JP2001325265A - Retrieval method for information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the retrieval method for information by which even a beginner touching the keyboard of a personal computer for the first time can view homepages along various themes through the Internet by an extremely simple operation. SOLUTION: This retrieval method for the information is provided with a step where a user mounts a portable recording medium (CD-ROM or the like) having the URL information and map information on plural retrieval objects selected by a prescribed standard recorded thereon on a computer and activates it, a step where the user selects a desired retrieval object from the plural retrieval objects (museums, for instance) provided with a display part displayed by an actual name indicating a position almost matched with an actual location in a map appearing on a computer screen, matches a mouse pointer to the display part of the selected retrieval object and clicks it and a step for automatically displaying the homepage of the retrieval object on the computer screen.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a search for information configured so that even a beginner of a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as "PC") can easily view a homepage of a museum or the like via the Internet. About the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to view various homepages via the Internet, URL information of the homepage is obtained by newspapers, magazines, etc., and a character string of the URL is entered, or a link from another related homepage is obtained. A method of arriving at a desired homepage by a function or surfing the Internet has been adopted.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned conventional methods include:
There are the following problems. When using the method of entering a URL character string, it is assumed that the URL character string is known by some means. Therefore, information on a plurality of museums selected based on a specific theme is collected by the homepage. Even so, there is a problem in that it takes a lot of trouble and time to check the URLs of those museums, and it is not possible to collect information efficiently.
In addition, some beginners who want to enjoy a personal computer (especially middle-aged people who are not used to keyboard operation)
There is a problem that many people feel that the operation of typing a long character string from the keyboard is complicated. In particular, when typing a URL character string, if one character is spelled incorrectly, the user cannot reach the desired homepage. For those who are not good at inputting with the keyboard, it is necessary to repeat the typing operation many times. In many cases, the operation of the personal computer seems to be complicated.

[0004] Further, when a method of arriving at a desired homepage by a link function from another related homepage is employed, it is unknown whether or not the desired homepage can be reached unless the user actually tries to do so. ,
Even if it can be reached, there is a problem that it takes a lot of time to reach. In particular, it is generally difficult to search for cultural or academic information that focuses on specific themes other than practical information such as weather forecasts and stock prices, and websites for museums and art museums to be searched are generally opened. It is not unusual for them not to know whether they are.

Further, the above-mentioned conventional method is complicated for a beginner who has just purchased a personal computer.
For this reason, it is hard to say that an environment where beginners unfamiliar with keyboard operations can easily enjoy viewing and enjoying homepages via the Internet with the same feeling as handling home appliances has not been formed at this time. .

[0006] In view of these problems, the present invention enables even a novice who has just purchased a personal computer to touch a keyboard for the first time by using a very simple operation via the Internet in accordance with various themes. It does not provide a method for searching for information that can be viewed and enjoyed.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for searching for information by a computer network via a communication medium (for example, the Internet), wherein a user is provided with a predetermined standard. (E.g., a criterion for determining whether or not a traditional townscape is referred to as a small Kyoto or not) URLs of a plurality of search objects (for example, a municipal tourist association or the like referred to as a small Kyoto) selected by A portable computer-readable recording medium (for example, a CD-ROM) that records information (the address of a homepage) and map information (for example, a Japanese map including the locations of a plurality of municipalities called Kokyo) is stored in a computer. In a predetermined drive (e.g., a CD-ROM drive) to start up, and when the user The map (for example, Japan map)
A display part indicated by a real name pointing to a position substantially coincident with the actual location therein (for example, "Chiran" displayed below the character of "Kagoshima prefecture" drawn out by an arrow in Kagoshima prefecture on the map Is selected from among a plurality of search objects having a character portion of "" and a display section of the selected search object (e.g., "Chiran"). ), And performing an input operation (specifically, a click operation using input means such as a mouse) with the mouse pointer, and the search object based on the URL specified by the input operation. A homepage (for example, a homepage of "Chiran") (for example, a homepage of a tourist association of "Chiran") is automatically displayed on the computer screen.

