JPH0380369A - Information retrieval processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the efficiency of an information processing by classifying an inquiry processing result in sequence of the sizes of satisfaction of an inquiry condition, displaying it as the rough result of an inquiry processing, and obtaining and displaying detail information by performing a data operation for the rough result. CONSTITUTION:A visual interface processing part 33 obtains an inquiry evaluation result including the satisfaction generated with a data base inquiry processing system part 34, and classifies the inquiry result into several parts based on the sizes of the satisfaction information of each result. And graphical display corresponding to the degree of classification and the information quantity that belongs to each classification is displayed on a display, and an operation menu for a display result is displayed simultaneously, thereby, a print operation, a detail information display operation for a graphical display result, and a classification operation for obtained information, etc., can be performed. In such a manner, high level decision making support can be realized with simple constitution, and an information retrieval processing can be realized with high efficiency.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a database information retrieval processing method, and particularly to an information retrieval processing method suitable when a plurality of processing results exist.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, research into man-machine interfaces for information retrieval or database query processing has progressed, and the fourth
A variety of simplified languages such as generational languages are emerging. In particular, many query interfaces for relational data or simple interfaces combined with these interfaces have been proposed2.Moreover, recently, multimedia data processing cars have been developed, allowing users to easily process and manipulate the data.・Proposals for interfaces are also becoming more active.

For example, the former includes SQL and QBE,
As for the latter, interfaces for HyperCard and Hito-Text are attracting attention. Incidentally, international and domestic standard specifications have been established for SQL, and multimedia processing will be the main focus of data processing, and it is thought that such interfaces will become common in the future.

In addition, the conventional database query word i! (SQL), for example, “C.J. Date, ANINTRO
DUCTION TO DATA BASE S
YSTEMS, Vol. 1. Fourth Editorial
n Addison-Wesley (1986)”
It is discussed in

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In the above conventional technology, the results that satisfy the query processing are either simply listed or the data values in the results are classified and displayed, and the extent to which each result data satisfies the query conditions is determined. It was up to the user to decide whether or not the degree condition was met.

Therefore, if there are only a few results that satisfy the query conditions, there is not much of a problem, but if there are many results, it is difficult to make appropriate and easy decisions, and the burden of decision-making using the acquired information becomes large. , there was a problem in that it was not possible to make quick decisions regarding the acquired information.

An object of the present invention is to improve the above-mentioned problems and improve the user's information acquisition process and the user's intentions based on it by providing a user interface for information retrieval or database inquiry that takes into account the degree of satisfaction or conformity with information inquiry conditions. An object of the present invention is to provide an information retrieval processing method that can effectively support decision-making processing.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve the above object, the information retrieval processing method of the present invention interprets a command with an ambiguous query expression, accesses a database, and generates a processing result in which the degree of satisfaction of the query condition is added to the query processing result. In the information query system to be acquired, the above query processing results are classified in order of satisfaction of the query conditions, displayed as a summary result of the query processing, and data operations are performed on the summary result to obtain/display detailed information. There are characteristics.

In addition, when displaying the above-mentioned summary results, it is necessary to display them graphically according to the number of classifications for classifying the above-mentioned query processing results and the amount of information belonging to the classification range, and also to display a data operation menu for the display. There are characteristics.

Furthermore, when data operations are performed on the above-mentioned summary results, a feature is that a range on a graphical display is designated to indicate an operation target.

In addition to specifying the above range, you can also specify a hierarchical level that can be operated according to the hierarchical structure of the search target information, and display detailed information in the specified range of that hierarchical level and a data operation menu for that detailed information. There are characteristics.

Another feature is that the information including the database access inquiry instruction, summary result information, and detailed information corresponds to the windows on the multi-window system.

[Operation] In the present invention, the visual interface processing unit acquires the query evaluation results including the satisfaction level generated by the database query processing system unit, and evaluates the query results based on the magnitude of the satisfaction level information of each result. It is classified into several categories, and a graphical display is shown on the display according to the degree of classification and the amount of information belonging to each classification, and an operation menu for the display results is simultaneously displayed, and printing operations and details regarding the graphical display results are displayed. It enables information display operations or classification operations on acquired information.

In addition, the database query processing system unit issues a query request to a database or file, etc., and calculates the satisfaction level of the processing result using vague information processing technology based on fuzzy set logic. , the satisfaction level information is added to the obtained results from a database or the like to create and manage an information structure that is easy to process by the inquiry result management means.

In this way, by using a visual interface that takes into account the degree of satisfaction of query conditions, it is possible to provide advanced decision-making support with a simple configuration, and to realize efficient information retrieval processing.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, the configuration of this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a database system in one embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, 21 to 23 are databases (DB,...
DBn, DB), 24.25 is the workstation (W
S,,WSn), 26 is a DB server, and 27 to 29 are information inquiry systems.

In this embodiment, a plurality of workstations each equipped with a database are connected via a network, and information inquiries between the workstations are performed via the DB server 26. Also, each workstation (WS, ~WSn)
And the DB server 26 is equipped with an information inquiry system.

FIG. 3 is a functional configuration diagram of a database system in an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 3, 31 is a computer system, 32 is an information query processing system, 33 is a visual interface processing section, 34 is a database query processing system section, 3
5 is a plurality of databases (DB, ~DBn), 33a
33 is a visual interface management unit that manages the entire visual interface processing unit 33; 33b is an inquiry instruction area processing unit that issues an inquiry instruction to the database 35; 33c is a summary result area processing unit; 33d is displayed in the summary result area. The individual result display area processing unit 33e is a query result management unit that interfaces with the database query processing system unit 34 and manages display data. Note that the database inquiry processing system section 34 performs inquiry processing to the database and calculation and addition processing of satisfaction level information for the processing results, but a detailed explanation of this processing section will be omitted in this embodiment.

Next, the operation during query processing in this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 1 (Parts 1 to 6) is a flowchart showing information inquiry processing in an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is an example of an initial screen display of inquiry processing in an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 5 is an example of a screen display when inputting a query in an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an example of a screen display when executing a query in an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an example of a screen display of query execution results in FIG.

However, operations related to the inquiry instruction area, individual result display area, etc. are substantially the same as operations in conventional inquiry processing or a user interface such as a hypercard, and therefore descriptions thereof will be omitted in this embodiment.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 (part 1), first, the fourth
The initial screen 40 shown in the figure is displayed and waits for the input of the menu number on the current screen (100).

For example, when the number "1" indicating search processing is input or clicked (101), the inquiry instruction screen 50 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed (102). Furthermore, when a database query language command, for example an SQL command, is input into the query language instruction area of the query instruction area 51 of the screen 50 (104), the icon of the inquiry instruction area operation menu 52 in the inquiry instruction area 51 is input. Waits for a click (105).

For example, click the ``Exit instruction icon'' and then click ``
If you click on the "Execution instruction icon", you will be returned to the initial screen in FIG. 4 (106-108), but if you click neither the execution instruction icon nor the termination instruction icon,
Perform processing corresponding to the clicked icon (106
, 107, 109).

Note that the series of processes following steps 103 and 109 will be omitted.

Next, referring to FIG. 1 (part 2), a case in which the execution instruction icon is clicked after inputting an inquiry command will be described in detail.

For example, when the execution instruction icon is clicked (106
), transfers the search command input in the query language instruction area to the database query processing system unit 34 (11
0).

The database query processing system unit 34 executes the search command and transfers the processing results, in which the satisfaction level of the query is added to each result, to the query result management unit 33e of the visual interface processing unit 33 (111).

The query result management unit 33e includes a summary result area processing unit 33c.
In response to this, the summary result area processing unit 33e notifies each area of the summary result area 60 as shown in FIG. 6, that is, the result operation menu, based on the processing result. Area 61 and result display area 6
The query matching distribution display area and the summary display area of No. 2 are respectively displayed (113). Then, wait for a click on the operation instruction icon in the operation menu area 61 as a result of the display (1
14).

Next, details of processing regarding the action instruction icon in the result operation menu area 61 will be described.

(A) When the display instruction icon is clicked This is the process that occurs when the display instruction icon is clicked in step 115 of FIG. 1 (Part 2).

That is, as shown in FIG. 1 (part 3), the result display area 6
Wait for a click on any part of the display result box in the summary display area of step 2 (l l 7), and after clicking on the summary display area (118), click the execution instruction icon (119), and the clicked summary display area will be displayed. Before clicking the execution instruction icon, the summary display part that was clicked is blinked), and detailed information corresponding to the part is displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. 7 (123). In FIG. 7, 70 is an individual result display area, 71 is a result operation menu area, and 72 is a result display area.
0 and the individual result display area 70 is displayed.

Thereafter, processing corresponding to the click on the individual result operation menu icon is performed (124, 125).

Also, if the execution instruction icon is not clicked when the summary result operation menu icon is clicked (1
19) If the cancel instruction icon is clicked (120), the display color of the clicked part in the summary display area is restored to the original color, waits for the next icon to be clicked (121), and the cancel instruction icon is clicked. If not (120), an error is displayed, a message prompting you to cancel or click on the execution instruction icon, and the process waits for the next icon to be clicked (122).
).

Also, if you do not click in the summary area above (11
8) Check whether the click is a cancel instruction icon 126), and if it is a cancel instruction icon, return the display color of the summary display area that has changed color for display instructions to the original color, and display the display instruction. Invalidate the icon state and wait for the next icon click (127).

