JP2000315189A - System and method for retrieving data base - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data base retrieval system capable of preventing disconnection from a host computer from not being executed even when the scale of a data base is large. SOLUTION: Each of computer terminals 10a, 10b, 10c,... monitors whether non-input time, in which commands are not continuously inputted from a user to retrieve a data base after being connected to a host computer 20, reaches reference time or not. The reference time can be set up on a reference time setting picture displayed on the screen of each computer terminal 10. When the non-input time reaches the reference time, each terminal 10 displays a warning picture for informing a user of the state. When no command is inputted from the user within a fixed time after the display of the warning picture, the terminal 10 sends a forced log off command for forcedly disconnecting the connection with the terminal 10 to the host computer 20.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a database for searching data by giving a database search command from a plurality of computer terminals via a network to a host computer which manages a database storing various data. The present invention relates to a search system and a database search method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a database search system, for example, a plurality of computer terminals are connected to a host computer by telephone lines, commands are sent from each computer terminal to the host computer by Pacoson communication, and the host computer searches for data managed by the host computer. There is something to do.
Normally, in such a database search system, a host computer monitors a non-input time period during which no command is input from the computer terminal by using a timer. When the non-input time exceeds a certain time, the host computer forcibly disconnects from the computer terminal. This makes it possible to reduce the number of useless telephone line connections when a user forgets to disconnect the host computer, so that other users can easily connect to the host computer.

There is also a database search system in which a plurality of computer terminals and a host computer are connected by a dedicated line to form a network. A database search system that searches through such a network,
In particular, this method is used when the number of users is large, a huge amount of data needs to be managed, and the connection with the host computer is not always performed. On the other hand, the above-described database search system for searching by personal computer communication is employed when the number of users is not so large and the data amount is not so large. When a search is performed via a network, all the computer terminals are likely to be able to connect to the host computer at the same time, since the number of lines is infinite. However, in practice, the processing capacity of the host computer is limited, so that the number of computer terminals that can be simultaneously connected to the host computer is limited to a certain number. This is usually done during system deployment,
The upper limit of the number that can be simultaneously connected to the host computer is determined by conditions such as a license agreement for the search database software.

[0004]

By the way, even in a database search system for performing a search via a network, like a database search system using a telephone line, the host computer uses an input from the computer terminal or the like. If no input time exceeds a certain time, a method of forcibly disconnecting the computer terminal may be adopted. However, in general, the time required for a search varies depending on the size of the database, search conditions, and the like. Therefore, a database search system that performs a search via a network has a higher number of users than a system using a telephone line. The time required for the search varies greatly for each search operation. For this reason, it is difficult to set the value of the non-input time when the host computer forcibly disconnects the connection, and the above-described host computer is used in a database search system that performs a search via a network. The method of forcibly disconnecting the connection could not be adopted. Therefore, in a database search system that performs a search via a network, there is a problem that even if a user forgets to disconnect the connection with the host computer, it cannot be effectively dealt with.

The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and provides a database search system and a database search method that can prevent forgetting to disconnect the connection to the host computer even when the size of the database is large. It is the purpose.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a host computer for managing a database in which various data are stored, and a plurality of computers for providing the host computer with instructions for searching the database. In a database search system in which a network is constructed by connecting a terminal, each of the computer terminals measures a non-input time during which the user does not continuously input the command after the connection with the host computer through the network. Time setting means, setting reference means for displaying a reference time setting screen for setting a reference time on a screen, and a warning screen for notifying a user when the non-input time reaches the reference time. Is displayed on the screen, and the user is notified within a certain time after the warning screen is displayed. Wherein when the instruction is not input from and is characterized by comprising a connection control unit to send to the host computer forced disconnection instruction for forcibly disconnects the connection with the computer terminal.

