JPH02151975A - Information retrieving system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve retrieval performance by sending a retrieved result to an inquiring device, counting the number of retrievals by a counting means, and when the number of retrievals coincides with a number data, sending a message indicating that the number of retrieval becomes the number of interrupted retrievals. CONSTITUTION:A device A is connected to a device B through a communication- line 2, inquiry data for inquiring retrieval including the number of interrupting retrievals is sent from the device A to the device B or from the device B to the device A, retrieval corresponding to the sent inquiry data is executed, and the retrieved result is sent to the inquiring device. When the number of retrievals coincides with the number data, a message indicating that the number of retrievals becomes the number of interrupted retrievals to the inquiring device, stop, continuation or end is commanded in accordance with the sent contents, and the retrieval processing is stopped, continued or ended in accordance with the command. Consequently, the retrieval performance is prevented from being dropped due to the lacking of the retrieving condition.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Objective of the Invention] (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention is directed to the sharing of image information between the plurality of image information storage and retrieval devices connected via a communication line, for example. It relates to an information retrieval system that performs searches.

(Prior art) In recent years, scanners (
Image information storage and retrieval devices have been put into practical use that read image information using a two-dimensional scanning device), store the read image information on an optical disk, and search and read out any stored image information.

Recently, with the progress of networking and systemization,
A plurality of image information storage and retrieval devices are connected through a communication line such as a LAN, and register or search while communicating with each other.

However, when a search is performed between devices connected via such a LAN or the like, the search is executed to the end regardless of the number of matching items. For this reason, the search conditions were not specified properly, and even if a large number of matches were found, the search could not be stopped midway.

In this case, since all the relevant data is transferred via LAN or the like, there is a drawback that the search performance is significantly reduced.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) This invention aims to improve the search performance by eliminating the drawback that the search performance deteriorates when searching for information between devices connected via a communication line. The purpose is to provide an information retrieval system that allows

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) An information retrieval system of the present invention includes a first device and a second device connected via a communication line,
a first sending means for sending inquiry data for making a search inquiry, including data on the number of items for which the search is to be interrupted, from the first device to the second device, or from the second device to the first device; A processing means for performing a search corresponding to the inquiry data from the first sending means and sending the search results to the device that made the inquiry, a counting means for counting the number of searches by this processing means, and a processing means for counting the number of searches by this processing means; The number of searches is
The second sending means is configured to send a message to the inquiring device to the effect that the number of search results has reached the number of search interruptions when the number of search results matches the number data.

Further, in the information retrieval system of the present invention, in which a first device and a second device are connected via a communication line, the first device is connected to the second device, or the second device is connected to the second device. a first sending means for sending inquiry data for making a search inquiry, including data on the number of items for which the search is to be interrupted, from the device to the first device; performing a search corresponding to the inquiry data from the first sending means; A processing means that sends the search results to the device that made the inquiry, a counting means that counts the number of searches performed by this processing means, and a number of searches performed by this counting means.
When the number of search results matches the number data, the second sending means 1 sends a message to the device that made the inquiry that the number of search results has reached the number of search interruptions. An instruction means for instructing to continue or end, and if the instruction to stop the search is given in response to the instruction from this instruction means, the search processing by the first processing means is stopped and the continuation of the search is instructed. In this case, the above-mentioned first processing means performs the search process again, and if the end of the search is instructed,
It is composed of a second processing means for terminating the search processing by the first processing means.

(Function) In a device in which a first device and a second device are connected via a communication line, the present invention provides a connection between the first device and the second device, or from the second device to the second device. Inquiry data for making a search inquiry, including data on the number of items for which the search is to be interrupted, is sent to the device No. 1, a search corresponding to the sent inquiry data is performed, and the search results are sent to the device that made the inquiry. The number of search results is counted by a counting means, and when the number of search results matches the number data recorded in ``1'', a message indicating that the number of search results has become the number of search interruptions is sent to the device that made the inquiry. It is something.

First, the present invention provides a device in which a first device and a second device are connected via a communication line, and in which the first device is connected to the second device, or from the second device to the second device. 1
Sends query data for making a search inquiry, including data on the number of items for which the search is to be interrupted, to the device, performs a search corresponding to the sent query data, and sends the search results to the device that made the inquiry; This number of searches is counted by a counting means, and when this number of searches matches the number data above, a message indicating that the number of searches has become the number of search interruptions is sent to the device that made the inquiry, and this transmission is In response to this instruction, if the search is instructed to stop, the search process is stopped, and if the search is instructed to continue, the search process is performed again. , when an instruction to end the search is given, the search processing is ended.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a LAN system configuration according to the present invention, in which ASB, . . . are communication lines 2 such as LAN, etc.
This is an image information storage and retrieval device that is connected via.

-1- The image information storage and retrieval device A includes a control unit 1 for controlling the entire system, a keyboard 12, and a CRT display device 1.
3, an optical disk device 14 that handles an optical disk 14a, a magnetic disk device 15 that handles a magnetic disk 15a, a printer 16, and a scanner 17.

The keyboard 12 is used to input a unique search code and various operation commands corresponding to the image information stored on the optical disc 14a.

The CRT display device 13 is constituted by a cathode ray tube display device, and displays image information read by the scanner 17 or image information read from the optical disk 14a of the optical disk device 14.

The optical disk device 14 sequentially stores image information read by the scanner 7 on an optical disk 14a.

The magnetic disk device 15 stores search data for each piece of image information recorded on the optical disk 14a.

The printer 6 receives image information read by the scanner 7,
Image information read from the optical disk 14a by the optical disk device 14, image information displayed on the CRT display device 13, etc. are printed out.

The scanner 7 is composed of a two-dimensional scanning device, and obtains an electrical signal corresponding to image information on the document by two-dimensionally scanning the document with a laser beam.

The image information storage and retrieval device B also includes a control section 21 that controls the entire system, a keyboard 22, a CRT display device 23, an optical disk device 24 that handles an optical disk 24a, a magnetic disk device 25 that handles a magnetic disk 25a, a printer 26, and It is composed of a scanner 27,
Each part has the same structure as the image information storage and retrieval device A described above.

The structure of the control program, ie, software, in each of the control units 11.21 of the devices A and B will be explained with reference to FIG.

The control program in device A includes an application program (APL) 31 that creates query parameters according to the operator's mode designation, and an inquiry search means (ADAM) 34 that receives inquiries from other devices and processes these inquiries.
a file server (FS) 32 that sends the results back to the request source, an inquiry receiving means (EVE) 33 that analyzes the inquiry parameters supplied from the application program 31, and actually retrieves the corresponding search data from the magnetic disk 15a. Inquiry search means (ADAM) to search for
34, and a transmitting/receiving means 3 as a network resource manager (NRMS) that performs transmitting and receiving with other devices.
It consists of 5.

When the inquiry receiving means 33 is supplied with an instruction to make an inquiry to another device, it makes an inquiry to the other device and returns a response to this inquiry to the application program 31.

The inquiry receiving means 33 and inquiry searching means 34 constitute a database management system (DBMS).

The application program 31, file server 32, inquiry search means 33, inquiry search means 34, and transmission/reception means 35 are operated asynchronously and under the control of a multitasking OS.
Can operate independently.

The control program in device B includes an application program (APL) 41, a file server (FS) 42, an inquiry search means 43 that analyzes inquiry parameters supplied from the application program 41, and actually searches for search data from the magnetic disk 25a. Inquiry search means 44, and transmitting/receiving means 4 as a network resource manager (NRMS) that performs transmitting/receiving with other devices.
It consists of 5.

The inquiry receiving means 43 and inquiry searching means 44 constitute a database management system (DBMS).

The application program 41, the file server 42, the inquiry search means 43, the inquiry search means 44, and the sending/receiving means 45 are operated asynchronously and under the control of the multitasking O8.
Can operate independently.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inquiry parameters supplied from the application program 31 (41) include a request destination node address indicating which node (device) the request is made to, a parameter length indicating the length of the inquiry parameter, and an inquiry command. It consists of a number, a search code for making an inquiry, data on the number of cases for which the search is to be interrupted (200 cases or infinity), an inquiry parameter, and a reception buffer address indicating an address for storing the inquiry results.

