JPH02135515A - Information retrieving system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable reference to the other display data with the same hierarchy level as the display data under reference and to reduce the number of the times of operation by providing a mechanism to display the other display data with the same hierarchy level as the data under display. CONSTITUTION:When a help function is called out during the document editing work, a help message 101 is initially displayed. The help message 101 has an instruction range, the inside of the instruction range is instructed with a mouse cursor by which help messages 102 to 105 corresponding to the instruction range are displayed. For example, in the displaying condition of a help message 103, in order to display the help message 103 and the help message at the same hierarchy level, when a pre-item choice is instructed, a help message 102 can be displayed and when a next item choice is instructed, a help message 104 can be immediately displayed. In such a manner, the reference to other display data with the same hierarchy level as the display data under reference is made, thus the number of the times of operation can be reduced.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an information processing device having an information retrieval function.
In particular, it is an information search method suitable for sequentially searching for necessary information, for example, by referring to a table of contents screen and specifying an item there to display a detailed explanation screen for that item. Technology] Some information processing devices have a function that allows a user to search for desired information.

An example of an information search function in a conventional information processing apparatus is the one shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 150762/1983. That is, in an electronic filing system that classifies and stores documents in a hierarchical structure, a menu screen classified by document content is displayed.
When the user instructs the menu corresponding to the content of the desired document, a menu at the next level, which is more finely classified, is displayed. Repeat such menu instructions to display the desired document.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

The above conventional technology has the following problems.

One or more pieces of display data that are displayed by one instruction from the display of one display data are defined as display data at the same hierarchy level, and displaying new display data by an instruction is defined as display data at the next hierarchy level. If displaying the display data at the previous hierarchy level is defined as displaying the display data at the previous hierarchical level, then for example, when the user refers to the Table of Contents screen, When specifying a certain item to refer to the detailed explanation screen for that item, the multiple detailed explanation screens that can be transitioned from the table of contents screen are at the same hierarchical level. When a user searches for desired information, the user may not be able to immediately reach the display of the desired information, and may need to refer to displays at the same hierarchical level one after another. In such a case, with the conventional method, you cannot refer to other detailed explanation screens at the same hierarchy level unless you display the display data at the previous hierarchy level, that is, return to the table of contents screen in the example above. .

In this way, in the conventional method, when referring to multiple pieces of display data that can be related as described above, in order to refer to other display data at the same hierarchical level as the display data being referenced, a step is required. It was necessary to return to displaying the display data at the previous hierarchy level, which required a large number of operations.

An object of the present invention is to solve such conventional problems, and when a user refers to a plurality of display data that can be related as described above, - display of display data at a previous hierarchical level; To reduce the number of operations by making it possible to refer to other display data at the same hierarchical level as the display data being referenced without having to return to the previous page.

[Means for solving problems]

The above object is achieved by using the means described below.

(1) Display data containing information to be given to the user.

(2) A display data search table that associates a message number that uniquely identifies display data with a location where display data corresponding to the message number is stored.

(3) Message number stack for saving message numbers of display data.

(4) A search means for obtaining the storage location of corresponding display data from a specified message number using a display data search table.

(5) Reading means for reading display data from a designated storage location.

(6) Display means for displaying the read display data on an output device.

(7) A first input means for inputting an instruction to display display data at the next hierarchical level to the information processing device while display data is being displayed.

(8) A second input means for inputting an instruction to the information processing apparatus to return to displaying display data at a hierarchy level before - stage while display data is being displayed.

(9) Third input means for inputting an instruction to the information processing device to display other display data at the same hierarchical level while display data is being displayed.

(10) First message number acquisition means that associates an instruction input into the information processing device using the first input means with a message number.

(11) Message number saving means for pushing down the message number of the display data being displayed into the message number stack.

(12) A second message number acquisition means for popping up a message number from the message number stack.

(13) A third method for acquiring the message number of other display data at the same hierarchical level as the display data currently being displayed, based on an instruction input to the information processing device using the third input means.
Message number acquisition method.

[For production]

While display data is being displayed, if an instruction for displaying display data at the next hierarchical level is input to the information processing device by the first input means, the message number storage means stores the message of the display data being displayed. Push the number down onto the message number stack. And the first
A message number corresponding to the instruction is obtained by the message number obtaining means. Next, the search means uses the acquired message number as a search key to search the display data search table for the storage location of the corresponding display data. Then, the display data is read out from the storage position by the readout means and displayed on the output device by the first display means.

