JP2005242720A - Database retrieval method apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce load for inputting a retrieving condition, and to prevent the occurrence of an input error. <P>SOLUTION: The database retrieving apparatus comprises: an HDD 113 for storing retrieving conditions input in the past and past retrieved results based on the retrieving conditions as retrieval history information; a retrieval history control part 204 for recording a retrieving condition input by a voice input device 101 and a retrieved result based on the retrieving condition in the HDD 113 as retrieval history information; a retrieval expression generation part 205 for judging whether the inputted retrieving condition is narrowed retrieval from the preceding retrieved result or not on the basis of the past retrieval history data recorded in the HDD 113, and at the time of judging that the inputted retrieving condition is not the narrowed retrieval, setting the inputted retrieving condition as a new retrieving condition; and a retrieval part 206 for retrieving a required record from a program database 115 on the basis of the generated new retrieving condition. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a database search method, a database search apparatus, and a database search program for searching for a desired record from database information, and in particular, a new search is performed by determining whether or not an input search condition is a refined search. The present invention relates to a database search method, a database search device, and a database search program for generating conditions.

  When searching a database that stores many records of things expressed by various attributes by entering a search expression, to obtain the desired record, first enter the search expression, browse the search results, and select the desired record. If the search result is not obtained, the search formula is updated. A user who performs a database search generally repeats such work until a desired record is obtained as a search result.

  In order to reduce the burden on the user who inputs such a search expression, search conditions input in the past may be integrated according to the intention of the current user input (for example, Patent Document 1). In this prior art, in the control system for the audio / video device and the integrated access system for controlling the audio / video configuration, after the search condition “restaurant near destination” is inputted by voice, the search condition “Chinese food” The search condition entered in the first time is complemented with the search condition in the second time, and a search condition of “Chinese cuisine near the destination” is generated. Searches for registered records. This conventional technique is superior in that it does not require the user to re-enter previously input conditions by generating new search conditions.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-15686 (FIG. 4)

  However, new search conditions are generated by complementing the previously entered search conditions regardless of the number of records in the database currently being searched and the number of records in the past search results. In some cases, unnecessary search conditions include unnecessary conditions, and the search conditions must be input again. For example, if search is repeated to narrow down the record set of search results, and the number of records in the previous search result is 1, then the input of the search condition after that is not considered as a further refinement search of the record set. It can be considered that this is a case where all the search conditions input up to are discarded and a new search is performed. In this case, in the above prior art, it becomes necessary to allow the user to input the search condition again after returning the record set to the original state, and thus the burden of the user's input of the search condition is increased, which is complicated. There is.

  In particular, in the case of the above-described prior art in which search conditions are input by voice and voice analysis is performed, a “cancel” or “reset” command is input after voice input to discard the search conditions once input by voice. In addition, it is necessary to input a voice for a new search condition, the burden on the search condition for the user becomes excessive, and the input of the search condition becomes complicated, so that an input error of the search condition often occurs.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a database search method, a database search apparatus, and a database search program that can reduce input burden of search conditions and prevent input errors. And

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides an input step for inputting a search condition for a desired record from database information in which a record to be searched is recorded, and a search condition input by the input step. And a search step for recording the search result based on the search condition in the storage means as search history information, and the search condition input by the input step based on the past search history information recorded in the storage means is the previous search. It is determined whether or not the search is a refined search from the result. If it is determined that the search is not a refined search, a search condition generation step using the input search condition as a new search condition and a search condition generation step And a search step of searching for a desired record from the database based on a new search condition, It relates to a database search method that.

  The present invention also relates to a processor, a memory storing the program, accessible by the processor, input means for inputting a search condition for a desired record from database information in which a record to be searched is recorded, and input in the past Storage means for storing the retrieved search conditions and past search results based on the search conditions as search history information, and the program uses the search conditions input by the input means and the search conditions to store the processor. Recording means for recording search results as search history information in the storage means, and search conditions input by the input means based on past search history information recorded in the storage means are narrowed down from previous search results. If it is determined whether or not the search is a refined search, the input search condition is set as a new search condition. What is claimed is: 1. A database search apparatus, comprising: a search condition generation unit; and a search unit that searches a desired record from the database information based on a new search condition generated by the search condition generation unit It is.

