JPS63121924A - Information retrieving system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain timely information collection by adding value information to transmit desired information to a request terminal when desired information is stored in an information file and transmitting a request signal for input of another information to an information supply terminal when desired information is not stored there. CONSTITUTION:When an information retriever inputs retrieval information q1 from a keyboard 1, a computer 3 retrieves a data base, and value added information +alpha is added to transmit the retrieval result to a terminal Ai and retrieval information and the result are stored in the data base 4 if contents of the retrieval result are judged to be sufficient as the answer to information q1. Meanwhile, if contents of the retrieval result is judged to be insufficient, a table of information presenting departments is led out from the data base 4 and is collated with retrieval information q1 to select information presenting departments C1, C2-Ck which can answer to information q1, and input of another information is requested. Each department Cj outputs requested information if having this information.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] 〔Technical field〕 The present invention relates to an information retrieval system.

(Prior Art) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional information retrieval system using data. A is a terminal for searching for information in a database, and is composed of a keyboard 1 and a display 2. B is a database 4 and computer 3 in a host serving as a file center. C is a terminal for supplying information to the database, and is composed of a keyboard 1 and a display 2'. When the information searcher inputs search information q1 for the database 4 of B from the keyboard of A, the collaborator 3 searches the database 4, retrieves the necessary information, and sends it to the AI (al). If there is not enough information in the database, send a message to that effect to the AI. Moreover, the computer 3 has a keyboard terminal c,,c,---,C,,-
Upon receiving new information from I,,I2. -----, IJ
,-, the contents of the database 4 can be updated.

In such a system, a database (
If there is a lack of information in 4), the desired data cannot be retrieved unless the information is recognized and supplemented manually, resulting in the inconvenience of not being able to collect data in a timely manner.

(Purpose) The present invention is intended to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, and is to provide a system for searching information from an information file storing a large amount of information. is stored in the first information file, value information is added and output to the above terminal, and then the second information file is stored in the first information file.
This information retrieval system is characterized in that it sends search command information to an information file, receives new information retrieved from other information files, and outputs it to the original requesting terminal. Also, the search information or search command information from the second information file is transferred to a third information file, and the information sent to the first information file via the third information file is transferred to the original request. An information retrieval system that outputs information to a terminal.

〔Example〕

FIG. 2 is an embodiment of the system according to the present invention. A keyboard 1 is used to input search commands, and a display 2, such as a CRT, displays commands and search information from the keyboard 1. Reference numeral 3 denotes a processor CPU (hereinafter referred to as computer) having a ROM having a search program (Fig. 3), a RAM for storing search control data, etc., and a calculation section for performing search operations and operations for adding value information 2 to search results. ), and 4 is, for example, a disk and a disk controller that store a search database.

This will be explained with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

When the information searcher inputs search information q from the keyboard 1 of A, a database search is performed on the computer 3 of B (K,). The search result is sent to the computer 3 (K2), and it is checked whether the content is sufficient as an answer to 91 (S-3). If it is determined that the answer to q is sufficient, add value-added information (+α) and use AI.
Send the search results to (al). The search information and results are stored in the database (S-5). On the other hand, if the computer 3 determines that the search result is insufficient as an answer to 91, it pulls out the information provision department table from the database 4 (S-a) and compares it with the search information 9I ( In response to S9) and ql, the information providing department C1゜C,,---,C, is returned (S-10). Next, computer 3 sequentially uses C,,C2
,---,C.

An inquiry q2 regarding q is made to q, and the input of new information is requested (S-11). Each C4 outputs the requested information if it exists (al, i). As soon as the obtained information becomes sufficient as an answer to ql (S-12), the computer 3 sends it to A1 with added value (+α) and inputs it into the database 4 (S-12).
-5). If the obtained information is insufficient even after inquiring all the information providing departments C,, C2, ---, Ck, the information is sent to A (S-14).

In addition, in all cases, the search contents, results, etc. are also recorded in the database 4 (S-13). C” is q
Since the terminal can answer q2, it sends request q2 to display 2'
is displayed, and the operator presses the keyboard 1' to select q.
2 and sends it to computer 3.

Note that by previously storing information that meets the request q2 in the file Cj, C3 can search for the file Cj in response to q, automatically extract it, and send it to the computer 3. This eliminates the need for an operator to be present at all times. (An example of this is shown in Figure 4.) Computer 3 first asks C for information matching q2.
If it is not in 1, then ask Cj+(, and if it is there, send it to the computer and send it to the database.

Therefore, the trade order of the information supply terminal table ■ is determined by replacing C, , and CJ by computer (S-
7). By prioritizing questions in this way, you can quickly search even if there is insufficient information in the database.

As a second example, the computer 3 periodically outputs a database update request ■ to the information supply terminal cJ, sends new information I to the computer 3 regarding items that need to be updated, and updates the database during computer 3's free time. It becomes possible to update the relevant information. Therefore, requesting terminal A”
New information is always available in a timely manner. This periodic update is also performed sequentially according to the priority question table (in the database) of the information supply terminal.

In this way, when the database 4 lacks necessary information, the computer determines and automatically selects multiple information providing departments, prompts new information to be input, and then updates the input information. Since it replies to the search destination and stores it in the database, information can be collected in a timely manner.

Examples of the above system applications include the following. For example, if you input the type, number, and quality of parts from the information request terminal A+ (for example, a research institute), the file center selects the appropriate part name from the database, adds value information such as its cost and parts manufacturer, and sends it to A. , send to. If there are no suitable parts in the database, scan the address table of the most likely information supply terminal CJ (for example, each office, factory, etc.) and output query information to each CJ, and if there is a suitable part at the office , parts name, number, etc. are sent back to the file center, stored in the database, and replied to A. This allows timely parts information to be obtained.

(Other Embodiments) FIG. 4.5 is a configuration diagram of a distributed processing system in which a plurality of databases and computers are connected via communication lines. R
1 is the display, T1 is the keyboard, CI (1≦i≦
n) is a computer, B, (1≦i≦n) is a database.

In FIG. 4, when the computer C1 receives the search information Q+ input by the information searcher using the keyboard T, the computer C1 searches the database B1. The obtained answer A1 to Ql is transmitted to display R1. Furthermore, when the computer receives an instruction from the information searcher to search other databases connected via a communication line, it searches other databases (B2, Bj, -----, Bn). At this time, the computer CI cannot send the search information Q+ unless it knows the connection status of communication lines, information tables of other databases, etc.
Computer C3 and database B1 in (1) serve as hosts and centrally manage other databases.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of still another embodiment. In the fifth, computer CI and database B1 are coupled in a circular manner. The operation of this embodiment will be explained with reference to the processing flow (sections 3, 4, and 5).

The flowchart in computer CI is shown in Figure 6.
When C1 receives the search information Q1 entered by the information searcher from the keyboard T1 of the terminal device, the database B1
Search for Q, answer A.

get (■,■,■). The computer C1 outputs A on the display R1 to show it to the information searcher, and
Decide whether to search other databases connected via communication line (■.

■). When the computer C3 receives the information that the information searcher wishes to search other databases, the computer C3 transmits the search information Q1 to the neighboring computer C2, and
Confirm that C1 is the source of Ql (■,■
).

The flowchart in computer C2 is shown in FIG.
When 2 receives Q from C1, database B 2
Search for Q, 8A2 (=82) (■, [
phase], 0). Computer C2 sends Ql and 82 to neighboring computer C3 (@).

Incidentally, as the CI processing of ■, it is possible to determine whether or not A is appropriate information based on the amount of information, etc., and automatically move to the search of 02.

The flowchart in the j-th computer C1 is shown in FIG. 8. When the CI receives Q+, I-1, the CI checks whether it is the source of Ql (o, [
phase]). For this purpose, the +R information stored in ■ is used.

If CI is the source of Ql (i.e. CI
=c), outputs al-1 (=an) to display R1 (R+) (Φ).

If CIh<QI is not the source (i≠1), search database B and find answer A to Q.

Obtain (■). Furthermore, the computer c1 has a I-
Compare + and A (@), and if there is information to add al-1 to AI, add A to a i-1.

Create al (al = aI-+ +A+) to which (■) is added. Also, when there is no information to be added to a l-1 in A1 (al-1 AI), al
Let it be Mia I-+ (@). Finally computer cl
sends QI and ai to the neighboring computer C1+1.

Since there is no so-called host in computers connected in a circular manner in this way, it is not necessary to manage the connection status or tables of other databases, and it is possible to collect information from all databases.

In the above, between the information request terminal A and the file center,
File center with database and information supply terminal C
, are connected by public lines such as telephones and DDKs, private lines, private lines, etc.

[Effect] As described above, when the desired information is stored in the information file, value information is added and sent to the requesting terminal, and when the desired information is not stored, new information is input to the information supply terminal. Since a request signal is sent to request information, information can be collected in a timely manner.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional search system, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart of processing in the block diagram of the search system according to the present invention. is a search request terminal, 4 is an information file, 3 is a processing processor, and C'' is an information supply terminal. Figure 5

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a system that searches for information from an information file storing a large amount of information, when the desired information is stored in the first information file in response to the input of desired search command information from the requesting terminal, the value information is added and output to the terminal, further sends search command information to a second information file, and receives new information retrieved from another information file and outputs it to the original requesting terminal. Information retrieval system. (2) In paragraph 1, the search information or search command information from the second information file is transferred to a third information file, and sent to the first information file via the third information file. An information retrieval system that outputs information to the above-mentioned original requesting terminal.