JP2002207856A - Information collection method on network, client terminal used therefor, web server, information collection execution system, information collection homepage preparation system and program used therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information collection method on a network by which a homepage preparing person can specify logical dependence among the question items for collecting information at the time of setting the question items and only required question items are displayed for a user in accordance with the specification and answer conditions at the time of answering. SOLUTION: In the information collection method for requesting answers to a series of the question items on the network, the presence/absence of the logical dependence among the question items is specified beforehand. At the time of requesting the answers to the question items, only the items specified as being with the logical dependency are displayed on a browser screen after the question item from the answers before the question item whose answer is requested.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information collection method for obtaining an answer to a question item in an arbitrary web page description language on a network such as the Internet or an intranet, and a client terminal, a web server, and an information collection used therefor. The present invention relates to an implementation system, an information collection homepage creation system, and a program used for the system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an information collection method for asking a user for an answer to a question item on the Internet or an intranet, for example, in a questionnaire survey method, an HTML (Hybrid
per Text Markup Language). For the sake of simplicity, the following description focuses on a typical example of a questionnaire survey method on the Internet, but the same applies to other networks other than the Internet and other information collection methods other than the questionnaire survey. . In this questionnaire survey method, a question item is created in advance as a writable web page using an HTML FORM tag. When the user, that is, the respondent to the survey, has completed the series of question items displayed on the browser, the user presses the transfer button that is actively displayed on the screen, and the web server prepared in advance Side program is CGI (Common Gateway Inter
face), the input data entered is transferred from the client to the web server, and the web server processes the input data.

[0003]

However, the HTML form function used in the conventional questionnaire survey on the Internet or intranet includes, for example, a question 2 having a meaning only when a positive answer is given to the question 1. There is no way to specify the logical dependency between questionnaire question items. In other words, even if you give a negative answer to Question 1, even if you ask a question for performing the procedure up to Question 2 based on a positive answer, you will give inconsistent answers if you are not careful . This is more likely to occur as the more questions are asked.

[0004] Further, in the conventional questionnaire survey method on the Internet, the processing of input data is performed on the web server side as represented by CGI. Limited to collection only.

[0005] For this reason, in a series of questions,
Regardless of the contents answered up to that point, even questions that the user does not need to answer are displayed on the screen, and it is up to the user to decide whether or not to answer, Has been induced, which has degraded the quality of questionnaire surveys.

[0006] In addition, when an incorrect answer is given to an item that should not be answered, or when there is an inconsistency in answers to a plurality of question items, even if an error is pointed out, the error is pointed out. After the user completes all the input and presses the transfer button, and the input data is processed on the web server side, as a result, many errors are pointed out at the same time, or Wasting unnecessary time on top and wasting time,
In addition to the occurrence of errors, it imposes a burden on the user in terms of time. The client can also provide the client with relevant information on the input process, such as how the user entered the final content, for example, how much time was spent on inputting, and how the user corrected after inputting. Since there is no processing function and the function is limited to collecting input data, no record can be left. The same applies to other information gathering.

[0007] In order to solve such a problem, the present invention allows a homepage creator to specify a logical dependency between question items of an information collection question at the time of setting the question item, and to provide an answer to the information collection question. At times, only the necessary questions are displayed to the user according to this specification and the answer situation,
In addition, it is another object of the present invention to provide a method for collecting information on a network in which relevant information regarding a user input process is collected.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a client terminal for collecting information on a network which allows a user to display only necessary question items in a series of question items at the time of answering according to the answer situation. The purpose is to provide.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to specify a logical dependency between question items of an information collection question at the time of setting a question item,
When answering, provide only the necessary question items to the user according to this specification and the answer status, and provide a web server for collecting information on a network that can collect relevant information on the user input process. Aim.

According to the present invention, the creator of the homepage can specify the logical dependency between the question items of the information collection question at the time of setting the question items, and at the time of answering, specify only the necessary question items according to this specification and the answer situation. An object of the present invention is to provide an information collection execution system for collecting information on a network that can be displayed to a user.

Further, according to the present invention, the logical dependency between the question items of the information collection question can be designated at the time of setting the question items, and at the time of answering, only the necessary question items are displayed to the user according to the designation and the answer situation. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information collection homepage creation system for collecting information on a network that can perform the information collection.

Further, the present invention provides a program used for collecting information on a network in which only a necessary question item in a series of question items can be displayed to a user at each time according to the answer situation at the time of answering. The purpose is to do.

[0013]

In order to solve such a problem, an information collecting method on a network according to the present invention comprises:
If there is a logical dependency relationship between question items in advance, when asking for an answer to a question item, it is assumed that there is a logical dependency after the question item from the answer before the question item for which the answer is required. Only the specified items are displayed on the browser screen. Note that “before the question item for which an answer is required” means “a question item for which an answer is required” and “a question item performed before this”.

Thus, the creator of the homepage can specify the logical dependency between the question items of the information collection question at the time of setting the question item. Only the user is displayed to the user, and in addition, relevant information regarding the user's input process can be collected.

The client terminal for collecting information on the network according to the present invention comprises a browser means for accessing an information collection homepage and displaying it on a display device, and a line for controlling connection to the network. If there is a connection and there is a logical dependency between a series of questions in the information collection question, the extended browser means will display the question, and the logical dependency will be determined from the previous answer for which the answer is required. After the question, only items having a logical dependency are displayed on the browser screen.

[0016] With this, it is possible to collect information on a network in which only necessary question items in a series of question items can be displayed to a user at the time of answering according to the answer situation.

The web server for collecting information on the network according to the present invention can store a web page description language file of designated information indicating whether there is a logical dependency between a series of question items and home page information for collecting information. A file section for web, an extended browser function file section for storing an extended browser program file capable of performing designated processing according to designated information, an output file section for storing an output file after answering a question for information collection, and a network. A line connection unit for performing connection control for connection is provided, and an extended browser program file can be transmitted to a client terminal in response to a request from a browser unit.

Thus, the logical dependency between the question items of the information collection question can be specified at the time of setting the question items. At the time of answering, only the necessary question items are displayed to the user according to the specification and the answer status. In this way, relevant information on the user's input process can be collected on the network.

An information collection execution system for collecting information on a network according to the present invention includes a client terminal and a web server, and specifies in advance whether or not there is a logical dependency between question items and stores it in a web file unit. Aside
When there is a logical dependency between a series of questions, the extended browser means determines whether there is a logical dependency from the previous answer to which the answer is required, and after the question, the logical dependency is determined. It is characterized in that only certain items are displayed on the browser screen.

Thus, the creator of the homepage can specify the logical dependency between the question items of the information collection question at the time of setting the question items, and at the time of answering, provide only the necessary question items to the user according to this specification and the answer situation. Can be displayed.

An information collection homepage creation system for collecting information on a network according to the present invention comprises a client terminal having a homepage creation processing means for creating a webpage description language file of an information collection homepage, and a web server. In addition, a web page description language file of designated information indicating whether there is a logical dependency between a series of question items and home page information for information collection is stored in the web file section.

Thus, the logical dependency between the question items of the information collection question can be specified at the time of setting the question items, and at the time of answering, only the necessary question items are displayed to the user according to the specification and the answer situation. it can.

The program of the present invention has an initial setting function of intercepting control from a browser program, and when data is input in response to an information collection question on an information collection homepage, the data and information collection specified in advance are performed. It is determined whether there is a logical dependency from the information on the logical dependency between the questions in the query, and if there is a logical dependency, the information for the information collecting question part of the web page description language file of the information collection homepage is determined. A non-display process is performed, and when there is no logical dependence, an input data processing function of passing control to a browser program and displaying the control without any change is realized.

Thus, at the time of answering, only a necessary question item in a series of question items can be displayed to the user at each time according to the answer situation.

[0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention described in claim 1 is an information collecting method for obtaining an answer to a series of question items on a network, and specifies in advance whether there is a logical dependency between the question items. In addition, when asking for an answer to a question item, only items designated as having a logical dependency after the question item from the answer before the question item for which the answer is requested are displayed on the browser screen. Because this is an information collection method on the network, the creator of the homepage can specify in advance the logical dependency between the questions of the information collection question, and when answering the information collection question, Accordingly, only the necessary question items can be displayed on the browser screen. When collecting information such as questionnaire surveys and social surveys on a network such as the Internet, the quality of survey data can be improved, and highly accurate sociological analysis can be performed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the contents inputted by the user for each question, the time required for inputting each question,
It records one or more related information of the order in which a series of questions was answered, and the contents of the question item before correction and the required input time when the input contents are corrected by inputting again after inputting. Therefore, it is possible to automatically collect relevant information relating to a user input process. In gathering information using questionnaires on the network, the response attitude of the respondents could not be observed.However, it was possible to record related information that was information on the input process, such as whether hesitantly filled out, and a new society including respondents' attitudes Analysis becomes possible.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input device capable of performing input for answering a question for collecting information, a display device capable of displaying a homepage for collecting information, It has a browser that can access the homepage and display it on the display device, and a line connection unit that controls the connection to the network, and there is no logical dependency between a series of information collection questions. In some cases, the extended browser means displays the questionnaire, determines the logical dependency from the previous answer for which an answer is required, and after the question, only the items having the logical dependency are displayed on the browser screen. When there is a logical dependency between a series of questions, it is a client terminal for collecting information on the network characterized by displaying Only question necessary items in a series of questions expansion browser means in response to the answer situation can be displayed to the user, the answer miss hardly occurs, can be carried out very easily information collection.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when there is a logical dependency, the extended browser means renumbers and displays the items having the logical dependency. Since the client terminal is used to collect information on the network described in No. 3, it is possible to display an easily understandable display instead of simply skipping the hidden number.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a web file unit capable of storing a web page description language file of designated information indicating whether there is a logical dependency between a series of question items and home page information for collecting information. , An extended browser function file section that stores an extended browser program file that can be specified according to the specified information, an output file section that stores an output file after answering the information collection question, and a connection for connecting to a network A web server for collecting information on a network, which has a line connection unit for controlling and sends an extended browser program file to a client terminal in response to a request from the browser means. You can specify the logical dependencies between question items in the At the time of the answer to the collection for the question can be displayed only question items required in accordance with the specification and answer situation by extension browser means to the user.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a web server for collecting information on a network according to the fourth aspect, wherein the web page description language file is an HTML file or an XML file. The information collection homepage can be created most easily, and the webpage description language file can be sent to the client terminal, and the homepage corresponding to the designated information indicating the presence or absence of the logical dependency can be displayed on the browser screen.

According to the invention described in claim 7, the contents inputted by the user for each question, the time required for inputting each question,
Any one or more related information of the order in which a series of questions was answered, the content before correction of the question item and the time required for input when the input content is corrected by inputting again after input can be recorded. The web server for collecting information on the network according to the fifth or sixth aspect of the present invention, which is provided with a log file part, can automatically collect relevant information relating to a user input process. In gathering information using questionnaires on the network, the response attitude of the respondents could not be observed.However, it was possible to record related information that was information on the input process, such as whether hesitantly filled out, and a new society including the attitudes of the respondents was recorded. Analysis becomes possible.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a client terminal for collecting information on the network according to the third or fourth aspect, and information collection on the network according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects. A web server for specifying the presence or absence of a logical dependency between question items in advance and storing it in a web file section. When there is a logical dependency between a series of question items, the extended browser means Information is collected on a network characterized by determining whether there is a logical dependency from the previous answer for which an answer is required, and displaying only items having a logical dependency on the browser screen after the question. Information collection implementation system, the creator of the homepage can specify the logical dependency between the question items of the information collection question when setting the question item, At the time of the answer to the question can be displayed only question items required in accordance with the specification and answer situation by extension browser means to the user.

