JP2006260129A - Database system, database search server, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a database system that searches information in a database by a combination of a plurality of desired search methods. <P>SOLUTION: A server 101 has a merchandise information database 301 for storing merchandise information 310. In response to a first search (for example, group tree search) command from a client terminal 103, the server 101 searches for merchandise information 310 matching the specified first search condition (search group). Next, in response to a complex search command (complex search ON, first and second search (group tree search, keyword search) specifications) and a second search condition (keyword for target item) from the client terminal 103, the server 101 AND (logical product)-searches the merchandise information database 301 for merchandise information 310 according to the first search condition and second search condition. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a database system using a network, and more particularly to a complex search function for performing a search by combining various search functions for searching database information.

  In recent years, when creating catalogs, with the spread of computers, product data to be put on catalogs has been used as a database. Collaborating with a database, catalog creation work is performed by desktop publishing (DTP) or the like, and the efficiency has been improved. For example, there are several database systems consisting of a database that stores product information, a server that manages database information, provides functions such as input / output, search, and browsing of database information, and a plurality of user terminal devices. (For example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-324975 A

  However, in the conventional database system, when there are several search methods for extracting information (records) from the database, there is only one search method that can be used at a time. Since another search method cannot be performed on the search target record group, it is necessary to temporarily store the search result by some method and perform a search on the stored data.

  In addition, when searching for (product) information on the database, there is a narrow search function for adding a new search condition in addition to the previous search condition. When a user searches for (product) information within the necessary range in the database, it is necessary to set a search condition as a base and then add a condition to be further narrowed down for search. There was a problem of low.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a database system or the like that can search information in a database by combining a plurality of desired search methods.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, a first invention is a database search server connected to a client terminal via a network, having a database for storing and managing information, and searching for information by a plurality of types of search means. In response to a composite search instruction from the client terminal, the information is ANDed (logically) from the database using a plurality of types of selected search means based on the search conditions of each specified search means. A database search server comprising: a compound search means for searching.

Further, the search means sets a static group that holds a group of information extracted from the database and an arbitrary search condition for the group, and dynamically extracts information that matches the search condition from the database at the time of group search When a group on a hierarchical tree created by a created group is selected based on the set group hierarchy structure for a group including a plurality of pieces of information related to each other, the highest group associated with the group is selected. It is desirable to be a group tree search means for AND (logical product) search for information associated with the upper group.
Further, the search means acquires an item value group which is an item value from the database based on a set item hierarchy structure for the items constituting the information of the database, and creates a hierarchical tree based on the created item values When an item value above is selected, an item value tree that performs an AND (logical product) search from the database for information that matches each item value from the item value to the associated highest item value. It is desirable to be a search means.
The search means is preferably a keyword search means for searching the database for information including a keyword specified in the value of the target item.
The search means is preferably general-purpose search means for searching for information satisfying a specified search range from the database.
It is preferable that the information processing apparatus further includes information providing means for providing the client terminal with information searched by the composite search means.

  The database search server according to the first invention is connected to a client terminal via a network, has a database for storing and managing information, and a plurality of types of search means selected according to a composite search instruction from the client terminal Is used to perform an AND (logical product) search of information from the database based on the specified search condition of each search means.

“Information” is, for example, product information, and is composed of character information (such as specifications) of products, material information (image information) of products, and the like.
“Group” is information including a plurality of pieces of information related to each other as one group, and includes “static group” and “dynamic group”. The “static group” holds a group of information extracted from the database. In “dynamic group”, an arbitrary search condition is set for a group, and information matching the search condition is extracted from the database at the time of group search.
The “item” is information that corresponds to the field in the database record.

In the first invention, a search can be performed by combining various search methods at a time. In addition, the user can select which search method to use.
In addition, in the conventional search method, it was necessary to temporarily store the search results in some way and perform a search on the stored data, but this need is eliminated, less labor, simplification of operation, Work efficiency is improved.

  The second invention is a database system in which a client terminal and a database search server having a database for storing and managing information and searching for information by a plurality of types of search means are connected via a network. The client terminal comprises a plurality of types of search means and search instruction means for transmitting a composite search instruction for designating each search condition, and the database search server includes a compound search instruction from the client terminal. A plurality of types of search means selected, and a compound search means for performing AND (logical product) search of the information from the database based on a search condition of each specified search means. It is a database system characterized by doing.

  The second invention is an invention relating to a database system comprising a database search server of the first invention, a plurality of types of search means, and a client terminal that transmits a composite search instruction specifying each search condition.

The third invention is a program for causing a computer to function as the database search server of the first invention.
A fourth invention is a recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as the database search server of the first invention is recorded.

  The above-described program may be distributed by being stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or the program can be transmitted and received via a communication line.

  The present invention can provide a database system that can search information in a database by combining a plurality of desired search methods.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a database system and the like according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to components having substantially the same functional configuration, and redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a database system 100 according to the present embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a database system 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the database system 100 is configured by connecting a server 101, a plurality of client terminals 103, and the like via a network 109. The database system 100 is a configuration diagram when implemented using WWW (World Wide Web) technology.

  The network 109 is a network such as the Internet, a local area network (LAN), or an in-house LAN, and may be wired or wireless.

  The server 101 is a server computer or the like, and includes a WWW server 110, a database search unit 111, a database server 112, and the like. The database search means 111 is selected from a plurality of types of search means (group tree search, item value tree search, keyword search, general-purpose search, etc.) selected in response to a composite search instruction from the client terminal 103 via the database server 112. Are combined to perform a combined search of the product information 310 in the product information database 301. The database server 112 is a database engine or the like, and performs corresponding processing for various requests such as search, reference, registration, and deletion to the product information database 301.

  The client terminal 103 is a personal computer, a portable terminal (Personal Digital Assistant), or the like. The client terminal 103 is equipped with a WWW browser 120. The client terminal 103 accesses the WWW server 110 of the server 101 via the WWW browser 120, selects a plurality of types of search means, specifies search conditions for each search means, and issues a composite search instruction.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the server 101 will be described. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the server 101.

  The server 101 is configured by connecting a control unit 201, a storage unit 202, a media input / output unit 203, a communication control unit 204, an input unit 205, a display unit 206, a printing unit 207, and the like via a system bus 209.

  The control unit 201 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like.

The CPU calls a program stored in the storage unit 202, ROM, recording medium or the like to a work memory area on the RAM, executes it, controls the drive of each device connected via the system bus 209, and is performed by the server 101. Various processes described later (see FIGS. 5 and 6) are realized.
The ROM is a non-volatile memory and permanently holds a computer boot program, a program such as BIOS, data, and the like.
The RAM is a volatile memory, and temporarily stores a program, data, and the like loaded from the storage unit 202, ROM, recording medium, and the like, and includes a work area used by the control unit 201 for performing various processes.

The storage unit 202 is an HDD (hard disk drive), and stores a program executed by the control unit 201, data necessary for program execution, an OS (operating system), and the like. As for programs, a control program 391 corresponding to an OS (operating system), an application program 392 corresponding to processing to be described later performed by the server 101 to which the computer is applied, and the like are stored.
Each of these program codes is read by the control unit 201 as necessary, transferred to the RAM, read by the CPU, and executed as various means.

  The media input / output unit 203 (drive device) performs data input / output, for example, floppy disk drive, PD drive, CD drive (-ROM, -R, -RW, etc.), DVD drive (-ROM, -R, etc.) -RW etc.) and media input / output devices such as MO drives.

  The communication control unit 204 includes a communication control device, a communication port, and the like, and is a communication interface that mediates communication between the server 101 and the network 109. Communication control between the server 101 and the client terminal 103 is performed via the network 109. I do.

The input unit 205 inputs data and includes, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, and an input device such as a numeric keypad.
An operation instruction, an operation instruction, data input, and the like can be performed on the server 101 via the input unit 205.

  The display unit 206 includes a display device such as a CRT monitor and a liquid crystal panel, and a logic circuit (such as a video adapter) for realizing a video function of the computer in cooperation with the display device.

  A printing unit 207 is a printer and performs print output processing.

  The system bus 209 is a path that mediates transmission / reception of control signals, data signals, and the like between the devices.

  Next, information stored in the storage unit 202 of the server 101 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating information stored in the storage unit 202.

  In the storage unit 202, a plurality of product information databases 301, a control program 391, an application program 392, and the like are stored.

The product information database 301 has a plurality of product information 310 and the like. Note that a plurality of product information databases 301 managed by the server 101 may exist as necessary.
The product information 310 includes character information 311 such as product specifications, image information 312 which is product material information, and the like.
The data configuration of the product information database 301 is not limited to this configuration.

