JPS63101930A - Information retrieving device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain retrieval based upon natural procedure and to easily retrieve objective image information by selecting an object to be retrieved on the basis of sort names successively sorted from rough sorting to fine sorting. CONSTITUTION:A sort name is rough sorting is displayed on a CRT as a primary menu on the basis of a retrieval start instruction, and while observing the display, an operator selects an objective sort name when a menu to be the sort name including the required image information can be selected. A secondary menu consisting of detailed fine sort names relating to the sort name selected from the rough sort menu on the basis of said operation is displayed on the CRT2, and when the menu can be selected, an objective sort name is selected. Image information is successively displayed within the restricted range, the operation is repeated until required image information is displayed, and when the required image information is displayed, the information is outputted to an output means, e.g. a printer 9, and then the retrieving operation is ended.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention provides an information retrieval device that selects target image information from a file device that stores a plurality of image information obtained by converting manuscripts such as documents and drawings into image signals. Regarding.

<Prior Art> Conventionally, as a method for searching for a desired image from a large amount of image information stored in an electronic file device such as a magnetic disk device or an optical disk device, a number is assigned to each item of image information. There were methods for searching by inputting a number, and methods for determining keywords related to each piece of image information and searching for the desired image information from a combination of keywords.

<Problem to be solved by the invention> However, in the above search method, in the former case, it is necessary to find the corresponding number from the desired item while referring to the correspondence table between items and numbers. It was difficult to search for desired image information.

In the latter case, it is extremely difficult to set a keyword system so that only the desired image information is selected.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to output desired image information by sequentially selecting classification names from broad concepts to narrow concepts, similar to the search procedure in a document cabinet. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information retrieval device capable of outputting desired image information by sequentially retrieving the image information itself within the range so limited when a classification name cannot be specified.

Means for Solving the Problems> The information retrieval device of the present invention stores image information (primary information) and search information (secondary information) consisting of a multi-level menu for searching the image information. a storage means; a display means for sequentially displaying the search information stored in the storage means and displaying desired image information determined based on the search information; and a display means for displaying desired image information determined based on the search information; input means capable of sequentially selecting and inputting selection data of search information corresponding to image information of the image information, and capable of instructing the display means to sequentially display image information within a range limited by the input of the selection data; It is equipped with

Function> In the search information device of the present invention, the search information stored in the storage means and displayed on the display means is sequentially selected for each menu to limit the image information that includes the desired image information. At the same time, image information within a finally limited range is sequentially displayed on a display device, and desired image information is selected.

<Example> A detailed explanation will be given below based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an embodiment of an information retrieval device according to the present invention.

1 is a keyboard for inputting various commands, data, etc.; 2 is a CRT for displaying primary information (image information), secondary information (search information), etc.; 3 is a control device ( 4 is a control circuit that controls the display of information. 5 is a memory that temporarily stores information, 6 is an interface circuit, 7 is a scanner that reads the original, and 8 is 1
Next information.

A storage device for storing secondary information and the like, and 9 a printer as an output device.

Next, the present embodiment will be explained in more detail using the operational flowchart shown in FIG. 2, the conceptual diagram of the structure of the storage device 8 shown in FIG. 3, and the conceptual diagram of the search shown in FIG. 4.

The memory area of the storage device 8, which is a magneto-optical disk device or the like, includes a code data memory area 31 and a pit data memory area 3, for example, as shown in the conceptual memory configuration diagram shown in FIG.
Consists of 2.

The pit data memory area 32 stores primary information 32a, 32a, etc. such as image information.

Further, the code data memory area 31 is an area for storing secondary information which is search information for searching primary information.
Areas 31a, 31a for storing major categories, which are the next menus
..., area 3 for storing subcategory names, which is a secondary menu
It consists of 1b, 31b, etc.

Next, the search operation will be explained based on FIG. The search operation is performed on the memory 5 after the storage data necessary for the search operation in the storage device 8 is transferred to the memory 5 in advance.

First, based on the search start instruction (S210), the classification name of the major classification is displayed on the CRT 2 as a primary menu (S211).
L. While looking at the display, the operator should judge whether the menu whose classification name includes the desired image information can be selected (5212), and if the menu can be selected, select the desired classification name (in Fig. 3, the area 31a to "2. Electronic file") using the keyboard 1 or a tablet device (not shown) (8213) o Based on this operation, a more detailed minor category name related to the category name selected in the major category menu display is selected. A secondary menu consisting of
S214), and the operator judges whether the desired menu can be selected (5215) in the same way as in the case of displaying the main category name menu, and if the menu can be selected, displays the desired category name (in the area 31b in (S216).