Next, the operation in such a configuration will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, a search in the device A itself will be explained. For example, right now, CR
While the T-display device 13 is in the selected state of the processing menu, the search mode for the own device A is selected using the keyboard 12. Then, the control unit 11 sets a flag in an internal memory (not shown) indicating a search in its own device A (REMO-0). Next, CRT display device 1
In the binder selection state according to step 3, a binder is selected. Upon selection of this binder, the control unit 11 opens the corresponding binder.

In addition, search conditions such as a search code are input in response to the search condition input guidance provided by the CRT display device 13.

Then, the application program 31 creates an inquiry parameter whose node address is self-device A, and
The information is supplied to the inquiry receiving means 33.

As a result, the inquiry receiving means 33 determines that the node address in the inquiry parameter is the same value as the node address of the own device (A), determines that the search is performed by the own device A, and sets a search counter (not shown). The value is set to infinity, and a search inquiry is made to the inquiry search means 34. The inquiry search means 34 searches the magnetic disk 15a for a search code that matches the search code in the inquiry parameter, and stores the search code in the buffer address specified by the inquiry data. At this time, if there is a matching search code, the count value of the counter is counted down. Then, the result of checking all the search data in the corresponding binder, that is, the search content is the application program 3.
It will be returned to 1.

As a result, the search content is changed to the CRT display device 13.
is displayed.

Further, the search in the device B itself is also processed in the same way as in the case of the device A.

Next, a search from device A to device B will be explained. For example, now, while the CRT display device 13 is in the process menu selection state, the keyboard 12 is used to select a search mode using another device B. Then, the control section 11
sets a flag in an internal memory (not shown) indicating a search in another device B (REMO-1). Then, CRT
In the binder selection state by the display device 13, a binder is selected. This binder selection content is supplied from the control section 11 to the control section 21 via the communication line 2. Thereby, the control unit 21 opens the corresponding binder.

In addition, search conditions such as a search code are input in response to the search condition input guidance provided by the CRT display device 13.

Then, the application program 31 creates an inquiry parameter in which the node address is the other device B and the number of cases in which the search is to be interrupted is 200, and the inquiry parameter is supplied to the inquiry receiving means 33.

As a result, the inquiry receiving means 33 determines that the node address (B) in the inquiry parameter is the node address of the own device (
Since it does not match A), it is determined that another device (B) should be used for the search, and the inquiry parameters are sent to the sending/receiving means 35 and the communication line 2.
, and is supplied to the file server 42 of the device (B) via the transmitting/receiving means 45. Then, the file server 42 supplies the inquiry parameters supplied from the device A to the inquiry receiving means 43. As a result, the inquiry receiving means 4
3, the node address (B) in the query parameter is the same as the node address (B) of the own device, and the search is determined by the own device B, and r is set in the search counter (not shown).
200J and outputs the search inquiry to the inquiry search means 44. The inquiry search means 44 searches the magnetic disk 25a for a search code that matches the search code in the inquiry parameter, and the file server 42 transmits the search code to the transmission/reception means 45 and the communication line 2.
, and is supplied to the inquiry receiving means 33 of the device A via the transmitting/receiving means 35. At this time, the inquiry receiving means 43 counts down the count value of the counter every time there is a matching search code.

Then, the inquiry receiving means 33 stores the search data supplied from the device in the buffer address specified by the inquiry parameter. The search contents are sent back to the application program 31 as if the query was sent to the query search means 34 of the own device A. As a result, the search contents are displayed on the CRT display device 13.

In such a state, when the count value of the counter becomes "0", the inquiry receiving means 43 determines to cancel midway, and the result of this determination is sent to the transmitting/receiving means 45, the communication line 2, and the transmitting/receiving means by the file server 42. 35 to the inquiry receiving means 33 of device A.

Then, the inquiry receiving means 33 stores the warning message supplied from the device B in the buffer address specified by the inquiry parameter.

The warning message is from application program 31.
will be returned to. This will cause that warning message to be
It is displayed on the T display device 13.

Depending on this guidance, use the keyboard 12 to cancel, continue,
Select Exit. When cancellation is selected, the inquiry receiving means 33 transmits the cancellation data to the sending/receiving means 35 and the communication line 2.
, and is supplied to the file server 42 of the ff(B) via the transmitting/receiving means 45.