[0008] With this configuration, the user can use the CD-
After a portable recording medium such as a ROM is inserted into a predetermined drive and activated, a desired search target is specified using a mouse or other input means from a map displayed on a screen, and a click operation is performed. Just by doing so, the home page can be displayed, and it is possible to search information on the Internet very easily without inputting any alphabet or numbers from the keyboard.

In the method for searching for information, a predetermined operation (for example, to start a connection to the communication medium (for example, the Internet)) is performed before the step of displaying the homepage of the search object on a computer screen. ,
The method may further include a step of displaying a screen for dial-up connection and performing an operation of clicking a “connect” button (claim 2). With such a configuration, after confirming the start time of the time when the connection fee is required, the communication medium (for example, the Internet network)
Can be connected to

In the information search method, when a home page of the selected search object (for example, the town of Chiran) is displayed (for example, a home page of a tourist association of Chiran), Display unit for returning to the initial screen for returning to a map (for example, a map of Japan) including a display unit of a search object (for example, all municipalities that are members of the "National Kyoto Conference" and are referred to as small Kyoto) (E.g., a rectangular button-shaped icon labeled "Small Kyoto Map") is always on the computer screen (e.g., the upper right corner of the screen)
It can be configured to be displayed (claim 3).

[0011] With this configuration, after finishing viewing a specific homepage (for example, the homepage of the tourist association of "Chiran"), the display returns to the initial screen for displaying the map again, and the next homepage (for example, Kumamoto) It is possible to see the prefectural "Hitoyoshi" tourist association's homepage), and it is possible to obtain, on a personal computer, information on the municipalities scattered throughout the country, called small Kyoto, one after another.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on specific examples. A user using the information search method of the present invention firstly communicates with a personal computer and a communication medium (for example,
After preparing peripheral devices such as a communication terminal (for example, a modem) for connecting to the Internet network), a predetermined procedure is performed for a provider that provides an Internet connection service. Note that these preparations do not necessarily have to be performed by the user himself, and can be completed at the discretion of the trader.

Next, the user mounts a portable computer-readable recording medium in which URL information and map information of a plurality of search objects selected according to a predetermined standard are recorded in a predetermined drive of the computer. Activate.

Here, "a plurality of search objects selected based on a predetermined standard" means a specific town such as a traditional town, a museum, a museum, a world heritage, or a highly local newspaper (so-called local newspaper). Refers to multiple information sources selected based on the theme. For example, municipalities referred to as small Kyoto scattered throughout Japan are in the 50th to 60th places, of which about 80% have established homepages (Web pages).

"URL information" refers to a homepage address registered for each of a plurality of search objects. For example, "http://www.abc.co.jp".

[0016] "Map information" means, for example, a map of Japan when a municipal town called a small Kyoto is a search object.
It is a display of the position of the municipalities called small Kyoto attached thereto. This display is not necessarily required to be strictly accurate, but may be any display that allows the user to visually recognize the approximate location. Also, the map is
In addition to the Japanese map, a map that includes foreign countries such as a world map and a European map may be used.Also, a map that shows only a specific area in Japan, such as a map of Kyushu, a map of Kagoshima Prefecture, and a map of Kagoshima City. It may be.

The map may be constructed so as to be displayed hierarchically. For example, after displaying the map of Japan on the entire screen, select and click on Kyushu to enlarge and display only Kyushu, and further enlarge and display only Kagoshima prefecture in Kyushu. be able to.

Examples of the “portable computer-readable recording medium” include a portable CD-ROM,
A read-only recording medium such as a DVD-ROM may be used. Since the recording medium is portable, a plurality of storage media can be produced and provided as a series for various themes, as well as being sold at stores, free of charge for personal computer sales promotion, and rental. A wide variety of provision methods, such as lending as goods, are possible. In addition, if the recording medium is a portable recording medium, an operation such as downloading is not required, and information can be searched immediately by simply mounting it on a predetermined drive.