The control program 391 is a program that drives and controls each component of the server 101, and corresponds to an OS (operating system).
The application program 392 is an executable program corresponding to the processing described later (see FIGS. 5 and 6) performed by the server 101, and corresponds to the WWW server 110, the database search unit 111, the database server 112, and the like.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the client terminal 103 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the client terminal 103.

The client terminal 103 is connected to a control unit 401, a storage unit 402, a communication control unit 403, a media input / output unit 404, an input unit 405, a display unit 406, a printing unit 407, and the like via a system bus 409.
The hardware configuration of the client terminal 103 is the same as that of the server 101 described above with reference to FIG.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the processing operation of the composite search process of the product information 310 in the product information database 301 by the database search unit 111 of the server 101 in the database system 100 will be described in detail. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the composite search processing of the product information 310 of the server 101. FIG.

A database search program that is an application program 392 is installed in the storage unit 202 of the server 101. The following processing of the server 101 is performed by the control unit 201 of the server 101 through the WWW server 110 and the database server 112 according to the control of this database search program.
Further, the WWW browser 120 as the application program 392 is installed in the storage unit 402 of the client terminal 103, and the following processing of the client terminal 103 (access to the server 101 via the WWW browser 120, access to the server 101) The instruction and the like are performed by the control unit 401 of the client 103.

As a login process to the product information database 301, the control unit 401 of the client terminal 103 accesses the server 101, transmits login information (user ID, password, server name, etc.), and makes a login request to the product information database 301. (Step S501).
The control unit 201 of the server 101 performs user authentication from the received user ID, password, and the like, and when the user authentication is correct, sets and connects the product information database 301 corresponding to the designated server name (step S502), Main screen data for operating the product information 310 in the product information database 301 is transmitted (step S503).

  The control unit 401 of the client terminal 103 displays the received main screen 10 (step S504).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the main screen 10.
As shown in FIG. 7, the main screen 10 includes a product information list 11 including product information records 12 displaying information acquired from the product information database 301, group tree search / item value tree search / keyword search / general-purpose search, and the like. Search screen 13 including a group search screen (group tree search screen 20 / item value tree search screen 30 / keyword search screen 40 / general search screen 50, etc.) and a combination search screen 60 for performing a search by combining them. A box list / basket list, various control buttons, a menu bar, and the like are displayed.

  Next, search functions such as group tree search, item value tree search, keyword search, and general search, which are search functions that can be used for complex search in the database system 100, will be described.

The group tree search is a search based on the group tree 22 created with a set group hierarchical structure with a plurality of product information 310 (records) related to each other as one group.
The group is a “static group” in which product information 310 (record) or product information group (record group) once retrieved and extracted from the product information database 301 is stored in an area called a group with a group name. ”Has a“ dynamic group ”in which a search condition is set for the named group itself and a product information group that matches the search condition can be extracted from the product information database 310 in the latest state every time.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the group tree search screen 20.
As shown in FIG. 8, in response to a group tree search request from the client terminal 103, the created group tree 22 is displayed on the group tree search screen 20, and a node (group) 23 on the group tree 22 is selected. Then, the control unit 201 performs an AND (logical product) search from the product information database 301 for the product information 310 associated with the search group from the group to the associated highest group.

  In the item value tree search, an item value group that is a value of an item is acquired from the product information database 301 based on the item hierarchical structure by presetting items constituting the product information 310 of the product information database 301, This search is based on the created dynamic item value tree.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the item value tree search screen 30.
As shown in FIG. 9, in response to an item value tree search request from the client terminal 103, the created item value tree 32 is displayed on the item value tree search screen 30, and nodes (item values) on the item value tree 32 are displayed. When 33 is selected, the control unit 201 ANDs the product information 310 (record) in which the corresponding item matches each item value from the product information database 301 to the highest item value associated with the item value. (Logical product) Search.

  The keyword search searches the product information database 301 for product information 310 (record) in which the keyword is included in the preset search target item value.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the keyword search screen 40.
As shown in FIG. 10, the keyword search screen 40 is displayed in response to a keyword search request from the client terminal 103, and the control unit 201 inputs the value of the search target item displayed by the target item reference button 43. The product information 310 (record) including the keyword 42 is searched from the product information database 301. The search target items are set in advance by the system administrator.