Further, the present invention for achieving the above object provides a host computer which manages a database storing various data by giving a database search command from a plurality of computer terminals via a network. In the database search method for performing the data search, the computer terminals may be configured such that a non-input time during which the command is not continuously input from a user after connection with the host computer via the network is determined by the user. When a predetermined reference time set on the time setting screen is reached, a warning screen for notifying the user of the arrival is displayed on the screen, and the user issues the command within a predetermined time after the warning screen is displayed. To forcibly disconnect from the computer terminal when is not entered Forced disconnection command of the is characterized in that sending to the host computer.

Further, the present invention for achieving the above object provides a host computer which manages a database storing various data by giving a database search command from a plurality of computer terminals via a network. In a recording medium on which a program for performing the data search is recorded, the non-input time during which the command is not continuously input by a user after connection to the host computer via the network is provided to each of the computer terminals. And a procedure for displaying a reference time setting screen for setting a reference time on a screen, and for notifying a user when the non-input time reaches the reference time. A procedure for displaying a warning screen on the screen, and within a certain time after the warning screen is displayed Sending a forced disconnection command to the host computer for forcibly disconnecting the connection with the computer terminal when the command is not input from the user, and a program for executing the procedure. Things.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a database search system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of each computer terminal of the database search system, FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a host computer of the database search system, FIG. 4A shows an example of a warning screen displayed on a screen of a display device in each computer terminal, and FIG. 4B shows an example of a reference time setting screen displayed on a screen of the display device. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, a database search system according to this embodiment includes a plurality of computer terminals 10.
a, 10b, 10c,... and the host computer 20
And a database 30. The host computer 20 includes a plurality of computer terminals 10a, 10
, 10c,... are connected by a dedicated line to form a network. In such a database search system, a plurality of computer terminals 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10 are connected to a host computer 20 that manages a database 30 storing various data via a network.
Data search is performed by giving a command for database search from. In this embodiment, each user does not have a dedicated computer terminal, and can search from any of the computer terminals 10a, 10b, 10c,.

The database 30 systematically organizes and stores data. Such data includes, for example, various types of data such as drawing data and document data. Generally, the amount of data differs for each type of data. In the present embodiment, a case is considered where a huge amount of document data, drawing data, and the like are stored in the database 30. The data stored in the database 30 is managed by the host computer 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, the host computer 20 includes a control unit 21, a first storage unit 22, and a second storage unit 2.
3, an input device 24, and a display device 25. The control unit 21 controls each of the computer terminals 10a, 10b, 10
are connected to the host computer 20 at the same time so that the number of the computer terminals 10 does not exceed a predetermined number.
judge whether connection is permitted or not in response to the login command (connection request instruction) from a, 10b, 10c,. Also, the data stored in the database 30 is searched according to a database search command sent from each of the computer terminals 10a, 10b, 10c,. The first storage unit 22 stores a reference time set for each user, and the second storage unit 23 stores the number of transmissions of a forced logoff command (forced disconnection command) counted for each user. The reference time and the forced logoff command will be described later.

Each of the computer terminals 10a, 10b, 10
.., as shown in FIG. 2, the main control unit 11, the first storage unit 12, the second storage unit 13, the third storage unit 14,
An input device 15 such as a keyboard 15a or a mouse 15b;
And a display device 16. The main control unit 11
It has a setting control unit 11a, a connection control unit 11b, and a timer 11c as time measuring means. The main control unit 11
Controls the operation of each unit and transmits to the host computer 20 a command for database search input from the input device 15. When a command for searching a database is transmitted to the host computer 20, data including the user ID and the ID of the computer terminal is sent together with the command.

The first storage unit 12 stores search database software for connecting to the host computer 20 and causing the host computer 20 to execute a search. The third storage unit 14 stores the search results sent from the host computer 20.

The second storage unit 13 temporarily stores the reference time sent from the host computer 20. When the user inputs a login command from the input device 15, the main control unit 11 sends the login command to the host computer 20. The control unit 21 of the host computer 20 reads the reference time for the user from the first storage unit 22 based on the computer terminal ID and the user ID sent together with the login command, and sends it to the computer terminal. . Then, the main control unit 11 of the computer terminal stores the transmitted reference time for the user in the second storage unit 13.