"The predetermined drive of the computer"
For example, if the recording medium is a CD-ROM, the CD-R
CD-ROM drive (CD-ROM) for inserting OM
ROM drive).

When the recording medium is loaded, it is started up, and the computer screen (specifically, CRT display, LC
A predetermined map appears on a screen of a display device such as a D display. A plurality of search objects (for example, museums) are displayed on the map. The search target object is displayed together with its actual name (including abbreviated name, common name, etc.) and indicating a position substantially coincident with the actual location so that the actual location can be generally grasped. An icon (for example, a picture of a building in the case of a museum) may be displayed together with the actual name.

Next, the user looks at the map on the computer screen and selects an object to be searched from a plurality of search objects. Then, the user moves the mouse pointer over a display portion of the selected search target (for example, a character portion indicating a name or an icon displayed together with the character), and the shape of the mouse pointer changes to, for example, a “hand” shape. Then click (enter). In this specification, the term "mouse pointer" is used to mean a display means that moves on the screen while being displayed on the screen and indicates a specific position on the screen.

When the display of the selected search object is clicked, the URL corresponding to the selected search object is automatically input. After that, a screen for confirming the connection to the Internet network is displayed. If you click the confirmation button on this screen, you will be connected to the Internet network via the communication terminal connected to the personal computer, and the selected search The home page of the object is displayed on the screen.

When a display unit for returning to the initial screen for returning to a map including a plurality of search objects is displayed in the displayed homepage, the user moves the mouse pointer to the display unit for returning to the initial screen. By clicking together, the user can return to the initial screen displaying the map at any time.

An example (part) of the map used in the present invention
Is shown in FIG. FIG. 1 shows only the Kyushu portion of the map of Japan displayed on the screen. In addition to the outline of Kyushu, the names of prefectures and the names of municipalities called small Kyoto included in each prefecture are displayed. Have been.

In FIG. 1, the prefecture name is surrounded by a square frame.
Adjusting the mouse pointer does not change the shape of the mouse pointer. On the other hand, among the names of municipalities referred to as small Kyoto, those with a circle on the left side represent municipalities whose homepages have been set up and for which information can be searched. Towns without circles have no homepage and cannot be searched for information. Therefore, from the towns marked with circles, select the one that you want to see on the home page and move the mouse pointer over it, for example, in the form of a "hand" (located at "Chiran" in FIG. 1). If it changes to.), Just click it. FIG.
As shown in the above, by distinguishing between those who have opened homepages and those that have not opened by identification signs such as circles, it is possible to grasp at a glance whether information search by the Internet is possible. . That is, the presence or absence of a homepage can be confirmed for a plurality of search targets selected based on a specific theme.

[0026]

According to the information retrieval method of the present invention, even a novice who has just purchased a personal computer and touches the keyboard for the first time, can easily meet various themes via the Internet with a very simple operation. You can enjoy watching the homepage.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a map displayed on a computer screen in the information search method of the present invention.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A method for retrieving information by a computer network via a communication medium, comprising: a portable computer-readable recording device in which a user records URL information and map information of a plurality of search objects selected according to predetermined criteria. Loading a possible recording medium into a predetermined drive of the computer and activating the computer; and, when the user designates a position substantially coincident with the actual location on the map shown on the computer screen, using the real name Selecting a desired search object from among the plurality of search objects having the displayed display unit, pointing the mouse pointer to the display unit of the selected search object, and performing an input operation; A homepage of the search object is automatically displayed on the computer screen based on the URL specified by the input operation. A method for searching for information, characterized by comprising: 2. The information according to claim 1, further comprising a step of performing a predetermined operation for starting connection to the communication medium before the step of displaying the homepage of the search object on a computer screen. Search method. 3. A display unit for returning to an initial screen for returning to a map including a display unit of the plurality of search objects when displaying a homepage of the selected search object, on the computer screen. 3. The information search method according to claim 1, wherein the information is displayed.