[0033] The invention according to claim 9 is characterized in that, when there is a logical dependency, the extended browser means renumbers and displays the items having the logical dependency. Since the information collection execution system for collecting information on the network described in No. 8 does not simply skip the hidden numbers and display them, it is possible to provide an easy-to-understand display.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a client terminal having a home page creation processing means for creating a web page description language file of a home page for collecting information, and a network according to any one of the fifth to seventh aspects. A web server for collecting information above was provided, and the web file section stored a web page description language file of designated information indicating whether there was a logical dependency between the information collection home page information and a series of question items in the web file section. Because it is an information collection homepage creation system for collecting information on a network, it is possible to specify the logical dependency between question items of information collection questions when setting question items, and to answer information collection questions. Sometimes, only the necessary question items can be displayed to the user according to the designation and the answer situation.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, when a browser program installed in a computer displays a homepage for information collection on a network on a display device, the initialization function intercepts control from the browser program. And, when data is input in response to the information collection question on the information collection homepage, the information on the logical dependency between the data and the question item of the information collection question specified in advance is used to determine the logical dependency. Judgment of presence / absence, if there is a logical dependence, perform non-display processing for the information collection question part of the web page description language file of the information collection homepage, and if there is no logical dependence, leave it in the browser program as it is Because it is a program for realizing the input data processing function to pass control and display Intercept a control from the browser program of the client terminal, if there is a logical dependency performs hidden process, only the question items required in a series of questions can be displayed in the browser.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, when there is a logical dependency, non-display processing is performed on an information collection question part of a web page description language file,
13. The program according to claim 12, wherein a renumbering process is performed on the question number of the information collection question, so that the hidden number is not simply skipped and displayed, but is renumbered. To make the display easier to understand. (Embodiment 1) Next, an information collection method on a network according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and a client terminal, a web server, an information collection execution system and an information collection homepage creation system used for the method will be described.
This will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a client terminal, a web server, an information collection execution system, and an information collection homepage creation system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram of an information collection homepage creation system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a homepage creation process according to the first embodiment, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a process flow of an information collecting and executing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a flowchart of input data processing of an extended browser means.

In FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 4, the system for executing the method for collecting information on a network according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a questionnaire survey system surveyed on the Internet. It consists of two systems: a homepage creation system for users and a questionnaire survey implementation system. The homepage creation system for questionnaire survey is a system for a homepage creator to create a homepage for questionnaire and set question items. The questionnaire survey execution system on the Internet is a system for allowing a user, that is, a questionnaire respondent, to answer a question item using the questionnaire homepage created in this way. In the first embodiment, a questionnaire survey method will be mainly described for convenience of description, but the present invention is not limited to such a so-called questionnaire survey but uses a homepage on a network. It covers information collection methods, information collection implementation systems, client terminals, web servers, and information collection homepage creation systems that collect information from respondents.

First, a system for creating a homepage for questionnaire survey according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 100 is a client terminal of a questionnaire survey homepage creation system, 101 is a processing device such as a personal computer, 102 is an input device such as a keyboard, 103 is a display device such as a CRT display, 104
Is a communication path, which is connected to the Internet (not shown) via a provider. 105, a web server connected to the Internet;
Can access the web server 105 through the communication path 104 and the Internet. Reference numeral 200 denotes a client terminal different from the client terminal 100 connected to the Internet. Although the Internet is described as an example in the first embodiment as described above, the same applies to other networks. Input device 10
Reference numeral 2 is used for inputting the contents of a questionnaire and various designated information in creating a homepage. The specification information includes a question item to be hidden when there is a dependency between the question items of the home page to be created, a list of conditions to be hidden, and the like. The display device 103 is used for displaying input information and displaying a layout of a homepage in the course of creation. And the client terminal 1
00 is the client terminal 20 via the Internet.
When 0 accesses the web server 105, it also has a function of uploading an extended browser program for extending the browser function of the client terminal 200 and an extended browser loader for loading the program. The system for creating a homepage for questionnaire survey according to the first embodiment includes a client terminal 100, a communication path 104 including an Internet network, a web server 1
05.

Next, the internal configuration and operation of the processing apparatus 101 will be described. 111 is a central control means, 112 is a browser means for browsing a homepage, 113 is a homepage creation processing means capable of creating a homepage for questionnaire survey, and 114 is a central control means 111
Is a program storage unit storing various programs to be executed by the server, 115 is a data storage unit, 116 is a line connection unit for exchanging various protocol data for controlling connection for connecting to the web server 105 via the communication path 104 Reference numeral 117 denotes an upload unit for uploading a homepage or a program to the web server 105. The program storage unit 114 stores the client terminal 1
00 in addition to its own program, other client terminals 2
00, an extended browser program for extending the browser function and an extended browser loader for loading the extended browser program are stored. As the extended browser program, a plurality of types of programs corresponding to the model of the client terminal 200 are prepared and stored. Since the extended browser loader does not depend on the client, one type of program is sufficient. This extended browser program,
When loaded into the client terminal 200, the client terminal 200 refers to the hidden question item information and the list of conditions to be hidden specified by the logical dependency of the question item, performs tag processing for not displaying the information, The relevant information of the input process at 200 is recorded. Central control means 111
Performs overall control of each unit based on the OS, reads a program stored in the program storage unit 114, and performs the above-described upload process in addition to various processes of the client terminal 100 itself. The browser means 112 is a function realizing means constituted by a processor and a browser program, and enables a client terminal 100 to browse a homepage on the Internet. The homepage creation processing means 113 is similarly constituted by a homepage creation program and a processor, and enables creation of a homepage. The uploading unit 117 also includes an online program and a processor.

Regarding the internal configuration of the web server 105,
Mainly describing the relationship with the client terminal 100, reference numeral 121 denotes a central control unit of the web server 105, 1
Reference numeral 22 denotes a processing unit which is called upon a request from the client terminals 100 and 200 or the like to perform processing such as a CGI function or perform various processing of a homepage. Reference numeral 123 denotes a Web page description language. In the first embodiment, an HTML format is used. Web file part storing homepage data of
24, a program storage unit storing various programs executed by the central control unit 121 of the web server 105;
Reference numeral 25 denotes a data storage unit; and 126, a line connection unit for exchanging various kinds of protocol data for performing connection control for connecting to the web server 105 via the communication path 104. Reference numeral 218 denotes an extended browser function file portion, and 219
Denotes a log file part, and 220 denotes an output file part. Note that these three file units will be described later because they relate to the client terminal 200. Further, in the first embodiment, the home page data is described in an HTML file, but may be a file described in another language such as an XML file as long as it is a web page description language. Hereinafter, an HTML file is described, but the same applies to all.

The information specified by the homepage creator from the input device 102 indicating that there is a dependency for homepage creation is passed to the homepage creation processing means 113 via the central control means 111. When the homepage is created by the homepage creation processing unit 113 and all the information is prepared, the web server 10 on the Internet is transmitted from the line connection unit 116 through the communication path 104 by the uploading unit 117 by the input from the input device 102.
5 and converts the information into an HTML file of the homepage for the questionnaire survey.
5 is stored in the web file section 123. Further, the uploading unit 117 stores the program storage unit 11
4 and an extended browser loader for loading the extended browser program to the client terminal 200 from the web server 105, and store them in the extended browser function file section 218. These programs are loaded on the client terminal 200 for browsing the homepage each time as described later, and are used to enable input data processing on the client side. It should be noted that the types of the extended browser programs are desirably as comprehensive as possible, assuming all types of client terminals 200, so that there is no bias in the questionnaire survey.

Next, a homepage creation process of the questionnaire survey homepage creation system will be described with reference to FIG. The homepage creator inputs designation information for creating a homepage from the input device 102. This information is passed to the homepage creation processing means 113 through the central control means 111 and the homepage creation processing means 11
3 creates a general setting for each question item as a home page using an HTML FORM tag based on the information specified by the home page creator (step 1).
Next, it is checked whether or not the logical dependency between the items of the question is specified (step 2).

In step 2, if the logical dependency is specified, a list of the specified hidden question items and the conditions to be hidden is created, and this list is referred to as HT.
Create an ML file (step 3). Information on the dependencies between question items can be found on the H
Include it as a comment line in the TML file. In addition,
When a non-display question item when the non-display condition is satisfied is specified, the non-display question item is included in the form of tag information that the tag of the non-display question item is a tag to be deleted. st
In ep2, if the logical dependency is not specified, the process proceeds to step4. At this stage, the creator of the homepage determines that all the settings for creating the homepage are complete, accesses the web server 105 on the Internet through the communication path 104, and uploads these settings to the web server 105 as homepage data for input. And the web file unit 123
(Step 4). Next, the homepage creator reads the plurality of types of extended browser programs in the program storage unit 114 and the extended browser loader for loading the extended browser programs into the client terminal 200 by the upload unit 117, and reads the extended browser function file unit in the web server 105. 218 is sent and stored (step 5), and the homepage creation process ends.

Next, Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Of the questionnaire survey implementation system on the Internet in Japan. Reference numeral 200 denotes a client terminal of the above-described questionnaire survey execution system, 201 denotes a processing device of the questionnaire survey execution system including a personal computer, etc., 202 denotes an input device such as a keyboard, and 203 denotes a CR.
It is a display device such as a T display. The client terminal 200 can access the web server 105 through the Internet via the communication path 104 and a provider (not shown). The input device 202 inputs data to the already created questionnaire homepage,
The display device 203 is used to answer a questionnaire.
Can display a home page for questionnaire survey, and is used for displaying input information. The questionnaire survey execution system according to the first embodiment includes a client terminal 200, a communication path 104 including the Internet network,
It comprises a web server 105.

Next, the internal configuration of the processing device 201 will be described. 211 is a central control means, 212 is a browser means for browsing a homepage for questionnaire survey, 21
Reference numeral 3 denotes an initial setting at the time of downloading,
Intercept the control of the above, and when there is a logical dependency between a series of questions, refer to the list of hidden questions and the conditions to be hidden, and remove the hidden questions from the questions. The extended browser means for performing the designation processing such as the tag processing and recording the information related to the input process at the client terminal 200; 214, a program storage unit storing various programs executed by the central control means 211; 216 is the communication path 10
4 is a line connection unit for exchanging various protocol data for performing connection control for connection to the web server 105 via the Web server 4. A temporary file part 217 is stored in the data storage part 215. Temporary file part 2
Reference numeral 17 stores a temporary file such as a time log file created in the process. The central control unit 211 is an OS
In addition to controlling the units and the whole based on the program, the program stored in the program storage unit 214 is read and various processes are performed.