If the click is not on the cancel instruction icon (126), an error message is displayed, prompting you to click on the summary display area, or on either the cancel instruction icon or the execution instruction icon, and then click on the next icon. (128).

Note that if you click the execution instruction icon after clicking the display instruction icon, detailed information corresponding to the result with the highest degree of matching in the query agreement degree distribution display area will be displayed in the individual result display area 70 along with the operation menu for the area. to be displayed. Also, steps 121, 122, 125, 127
, 128 will be omitted.

(B) When you click the classification instruction icon ゛This is
This process is performed when the classification instruction icon is clicked in step 116 of FIG. 1 (Part 2).

That is, as shown in Figure 1 (Part 4), the attribute information menu for displaying detailed information on the results displayed in the summary display area is displayed, and the user waits for the attribute (group) to be classified to be clicked (1
29). After that, if the attribute information is clicked (
130), displays a click instruction message in an arbitrary range of the summary display area, and waits for the click (134).

And when you click the range in the summary display area (135
), changes the display color of the clicked range, and waits for the execution instruction icon to be clicked (139). Further, when the execution instruction icon is clicked (140), classification processing is performed regarding the specified attribute, and after the classification processing is completed, the display color of the target range is changed and the next icon click is waited (144).

Also, if the execution instruction icon is not clicked (140), it is checked whether it is a cancel instruction icon or not (141), and if it is a cancel instruction icon, the previous classification range clicked state is invalidated and displayed. The color is changed to return to the previous icon clicked state, that is, the clicked state of the attribute information menu, and the process waits for the next icon or menu to be clicked (142).

In addition, if the range is not clicked (135) and the cancel instruction icon is clicked after clicking the attribute information menu (136), the click state of the classification attribute information is invalidated and the display color of the classification attribute information is changed. put it back,
Waits for the next icon click (137).

Also, if the cancel instruction icon is not clicked (136), an error is displayed, a message prompting you to click the range, cancel, or execution instruction icon is displayed, and wait for the next icon click (138). , Here, when the execution instruction icon is clicked, classification processing is performed on the results in all summary display areas.

Also, the attribute information menu is not clicked (130
), if the cancel instruction icon is cleared (131), the classification attribute information menu is deleted, the classification instruction icon clicked state is invalidated, the display color of the classification instruction icon is restored to the original color, and the next icon click is canceled. wait(
132).

If the cancel instruction icon is not clicked (131), an error message is displayed, prompting you to click on the attribute information menu, or the cancel or execution instruction icon, and then click on the next icon. Wait (133).

Note that steps 132, 133, 137, 138.14
The series of processes following steps 2, 143, and 144 will be omitted.

(C) When the print instruction icon is clicked This is the process when the classification instruction icon is not clicked in step 116 of FIG. 1 (part 2).

That is, in step 145 of FIG. 1 (part 5), if the print instruction icon is clicked (145
), displays the attribute information of the result displayed in the summary display area and a printing auxiliary menu specifying the print level, and waits for the menu to be clicked (146). If the printing auxiliary menu is clicked (147), the process waits for a click on the target range within the summary display area to perform processing according to the click instruction of the auxiliary menu (151). Further, when the target range is clicked (152), the display color of the clicked range is changed and the execution instruction icon is waited for to be clicked (156). Furthermore, when the execution instruction icon is clicked (157), the above-mentioned instructions are After the printing process is completed, the display color of the target range is returned to the original color and the process waits for the next icon click (161).

Also, when the execution instruction icon is clicked (157), when the cancel instruction icon is clicked (158),
To disable the clicked state of the print target range, restore the display color of the target range to its original state, return the screen display to the previous icon clicked state, and wait for the next icon click (15
9) If the cancel instruction icon is not clicked (158), an error message is displayed, prompting the user to click either the cancel or execution instruction icon, and the process waits for the next icon to be clicked (160).
9 Also, when the target range is clicked (152), if the cancel instruction icon is clicked (153), the clicked state of the auxiliary menu for printing is invalidated, the display color of the clicked part of the auxiliary menu is restored to the original color, The screen returns to the previous state of clicking on the auxiliary menu and waits for the next icon to be clicked (154).

Also, if the cancel instruction icon is not clicked (153), an error is displayed and the target range is clicked.
A message prompting the user to click either the cancel or execution instruction icon is displayed, and the user waits for the next icon to be clicked (155).

Also, when the auxiliary menu is clicked (147), when the cancel instruction icon is clicked (148)
, erases the print assistance menu, invalidates the print instruction status, restores the display color of the print instruction icon, and waits for the next icon click (149).

If the cancel instruction icon is not clicked (148), an error message is displayed, prompting you to click on the print assistance menu, or the cancel or execution instruction icon, and waits for the next icon to be clicked (148). ]50).

Note that steps 149, 150, 154, 155.15
The series of processes following steps 9, 160, and 161 will be omitted.