If an instruction to return to the display of display data at the previous hierarchical level is input to the information processing device by the second input means while the display data is being displayed, the second message number acquisition means returns the message. Pops up the message number of the display data displayed at the previous hierarchy level from the number stack. Then, the search means searches the display data search table for the storage position of the corresponding display data, the reading means reads out the display data, and while the display means is displaying the four display data to be displayed on the output device, the third input means When an instruction to display other display data at the same hierarchical level is input to the information processing device, the third message number obtaining means obtains the message number of the display data corresponding to the instruction.

Then, the search means searches the display data search table for the storage location of the corresponding display data, the reading means reads out the display data, and the first display means displays the display data on the output device.

In this way, the user can refer to other display data at the same hierarchy level as the display data he/she is currently referencing without returning to the display data at the previous hierarchy level, and the number of operations It is possible to measure the reduction in

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that this embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to a help function in a document editing device.

First, FIG. 3 shows the hardware configuration of a document editing device according to the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a central processing unit 2 which executes programs related to editing one document and controls peripheral devices. 2 is the main memory.

Processing programs related to document editing and data related thereto are stored. 3 is a video memory, the contents of which are displayed on the display. It consists of a display section 3a displayed on the lt7 and a non-display section 3b used for temporarily saving data displayed on the display device 7. Instructions for editing and printing documents, starting and terminating help functions, and input operations for documents are performed via the keyboard 4 and mouse 5. , 6 is a display controller, which controls a display device 7 that displays a screen for performing document editing work.

The display device 7 displays the contents of the display section 3a of the video memory 3. 8 is a printer controller;
It controls the printer device 9 that outputs documents and the like. 10
A floppy disk controller controls a floppy disk drive device 11 that reads and stores document data on a floppy disk. 12
A hard disk controller controls the hard disk device 13 that reads and stores programs related to document editing, document data, and help message data. 14 is a bus for transferring data between these peripheral devices 2 to 3 and the central processing unit.

FIG. 4 shows the structure of the same layer management table. The same layer management table 401 has a message number section 404.
Message number number 402 and display record number 403
Consisting of Registered in the message number field 404 is a message number 405 of a help message at the same hierarchical level as the help message being displayed. The number of message numbers 405 registered in the message number section 404 is registered in the message number number 402. In the display record number 403, the record number 406 of the message number section 404 in which the message number 405 of the help message being displayed is registered is registered. Note that the record number 406 indicates the location where each message number 405 is stored.
This is the message number.

FIG. 5 shows the structure of the help data search table. The help data search table 501 is a table for searching the storage location 503 on the hard disk drive 13 of the help message data 701 corresponding to the message number 502 from the message number. Note that the help data search table 501 is stored in a specific location on the hard disk device 13 in advance.

Figure 6 shows how the display device 7 is activated by pressing the help key.
6 shows the configuration of a help window displayed on a screen 601. 602 is a help window that displays a help message 605 to be given to the user; specifically, display data 702 of help message data 701 is displayed.

603 is control data 7 of help message data 701
03, which will be explained in the following explanation of FIG. Reference numeral 604 indicates a key cursor on the screen 601 using the mouse 5. Reference numeral 610 indicates a key cursor for specifying a specific position on the screen 601 using the keyboard 4.

Reference numeral 606 denotes an end click box for instructing using the mouse 5 to end the display of the help window 602.

FIG. 7 shows the structure of help message data.

Help message data 701 consists of display data 702 and control data 703 to be displayed in help window 602 as help information.

The control data 703 is displayed in the help window 6 shown in FIG.
Coordinate values 604 of diagonal points of the indicated range 603 in order to display new help message data 701 by indicating within the indicated range 603 within 02 using the mouse cursor 604 or the key cursor 610, and It consists of a message number 605 that defines the target help message data 701. With this control data 703, the user refers to the help message 605 displayed in the help window 602 and instructs the character string within the instruction range 603 defined by the control data 70:3 to move to the next hierarchical level. Help message data 7
01 can be displayed.

FIG. 8 shows the structure of the hierarchical information stack.

The hierarchical information stack 801 is a stack whose contents include a message number 802 and a display record number 803. In the hierarchy information stack 801, the message number 901 of the help message currently being displayed and the display record number 403 of the same hierarchy management table 401 are pushed down at the time of displaying the help message of the next N-layer bell.

91st! ! l indicates the structure of the message number storage table. The message number storage table 901 is a table for storing the message number being displayed, and when a new help message is displayed, the message number of the help message is registered.

Next, an example of the relationship between help message display and operation in the help function of the document editing apparatus having the system configuration described above will be described with reference to FIG. 101~
108 is a help message displayed by this help function. If the help function is called up by pressing the help key during document editing work, a help message 101 is initially displayed. The help message 101 has an instruction range 603 as shown in FIG. 6, and by pointing within the instruction range 603 using the mouse cursor 604 or the key cursor 610, the help messages 102 to 102 corresponding to the instruction range 603 can be displayed. 105 is displayed. for example,
Second instruction range 60 in help message 101
: If you specify , a help message 103 will be displayed.