The timer 11c is connected to the host computer 20.
After the connection is established, the non-input time during which the user does not continuously input a command for searching the database is counted. The operation of the timer 11c is managed by the connection control unit 11b. Specifically, the connection control unit 11b constantly monitors whether or not a command for database search has been input from the input device 15 by the user. Whether or not such a command has been input can be easily determined by monitoring whether or not the search database software has been activated. And
Each time such a command is input, the connection control unit 11b sends a signal to the timer 11c, clears the timekeeping scale of the timer 11c to zero, and restarts the timekeeping operation. In the sense that the timer 11c is cleared to zero if a command has been input, it can be said that the non-input time remains zero while the command is being input. For example, when the user inputs search conditions, the timer 1
1c is cleared to zero, and the timekeeping operation is restarted from that time. Then, when another search condition is input thereafter, the timer 11c is cleared to zero again, and the timekeeping operation is restarted from that time. Thus, the timer 11c counts the non-input time.

The connection control unit 11b includes a timer 11c
It is monitored whether or not the non-input time measured by the timer has reached the reference time for the user stored in the second storage unit 13. When detecting that the non-input time has reached the reference time, the connection control unit 11b displays a warning screen on the screen of the display device 16 to notify the user of the fact.
That is, the reference time is a reference time for determining when to display the warning screen. Originally, a desired database search is performed, and if the search result is obtained, the user himself / herself inputs a logoff command (disconnect command) and disconnects the connection with the host computer 20, which is a proper manner for system use. . However, even after a desired search result is obtained, some users may continue to use their computer terminals on the host computer 2.
Some people are doing other work or calling customers while connected to 0. If such operations are frequently performed, in the database search system of the present embodiment, the host computer 20 is connected to the computer terminals 10a and 10a.
b, 10c,... at the same time, the number that can be connected at the same time is limited.
The chances of connecting to For this reason,
In the present embodiment, a warning screen is displayed on the screen of the display device 16 to warn the user when the user is not connected to the host computer 20 while performing the search operation. As described in detail later, the reference time is set by each user on the computer terminals 10a, 10b,
10c,...

FIG. 4A shows each computer terminal 10a,
An example of a warning screen displayed on the screen of the display device 16 of 10b, 10c, ... is shown. FIG. 4A shows an example in which the reference time is set to 60 minutes. The warning screen displays a message such as "No input time has reached 60 minutes (reference time). Are you sure you want to disconnect the host computer after 5 minutes?""Do not disconnect" buttons are displayed. This message allows the user to know that the non-input time has reached the reference time. At this time, if the user has determined that the search result has been sent from the host computer 20 to his / her computer terminal and that it is not necessary to perform the search again, the user uses the mouse 15b to “disconnect”. "Button. When the "disconnect" button is pressed, the connection control unit 11b issues a logoff command to the host computer 20. On the other hand, if the search result has not been sent from the host computer 20 yet, or if it is necessary to perform the search again, the user presses the “do not disconnect” button using the mouse 15b. When the “do not disconnect” button is pressed, the connection control unit 11b
The timer 15 is cleared to zero, and the timekeeping operation is restarted from that time.

The connection control unit 11b operates for a certain period of time (5 minutes in the example of FIG. 4A) after the warning screen is displayed.
If the user determines that neither the "disconnect" button nor the "do not disconnect" button has been pressed by the user, the host computer 20 is forcibly logged off for forcibly disconnecting the connection with the computer terminal. Issue a command. Upon receiving such a forced logoff command, the host computer 20 forcibly disconnects from the computer terminal. The transmission of the forced logoff command is performed at that time by the host computer 20.
Irrespective of whether or not search results are sent to the computer terminal concerned. Computer terminal 1
0a, 10b, 10c,...
0 does not know what kind of work is being performed, and even if the search result is sent from the host computer 20 to the computer terminal, it is usually not known that the result has been sent. That's why. Therefore, the user needs to input a predetermined command to check whether the desired search result is included in the third storage unit 14 in order to check whether the search result has been sent from the host computer 20. is there.