Then, the file server 42 supplies the cancellation data supplied from the device A to the inquiry receiving means 43. Thereby, the inquiry receiving means 43 outputs search cancellation data to the inquiry searching means 44. The inquiry search means 44 stops the search based on the search stop data. Furthermore, when the search is canceled, the CRT display device 1 described above
Return to step 3 to enter search conditions.

Further, when continuation is selected, the inquiry receiving means 33 transmits the continuation data to the file server 42 of the device (B) via the transmitting/receiving means 35, the communication line 2, and the transmitting/receiving means 45.
supply to. Then, the aisle server 42 supplies the continuation data supplied from the device A to the inquiry receiving means 43. Thereby, the inquiry receiving means 43 outputs search continuation data to the inquiry searching means 44. The inquiry search means 44 restarts the above search from the beginning using the search continuation data. At this time, the search counter is set to infinity.

Further, when termination is selected, the inquiry receiving means 33 transmits the termination data to the two-aisle server 4 of the device (B) via the transmitting/receiving means 35, the communication line 2, and the transmitting/receiving means 45.
Supply to 2. Then, the file server 42 supplies the end data supplied from the device A to the inquiry receiving means 43. Thereby, the inquiry receiving means 43 outputs search completion data to the inquiry searching means 44. The inquiry search means 44 ends the search using the search end data. Furthermore, when the search is completed, the above-mentioned CRT display device 13 returns to the initial processing menu display, and a search from device B to device A is processed in the same way as a search from device A to device B. Ru.

As mentioned above, in a device where device A and device B are connected via a communication line, a search including data on the number of items for which a search is interrupted is performed from device A to device B or from device B to device A. Send inquiry data for making an inquiry, perform a search corresponding to this sent inquiry data, send this search result to the device that made the inquiry, and when the number of search results matches the number data above, the number of search results will be calculated. Sends a message to the device that made the inquiry that has become the number of search interruptions, and in response to this transmission, instructs to cancel, continue, or terminate, and in response to this instruction, cancels, continues, or terminates the search process. This is how it was done.

As a result, even if the search conditions are not specified and a large number of matches are found, the search can be stopped at any point midway through, or the search process can continue as is, thereby improving search performance due to insufficient search conditions. It is possible to prevent a decrease in

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information search system that can improve search performance when searching for information between devices connected via a communication line.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings are for explaining one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system.
3 is a diagram showing the structure of the control program, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of inquiry parameters, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the main part of the operation. ASB... Image information storage and retrieval device, 2... Communication line, 11.21... Control unit, 14.24... Optical disk device, 148% 24 a... Optical disk, 15
．． 25...Magnetic disk device, 15 a s 25
a... Magnetic disk, 31.41... Application program, 32.42... File server, 3
3.43... Inquiry receiving means, 34.44... Inquiry searching means, 35.45... Transmitting/receiving means. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In an information retrieval system in which a first device and a second device are connected via a communication line, from the first device to the second device, or from the second device to the first device,
a first sending means for sending inquiry data for making a search inquiry including data on the number of items for which the search is to be interrupted; a search corresponding to the inquiry data from the first sending means; a processing means for sending the search result to the device that made the inquiry; a counting means for counting the number of searches by the processing means; and a counting means for counting the number of searches by the counting means; An information retrieval system comprising: second sending means for sending a message to the inquired device to the effect that the inquiry has been made. (2) In an information retrieval system in which a first device and a second device are connected via a communication line, from the first device to the second device, or from the second device to the first device,
a first sending means for sending inquiry data for making a search inquiry including data on the number of items for which the search is to be interrupted; a search corresponding to the inquiry data from the first sending means; a first processing means that sends the search results to the device that made the inquiry; a counting means that counts the number of searches by the first processing means; and when the number of searches by the counting means matches the number of searches, the number of searches is a second sending means that sends a message to the device that made the inquiry to the effect that the number of search interruptions has been reached;
Alternatively, if there is an instruction means for instructing termination and an instruction to cancel the search is given in response to the instruction from this instruction means, the above-mentioned first
When the search processing by the processing means is stopped and the continuation of the search is instructed, the search processing is performed again by the first processing means, and when the search is instructed to end, the search processing by the first processing means is performed. An information search system comprising: second processing means for terminating search processing.