  The present invention also provides an input reception procedure for receiving an input of a search condition for a desired record from database information in which a record to be searched is recorded, a search condition for which an input has been received by the input reception procedure, and a search based on the search condition A recording procedure for recording the results as search history information in the storage means, and a search condition input by the input reception procedure based on the past search history information recorded in the storage means as a refined search from the previous search results If it is determined that the search is not a refined search, a search condition generation procedure using the input search condition as a new search condition and a new search condition generated by the search condition generation procedure A database search program for causing a computer to execute a search procedure for searching for a desired record from the database based on It takes things.

  According to the present invention, a search condition for a desired record is input from database information in which a record to be searched is recorded, and the input search condition and a search result based on the search condition are recorded as search history information in a storage means. If the search condition entered based on the past search history information recorded in the storage means is a refinement search from the previous search result, and if it is judged that it is not a refinement search, the entered search If the search condition is a new search condition and a desired record is searched from the database based on the new search condition, and if the search condition is not a search condition for a narrow search by the input search condition, the input of the search condition is discarded or re-entered. There is no need to input, and it is possible to reduce the burden of inputting search conditions and to prevent input errors.

  Exemplary embodiments of a database search method, a database search device, and a database search program according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, the database search apparatus of the present invention is applied to a broadcast program recording apparatus. The recording apparatus of the present embodiment inputs a search condition relating to a desired broadcast program by voice input, searches a program record that matches the search condition from a program database of the broadcast program, and reserves the searched program. In the search from the program database, the database search method and the database search program of the present invention are applied.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the recording apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an audio input device (microphone) 101, an audio output device (speaker) 102, a signal processing unit 103, an audio recognizer 104, and a natural language analysis unit 105. A voice synthesizer 106, a dialogue manager 107, an access controller 108, a database search unit 109, a display device (monitor) 110, a digital tuner 111, a recorder 112, a hard disk device (HDD) 113, a ROM ( Read Only Memory) 116 is mainly provided. Here, the voice input device 101 constitutes input means in the present invention.

  The signal processing unit 103 performs processing for converting the sound input from the sound input device 101 into a digital signal and processing for converting the digital signal into output sound and outputting the output sound to the sound output device 102.

  The audio recognizer 104 decodes the audio signal input from the signal processing unit 103.

  The natural language analysis unit 105 analyzes the semantic content of the natural language by speech from the speech signal input from the speech recognizer 104. The voice synthesizer 106 synthesizes a voice signal from the signal input from the access controller 108.

  The dialogue manager 107 requests the access controller 108 to output audio to the audio output device 102 or receives an audio signal input from the audio input device 101 via the access controller 108. The access controller 108 controls the dialogue manager 107 from the analysis result of the audio signal input from the natural language analysis unit 105.

  The database search unit 109 searches for a corresponding program record from a program database 114 stored in the HDD 113 using a key specified by the user using the voice input device 101.

  The digital tuner 111 selects a channel input by the user using the voice input device 101, receives a broadcast program, and displays it on the display device 110.

  The recorder 112 records the broadcast program of the channel selected by the digital tuner 111 as moving image data on a storage medium such as the HDD 113 or DVD-R.

  A ROM (Read Only Memory) 116 stores a database search program of the database search unit 109 in advance. That is, the database search program 117 is read from the ROM 116 by the CPU (not shown) when the recording apparatus of the present embodiment is activated, and is generated as the database search unit 109 on the RAM (not shown). Yes. In the recording apparatus according to the present embodiment, the database search program 117 is built in the ROM 116 in advance. The database search program 117 is a CD-file in an installable or executable format file. You may comprise so that it may record and provide on computer-readable recording media, such as ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

  Further, the recording apparatus may be configured to be connectable to a network such as the Internet, and the database search program 117 may be stored on a computer connected to the network and provided by being downloaded via the network. Further, the database search program 117 of the present embodiment may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  A hard disk device (HDD) 113 stores a program database 114 and a search history data file in addition to moving image data of a recorded broadcast program. The program database 114 and the search history data file 115 will be described later.

  In the present embodiment, the program database is stored in the HDD 113 in the recording apparatus, but an electronic program guide provided by a server on a network such as the Internet is used as the program database. It is also possible to do.

  Next, the database search unit 109 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the database search unit 109. As shown in FIG. 2, the database search unit 109 includes an input processing unit 201, a display control unit 202, a search management unit 203, a search expression generation unit 205, a search unit 206, and a search history control unit 204. Mainly prepared. Each unit of the database search unit 109 is also a module configuration of the database search program 117. When the recording apparatus according to the present embodiment is activated and the database search program 117 is loaded, the above units are stored in the RAM. It is supposed to be generated above.