Therefore, for example, the user can connect his / her computer terminal to the host computer 20.
Stay connected, go to a meeting, go to a meal,
If the user is out of the seat for a long time, the connection with the host computer 20 is forcibly disconnected. In this case, if the search result has already been sent from the host computer 20 to the computer terminal and stored in the third storage unit 14, and then the connection is forcibly disconnected,
There is no problem because the user can see the search result later. On the other hand, when the search result has not yet been sent from the host computer 20 to the computer terminal, the connection may be forcibly disconnected. Even if such an action is taken, this is the responsibility of the user who did not make the necessary response when the warning screen was displayed, and it is inevitable. Also, before performing the search operation, the user should determine that the current search requires a long time and set the reference time in advance to be long. In such a case, the user must search again.

The control unit 21 of the host computer 20
When the forced logoff command is sent, the connection with the computer terminal that is the source of the forced logoff command is disconnected based on the ID of the computer terminal sent with the forced logoff command. Further, the control unit 21 counts the number of transmissions of the forced logoff command for each user based on the user ID sent together with the forced logoff command. Then, the result of the counting is the second storage unit as a list in which the total number of transmissions of the compulsory logoff command so far and the reference time set when each compulsory logoff command is transmitted are totaled for each user. 23.

The fact that the computer terminal issues the forced logoff command and the host computer 20 forcibly disconnects from the computer terminal means that the user leaves the seat and is not present at the computer terminal, Or maybe you're working on something else and forget to disconnect. For this reason,
The high number of forced logoff commands sent means that
This indicates that the user's manners for using the system are poor. The list that records the number of times the forced logoff command is transmitted, which is stored in the second storage unit 23, is used to supervise such a user with poor manners. Specifically, the following usage methods can be considered. For example,
The system administrator periodically displays the list on the display device 2.
5 or output to paper from a printer or the like. Then, based on the list, it is recommended that the user who sends the forced log-off command a large number of times be set to set the reference time to be a little shorter to encourage reflection. This allows other users to access the host computer 20.
You can increase the chances to connect with. Alternatively, periodically, when a login command is sent from each computer terminal, the host computer 20 sends to the computer terminal the number of times a forced logoff command has been sent to the user, and the computer terminal sends the forced logoff command The number of outgoing calls is displayed directly on the screen of the display device 16. Thus, the user can evaluate his or her own system use attitude by looking at the screen.

The forced logoff command differs from the normal logoff command only in that the number of transmissions is counted by the host computer 20.

In the database search system according to the present embodiment, the user can freely set the reference time from the computer terminal according to his / her search operation. Generally, the time required for a search depends on the size of the database 30. For example, in the case where only a small amount of data is stored in the database 30 and in the case where an enormous amount of data is stored, it is natural to perform a search in the latter database 30. Searching takes a long time due to the wide range. Also, how to search,
For example, the time required for a search differs depending on whether a direct search or an ambiguous search is performed. This is because if a plurality of search conditions are specified or an ambiguous search is set, the number of uncertain elements increases, and the search time becomes longer.
Further, the search time differs depending on the degree of load on the CPU of the host computer 20. When the CPU of the host computer 20 is busy, the search area takes a long time because the work area of the CPU assigned to the database search is reduced. As described above, since the time required for the search varies depending on the size of the database, the search condition, the load on the CPU, and the like, the reference time can be freely set each time the user performs the search, thereby facilitating the user's convenience.

Each of the computer terminals 10a, 10b, 10
The setting control unit 11a of c,.
When the reference time for the user is sent from 0,
A reference time setting screen for setting and changing the reference time is displayed on the screen of the display device 16. FIG. 4B shows a display device 1 of each of the computer terminals 10a, 10b, 10c,.
6 shows an example of a reference time setting screen displayed on the screen No. 6; On this reference time setting screen, a message “The reference time is XX. Do you want to change?” And buttons for “change” and “do not change” are displayed. Here, XX in the message indicates the host computer 20.
The reference time sent from is displayed.

The user can know the previously set reference time from the message. At this time, the user determines whether it is necessary to change the reference time this time. Usually, the user can judge empirically how much time is required for the current search by judging from the content of his / her own search work, and change the reference time based on the empirically estimated time. Determine whether or not. For example,
If it is empirically known that the former requires a longer search time when searching for drawing data and the case for searching for document data, the user is now required to search for drawing data. It is necessary to set a longer reference time than when searching for document data. In addition, the previous time, a simple search was performed, so a short reference time of 5 minutes was set. However, if a complicated search is performed many times, the user needs to set a longer reference time than the previous time. is there. in this way,
As for the reference time, it is necessary for the user to empirically manage the reference time within a large time frame.

If the user determines that there is no need to change the reference time, he or she presses the "do not change" button on the reference time setting screen using the mouse 15b. When the "do not change" button is pressed, the setting control unit 11a closes the reference time setting screen. On the other hand, if it is determined that the reference time needs to be changed, the user presses the “change” button using the mouse 15b. When the “change” button is pressed, the setting control unit 11a displays a reference time setting dialog box (not shown) on the reference time setting screen. When the user inputs a desired reference time in this dialog box, the setting control unit 11a rewrites the reference time stored in the second storage unit 13 with the input reference time after the change, and sets the reference time after the change. Is sent to the host computer 20. The control unit 21 of the host computer 20 controls each computer terminal 10
When the reference time after the change is sent from a, 10b, 10c,..., based on the user ID sent with the reference time,
The reference time for the user stored in the first storage unit 22 is rewritten with the changed reference time. Pressing either the "change" button or the "do not change" button activates the search database software, so that the timer 11c is cleared to zero and the timing operation is restarted.

The user presses a predetermined button displayed on the screen of the display device 16 to display the reference time setting screen shown in FIG. 4B at any time, even during the search operation. Can be. In this case, the setting control unit 11a reads the reference time stored in the second storage unit 13, and displays a reference time setting screen as shown in FIG. Next, the operation of the database search system of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when the host computer 20 receives a login command from each computer terminal 10, and FIG. 6 is for explaining the operation when the reference time setting screen is displayed in each computer terminal 10. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when each computer terminal 10 displays a warning screen.

Now, when the user inputs his / her ID from the computer terminal 10a, the host computer 2
It is assumed that a login command for requesting a connection to 0 has been input. The main controller 11 of the computer terminal 10a sends the user ID and the ID of the computer terminal 10a to the host computer 20 together with the login command. At this time, the main control unit 11 clears the timer 11c to zero and starts its time counting operation.

Next, the host computer 20 performs an operation according to the flow of FIG. When receiving the login command from the computer terminal 10a (step 11 and step 12), the control unit 21 sets each of the computer terminals 10a, 10
Among the b, 10c,..., the number of currently connected computer terminals (the number of current connections) i is increased by 1, and the increased number of current connections is newly set to i (step 13).
Then, it is determined whether or not the current connection number i is larger than the maximum number N that can be connected simultaneously (step 14). If the current connection number i is equal to or smaller than the maximum number N that can be connected simultaneously, the control unit 21 permits the connection to the computer terminal 10a (step 15). On the other hand, if the current connection number i is larger than the maximum number N that can be connected simultaneously, the control unit 21 reduces the current connection number i by 1 and sets the reduced current connection number as i (step 16). ), Reject the connection to the computer terminal 10a (step 17). In this manner, the control unit 21 of the host computer 20 sets each of the computer terminals 10a, 10b,
10c,...

