JPH0514939B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention relates to an information search terminal device.

(Prior Art) A videotex terminal device is known as a typical example of a conventional information retrieval terminal device.

For example, in the terminal device of the CAPTAIN system,
When searching for information, as shown in Figure 3,
Information prompting the user to input search items (hereinafter, this information will be referred to as item input request information) is displayed.
Therefore, the user operates the key input device attached to the terminal device according to the displayed information, and selects the relevant item by keying in the character string that corresponds to the desired item (hereinafter referred to as the search item character string). (Hereinafter, the operation of selecting this item will be referred to as item input). This search item character string is transmitted by the terminal device to the center having the database. The center receives this search item character string, sends the corresponding information to the terminal device, and displays it on the terminal device.
For example, if you want the search item "News" in Figure 3, if you enter the search item character string "1#", the corresponding information will be displayed in the fourth column.
Information like the one shown is displayed. In the CAPTAIN system, the user's desired information can be obtained by repeating this key-in item input operation.

Here, if the user misunderstands the selection of the item and inputs the item for the item input request information, or if the user inputs the wrong key operation and selects a different item than the intended item, the error should be corrected. This is handled by pressing a function key called "backward." The "backward" function is a function that redisplays previously searched information in the backward direction according to the history of the search process stored at the center. By using this function, users can search for item input request information that is considered to be incorrect, and
You can re-enter the items again. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the user selects A, B, b1,
Assume that the search is performed in the order of b2, C, c1, c2, D, and d1. Here, A, B, C, and D are item input request information, and b1, b2, c1, c2, and d1 are information that does not require item input. If a search error is noticed in the information of d1, the information of D is redisplayed by using the "backward" function. If there is an error in inputting an item, the previous screen, for example C, will be redisplayed using the "backward" function in the same order as c2, c1, and C, and when C is displayed, enter the appropriate item. Bye.

In addition to this, the CAPTAIN system has a direct search function. This is because each piece of information has a unique number called an information search number (or page number). From the terminal, press the "〓" key, then enter this information search number, and then press the "#" key at the end. By entering a key, you can directly display the information corresponding to that number. For example, in the example in Figure 3, "000010000" at the top right of the diagram is the information search number, and if you enter "〓000010000#" from the terminal, the information in Figure 3 will be displayed even if you are searching for any other information. .

In this way, in an information search system, when searching for information, the user requests a selection of the information displayed on the terminal device, and the user returns a response to the request (hereinafter, the input operations in this case are summarized). (called response input), proceed with the process interactively, or perform a direct search using a previously known information search number, and correct search errors using function keys as necessary. are doing.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, as in the above example, if you make a mistake in inputting an item for the item input request information, the error can be corrected using the "backward" function, which retrieves previously searched information along the history of the search process. You must go backwards to display it again and search for the item input request information that is considered to be incorrect. In this case, as described above, the information c1 and c2, which are not item input request information, may be displayed again, so it takes time to search for the desired item input request information, and the search efficiency deteriorates. Furthermore, because the center's history storage capacity is generally limited (up to 10 screens in the CAPTAIN system), there is a limit to the information that can be redisplayed using the "backward" function, and in the worst case scenario, the search may have to be restarted from the beginning. There was a drawback that it disappeared.

Such drawbacks are one of the causes of heavy time and mental burden on users and increased fatigue during information retrieval work.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an information retrieval terminal device that makes it possible to go backwards and forwards in the history for each item input request information, thereby improving the retrieval efficiency in the above-mentioned error correction work.

(Means for Solving Problems) The information search terminal device of the present invention includes an information search number detection means for detecting an information search number for information that prompts a user to input a search item, and an information search number detection means for detecting an information search number for information that prompts a user to input a search item. a history storage means for storing a history of the information search number thus detected; a function selection input means for selectively inputting a function requested by the user; and a function selection input means for selectively inputting a function requested by the user; The present invention is characterized by comprising a history selection means for selecting an information search number of the relevant information from the history storage means.

(Function) When displaying information received from a center on a display screen, the information search terminal device of the present invention extracts an information search number unique to the information from the received information using the information search number detection means. save. When the user inputs a response, the information search number detection means determines whether the input character string is an item input for the item input request information, and determines that the character string is an item input. The stored information search number is detected as the information search number of the item input request information only in that case.
The detected information search number is stored by the history storage means in addition to the history of information search numbers of other item input request information previously searched and stored by the user. By repeating the above operations,
The history storage means stores a history of item input request information according to information searched by the user. For example, in the CAPTAIN system example, A, B, b1, b2, C, c1, c2, D, d1 as shown in FIG.
When searching in this order, the history of information search numbers A, B, C, and D of item input request information is stored as shown in FIG.

If the user makes a mistake in the search process and wants to re-display the item input request information just before the currently displayed information in order to retry the search, the user can request the item input using the function selection input means. If the history of the item input request information has gone back too far, a function to move the history of the item input request information forward is inputted using the function selection input means. The input requested function is transmitted to the history selection means, and the information search number of the item input request information corresponding to the requested function is selected from the stored contents of the history storage means, and the information of the information search number is directly selected. It is treated as a direct search input to achieve the same behavior as a search.

In this way, by storing the history for each item input request information and making it possible to go backwards and forwards in this history, when correcting the item input like the conventional "backward" function, it is possible to It is possible to avoid displaying information that is not input request information, and it is possible to perform an efficient search.

(Example) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the basic configuration of the present invention.

Information received by the communication control means 1 is decoded by the terminal control means 2 and displayed on the display device 4 by the drawing/display means 3. At the same time, the information search number detection means 5 selects and holds the information search number of the displayed information from the displayed information.

Furthermore, characters input by the user using the key input device 9 are transmitted by the communication control means 1 via the terminal control means 2. Here, when the user inputs some kind of response according to the information displayed on the display device 4, the information search number detection means 5 determines whether the response input is for item input request information. , the information search number held is detected only when it is determined that the information is item input request information, assuming that the information is item input request information. This information retrieval number is stored by the history storage means 6 in addition to the history of information retrieval numbers for other item input request information previously searched by the user. If the user makes a mistake in the search during the search process and wants to re-display the item input request information immediately preceding the currently displayed information in order to retry the search, input the item using the function selection input means 7. A function for reversing the history of the request information is inputted, and a function for advancing the history of the item input request information when the history of the item input request information goes back too far is inputted using the function selection input means 7. A requested function input by the user as necessary (that is, a function to move backward or forward in the history for each item input request information) is transmitted to the history selection means 8. Therefore, an information search number for item input request information corresponding to the requested function is selected from the stored contents of the history storage means 6, and is transmitted by the communication control means 1 via the terminal control means 2 as an information search number request input.

By doing so, it becomes possible to move backward and forward through the history for each item input request information.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example in which the present invention is embodied as a terminal device of the above-mentioned CAPTAIN system.

In FIG. 2, 20 is a microprocessor, which interfaces with peripheral devices via a bus. 21 is a read-only memory (ROM) in which a control program for the microprocessor 20 is stored. A random access memory (RAM) 22 is used as a data memory for the microprocessor 20. 23 is arbitrary access memory (VRAM) dedicated to video display.
, and display data is stored. A display device 24 displays a video signal. 25 is a graphic display controller (GDC), which stores display data in VRAM 23.
It converts the data in the VRAM 23 into a video signal and outputs it to the display device 24. 26 is a modulation/demodulator (MODEM) for the communication line, which modulates and demodulates data signals on the communication line. 27 is a communication control processor (CCP), MODEM26
interface with the microprocessor 20. 28 is a keyboard for inputting characters and control keys. A keyboard interface (KIF) 29 performs an interface between the keyboard 28 and the microprocessor 20.
The keyboard 28 has functions such as "re-select" (reverse the history of item input request information) and "already selected" (move forward the history of item input request information) as an example of a function selection input means. A function key has been added for Hereinafter, the content of the present invention will be specifically explained with reference to FIG.