When help message 103 is displayed, in order to display help message 102 or help message 104 at the same hierarchical level as help message 103, select the source screen selection branch 607 shown in FIG. Although it is possible to return to the display and re-instruct the instruction range 603 corresponding to the help message 102 or 104, it is also possible to specify the previous item selection branch 608 shown in FIG. 6 while the help message 103 is being displayed. Then help message 102
The help message 104 can be displayed immediately by instructing the several-item selection box 609. Further, while displaying the 10 help messages 3, the multiple item selection branch 609 is designated to display the help message 104, and if the multiple item selection branch 609 is further designated, the help message 105 is displayed.

Help messages 106 to 108 are displayed by pointing the corresponding instruction range 603 in the help message 104, and the same operations as described above can be performed using the previous item selection branch 608 and the several item selection branch 609. . Also, if the source screen selection branch 607 shown in FIG. 6 is designated while displaying help messages 106 to 108 or help messages 102 to 105, help message 104. You can return to displaying the help message 101.

The process of the help function of the document editing device will be explained with reference to FIG.

First, the process of initially displaying a help message will be described. While the document editing program 201 is waiting for an instruction input, the help processing program 202 is called up by the user pressing the help key on the keyboard 4 (203). Help processing program 20
2 opens a help window 60 on the screen 601 of the display device 7 in order to display a help window 602 that displays a help message 605 shown in FIG.
The portion where 2 is displayed is saved to the non-display portion 3b of the video memory 3 (205). Next, read out the help data search table 501 shown in FIG.
02 is displayed (207). Then, using a predetermined message number, for example number 0, as a search key to specify the help message that will be the initial display screen (208), 20
209) to obtain the storage location 50;3 on the hard disk device 13 of the corresponding help message data 701 from the help data search table 501 read in step 6;
The help message data 701 is read from the storage location 503 of the hard disk device 13 (210) and displayed on the help window 602 (211). Then, the message number of the displayed help message data 701 is registered in the message number storage table 901 (22
8).

Next, a process for displaying a help message at the next hierarchical level will be described. Help window 6 shown in Figure 6
02 is the mouse cursor 604 or key cursor 61
0 (212), the control data 703 of the help message being displayed is referred to, and the specified position is within the specified range 603 defined by the control data 703 as shown in FIG. (21)
3). If the designated range 603 is specified, the message number 901 of the help message being displayed and the display record number 403 of the same hierarchy management table 401 are pushed down onto the hierarchy information stack 801 (214).

Next, the message number 705 of the next help message to be displayed corresponding to the specified instruction range 603 is obtained from the control data 703 (215). Next, generation processing of the same layer management table 401 is performed (216). All message numbers 705 registered in the control data 70M3 are registered in the message number section 404 of the same layer management table 401. The number of message numbers 405 registered in the same hierarchy management table 401 is registered in the message number number 402, and the display record number 403 is as follows.
The record number 406 of the message number section 404 in which the message number 405 of the designated range is written is registered. The same hierarchy management table 401 is displayed when the display of the help message of the next hierarchy is completed according to the instruction in the instruction range 603.

This means that the message number of the help message at the same hierarchy level as the help message and the position in the same hierarchy management table 401 of the currently displayed bell are stored.

Next, search for the help message data 701 corresponding to the message number obtained in step 215 using the help data search table 501 as in the initial display.
9), read from the hard disk device 13 210)
, is displayed on the help window 602 (211).

Then, the message number of the help message data 701 displayed as 1 is registered in the message number storage table 901 (228).

Next, a process for displaying help messages at the same hierarchical level will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the previous item selection branch 608 displayed in the help window 602,
Or, when the next item selection branch 609 is specified using the mouse cursor 604 or key cursor 610 (212,
213), refer to the same hierarchy management table 401, and if the next item selection technique is instructed, increment the display record number 403 (224), select the previous item selection branch, and then
Message number 4 corresponding to the display record number 403
05 (226), search for the corresponding help message data 701 using the help data search table 501 (209), read it from the hard disk device 13 (210), and display it in the help window 602 (209) as in the initial display. 211), and the message number of the displayed help message data 701 is registered in the message number storage table 901 (22g).

