a delivery label for sending the stored information storage medium; If a specific state continues for a certain period of time or more in each of the above work steps, it is determined that an error has occurred. If an error has occurred, the error content is stored in the multi-purpose database and the job of the target client is checked from the state immediately before the error occurred. Or an error detection unit that determines whether to restart from the beginning, move on to the next requester's case, or restart the entire system. Search fully automatic system. 2. Storage of the address of each search database search screen, search information such as a plurality of search formulas, IDs and passwords for each requester, search results and compressed search result information, and each request Requester information, including the sender's email address,
A multi-purpose database that stores error information, and a search screen for a search target database stored in the multi-purpose database automatically called at an arbitrary time, and a plurality of searches are automatically performed in a search condition setting / input field on the search screen. Expressions are selected / substituted, search results obtained by automatically issuing a search execution instruction to the search target database are stored in the multi-purpose database as html sentences and images, and if there is room for compression, the search results are automatically added. A search unit having a function of compressing the amount of information of the search results stored in the multipurpose database and storing it back in the multipurpose database; and a case where a specific state has been continuously started from the beginning and a specific state has continued for a certain time or more in each of the above work steps. Is an error, and in the event of an error, the details of the error are stored in the multipurpose database, and the job of the target client is in the state immediately before the error occurred. An error detector for determining whether to restart the whole or system moves to the next requester projects or redo et or from the beginning,
A database surrogate search fully automatic system characterized by comprising: