JPH088858A - Data retrieval device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To retrieve newspaper data desired by a user in a short time. CONSTITUTION:The newspaper data transmitted from a transmission side are recorded in a 'minidisk(R)' and when a prescribed character string is inputted by an input device 11, the character string is retrieved from the newspaper data recorded in the 'minidisk(R)' in a CPU 14 and the retrieved result is displayed by a display device 12. In this case, the newspaper data are divided into prescribed block units such as article units or the like for instance and the character string is retrieved from the newspaper data successively by the article unit. Then, when the character string is found from the newspaper data of a certain article, retrieval for the newspaper data of the article is ended and the retrieval for the newspaper data of the next block is started.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data retrieval apparatus suitable for retrieval of data of electronically distributed publications such as newspapers, books and magazines via, for example, satellites.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, as a system for electronically distributing newspaper data (for example, newspaper text data),
It is considered to insert newspaper data into a satellite data channel and transmit the newspaper data via the satellite. In this case, for example, a receiving device at each home (contractor side) that has contracted to distribute newspaper data receives a signal from a satellite and takes out the newspaper data inserted in the data channel. Then, this newspaper data is recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic disk or a magneto-optical disk,
It is read from there as needed. The read data is displayed on, for example, a display or printed out so that the contractor can view the newspaper.

By the way, since the satellite line has a large capacity,
Although a lot of newspaper data can be transmitted, it is difficult to sequentially look at such a lot of newspaper data and search for a desired article. Therefore, for example, there is a method of inputting a character string considered to be related to a desired article and searching the character string from newspaper data.

Conventionally, as a method for retrieving a portion containing a predetermined character string (characters are also included in the character string in this specification) from newspaper data recorded on the above-described recording medium. Are roughly classified into a keyword search and a full search.

In the keyword search, for example, a newspaper data provider (for example, a newspaper company) describes a character string that is a keyword of the newspaper data and a table (hereinafter referred to as a position where the character string exists in the newspaper data). , A keyword table) is created, transmitted together with newspaper data as described above, and recorded on a recording medium. Then, when the user (contractor) inputs the character string,
A keyword that matches the character string is searched from the keyword table, and if found, newspaper data near the position where the keyword exists is read from the recording medium and displayed.

In the full search, when the user inputs a character string, a character string that matches the character string is searched from the newspaper data recorded on the recording medium, and if found, the character string is searched. Newspaper data near the position where the row exists is read from the recording medium and displayed.

According to the keyword search, it is possible to move faster to the position of the newspaper data containing the keyword as compared with the full search, and according to the full search, there are more kinds of types than the keyword search. Character strings (all character strings included in newspaper data) can be searched.

[0008]

However, in the keyword search, there is a problem that a keyword (character string) not registered in the keyword table cannot be searched.

In the full search, all the character strings that match the input character string are sequentially searched from the newspaper data. For example, if you focus on an article in a newspaper,
There may be a so-called keyword-like character string of the article that is frequently used in the article, and if this character string is searched, what is in the same article of newspaper data The search results will be displayed once again.

When searching newspaper data, it is usually sufficient to obtain an article containing the input character string. As described above, the search result is displayed many times within the same article.
There is a problem that makes the user feel annoyed.

Further, in the full search, even if a character string that matches the character string is found in the search for the input character string, unless a command is given to stop the processing, the newspaper recorded in the recording medium is searched. Since the data is sequentially processed, there is a problem that the search time is long when the amount of newspaper data is large.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and makes it possible to retrieve a desired user's desired data such as newspaper data in a short time.

[0013]

A data retrieval device of the present invention is data of a publication transmitted from a transmitting side through a predetermined transmission path and received by a receiving side, and is a recording medium (for example, Mini disc (MD) (trademark) shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
In a data retrieval device for retrieving a predetermined character string from those recorded in (8 etc.), an input means for inputting a predetermined character string (for example, the input device 11 shown in FIG. 2),
Retrieval means for retrieving a predetermined character string from the data of the publication recorded on the recording medium (for example, the CPU 14 shown in FIG. 2).
Etc.) and display means (for example, the display device 12 shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2) for displaying the search result of the search means,
The data of the publication is divided into predetermined blocks, and the search means sequentially searches the data of the publication for a character string in block units, and finds the character string from the data of the publication of the block. In this case, the search for the publication data of the block is ended, and the search for the publication data of the next block is started.

The data of the publication can be divided into file units. Further, the data of the publication can be divided into articles. Furthermore, the data of the publication can be divided into paragraphs or sections. Further, the transmission line can be a satellite line.

[0015]

In the data retrieving apparatus having the above structure, the data of the publication transmitted from the transmitting side is recorded in the MD 8, and when the predetermined character string is input by the input device 11, the character string is changed. , MD8 is searched from the data of the publication recorded, and the search result is displayed. In this case, the data of the publication is divided into predetermined block units, and the search for the character string from the data of the publication is sequentially performed in block units. Then, when a character string is found from the data of the publication of the block, the search for the data of the publication of the block is ended there, and the search for the data of the publication of the next block is started. Therefore,
The data of the publication desired by the user can be searched in a short time.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a data receiving device 6 to which the present invention is applied.
Shows an example of the configuration of a data broadcasting system that receives electronically distributed newspaper data. A newspaper company as an information provider has a large-scale computer 1. A paper space database is stored in the large-scale computer 1. This paper surface database includes article information for printing on newspapers, layout information, and the like. The data in this database is transmitted to the workstation 2 and edited there as required. The data edited by the workstation 2 is transmitted to the broadcasting center (broadcasting station) 3 via a data line on the ground.

In the broadcasting center 3, newspaper data from a newspaper company is inserted into a satellite data channel, and the data is received via a satellite (broadcasting satellite (BS) or communication satellite (CS)) 4, for example, by a receiver (at each home). (Subscriber).

In each home, the signal from the satellite 4 is
It is received by the outdoor device (parabolic antenna) 5 and converted into a predetermined intermediate frequency signal (IF signal). This IF signal is input to the data receiving device 6. Data receiving device 6
The data received by is demodulated and decoded there, supplied to the recording device 13, and recorded in a recording medium such as MD8. The user can attach the MD 8 to, for example, the portable terminal device 9 to display the received newspaper data. Alternatively, the recording device 1
It is possible to read the newspaper data recorded in the MD 8 via 3, and output the newspaper data to the display device 12 for display as required.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the data receiving apparatus 6 which is an embodiment of the present invention. The IF signal input from the outdoor device 5 is sequentially supplied to a tuner and a decoder (neither shown), and demodulated and decoded by each. The newspaper data obtained as a result is supplied to the recording device 13 and recorded on the MD 8.

The input device 11 is composed of, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, and is operated, for example, when inputting a character string for searching newspaper data recorded in the MD 8. The display device 12 displays, for example, newspaper data recorded in the MD8, search results obtained by searching the newspaper data recorded in the MD8 for a character string input by operating the input device 11, and other necessary information. It is designed to do. The recording device 13 is controlled by the CPU 14 to record the supplied newspaper data in the MD 8 and read the data recorded in the MD 8.

The ROM 16 is an IPL (Initial Program).
Loading) Program and OS (Operating System) are stored. The RAM 15 stores data necessary for the operation of the CPU 14. When the power supply of the device is turned on, the CPU 14 operates in accordance with the IPL program stored in the ROM 16 and also stores the O stored in the ROM 16.
S is loaded into the RAM 15. Then, a search process, which will be described later, is executed on the OS. That is, CPU
Reference numeral 14 sequentially searches the newspaper data recorded in the MD8 for a character string in a predetermined block unit such as an article unit. When a character string is found in a certain block of newspaper data, the newspaper data of the block is searched. The search is ended and the search for the next block of newspaper data is started again.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
An operation when a character string is retrieved from newspaper data recorded in MD8 will be described. First, in step S1, the input device 11 is operated to input a character string to be searched from newspaper data (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as a search character string), and the process proceeds to step S2 to search for newspaper data to be started. The position is input by further operating the input device 11.

Here, the newspaper data is divided into, for example, article units, and each article is sequentially numbered from the first page of the newspaper page.

In step S2, the number of the first article on the first page, the number of the article currently displayed on the display device 12, and the like are input by operating the input device 11. Then, it is supplied to RAM15,
It is stored (set) in the predetermined storage area.

Then, in step S3, the CPU 1
In step S2, the newspaper data corresponding to the article having the number stored in the RAM 15 in step S2 is retrieved from the MD 8 via the recording device 13, and the process proceeds to step S4 to determine whether the newspaper data corresponding to the article exists. Is determined.
When it is determined in step S4 that the newspaper data corresponding to the article with the number stored in the RAM 15 does not exist, the process ends.

Further, in step S4, the RAM 15
If it is determined that there is newspaper data corresponding to the article with the number stored in step S5, the process proceeds to step S5, and the newspaper data is searched for a search character string (the character string input in step S1). This search character string is searched for in RAM1.
The newspaper data corresponding to the article with the number stored in No. 5 is sequentially performed, for example, from the beginning. Then, if the character string is found, or if the character string cannot be found from the newspaper data, the search is ended, and the process proceeds to step S6.

In step S6, it is determined whether or not the newspaper data corresponding to the article with the number stored in the RAM 15 includes a character string that matches the search character string.
When it is determined in step S6 that the newspaper data contains a character string that matches the search character string, the process proceeds to step S7, and the search result is displayed on the display device 12.

That is, for example, in the newspaper data, the character string that matches the search character string is set in the reverse state, and, for example, several lines including the line in which the character string exists or the entire newspaper data of articles including the character string, etc. Is displayed on the display device 12.