Then, the image information is sequentially displayed within the limited range so far (S217), and it is determined whether the displayed information is the desired image information (S219). If it is incorrect, the next image information is displayed on the CRT2. In this way, this operation is repeated until the desired image information is displayed, and when the desired image information is displayed, it is output to the output means, for example, the printer 9 (S230), and the search operation is ended. (S231).

In addition, when the operator determines that the menu cannot be selected using 5212 or 5215, by inputting the fact that the menu cannot be selected from the keyboard 1, etc., the CRT 2 is sent to the CRT 2 within the range 33b or 33 which has been limited so far.
Image information of a is displayed (S217). Determine whether the displayed information is the desired image information (
S219), if the error is incorrect, display the next image information on the CRT 2 (S21&), repeat this operation until the desired image information is displayed, and when the desired image information is displayed,
Proceed to 230.5231.

Although this embodiment shows a case where the classification names are narrowed down to two levels, the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the stages of the classification names can be changed depending on the content of the search.

It is also possible to narrow down the classification names in multiple stages until finally only the desired image information is within the limited range. (In other words, it is also possible to reach the desired image information only by selecting the menu.) The control for displaying the target image information by selecting the classification name and selecting the item name as described above is based on the storage format in the storage device 8 and the known method. This is implemented using a programmatic method.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of the implementation of the search according to the present invention. As is clear from the figure, the present invention can perform the search using a method similar to the search for information in a file cabinet.

That is, when searching by file cabinet, select the target file shelf 41a from the file cabinet 41, take out the target file 41b from the file shelf 41a, and select the target item file 41c from the file 41b.
Finally, the target item file 41c is searched for the target image information 45, and when the target image information file can no longer be limited, the desired image information is retrieved by sequentially flipping through the files. Similarly, in the present invention, the range of image information is narrowed down by selecting a menu containing desired image information from the major classification name menu 42, and finally the image information within the limited range is selected. The configuration is such that desired image information is found by sequentially displaying the information.

<Effects of the Invention> As explained above, the information retrieval device according to the present invention selects the search target in order from the major classification to the minor classification by classification name, thereby searching for image information including the target image information. Since the range is limited and the image information within this limited range is sequentially displayed to output the desired image information, item names are attached to the registered image information, and the item names are sorted from major categories to small categories ( Detailed) Just by pre-classifying the classification,
Unlike keyword searches and number searches, there is no need to create a keyword system or a correspondence table between item names and numbers in advance.
Since the search can be performed using a natural procedure similar to a so-called cabinet search, even a person without prior knowledge of information retrieval devices can easily search for desired image information using normal procedures.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an information retrieval device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the device, FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the configuration of a recording device of the same device, and FIG. 4 is a search diagram. FIG. 1: Keyboard, 2: CRT, 3: CPU. 5: Memory, 8: Storage device, 9: Printer, 31: Code data memory area, 32: Pino (data memory area. Agent: Patent attorney Takeshi Sugiyama (1 other person) lW Figure also 2 Figure procedure amendment book Showa January 1962, tJ Day 1, Display of case Patent application 1986-247870 2, Invention name information search device 3, Relationship with the amendment person case Patent applicant address: 22-22 Nagaike-cho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 545 Title (504) Sharp Corporation Representative Haruo Tsuji 4, Agent 7 Contents of amendment l) Figure 2 has been amended as shown in the attached sheet. 2) Correct Figure 3 as shown in the attached sheet. 3) Correct as shown in the attached sheet for the 4th figure sound. Above Z2 Prisoner No. 312]

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Image information (primary information) and search information (secondary information) consisting of a multi-level menu for searching the image information.
storage means for storing the search information stored in the storage means; display means for sequentially displaying the search information stored in the storage means and displaying desired image information determined based on the search information; and search information displayed on the display means. an input capable of sequentially selecting and inputting selection data of search information corresponding to desired image information, and instructing the display means to sequentially display image information within a range limited by the input of the selection data; means for sequentially selecting the search information stored in the storage means and displayed on the display means for each menu to limit the image information that includes the desired image information, and finally limiting the image information that includes the desired image information. Displaying image information within the range sequentially on the display device,
An information search device characterized by selecting desired image information.