The browser means 212 allows the homepage on the Internet to be browsed by the browser program. When the extended browser program is loaded from the web server 105 into the processing device 201 and installed as the extended browser means 213, the extended browser means 213 Intercepts the control of the browser means 212 by the initial setting, performs the designation processing and tag processing required for the homepage data, and returns the control to the browser means 212 to display the corrected homepage on the display device 203. it can. The client terminal 200 includes a processing device 201, an input device 202 connected to the processing device 201, and a display device 203.

Next, the internal configuration and operation of the web server 105 will be described in relation to the client terminal 200. Reference numeral 218 denotes an extended browser function file unit. The extended browser function file unit 218 stores a plurality of types of extended browser programs uploaded from the client terminal 100 by the upload unit 117 and an extended browser loader for loading the programs into the client terminal 200. When browsing the homepage, the browser means 212 accesses the web server 105 and displays the homepage file in the web file section 123 on the display device 203. In the browser screen of this homepage, a questionnaire start button is activated. By clicking this, the browser unit 212 downloads the extended browser loader in the extended browser function file unit 218 and executes it. The extended browser loader transmits the model information of the client terminal 200 to the web server 10.
5 to request the download of the extended browser program. The web server 105 loads the extended browser program. Thereby, the client terminal 200
As an extended browser means 213. Reference numeral 219 denotes a log file unit, and 220 denotes an output file unit.

Incidentally, the extended browser program constituting the extended browser means 213 is logically composed of the following two parts. One is the initialization part, 2
The third is an input data processing part. The initial setting portion is a program for initial setting immediately after loading, and is executed immediately after loading and ends. The input data processing part is a program for processing data input by the user, and is repeatedly executed as long as the questionnaire is input. That is, the extended browser means 213 has two functions of the initial setting function and the input data processing function.

First, a description will be given of the initial setting. When the extended browser program is loaded and installed as the extended browser means 213, the extended browser loader transfers control to the extended browser means 213 to execute the initial setting function. The extended browser means 213 includes the browser means 21
2 is a client program for the client terminal 2
In the browser program, the location of the location where the input data from the user is to be processed is checked. Then, after moving the first instruction X in this location to another part of the memory and storing it, the instruction X is rewritten to the instruction Y. Here, the command Y is a “jump command to the first command in the input data processing portion of the extended browser program”. This rewriting is executed in order for the extended browser means 213 to intercept the control from the browser means 212 (so-called hooking) when the user inputs data. Note that the rewritten instruction X of the browser program is the first execution instruction of a series of intercepted input processing, and the processing of the instruction is not lost. This temporarily replaces the corresponding process in the portion. When the extended browser program finishes processing all the input data, it returns to the original command X.

Next, the extended browser means 213 sends an H for the questionnaire homepage referenced by the browser means 212.
The TML file A is copied as another file B in the temporary storage unit 217 of the client terminal 200. This is performed because the extended browser means 213 needs to modify the file A based on the file B later. The initial setting process of the extended browser unit 213 ends here, and the control is returned to the browser unit 212.

Next, the input data processing function of the extended browser means 213 and the display processing of the browser means 212 receiving the function will be described. The browser means 212 waits for the user to input data for answering the questionnaire after the initial setting is completed. When the user performs data input, this becomes an event, and control is passed to the input data processing location of the browser means 212. Since the first instruction at that location has already been rewritten to the jump instruction Y, the control is interrupted. Extended browser means 21
3 to the input data processing part. Extended browser means 21
The input data processing section 3 first performs processing corresponding to the rewritten instruction X of the browser program. This can be executed because the instruction X is stored in another part of the memory in advance.
Next, the input time is recorded in the time log file in the temporary file section 217 of the client terminal 200. And
The extended browser means 213 checks whether or not the data input by the user is related to the logical dependence between the previously specified question items. For information on the dependencies between question items, see the questionnaire website HTML file B
Is contained in the form of a comment line as tag information for correction, and the hidden question item is recognized by referring to this tag information portion. Note that this tag information is not written in a comment line format in the HTML file as in the first embodiment, but is stored in the web file unit 123 as another file of the tag information for correction. Alternatively, this may be loaded into the client terminal 200 and referred to.

When the processing of the logical dependency is not necessary, for example, immediately after the initial setting at the start of the questionnaire response, the next command intercepted, that is, the browser means 2
Jump instruction Y in the browser program that composes No. 12.
Pass control to the next instruction. If logical dependency processing is required, the following processing is performed. HTML file B in which logical dependency information and existing tag information are copied
, The tag of the question item that should not be displayed in accordance with the specification is deleted, and a process such as a renumbering process for changing the question number is performed, and the HTML file A for the browser means 212 is corrected. Then, control is passed to the next instruction that has been intercepted.

Upon receiving the control, the browser means 212
Using the HTML file A, display of a questionnaire screen and processing of input data are performed as usual. Browser means 2
When these processes are completed, the process waits for the next questionnaire data input and repeats the above procedure.

The extended browser means 213 according to the first embodiment has, as one of the input data processing functions, a renumbering function for renumbering a series of questions when an unnecessary tag is deleted. . The tag with the number next to the deleted item can be moved to the position of the deleted tag, and the number written as the question item number can be moved up to arrange the number. Specifically, the target numbers described between the FORM tags may be rewritten. For example, 1, 2, 3,
In the case of the question item provided as 4, if 2 is deleted, 3 is moved to the position where 2 is described as a new "2", and 4 is moved to the position of 3 as a new "3". The content is also moved. In addition, question items 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3
In the case where the entire question is composed of question items B and 4, a common logical dependency (a) is recognized in 2A and 3A, and another common dependency (b) is defined in 2B and 3B. ) Is found, the logical dependency (a) in question item 1
Is entered, the questions 1, 2A, 3A,
Unnecessary questions are deleted and the position is moved up, and if an answer indicating the logical dependency (b) is input, unnecessary questions are left except for question items 1, 2B, 3B and 4. What is necessary is just to delete and move up the position and display it. In the case of such a numbering in the branch number format, deletion and movement of the position are sufficient, and processing after obtaining an answer becomes extremely easy. In addition, it is one method for questionnaire management to perform such a renumbering process, leave the deleted question item and question number as they are, and display them in a toothless state.