  The input processing unit 201 accepts a search condition that is a voice input from the voice input device 101 via the signal processing unit 103, the voice recognizer 104, the natural language analysis unit 105, the access controller 108, and the dialog manager, and then to the search management unit 203. It is something that is handed over. The display control unit 202 controls display of a search expression or the like on the display device 110.

  The search management unit 203 outputs the search condition transferred from the input processing unit 201 to the search expression generation unit 205. In addition, the search management unit 203 determines whether the search condition is cancellation. Further, the search management unit 203 narrows down the search condition input this time from the previous search result, whether or not the key condition of the search condition input this time from the previous search formula of the search history data file has been changed. It is determined whether or not the search condition is for.

  The search formula generation unit 205 inputs the search condition output from the search management unit 203 and generates a search formula for searching the program database 114.

  The search unit 206 searches for a corresponding program record from the program database 114 by the search formula generated by the search formula generation unit 205 and outputs the search result.

  The search history control unit 204 associates the search condition with the search result by the search unit 206 and writes it as search history data in the search history data file 115 or refers to the search history data file. In addition, the search history control unit 204 manages the search history data file 115.

  Next, program database search processing by the recording apparatus of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of program database search processing by the recording apparatus of the present embodiment.

  When the user inputs a search condition such as “Program name is Japan Project” from the voice input device 101, the voice of the search condition is converted into a digital voice signal by the signal processing unit 103, and the natural language analysis unit 105 is converted from the voice recognizer 104. The semantic content is analyzed, and a new search condition is received by the input processing unit 201 via the access controller 108 and the dialogue manager (step 301). Next, the search management unit 203 converts the new search condition into a search expression by a known method (step 302). For example, if the search condition is “program name is Japan project”, the search expression “program = Japan project” is used. If the search condition is “program name is Japan project and the channel is 21”, the search expression “program = Japan project” is used. “Project & Channel = 21”. The search formula is not limited to these examples, and any search formula can be used.

  Here, the program database 114 used in the recording apparatus of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a program database. In FIG. 5, for ease of explanation, the relational database is shown in a table format, but it is optional to construct the program database with a database other than the relational database.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the program database 114 of this embodiment is composed of a plurality of program records. Each program record has an ID that is an identification number of a program, a program name, a date that indicates a broadcast date, and a program broadcast date. It has attributes of start time, program broadcast end time, program broadcast channel, program performer, program genre, program outline, and each attribute is used as a search key for the program database. Can be done.

  Next, the search management unit 203 determines whether or not the search is the first search by inputting the search condition (step 303). Specifically, the search history control unit 204 refers to the search history data file 115 to determine whether or not data is written, thereby determining whether or not the search is the first search. If data is written in the search history data file 115, the second and subsequent searches are performed. If no data is written, the first search is performed.

  If it is determined that the search is the first search (step S303: Yes), the search unit 206 searches the program database 114 to be searched for the corresponding program record using the new search formula generated in step S302 ( Step S310). Then, the search history control unit 204 stores the new search formula and the search result as search history data in the search history data file 115 (step S311).

  Here, the search history data written in the search history data file 115 will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of search history data. As shown in FIG. 6, the search history data includes a search expression and a search result, that is, a searched program record. In FIG. 6, Example 1 of search history data when searching the program database 114 using the search formula “program name = Japan project”, search when searching the program database 114 using the search formula “channel = 21” Example 2 of history data, Example 3 of search history data when searching the program database 114 using the search formula “channel name = 21 & date = 2003/8/2” are shown. The number of program records as search results in Example 1 is 1, and the number of program records in Examples 2 and 3 is 2.

  Such search history data is added to the search history data file 115 in time series. Therefore, when referring to the previous search expression and search result, the search history data of the last record in the search history data file 115 may be referred to.

  If it is determined in step S303 that the search is not the first search (step S303: No), the search is performed at least once, and it is determined whether or not the search condition input by the search management unit 203 is cancel. Judgment is made (step S304). Here, the cancel input is an input indicating that the search condition input immediately before is denied. And when it is judged that it is cancellation (step S304: Yes), a cancellation process is performed (step S315). The cancellation process will be described later.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the search is not canceled (step S304: No), the search management unit determines whether or not the search condition input this time is a change in the search condition of the previous search (step S305). Here, changing the search condition means changing the value of the attribute of the search key in the search formula. For example, when the search formula of the previous search is “program name = Japan project” and the current search formula is “channel = 21”, the attribute of the search key is changed from the program name to the channel. Since the attribute value of the cage attribute “program name” is not changed, the search condition is not changed. However, if the search formula of the previous search is “program name = Japan project” and the current search formula is “program name = good morning news”, the attribute value of the program name as the search key is set to “ Since it changed from “Japan Project” to “Good Morning News”, it corresponds to the change of search conditions.