The information search terminal device according to the present invention has two functions: a function of displaying received image information and a function of transmitting input character information. Therefore, first, the function of displaying received image information will be explained.

The microprocessor 20 inputs the image information received by the MODEM 26 via the CCP 27 according to the control program stored in the ROM 21, outputs commands to the GDC 25, and performs drawing/drawing.
Display. At the same time, an information search number for display information is selected from the received information.

Next, the function of transmitting input character information will be explained.

When the user inputs characters using the keyboard 28, the microprocessor 20 reads the input characters via the KIF 29 according to the control program stored in the ROM 21, and outputs the characters to the CCP 27.
It is transmitted by MODEM 26 via. At this time, when the user inputs some kind of response according to the displayed information, the microprocessor 20 converts this response input into item input request information according to the control program stored in the ROM 21. It is determined whether or not it is for. This judgment is made because the item input for item input request information is generally a character string consisting of alphanumeric characters or kana characters, followed by the "#" key, so the first character string entered is an alphanumeric character. Alternatively, it is determined whether the character is a kana character and there is a "#" sign at the end. Then, only when it is determined that the item input is for item input request information, the previously selected information search number is detected as the information corresponding to the number is item input request information. This information retrieval number is stored by the microprocessor 20 in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM 21, in addition to the history of other information retrieval numbers previously searched by the user stored in the RAM 22. . As a result, a history of only item input request information as shown in FIG. 6 is created.

Next, if you select an item for the item input request information that is different from the intended item due to a misunderstanding or input error, and you want to correct the error later, you can select "Reselect" or "Selected". ” describes the functions of the function keys. For each function key, the microprocessor 20 converts the input function key signal into KIF according to the control program stored in the ROM 21.
In the case of the "re-selection" function, the information search number is stored in the RAM 22 in order to request the display of the item input request information that was displayed immediately before the currently displayed information. Select from the history that contains the "〓" symbol followed by this information search number, and the "#" symbol at the end.
Create strings to directly search for information. On the other hand, the "already selected" function selects the information search number of the item input request information that appears after the item input request information currently displayed on the history is displayed from the history stored in the RAM 22, and selects the information search number of the item input request information that appears after the item input request information currently displayed on the history To request information on a search number, create a character string for directly searching for information, consisting of a "〓" symbol, followed by an information search number, and finally a "#" symbol.

The character string created in this way is sent by the microprocessor 20 to the MODEM 26 via the CCP 27 according to the control program stored in the ROM 21, and the same operation as when the information of the information search number is directly searched is performed. The "re-selection" function or the "already selected" function is realized by this.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, by making it possible to go backwards and forwards in the history for each item input request information using the "reselection" and "already selected" functions, it is possible to change the place where items should be input. When a user misunderstands the selection of an item and inputs it, or inputs an incorrect keystroke and selects an item that is not the intended item, the search efficiency is improved and the user saves time and money. It is possible to provide an information retrieval terminal device that reduces mental burden and reduces fatigue caused by it.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a basic configuration diagram of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
4 and 4 are diagrams showing examples of information display on an information search terminal device, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a conventional history structure, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a history structure of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a communication control means, 2 is a terminal control means, 3 is a drawing/display means, 4 is a display device, 5 is an information search number detection means, 6 is a history storage means, 7 is a function selection input means, and 8 is a history selection means; 9 is a key input device; 20 is a microprocessor; 21 is a read-only memory (ROM); 22 is a random access memory (RAM); 23 is a video display dedicated random access memory (VRAM); 24 is a display device. ,2
5 is a graphic display controller (GDC), 26 is a modulation demodulator (MODEM) for communication lines, 27 is a communication control processor (CCP), 28 is a keyboard, and 29 is a keyboard interface (KIF).

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Information search number detection means for detecting an information search number for information prompting a user to input a search item; and history storage means for storing a history of the information search numbers detected by the information search number detection means. , a function selection input means for selectively inputting a function requested by a user, and a history selection means for selecting an information search number of the corresponding information from the history storage means according to the function selected by the function selection input means. An information retrieval terminal device comprising: