JPH03174655A - Standard display system for retrieving time and retrieving result - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the unpleasant feeling caused by a long retrieving time by registering previously the examples of the retrieving time and the retrieving results in a table against the inquiry sentences as well as the analyzing results of these inquiry sentences and showing the users the standard of the retrieving time and the retrieving results of the inquiry sentences. CONSTITUTION:When an inquiry sentence is inputted by a user, an inquiry sentence input part 1 analyzes the inquiry sentence and outputs the analyzing result. A standard production part 2 inputs the analyzing result and produces the standard for the retrieving time and the retrieving results to display it on a screen by reference to a catalog table 5. Thus the user can correct the inquiry sentence again via the part 1 after checking the standard. A DB retrieval processing part 3 retrieves a data base DB 6 based on the retrieving result, and a retrieving result display part 4 displays the obtained retrieving result. Thus the stress feeling of the user caused by the waiting time can be reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an information retrieval system, and particularly to a method for presenting a user with an estimate of the number of search results for an inquiry.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, there was no way to predict the search time or the number of search results before executing the search. Therefore, the user had to try executing the search anyway, which caused discomfort to the user when the search took a long time. Incidentally, related inventions of this type include Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6364125.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In the above-mentioned conventional technology, it is not possible to estimate the search time for an inquiry or the number of search results before the search. Therefore, users feel uncomfortable when the search time is long. The purpose of the present invention is to determine the approximate search time before the search,
By showing the number of search results to the user, the purpose is to reduce discomfort when the search time is long. Another aspect of the present invention
The aim is to allow the user to appropriately give instructions on how long to search during an inquiry, how many search results to display, etc.

[Means to solve the problem]

``Second I'' is to register the analysis result of a query, the search time for the query, and the number of search results in a table in advance, and refer to the table before executing the search to calculate the search time and number of results for the query. This is achieved by showing the user an estimate of the number of search results.

[Effect]

Before executing a search, similar items are detected from the catalog tables that store the query statement analysis results, search time, and number of search results, and the query statement is modified based on the obtained search time and number of search results. Approximate search time and number of search results can be calculated and shown to the user.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. Figure 1 is a block diagram of the natural language information retrieval system, in which 1 is the inquiry writer's blade section, 2 is the guideline creation section,
3 is a DB search processing section, 4 is a search result display section, 5 is a catalog table, and 6 is a database.

FIG. 2 is an example of a storage format of information stored in the catalog table 5. As shown in FIG. The analysis result indicates the number of search results for the analysis result of the query sentence, and the search time indicates the time spent searching the database.

3rd l:hl shows an example of a catalog layout in which samples of inquiry sentences used in the inquiry writer section 1 are registered.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a query sentence manually written by the user.

Figure 5 shows the analysis result of the query in Figure 4, which shows that ``search for one person's name with the condition that the product name is TV and the address is beach inspection.'' Also, since there are t J○INs between Chifuls, JOI
The number N indicates that it is a king).

FIG. 6 shows an example of a database searched in this embodiment.

In FIG. 1, when the user inputs a query sentence (see FIG. 4), the query writer section 1 analyzes the query sentence and outputs the analysis result (see FIG. 5). The guideline creation section 2 inputs the analysis results, and while referring to the catalog table 5, creates a 1" guideline for the search time and the number of search results, and displays it on screen 1m.

After looking at the guideline, the user can return to the query writer section 1 and modify the query again.

The DB search processing unit 3 uses the analysis results to search the database 6 (see FIG. 6). The search result display section 4 displays the obtained search results.

FIG. 7 is a PAD diagram of the guideline creation section 2. First, the inquiry writer section 1 extracts the inquiry sentences of item numbers 1 and 2 from the catalog screen (see FIG. 3) and creates one inquiry sentence (see FIG. 4). The analysis result of the query (see FIG. 5) is input to the guideline creation section 2. The guideline creation unit 2 first searches the catalog table using the analysis result as a key (
201').

Here, analysis result data in the catalog table of item number 2 and item number 2, which include the same search conditions, is obtained.

In this case, there are two analysis result data, so it is looped twice (
202). First, catalog table analysis results, item number 1
(See Figure 2) and compared with the analysis result of the query,
Since there are ↓ more JOIN conditions, the search time is χ times (χ>O)
350χ [seconds] (203).

Since search conditions are added, the number of search results is y times (y>
0) 10y [items] (204). Next, similarly compare the analysis result number 2 of the catalog table (see Figure 2) with the analysis result of the query, and the search time is 500χ [seconds].
, the number of search results is 8y.

Since there are multiple pieces of similar analysis result data (205), (
Proceed to 206). (206) is 10y [items] and 8y
The one with the least number of search results among [items], 8y (
] is a guideline, and (207) is 350yC seconds] and 7
The longest search time among 50γ [seconds], 750
The standard is χ [seconds]. The approximate search time and number of search results are 750 x seconds and 8 y (results).The embodiments have been described in detail above.

According to the present invention, by showing the user an estimate of search time and number of search results, the user can give appropriate instructions to the system, such as how long to search and how many results to display. It becomes possible. Furthermore, by using a method of calculating a guideline suitable for the target DB, a better guideline can be shown to the user, resulting in an even easier-to-use system.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, since the approximate search time and number of search results for a query can be shown to the user before the search, it is possible to reduce the amount of time consumed. Furthermore, the user can appropriately instruct in advance how long to conduct the search and how many search results to output.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a block diagram of an information retrieval system using natural language.
Figure 2 shows an example of the storage format of information registered in the catalog table, Figure 3 shows a catalog screen with a sample inquiry sentence registered, and Figure 4 shows an example of an inquiry sentence entered by the user. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an analysis result of a query sentence, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of database storage, and FIG. 7 is a PAD diagram of the guideline creation section. ↓・Inquiry Bunjinba Department, 2...Guidelines Creation Department, 3.1)
B search processing section, 4... search result display section. No. 3 The Kakuroge 'Picture Muscle Closed' is selected with πA, and the AI is Minako °゛8 = - [Product number number 1 Digital Base Hanawasen]

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In an information retrieval system, a search time and search result guide presentation method characterized by presenting a search time and search result number guide to a user in response to a search request. 2. A method for presenting an estimate of search time and search results according to the method described in claim 1, characterized in that a table is used to store an example of the analysis result of a query sentence and the number of search results.