Finally, the operation of terminating the data input processing from the client terminal 200 will be described. An end request button is actively embedded in the browser screen of the homepage, and the above-described processing is repeated unless the user clicks the end request button.
The repetition operation is performed immediately after data input by a jump instruction Y from the input data processing portion of the browser means 212.
The control is performed by intercepting the input data processing portion of the extended browser means 213. Then, the time is recorded, the HTML file A for the browser means 212 is appropriately corrected, and thereafter, control is returned to the next intercepted instruction of the browser means 212, and the browser means 2
12 performs processing as if nothing happened,
Repeat this.

When the user clicks the end request button in this state, the extended browser means 213 that has intercepted the control performs the following processing. After recording the time, the web server 105 is accessed via the line connection unit 216 and the communication path 104, and the time log file in the temporary file unit 217 of the client terminal 200 is transferred to the web server 105. The log file unit 219 includes
In addition to this time log file, a history of the content entered by the user for each question, the time required to enter each question, the order in which a series of questions were answered,
If the input contents are corrected by inputting again after inputting, one of the contents before correction of this question item and the time required for input
One or more related information can be stored. The required input time is recorded after the calculation. If the time log file is stored in the log file unit 219, the client terminal 2
00 time log file from inside the temporary file part 217,
And delete the HTML file B. In addition, to avoid intercepting control during future data entry,
The part of the browser program rewritten to the jump instruction Y is restored on the memory to the original instruction X. As a result, control does not reach the input data processing portion of the extended browser program unless the user newly accesses the questionnaire homepage. Thus, the processing of the input data of the extended browser means 213 ends its role, and returns control to the next intercepted instruction (the instruction next to the instruction X) of the browser program. Browser means 212
When the end request is recognized, the following normal processing is performed. That is, the output file storing the input data is transferred from the temporary file unit 217 to the output file unit 220 of the web server 105. When the output file is stored in the output file unit 220, the browser unit 212
Deletes a series of temporary files from the temporary file section 217 of the client terminal 200, displays the information sent from the web server 105 for display after the completion of the questionnaire processing, and ends the questionnaire processing.

FIG. 5 shows the client terminal 200.
7 is a flowchart showing input data processing of the extended browser means 213 in the processing of FIG. Hereinafter, FIGS. 1, 4, and 5
The input data processing of the extended browser means 213 will be described based on the above. First, step 11 shows a series of initial setting processing performed by the extended browser means 213 together with the browser means 212 before starting processing of input data. Web server 1 by browser means 212
05, the home page is displayed on the display device 203.
, And the extended browser loader and the extended browser program are loaded on the client terminal 200.

When the extended browser means 213 is installed,
The extended browser means 213 stores the first instruction X in another part of the memory and rewrites the instruction X into a jump instruction Y in order to intercept the control from the browser means 212. Subsequently, the extended browser means 213
The HTML file A of the homepage for questionnaire survey to be referred to by the browser 212 is copied as another file B in the temporary storage unit 217 of the client terminal 200, and the control is returned to the browser 212 once. This is step 11.

When the user performs data input in this state,
The browser means 212 starts processing the input data,
In step 12, the control is passed to the input data processing portion of the extended browser program by interception by the extended browser means 213, and the extended browser means 213 performs processing corresponding to the instruction X of the browser program rewritten into the jump instruction Y (step 13). ). Next, the input time is recorded in a time log file in the temporary file section 217 of the client terminal 200 (step 1).
4).

Subsequently, in step 15, it is checked whether or not the user input is an end request. If it is not an end request in step 15, the process proceeds to step 16, and the extended browser means 213 checks whether or not the input data is related to the logical dependency between the previously specified question items. When the end request is input in step 15, the time log file is transferred to the web server 105 (step 17). Thereafter, the time log file stored in the temporary file section 217 and the copied HTML file B are deleted, and the browser program is restored to the original instruction X (step
18) Then, the control is passed to the next command intercepted by the browser 212 (step 20), and the input data processing of the extended browser 213 is terminated.

Next, in step 16, if the data input by the user needs to be processed for logical dependency, s
The extended browser unit 213 refers to the HTML file B copied in step 11 and causes the browser unit 212 to display the screen on the screen. The extended browser unit 213 deletes the tag of the question item that should not be displayed according to the specification and replaces the question number. HTM for the browser means 212
Modify L file A (step 19), and
Go to 0. If the processing of the logical dependency is not necessary in step 16, the process directly proceeds to step 20. step
In step 20, the extended browser means 213 passes control to the next command intercepted by the browser means 212 (step 20), and the extended browser means 213 ends the input data processing.

Subsequently, the extended browser means 2 described above
After the input data processing of 13 is completed, in step 21, the browser means 212 to which control has been passed performs a series of post-processing for screen display and termination. That is, step
The browser means 212 to which control has been passed at 20 displays the corrected HTML file A if there is a logical dependency, and displays the unmodified HTML file A as it is if there is no logical dependency. . Next, although not shown, the browser means 212 waits for an input under this display. In this state, there is an input from the user, and if the input is an end request, the process returns to step 12 and shifts to the end process in step 15, but if the input is another input, the end request is input. Returns to step 12, and repeats the processing up to step 20. The questionnaire process is terminated when the end request is recognized in step 15 and the control is completely transferred from the extended browser unit 213 to the browser unit 212, and the browser unit 212 terminates normally.