Now, in step 14, the current connection number i
Is determined to be equal to or smaller than the maximum number N that can be connected simultaneously, and it is assumed that the connection is permitted to the computer terminal 10a. Thereafter, the control unit 21 reads a reference time for the user from the first storage unit 22 based on the ID of the user and the ID of the computer terminal 10a sent together with the login command from the computer terminal 10a, and reads the reference time for the computer terminal 10a. Send to The main control unit 11 of the computer terminal 10a temporarily stores the transmitted reference time for the user in the second storage unit 13 and monitors whether the non-input time measured by the timer 11c has reached the reference time. . In addition, the main control unit 11
It monitors whether the user has input a command for database search, clears the timer 11c to zero each time such a command is input, and restarts its timekeeping operation. Therefore, for example, if a login command is entered, but no command for database search is subsequently entered, a warning screen is displayed on the screen of the display device 16 when a reference time has elapsed since the login command was entered. Will be done.

After receiving the data regarding the reference time from the host computer 20, the computer terminal 10a performs an operation according to the flow shown in FIG. First, the main control unit 11 displays the reference time setting screen on the display device 16.
Is displayed on the screen (step 31). The user estimates how long the search operation will take this time, and determines whether to change the previous reference time indicated in the message on the reference time setting screen. If it is determined that there is no need to change the reference time, the user presses the “do not change” button on the reference time setting screen using the mouse 15b (step
32). Then, the main controller 11 closes the reference time setting screen (step 35). On the other hand, if it is determined that the reference time needs to be changed, the user presses a “change” button on the reference time setting screen using the mouse 15b (step
32). Then, the main control unit 11 displays a dialog box for setting a reference time on the reference time setting screen (step
33). When the user inputs a desired reference time in the dialog box, the main control unit 11 rewrites the reference time for the user temporarily stored in the second storage unit 13 with the input reference time after the change. At the same time, the reference time after the change is sent to the host computer 20 (step 34). Then, the reference time setting screen and the dialog box are closed (step 35). When the changed reference time is sent from the computer terminal 10a, the control unit 21 of the host computer 20 rewrites the reference time stored in the first storage unit 22 to the changed reference time.

Thereafter, each time the user gives a command such as a search condition, the main control unit 11 of the computer terminal 10a.
Sends these commands to the host computer 20, clears the timer 11c to zero, and restarts the timekeeping operation. On the other hand, the control unit 21 of the host computer 20 performs a database search according to the search conditions sent from the computer terminal 10a.

The main control unit 11 of the computer terminal 10a monitors whether the non-input time measured by the timer 11c has reached a reference time, and performs an operation according to the flow shown in FIG. First, when the main control unit 11 of the computer terminal 10a detects that the non-input time measured by the timer 11c has reached the reference time (step 41), the display device 1
A warning screen is displayed on the screen of step 6 (step 42). The user can see from the message displayed on the warning screen that the non-input time has reached the reference time. Then, at this time, the search result is stored in the host computer 20.
If you do not need to search the database further, press the "Disconnect" button. When the button is pressed (step 43), the main control unit 11 immediately
Sends a logoff command to the host computer 20 (st
ep46). The control unit 21 of the host computer 20 is configured as shown in FIG.
When such a logoff command is received (step 11), the number of current connections i is reduced by 1 and the reduced number of current connections is newly set to i (st
ep18). Then, the control unit 21 determines that the logoff command is not a forced lockoff command (step 19),
Disconnect the connection with the computer terminal 10a (step 2
2).

On the other hand, when the warning screen is displayed, if the search result has not been sent from the host computer 20 or the database needs to be searched further, the user presses the "do not disconnect" button. . When such a button is pressed (step 43, step 44), the main control unit 11
Clears the timer 11c to zero and restarts the timing operation (step 45). Then, proceeding to step 41, the main control unit 11 monitors whether or not the non-input time has reached the time corresponding to the reference time.