In addition, in the process of displaying the first hierarchical level of the initial display and displaying the same hierarchical level, immediately after the help message is displayed in the help window 602, the key cursor 610 is moved to the topmost position in the help window 602. It is positioned at the beginning of the upper instruction range 603. However, the instruction range 60x3 is the help window 602.
If the key cursor 610 does not exist within the original screen selection branch 607, the key cursor 610 is positioned on the original screen selection branch 607.

Next, the process of returning to displaying the help message at the previous hierarchical level will be described. When the source screen selection branch 607 displayed in the help window 602 shown in FIG. 6 is specified using the mouse cursor 604 or the key cursor 610 (212, 213), the same layer management table 401 at that point is displayed. Record number 403
217), pops up the hierarchical information stack 801, and obtains the message number 802 of the help message displayed at the previous hierarchical level and the display record number 803 (218). Next, pop up the hierarchical information stack 801 and click the message number 802 of the help message that was displayed at the previous hierarchical level. and obtains the display record number 803 (219), and also the message number 802 and display record number 803 obtained in the second pop-up.
is pushed down to the hierarchical information stack 801 as it is, and the hierarchical information stack 801 is brought up only once through the process of returning to the help message display of the previous hierarchical level (223). Next, based on this information obtained from the layer information stack 801, the same layer management table 40 of the previous layer level is created.
1 generation (220-222), -Display the help message that was displayed at the previous hierarchy level (209-222).
211). First, using the help data search table 501 read in step 206, the second pop-up (2
From the message number 802 obtained in step 19), the help message data 701 of the help message displayed at the previous hierarchical level is searched for (220) and read out (221). Then, the help message data 701
All message numbers registered in the control data 703 of the message number field 40 of the same layer management table 401
Register on 4. The number of message numbers registered in the same hierarchy management table 401 is registered in the message number number 402 of the same hierarchy management table, and the display record number 403
Register the display record number 403 obtained in the first pop-up (218). Next, register the message number 802 obtained in the first pop-up (218).
From there, the corresponding help message data 70 is retrieved using the help data search table 501 in the same way as in the initial display.
Please search for 1209).

The information is read from the hard disk device 13 (210) and displayed in the help window 602 (211).

In addition, the key cursor 610 immediately after the display is completed is 2
It is positioned at the beginning of the designated range 603 corresponding to the display record number 403 stored in step 17.

Further, when the end box 606 is pointed to by the mouse cursor 604 in the help window 602 shown in FIG. 6, or when the end key is pressed on the keyboard 4, (212, 213)
227), and returns to the document editing program 201 that called the help processing program 202.

According to this embodiment, when displaying a help message, a mechanism is provided for displaying other help messages at the same hierarchical level as the currently displayed help message, so that the user can easily view the help message at the previous hierarchical level. By specifying the options 608 and 609 without returning to the display, it is possible to refer to other help messages at the same hierarchical level as the help message being referred to, thereby reducing the number of operations.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, by providing a mechanism for displaying other display data at the same hierarchy level as the display data currently being displayed, the user can display the display data at the previous hierarchy level. This makes it possible to refer to other display data at the same hierarchical level as the display data being referenced without having to return to the previous page, thereby reducing the number of operations.

Note that one or more pieces of display data that are displayed with a single instruction from the display of one display data are defined as display data at the same hierarchical level, and displaying new display data based on an instruction is defined as Displaying the display data at the hierarchical level of , and returning to displaying the display data that was displayed immediately before is defined as displaying the display data at the previous hierarchical level. However, moving to the display of other display data at the same hierarchy level as the display data currently being displayed does not change the hierarchy level.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an operation explanatory diagram when the present invention is applied to the help function of a document editing device, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure when the present invention is applied to the help function of a document editing device, and FIG. A block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a document editing device according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a same-level management table according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a help data search table according to the present invention. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen display, FIG. 7 is a help message data configuration diagram of the document editing device according to the present invention,
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a hierarchical information stack according to the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a message number storage table. 101-108...Help message, 201...
Document editing program, 202...Help processing program, 401...Same hierarchy management table, 403...
Display record number, 405...Message number, 50
1... Help data search table, 602... Help window, 701... Help message data,
801... Hierarchical information stack, 901... Message number storage table. Collection of illustrations, compilation of illustrations, compilation of illustrations of cattle, illustrations of illustrations, compilation of illustrations, 111 large qot

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Consisting of a central processing unit, a storage device, an input device, and an output device, at least one second display data (hereinafter, the same hierarchical level In an information processing device that realizes an information retrieval function by displaying display data (referred to as display data in An information retrieval method characterized in that it is possible to refer to other display data at the same hierarchical level as the second display data. 2. Claim 1, further comprising means for acquiring a message number of display data at the same hierarchical level as the display data being displayed, and means for displaying the display data of the specified message number on an output device. Information retrieval method described.