After displaying the search results as described above, the process proceeds to step S8.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S6 that the newspaper data does not include a character string that matches the search character string, step S7 is skipped and step S7 is performed.
8, the number stored in the RAM 15 is incremented by 1, and the process returns to step S3. That is, the search character string is searched from the newspaper data of the next article.

Thereafter, in step S4, R
The processes of steps S3 to S8 are repeated until it is determined that the newspaper data corresponding to the article with the number stored in the AM 15 does not exist (is not recorded in the MD 8).

As described above, in this apparatus, the search character string is searched for in the full search. However, when the search character string is found from the newspaper data of a certain article, the search for the newspaper data of the article is terminated. , The search for the newspaper data of the next article is started.

That is, for example, when the search character string is now "Ukraine" and the search character string is searched from the newspaper data of the article as shown in FIG. 4, the character string "Ukraine"
Are on the 1st to 4th, 8th, and 10th lines of the newspaper data (portions underlined in the figure), so that they are all searched by the conventional full search. However, according to the processing according to the flowchart of FIG. 3, when the character string “Ukraine” that is the first line is found from the newspaper data of this article, the search for the newspaper data of this article is terminated, The search results are displayed. Then, after that, the search for the newspaper data of the next article is started (when there is no newspaper data of the next article, the process is ended).

Therefore, since only the search character string described first in the newspaper data of a certain article is searched (the position of the same character string as the search character string found first is the search result). Therefore, even if multiple search characters are included in them, it is possible to prevent all of them from being searched and similar search results to be displayed. it can. That is, so to speak, redundant search can be prevented.

Furthermore, if the same character string as the search character string is 1
Since the newspaper data of the found article is not searched thereafter, the search character string can be searched in a shorter time than before even if the amount of newspaper data recorded in the MD 8 is large. As a result, the newspaper data desired by the user can be searched in a short time.

For example, the search character string is "France".
Then, when the search character string is searched from the newspaper data of the article as shown in FIG. 5, the character string “France” is only on the 8th line of the newspaper data (the underlined portion in the figure). ). Therefore, in such a case, only "France" in the 8th line of the newspaper data is searched by both the conventional full search and the process according to the flowchart of FIG.

The case where the present invention is applied to the data receiving device 6 which receives a signal from the satellite 4 has been described above.
The present invention can be applied to a portable terminal device 9 or the like that can be equipped with.

In this embodiment, the newspaper data is transmitted via the satellite line, but the newspaper data may be transmitted via the public network (eg PSTN or ISDN). It is possible to

Further, in the present embodiment, the search character string at the beginning of the newspaper data of a certain article is found. However, the search character string at the end thereof may be found, for example. This can be done by changing the search direction.

Further, in the present embodiment, the newspaper data is divided into article units, and the search character string is searched for in each article unit. It is possible to search the search character string in paragraphs, sections, or pages when divided into sections, sections, or pages.

Further, when the newspaper data is divided and transmitted in file units, the search character string can be searched in file units.

Further, when the newspaper data is not divided into predetermined block units such as article units, paragraph units, and node units, the CPU 14 can be made to divide the newspaper data into predetermined block units. is there.

However, since it is considered that the user often reads a newspaper (search newspaper data) in article units, it is preferable that the newspaper data is divided into article units.

In this embodiment, the search target is newspaper data, but in addition to this, when text data of publications such as books and magazines is transmitted, these should also be search targets. Is possible.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention, the data of the publication desired by the user can be retrieved in a short time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a data broadcasting system for receiving newspaper data transmitted via a satellite 4 by a data receiving device 6 shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a data receiving device 6 to which the data search device of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a search operation of the data receiving device 6 in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of newspaper data for each article.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of newspaper data in article units.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 large-scale computer 2 workstation 3 broadcasting center 4 satellite 5 outdoor device 6 data receiving device 8 mini disk (MD) 9 portable terminal device 11 input device 12 display device 13 recording device 14 CPU 15 RAM 16 ROM

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. Data of a publication transmitted from a transmission side through a predetermined transmission line and received by a reception side, which retrieves a predetermined character string from data recorded on a recording medium. In the search device, an input unit for inputting the predetermined character string, a search unit for searching the predetermined character string from the data of the publication recorded on the recording medium, and a search result of the search unit are displayed. And a display unit, the data of the publication is divided into predetermined block units, the search unit performs a search for the character string from the data of the publication sequentially in the block unit, When the character string is found in the block publication data, the search for the block publication data is ended, and the search for the next block publication data is started. Data retrieval apparatus according to. 2. The data search device according to claim 1, wherein the data of the publication is divided into file units. 3. The data search device according to claim 1, wherein the data of the publication is divided into article units. 4. The data search device according to claim 1, wherein the data of the publication is divided into paragraphs or sections. 5. The data search device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission path is a satellite line.