When the warning screen is displayed, the user may not be looking at the screen of the computer terminal 10a, for example, doing another job or going to a meeting. In such a case, if neither the “disconnect” button nor the “do not disconnect” button is pressed within a certain time after the warning screen is displayed (step 43, step 44), the main control unit 11 issues a forced logoff command to the host. It is sent to the computer 20 (step 47). When receiving the forced logoff command according to the flow shown in FIG. 5 (step 11), the control unit 21 of the host computer 20 reduces the current connection number i by 1 and newly sets the reduced current connection number to i (step 11). step18). When the control unit 21 determines that the command is a forced logoff command (st
ep19), the number of times of sending the forced logoff command to the user is increased by 1 (step 21), and the result is stored in the second storage unit 23. Then, the computer terminal 10a
The connection with is disconnected (step 22).

In the database search system of this embodiment, each computer terminal monitors a non-input time during which a command for database search is not continuously input during connection with the host computer, and the non-input time is a predetermined time. By displaying a warning screen on the screen of the display device when the reference time has been reached, it is possible to inform the user that no command has been input during the reference time. Therefore, even if the user has forgotten to disconnect the connection with the host computer, the user can remember that by seeing the warning screen, and can prevent the user from forgetting to disconnect. Further, each computer terminal issues a forced logoff command to the host computer for forcibly disconnecting the connection with the computer terminal when no command is input from the user within a certain time after the warning screen is displayed. By issuing the signal, even if the user forgets to disconnect the connection and goes to another place, for example, the host computer can disconnect the computer terminal, so that other users can connect to the host computer. Become easier.

Further, in this embodiment, each computer terminal displays a reference time setting screen on a screen of the display device when a login command or a predetermined instruction from the user is input, so that the user can Since the reference time can be changed at any time, there is an advantage that it is very convenient. Therefore, the database search system of the present embodiment is particularly suitable for use when the size of the database is large.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention.

For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the reference time is set for each user has been described.
When a computer terminal dedicated to oneself is determined for each user, a reference time may be set for each computer terminal. In this case, the reference time may be stored in the storage unit of each computer terminal.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the warning screen is displayed when the non-input time reaches the reference time and the forced log-off command is issued when there is no response for a predetermined time after that has been described. When the input time reaches a time corresponding to the reference time (for example, a time shorter than the reference time by 5 minutes), a warning screen is displayed, and after that, a certain time has elapsed, and a time without any response has reached the reference time. At times, a forced logoff command may be issued.

The program for executing the operation described in the present embodiment is recorded in whole or in part on a portable medium such as a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, or a storage device such as a hard disk, or is stored in the storage device. Have been.
The program is read by the computer, and all or part of the operation is executed.

[0043]

As described above, according to the database search system and the database search method of the present invention, each computer terminal does not receive a command for database search continuously while being connected to the host computer. By monitoring the time and displaying a warning screen on the screen when the non-input time reaches a predetermined reference time, it is possible to inform the user that no instruction has been input during the reference time. it can. For this reason, the user
Even if the connection with the host computer has been forgotten, the warning screen reminds the user and prevents the connection from being forgotten. Also, each computer terminal issues a forced disconnection command to the host computer for forcibly disconnecting the connection with the computer terminal when no command is input from the user within a certain time after the warning screen is displayed. By issuing the signal, even if the user forgets to disconnect the connection and goes to another place, for example, the host computer can disconnect the computer terminal, so that other users can connect to the host computer. Become easier. Furthermore,
Each computer terminal displays a reference time setting screen for setting the reference time on the screen, so that the user can set and change the reference time at any time, which is advantageous in that it is very convenient. Therefore, the present invention is particularly suitable for use when the size of the database is large.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a database search system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of each computer terminal of the database search system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a host computer of the database search system.