Since the conventional browser program does not have a function of recording processes related to the logical dependence between question items and recording of related information relating to the input process of the respondent, the present embodiment 1 In this example, in order to supplement this function, an extended browser loader and an extended browser program are prepared in the extended browser function file section 218 of the web server 105, and loaded into the client terminal 200 and then functioned as the extended browser means 213. However, as another embodiment, a method in which a program corresponding to the extended browser means 213 is prepared in advance under the client terminal 200 is also possible. In this case, it is necessary to prepare in advance a program corresponding to the extended browser means 213 in each client terminal, but the processing of the program itself is the same as the processing shown in FIG. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the extended browser loader and the extended browser program are downloaded, and the extended browser program performs tag processing to intercept the processing of the browser means 212. However, all the browser processing is performed instead of the browser means without intercept. You can also download an extended browser program that can do this.

With respect to the logical dependence between the questionnaire question items described above, how to specifically display or hide the question items will be specifically described with a sample questionnaire. Although a specific sample is not given, the same is basically applied to other information collecting methods other than the questionnaire. FIG. 6A is a diagram of a browser display screen of a general setting sample of the information collecting method according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 6B is a browser of a first setting sample of the information collecting method according to the first embodiment. Diagram of display screen, FIG. 6
FIG. 3C is a diagram of a browser display screen of a second setting sample of the information collecting method according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the questions 1, 2A, and 2B of the sample example in this questionnaire survey as information collection are as follows.
This question is the overall structure of the questionnaire. Question 1: Choose your gender. 1. Male 2.
Woman Question 2A: Please choose one of your favorite liquors.
1. Sake 2. Whiskey 3. Brandy 4.
Wine 5. Others Question 2B: Please choose one of your favorite dishes.
1. Japanese food 2. Chinese 3. Italian food 4. French cuisine 5. Others As the logical dependency between the question items, if question 1 is answered as male, only question 2A is the answer target, and if question 1 is a woman, only question 2B is the answer target. Suppose there is. In the above setting, the browser screen display when answering the question 1 as male or female is as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C. Note that an asterisk (*) in the entry area after the number corresponding to a male or female means that the corresponding gender was selected and written by the respondent.

In the first embodiment, since the logical dependency is set as described above, a man only has to answer by looking at question 2A, and there is no possibility that an error is mixed in the questionnaire result. Question 2B for women
, So you don't need to worry about the time to fill it out. In this sample, relatively artificial settings are made as logical dependencies.However, in the case of inevitable settings, for example, in a questionnaire on illness, a heart question is asked to a person who has no heart disease. However, even if it is meaningless, or if you continue to ask questions to people from different ages or places of residence in administrative surveys etc., it will only increase the statistical error, so to improve statistical accuracy It is extremely significant that only items designated as having a logical dependency are displayed on the browser screen.

[0067]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
In the information collection method on the network described in the above, only items specified as having a logical dependency are displayed on the browser screen. Can be specified, and only the necessary question items can be displayed on the browser screen according to the specification and the answer status when answering the information collection question. When collecting information such as questionnaire surveys and social surveys on a network such as the Internet, the quality of survey data is improved, and highly accurate sociological analysis becomes possible. In addition, when collecting information such as questionnaire surveys using conventional questionnaires, respondents misunderstand the dependencies between question items and fill in the wrong items, which is one of the major causes of deterioration in the quality of survey data. However, it can be completely solved by the information collecting method of the present invention in which only valid question items are displayed.

According to the method for collecting information on a network according to the second aspect of the present invention, since the related information is recorded, it is possible to automatically collect the related information relating to the input process of the user. In collecting information using questionnaires on networks such as the Internet, the response attitude of the respondent could not be observed.However, it was possible to record relevant information that was information on the input process, such as hesitating to fill out, including the respondent's attitude. New sociological analysis is possible.

In the client terminal for collecting information on the network according to the third aspect of the present invention, the extended browser means displays the question items and displays only items having a logical dependency on the browser screen. When there is a logical dependency between a series of question items, the extended browser means can display only the necessary question items in the question items to the user according to the answer situation, and there is almost no answer error, making it extremely easy Can collect information.

The client terminal for collecting information on the network according to the fourth aspect of the present invention performs renumbering processing when there is a logical dependency and displays it. Instead of just skipping and displaying,
The display can be easily understood.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a web server for collecting information on a network, comprising: a web file unit capable of storing web page description language files of home page information and designated information; and an extended browser program file. It has an extended browser function file section to store, and the extended browser program file can be sent to the client terminal according to the request from the browser means, so that the logical dependency between the questions of the information collection question can be specified when setting the question item When answering a question for information collection, only necessary question items can be displayed to the user according to the designation and the answer status by the extended browser means.

According to the invention described in claim 6, since the web page description language file is an HTML file or an XML file, a homepage for information collection can be created most easily, and the web page description language file is transmitted to the client terminal. The homepage corresponding to the designated information indicating the presence or absence of the logical dependency can be displayed on the browser screen.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the web server for collecting information on the network is provided with a log file section capable of recording the related information, so that the related information relating to the inputting process of the user is provided. Can be collected automatically. When gathering information using questionnaires on the Internet, we were unable to observe the respondents' attitudes,
It is possible to record related information, which is information on the input process such as hesitantly filling in the information, and to perform a new sociological analysis including the attitude of the respondent.

In the information collection and execution system according to the present invention, since only items having a logical dependency are displayed on the browser screen, the creator of the homepage can determine the logical dependency between the question items of the information collection question. The relationship can be specified at the time of setting a question item, and when answering a question for information collection, only necessary question items can be displayed to the user according to the specification and the answer status by the extended browser means. This will enable highly accurate surveys and new sociological analysis including respondent attitudes.