  If it is determined that the search condition is changed (step S305: Yes), the search history control unit 204 reads the previous search history data in the search history data file 115 and acquires the previous search formula (step S312). ). Then, the read previous search formula and the currently input search formula are changed to the new search formula (step S313).

  Then, a search result is obtained from the previous search history data, the previous search result is restored as a program database, and the search management unit 203 sets the searched program database as the restored program database (step S314). ). For example, when the previous search formula is “program name = Japan project”, the record of ID = 3 as the search result of Example 1 in FIG. 6 is restored as the program database and set as the search target program database. Will be.

  Next, the search unit 206 searches the program database 114 to be searched for the corresponding program record using the new search formula changed in step S313 (step S310). Then, the search history control unit 204 stores the new search formula and the search result as search history data in the search history data file 115 (step S311).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S305 that the search condition is not changed (step S305: No), the search management unit 203 further determines whether or not the number of records in the previous search result is smaller than two. It is determined whether or not the search condition input this time is a refined search of the previous search (step S306).

  If the number of records in the previous search result is 2 or more (step S306: No), it is determined that the search is a refinement search, and the database is searched by performing the processing from step S312 to S314 (step S310). The search result and the search expression are stored in the search history data file 115 as search history data (step S311).

  As an example of such a narrow search, when the search condition at the previous search is “channel = 21” and the current search condition is “program name = good morning news”, the previous search result is shown in FIG. Since the number of records is 2 as in Example 2, the current search condition is determined to be a refined search.

  On the other hand, if the number of records in the previous search result is smaller than 2 in step S306 (step S306: Yes), it is determined that the search is not a narrow search but a new search, and the search expression generation unit 205 resets the search expression. (Step S307). Then, only the search expression generated from the search condition input by the search expression generation unit 205 is set as a new search expression (step S308), and is not combined with the previous search expression. Then, the program database to be searched is set to the unsearched program database 114, that is, the program database 114 in which all the records as shown in FIG. 5 are registered without acquiring the previous search result (step S309).

  For example, when the search condition at the time of the previous search is “program name = Japan project” and the current search condition is “channel = 21”, the number of records in the previous search result as shown in Example 1 of FIG. Therefore, it is determined that the current search condition is not a narrow search but a new search.

  Then, the search unit 206 searches the program database 114 to be searched for a corresponding program record using a new search formula (step S310). Then, the search history control unit 204 stores the new search formula and the search result as search history data in the search history data file 115 (step S311). In this way, a new search is performed regardless of the previous search result.

  Next, the cancellation process in step 315 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of cancel processing performed when the input search condition is cancel. When the cancel input is made, the previous search condition input is denied, so the search history control unit 204 reads the search conditions in the previous search from the search history data file 115 (step S401). Then, the previous search formula read by the search formula generation unit 205 is set as a new search formula (step S402). Next, the search management unit 203 sets the current program database 114, that is, a database in which all records as shown in FIG. 5 are registered as a search target database (step S403). Then, the search processing of steps S310 and S311 and the search formula and search result storage processing to the search history data file 115 are performed.

  As described above, in the recording apparatus of the present embodiment, a search condition for a desired record is input from the program database 114 in which the record to be searched is recorded, and the search history and the search result based on the search condition are input to the search history. The search condition is recorded as data in the search history data file 115, and the search condition input by the number of records as the search result is narrowed down from the previous search result. If it is determined whether or not the search is a refined search, the input search condition is set as a new search condition, and a desired record is searched from the program database 115 based on the new search condition. Therefore, if the entered search condition is not a search condition for narrowing search, it is necessary to discard or re-enter the search condition. Is eliminated, it is possible to prevent input errors as well as reduce the burden of the input of the search criteria.

  In the present embodiment, an example using a single constraint condition search expression is shown, but it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a search expression that combines a plurality of constraint conditions.

  In the recording apparatus of the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the search based on the current search condition is a refined search based on the number of records as the previous search result. It can also be configured to determine whether or not the search is a refinement search based on the number.

  In the recording apparatus of the present embodiment, the voice input device (microphone) 101 is used as the input means in the present invention. However, an imaging device that captures a gesture or the like may be used.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the database search method, the database search device, and the database search program of the present invention are applied to a recording device, and a desired record is searched from the program database. However, other types of databases are shown. The present invention can also be applied to database searches in devices other than the recording device.

  As described above, the database search method, database search apparatus, and database search program according to the present invention input search conditions by input means other than manual operation, such as a voice input device, instead of input means such as a keyboard or a mouse. It is useful for the device to do.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the video recording apparatus concerning this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of a database search part. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the program database search process by the video recording apparatus of this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the cancellation process performed when the input search conditions are cancellation. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a program database. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of search history data.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Voice input device 102 Voice output device 103 Signal processing part 104 Voice recognizer 105 Natural language analysis part 106 Voice synthesizer 107 Dialogue manager 108 Access controller 109 Database search part 110 Display apparatus 111 Digital tuner 112 Recorder 114 Program database 115 Search history data file 115 Program database 116 ROM
117 Database Search Program 201 Input Processing Unit 202 Display Control Unit 203 Search Management Unit 204 Search History Control Unit 205 Search Formula Generation Unit 206 Search Unit

Claims (12)

An input step for inputting a search condition for a desired record from the database information in which the record to be searched is recorded;
A recording step of recording the search condition input in the input step and the search result based on the search condition in the storage means as search history information;
When it is determined whether or not the search condition input by the input step based on past search history information recorded in the storage means is a narrow search from the previous search result, and when it is determined that the search is not a narrow search, A search condition generation step using the input search condition as a new search condition;
A search step of searching for a desired record from the database based on the new search condition generated by the search condition generation step;
A database search method comprising:   The search condition generation step refers to the previous search result stored in the storage means, and when the number of searches of the previous search result is smaller than a predetermined number, the input search condition is The database search method according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the search is a refined search from a previous search result, and the input search condition is set as a new search condition.   The search condition generation step determines that the input search condition is not a refined search from the previous search result when the attribute value of the search key of the previous search condition is changed in the input search condition. The database search method according to claim 1, wherein the input search condition is a new search condition.   The search condition generation step generates a new search condition from the input search condition and the previously input search condition when it is determined that the input search condition is a refined search. The database search method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   5. The database search method according to claim 1, wherein the search step searches for a desired record from database information in which a program guide of a broadcast program is recorded. A processor;
A memory for storing a program and accessible by the processor;
An input means for inputting a search condition of a desired record from database information in which a record to be searched is recorded;
Storage means for storing search conditions entered in the past and past search results based on the search conditions as search history information,
The program causes the processor to
A recording means for recording the search condition input by the input means and the search result based on the search condition in the storage means as search history information;
If it is determined whether or not the search condition input by the input unit based on past search history information recorded in the storage unit is a narrow search from the previous search result, and if it is determined that the search is not a narrow search, Search condition generation means that uses the input search condition as a new search condition;
Search means for searching for a desired record from the database information based on a new search condition generated by the search condition generation means;
A database search device characterized by functioning as   The search condition generation means refers to the previous search result stored in the storage means, and if the search number of the previous search result is smaller than a predetermined number, the input search condition is 7. The database search apparatus according to claim 6, wherein it is determined that the search is not a narrow search from the previous search result, and the input search condition is set as a new search condition.   The search condition generation means determines that the input search condition is not a refined search from the previous search result when the attribute value of the search key of the previous search condition is changed. The database search apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the input search condition is a new search condition.   The search condition generation unit, when determining that the input search condition is a refined search, sets a new search condition from the input search condition and the previously input search condition. The database search device according to any one of claims 6 to 8.   The database search device according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the search means searches for a desired record from database information in which a program guide of a broadcast program is recorded.   The database search apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the input unit is a voice input apparatus that inputs the search condition by voice. An input reception procedure for receiving an input of a search condition for a desired record from the database information in which the record to be searched is recorded;
A recording procedure for recording a search condition in which an input is received by the input reception procedure and a search result based on the search condition as search history information in a storage unit;
When it is determined whether or not the search condition input by the input reception procedure is a narrow search from the previous search result based on the past search history information recorded in the storage means, and when it is determined that the search is not a narrow search A search condition generation procedure using the input search condition as a new search condition;
A search procedure for searching for a desired record from the database based on a new search condition generated by the search condition generation procedure;
Database search program that causes a computer to execute.

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