  The general-purpose search searches for product information 310 (record) that satisfies the specified search range from the product information database 301.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the general-purpose search screen 50.
As shown in FIG. 11, a general search screen 50 is displayed in response to a general search request from the client terminal 103. For example, the item 53 “model code” includes the item value 54 “2” as a comparison instruction 55 “includes”. The search condition 52 is specified, and the control unit 201 searches for the product information 310 (record) from the product information database 301 based on the specified search condition. The comparison instruction 55 includes “match”, “include”, “starts with”, “greater than”, and the like.

The user selects the first search function in the complex search, specifies the search condition (step S505), and the control unit 401 transmits the specified first search condition (step S506).
For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the “Group Tree Search” tab 21 is selected, or the “Search Group Tree” is selected from the displayed search menu (not shown) by clicking the search button 15 or the like. Then, the node (group) 23 “space saving type” under the node (group) 23 “PC” on the displayed group tree 22 is selected.

  The control unit 201 of the server 101 searches the merchandise information 310 from the merchandise information 310 of the merchandise information database 301 based on the designated search condition for the first search (step S507), and transmits search result data (step S507). Step S508).

The control unit 401 of the client terminal 103 displays the received search result data on the product information list 11 on the main screen 10 (step S509).
For example, in the product information list 11 on the main screen 10 in FIG. 7, 42 product information records 12 corresponding to the group “personal computer” and the group “space saving type” are displayed.

  The user designates a complex search, a first search function, a second search function, and the like, and designates a search condition for the second search on the displayed second search screen (step S601).

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the composite search screen 60 and the keyword search screen 40 of the second search.
As shown in FIG. 12, the combined search screen 60 includes a “combined search” check box 61 for turning on / off the combined search, a “group tree search” check box 62 for specifying each search function for performing the combined search, and an “item value”. It includes a “tree search” check box 63, a “keyword search” check box 64, a “generic search” check box 65, and a “search” button 66 that executes a composite search.
For example, when performing a combined search of “Group Tree Search” and “Keyword Search”, the “Composite Search” check box 61 is turned ON, the “Group Tree Search” check box 62 and the “Keyword Search” check box 64 are turned ON, On the keyword search screen 40 that is the selected second search, a keyword 42 (for example, “AAA”) that is a search condition for keyword search is input, and the search button 66 is pressed. Further, when the target item reference button 43 is pressed, a search target item 71 (for example, a temporary code, a model, a model number, a model code, etc.) is displayed on the keyword search-target item screen 70.

  The control unit 401 transmits a composite search instruction and a second search condition (step S602).

The control unit 201 of the server 101 performs an AND (logical product) search for the product information 310 from the product information database 301 based on the first search condition and the second search condition (step S603).
The control unit 201 transmits composite search result data (step S604).

The control unit 401 of the client terminal 103 displays the received composite search result data on the product information list 11 on the main screen 10 (step S605).
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the main screen 10 (combined search result).
As shown in FIG. 13, in the main screen 10 (combined search result), a search that matches the group “space saving type” and that is the second search condition in the group “PC” that is the first search condition. Six product information records 12 including the keyword “AAA” are displayed in the value of the target item “model code”.

  In the present embodiment, a combined search is performed by combining two types of search methods. However, it is possible to combine three types and four types of search methods. For example, when combining the three types of search methods, as in the case of the two types of search, after the search based on the search conditions of the first search function, the composite search is turned on in the composite search screen 60, the first search function, the second search The search conditions of the search function and the second search function are designated and searched, and further, the composite search is turned ON on the composite search screen 60, the first search function, the second search function, the third search function, and When the search condition of the third search function is specified and the search is performed, the product information record is AND (logical product) searched based on the first search condition, the second search condition, and the third search condition.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 201 of the server 101 has the product information database 301 that stores and manages the product information 310, and responds to the composite search instruction from the client terminal 103. From the product information database 301 based on a plurality of search conditions specified by each search function using a plurality of selected search functions (group tree search, item value tree search, keyword search, general search, etc.) The product information 310 is searched for AND (logical product).

Thereby, it is possible to perform a search by combining various search methods at a time with a search method desired by the user.
Moreover, in the conventional search method, it was necessary to store the search results once in some way and perform a search on the stored data. However, the necessity is eliminated, and the operation is simplified. Work efficiency is improved.
Furthermore, when searching for (product) information on the database by combining tree search such as group tree search and item value tree search and narrowed search such as keyword search and general search, in addition to the previous search condition, When performing a refined search that adds new search conditions, search without the need to set (be aware of) the base search conditions in the tree search, and then search by keyword search, general-purpose search, etc. Further, it is possible to search by assigning conditions to be narrowed down, and the operability at the time of information search is improved.