In the information collection and execution system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, if there is a logical dependency, the information is renumbered and displayed. And can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner.

In the information collection home page creation system according to claim 10 of the present invention, since the web page description language file of the home page information and the designated information is stored in the web file section, the question item of the information collection question The logical dependency between the information items can be specified when setting the question items, and when answering the information collection question, only the necessary question items can be displayed to the user according to the specification and the answer status. It can provide highly accurate surveys and new sociological analysis including respondent attitudes.

The program described in claim 11 realizes an initial setting function of intercepting control from a browser program and an input data processing function of performing non-display processing when there is a logical dependency. Intercept control from the browser program,
If there is a logical dependence, non-display processing is performed, and only necessary question items in a series of question items can be displayed on the browser.

Since the program according to the twelfth aspect performs the renumbering process, it is not necessary to simply skip the non-displayed number and display it, but to renumber it to make the display easy to understand. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a client terminal, a web server, an information collection execution system, and an information collection homepage creation system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic processing flow diagram of an information collection homepage creation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a homepage creation process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic processing flow chart of the information collection and execution system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of input data processing of the extended browser means according to the first embodiment.

6A is a diagram of a browser display screen of a general setting sample of the information collecting method according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6B is a diagram of a browser display screen of a first setting sample of the information collecting method according to the first embodiment. Fig. (C) A diagram of a browser display screen of a second setting sample of the information collecting method according to the first embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 client terminal 101 processing device 102 input device 103 display device 104 communication path 105 web server 111 central control means 112 browser means 113 homepage creation processing means 114 program storage unit 115 data storage unit 116 line connection unit 117 uploading unit 121 central control unit 122 Processing unit 123 Web file unit 124 Program storage unit 125 Data storage unit 126 Line connection unit 200 Client terminal 201 Processing unit 202 Input unit 203 Display unit 211 Central control unit 212 Browser unit 213 Extended browser unit 214 Program storage unit 215 Data storage unit 216 Line connection part 217 Temporary file part 218 Extended browser function file part 219 Log file part 220 Output file part

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An information collecting method for obtaining an answer to a series of question items on a network, wherein the presence or absence of a logical dependency between the question items is specified in advance to obtain an answer to the question items. And a method of collecting information on a network, wherein only items designated as having the logical dependency are displayed on the browser screen after the question item from the answer before the question item for which an answer is required. 2. The contents entered by the user for each question, the time required for inputting each question, the order in which a series of questions were answered, and the input of the question when the input is corrected after input. 2. The method for collecting information on a network according to claim 1, wherein at least one related information of the contents before correction and the required time for input is recorded. 3. An input device capable of performing input for answering a question for collecting information, a display device capable of displaying a homepage for collecting information, and the display device accessing the homepage for collecting information. And a line connection unit for controlling connection to a network, and when there is a logical dependency between the series of questions of the information collection question, the extended browser means Perform the display of the question items, determine the logical dependency from the previous answer for which an answer is required, and display only the items having the logical dependency on the browser screen after the question item. A client terminal for collecting information on a network, characterized in that: 4. The network according to claim 3, wherein when the logical dependency exists, the extended browser means renumbers and displays the items having the logical dependency. Client terminal for collecting information. 5. A web file unit capable of storing a web page description language file of designated information indicating whether there is a logical dependency between a homepage information for information collection and a series of question items, and a designation according to the designated information. An extended browser function file section that stores the extended browser program file that can be processed, an output file section that stores the output file after answering the information collection question, and a line connection section that performs connection control for connecting to the network A web server for collecting information on a network, wherein the web server sends the extended browser program file to a client terminal in response to a request from a browser means. 6. The Web page description language file is HTML
The web server for collecting information on a network according to claim 4, wherein the web server is a file or an XML file. 7. The contents entered by the user for each question item, the time required for inputting each question item, the order in which a series of question items were answered, The web server for collecting information on a network according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising a log file unit capable of recording at least one related information of the content before correction and the required time for input. 8. A client terminal for collecting information on a network according to claim 3 or 4, and a client terminal for collecting information on the network according to claim 3.
7. A web server for collecting information on the network described in any one of (7) and (6), specifying whether there is a logical dependency between question items and storing the information in a web file section in advance, and storing a series of questions When there is a logical dependency, the extended browser means determines the presence or absence of the logical dependency from the previous answer for which an answer is required, and after the question, only the items having the logical dependency An information collection execution system for collecting information on a network, which is displayed on a browser screen. 9. The network according to claim 8, wherein when the logical dependency exists, the extended browser means renumbers and displays the items having the logical dependency. Information collection implementation system for collecting information. 10. A client terminal comprising a homepage creation processing means for creating a webpage description language file of a homepage for collecting information, and a web for collecting information on a network according to any one of claims 5 to 7. A server, and a web file description file storing a web page description language file of designated information indicating whether there is a logical dependency between a series of question items and home page information for information collection in a web file section. An information collection homepage creation system for collecting information. 11. When a browser program installed in a computer displays a homepage for information collection on a network on a display device,
An initial setting function for intercepting control from the browser program; and when data is input in response to the information collection question of the information collection homepage, the data is interposed between the data and a pre-specified question of the information collection question. Judgment of the presence or absence of the logical dependency from the information on the logical dependency of the, if there is a logical dependency, non-display processing for the information collection question part of the web page description language file of the information collection homepage is performed A program for realizing an input data processing function of passing control to the browser program and displaying the browser program without any logical dependency. 12. When there is a logical dependency, non-display processing is performed on an information collection question part of the web page description language file, and renumbering processing is performed on a question number of the information collection question. The program according to claim 12, wherein the program is executed.