(D) Other cases If the print instruction icon is not clicked in step 145 of FIG. 1 (part 5), that is, after displaying the summary result area 60, The following describes the case when an icon other than the above icon is clicked.

As shown in Figure 1 (No. 6), when the cancel instruction icon is clicked (162), an error message is displayed and any of the other operation icons such as display, print, classification, or termination instruction icon is clicked. A message prompting the user to click is displayed and the user waits for the next icon to be clicked (163).

Also, the cancel instruction icon is not clicked (16
2) If the termination instruction icon is clicked, (1
64), wait for the execution instruction icon to be clicked (165)
, if the relevant execution instruction icon is clicked (1
66), the general result area 60 is deleted from the screen, only the inquiry instruction area display screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed, and a click on the inquiry instruction area operation icon is waited (167). Also, if the execution instruction icon is not clicked (1
66), displays an error, displays a message prompting the user to click on the execution instruction icon, and waits for the next icon to be clicked (168).

Furthermore, when the termination instruction icon is clicked (164), if the icon is not clicked and an icon such as the execution instruction icon is clicked (169), an error message is displayed and a message prompting the user to click on another icon. and waits for the next icon click (170).

Note that the series of processes following steps 163, 167, 168, and 170 are omitted.

Although the main operations in the general result area 60 have been described in detail above, the operations in the individual result display area 70 are almost the same.6 Next, the characteristic points of the operations in the individual result display area 70 will be described.

First, the processing content of the display instruction icon in the result operation menu area 71 is for instructing the display of details or additional information of the information displayed in the result display area 72. Click the icon to display the results. By clicking on a location displayed in the area, details or additional information about the clicked location, if available, will be displayed.

The processing content of the print instruction icon is an instruction to print out the information displayed in the result display area, and when you click the icon, you can print out all the information displayed in the result display area or print out partial information. A print auxiliary menu will be displayed that allows you to specify whether to print out the information, and after clicking on the required part of the menu, you can also specify whether to print only the information at the currently displayed level or information below that level. A supplementary menu will be displayed. Here, when the printout designation of the partial information is clicked, the corresponding information in the result display area is clicked to designate the information to be printed out. Finally, the print process is executed by clicking the execution instruction icon.

Note that the processing of other icons has the same functions as the operation icons in the general result area.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, by providing a visual interface for information retrieval that displays summary results (summary results) according to the degree of satisfaction of information retrieval conditions and enables various operations related to the results, the user can be guided step by step. It is possible to effectively support information narrowing down, information acquisition processing, and decision-making processing using summarized information, and it is possible to improve the efficiency of information processing.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 (parts 1 to 6) is a flowchart showing information inquiry processing in an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a database system in an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. A functional configuration diagram of a database system in an embodiment, FIG. 4 is an example of an initial screen display for query processing in an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example of a screen display when inputting a query in an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an example of a screen display when executing a query according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is an example of a screen display of the query execution result according to an embodiment of the present invention. 21-23: database, 24.25: workstation, 26: DB server, 27-29: information query system, 31: computer system, 32: information query processing system, 33: visual interface processing unit,
33a: visual interface management section, 33b:
Inquiry instruction area processing unit, 33c: General result area processing unit,
33d: Individual result display area processing section, 33e Two-query result management section. 34: Database inquiry processing system section, 35: Database, 40: Initial screen, 50: Inquiry instruction screen, 5
1: Inquiry instruction area, 52: Inquiry instruction area operation menu, 60: Summary result area, 61: Result operation menu area, 62: Results display area, 70: Individual result display area, 71
:Result operation menu area of individual result display area 70, 72
2. Result display area of individual result display area 70. Figure (Part 2) Figure 2 Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In an information query system that interprets a command with an ambiguous query expression, accesses a database, and obtains a processing result in which a satisfaction level of the query condition is added to the query processing result, An information retrieval method characterized by classifying query processing results in order of degree of satisfaction of query conditions, displaying them as summary results of the query processing, performing data operations on the summary results, and acquiring/displaying detailed information. 2. When displaying the above-mentioned summary results, display them graphically according to the number of classifications for classifying the above-mentioned query processing results and the amount of information belonging to the classification range, and also display a data operation menu for the display. The information search processing method according to claim 1, characterized in that: 3. The information retrieval processing method according to claim 2, wherein when data operations are performed on the general results, a range on a graphical display is designated to indicate an operation target. 4. In addition to specifying the above range, specify a hierarchical level that can be operated according to the hierarchical structure of the search target information, and display detailed information in the specified range of the hierarchical level and a data operation menu for the detailed information. The information search processing method according to claim 3, characterized in that: 5. The information search processing method according to claim 1, wherein the information including the database access inquiry instruction, summary result information, and detailed information is made to correspond to a window on a multi-window system.