  In this embodiment, the server 101 includes the WWW server 110, the database search unit 111, the database server 112, and the like. The server 101 is accessed from the client terminal 103, and the database search program is executed via the WWW server 110. The database search program is downloaded to the client terminal 103 side in advance, the database search program on the client terminal 103 is started up, and the database information 112 is stored in the database server 112 on the server 101 side while accessing the product information database 301. Search processing may be performed.

  In this embodiment, the product information database 301 that stores product information, image information, and the like is used as the database. However, the present invention is not limited to product information, image information, and the like.

  Note that the program for performing the processing shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 may be distributed on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or the program may be transmitted and received via a communication line.

  The preferred embodiments of the database system and the like according to the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea disclosed in the present application, and these naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

The figure which shows schematic structure of the database system 100 which concerns on this Embodiment. Hardware configuration diagram of server 101 The figure which shows the information which the memory | storage part 202 hold | maintains Hardware configuration diagram of the client terminal 103 The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the composite search process of the merchandise information 310 of the server 101. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the composite search process of the merchandise information 310 of the server 101. The figure which shows the main screen 10 The figure which shows the group tree search screen 20 The figure which shows the item value tree search screen 30 The figure which shows the keyword search screen 40 The figure which shows the general purpose search screen 50 The figure which shows the compound search screen 60 and the keyword search screen 40 of a 2nd search. The figure which shows the main screen 10 (combined search result)

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ......... Database system 101 ......... Server 103 ......... Client terminal 109 ......... Network 110 ......... WWW server 111 ......... Database search means 112 ......... Database server 120 ......... WWW browser 201, 401 ......... Control unit 202, 402 ......... Storage unit 301 ......... Product information database 310 ......... Product information 311 ...... Text information 11 ......... Product information list 12 ......... Product information record 21 ......... "Group tree search" tab 22 ......... Group tree 23 ......... Node (group)
31 ......... "Item value tree search" tab 32 ......... Item value tree 33 ......... Node (item value)
41 ......... "Keyword search" tab 42 ......... Keyword 51 ......... "General search" tab 53 ......... Item 54 ......... Item value 55 ......... Comparison instruction 61 ......... "Multiple search" check box

Claims (10)

A database search server connected to a client terminal via a network, having a database for storing and managing information, and searching for information by a plurality of types of search means,
An AND (logical product) search of the information from the database using a plurality of types of search means selected in accordance with a composite search instruction from the client terminal based on search conditions of each specified search means Combined search means to
A database search server comprising: The search means includes
A group consisting of a static group that holds a group of information extracted from the database, and a dynamic group that sets an arbitrary search condition in the group and extracts information that matches the search condition from the database during group search. On the other hand, when a group on the hierarchy tree created by the created group is selected based on the set group hierarchy structure, an AND (logical product) search is performed on information associated with the highest group associated with the group. The database search server according to claim 1, wherein the database search server is a group tree search means. The search means includes
Based on the set item hierarchy structure, the item value group which is the value of the item is acquired from the database for the items constituting the database information, and the item value on the hierarchy tree by the created item value is selected. Then, the item value tree search means for performing an AND (logical product) search from the database for information in which each item value matches the corresponding item from the selected item value to the highest-level item value associated therewith. The database search server according to claim 1. The search means includes
The database search server according to claim 1, wherein the database search server is a keyword search unit that searches information including a specified keyword in a value of a target item from the database. The search means includes
The database search server according to claim 1, wherein the database search server is a general-purpose search unit that searches the database for information that satisfies a specified search range condition. Information providing means for providing the client terminal with information searched by the composite search means;
The database search server according to claim 1, further comprising: The database search server according to claim 1, wherein the server is a Web server, and the client terminal functions as a Web browser. A database system in which a client terminal and a database search server that has a database for storing and managing information and that searches for information using a plurality of types of search means are connected via a network,
The client terminal is
A search instruction means for transmitting a plurality of types of search means and a composite search instruction for designating each search condition;
With
The database search server
An AND (logical product) search of the information from the database using a plurality of types of search means selected in accordance with a composite search instruction from the client terminal based on search conditions of each specified search means Combined search means to
A database system comprising: A program that causes a computer to function as the database search server according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A recording medium recording a program that causes a computer to function as the database search server according to claim 1.

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