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of a warning screen displayed on a screen of a display device in each computer terminal, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a reference time setting screen displayed on the screen of the display device.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when the host computer receives a login command from each computer terminal.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when a reference time setting screen is displayed in each computer terminal.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when displaying a warning screen in each computer terminal.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10a, 10b, 10c,... Computer terminal 11 Main control unit 11a Setting control unit 11b Connection control unit 11c Timer 12 First storage unit 13 Second storage unit 14 Third storage unit 15 Input device 15a Keyboard 15b Mouse 16 Display device Reference Signs List 20 host computer 21 control unit 22 first storage unit 23 second storage unit 24 input device 25 display device 30 database

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A database search system in which a network is constructed by connecting a host computer that manages a database storing various data and a plurality of computer terminals that give instructions for database search to the host computer, The computer terminal comprises: a time measuring means for measuring a non-input time during which the command is not continuously input from a user after connection with the host computer via the network; and a reference time setting screen for setting a reference time. Setting control means for displaying on the screen, and when the non-input time reaches the reference time, a warning screen for notifying the user of the fact on the screen, and after the warning screen is displayed If the command is not input from the user within a certain time, the computer Database search system characterized by comprising: a connection control unit to send to the host computer forced disconnection instruction for forcibly disconnect the motor terminals. 2. The setting control means of each of the computer terminals, when the reference time is set on the reference time setting screen, sends the set reference time to the host computer, and The computer manages the reference time for each of the computer terminals or for each user, and when a connection request command with the host computer is sent from each of the computer terminals, the reference time for the computer terminal or the user. The database search system according to claim 1, wherein the time is sent to the computer terminal. 3. The setting control means of each of the computer terminals displays the reference time setting screen on the screen when the reference time is sent from the host computer or when a predetermined command is input from a user. 3. The database retrieval system according to claim 2, wherein the database is displayed. 4. The host computer counts the number of transmissions of the forced disconnection command sent from each of the computer terminals for each of the computer terminals or for each user, and manages the counted result. 4. The database search system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein: 5. A database search method for searching for data by giving a command for database search from a plurality of computer terminals via a network to a host computer that manages a database in which various types of data are stored, wherein: Each of the computer terminals has a non-input time in which the command is not continuously input from the user after the connection with the host computer is made through the network, to a predetermined reference time set by the user on the reference time setting screen. When the warning is reached, a warning screen for notifying the user is displayed on the screen, and when the command is not input from the user within a predetermined time after the warning screen is displayed, connection with the computer terminal is performed. Forcibly disconnecting the host computer from the host computer Database search method characterized by sending. 6. The computer terminal, when the reference time is set on the reference time setting screen, sends the set reference time to the host computer, and the host computer transmits the reference time to the host computer. Is managed for each of the computer terminals or for each user, and when a connection request command with the host computer is sent from each of the computer terminals, the reference time for the computer terminal or the user is transmitted to the computer terminal. 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the data is sent. 7. Each of the computer terminals displays the reference time setting screen on the screen when the reference time is sent from the host computer or when a predetermined command is input from a user. 7. The database search method according to claim 6, wherein: 8. The host computer counts the number of transmissions of the forced disconnection command sent from each of the computer terminals for each of the computer terminals or for each user, and manages the counted result. The database search method according to claim 5, 6, or 7, wherein: 9. A program for retrieving data by giving instructions for retrieving the database from a plurality of computer terminals via a network to a host computer which manages a database storing various data is recorded. In the recording medium, a procedure in which each of the computer terminals causes a timer to measure a non-input time during which the command is not continuously input from a user after the connection to the host computer via the network, and a reference time. A step of displaying a reference time setting screen for setting on the screen, a step of displaying a warning screen on the screen to notify a user when the non-input time reaches the reference time, and When the command is not input from the user within a certain time after the warning screen is displayed Recording medium characterized by recording a program for executing the procedure for sending a forced disconnection command for forcibly disconnects the connection with the computer terminal to the host computer, a. 10. The reference time is managed by the host computer for each of the computer terminals or for each user, and when the reference time is set on the reference time setting screen, the set time is set. 10. The recording medium according to claim 9, wherein a program for causing each of said computer terminals to execute a procedure for sending a reference time to said host computer is recorded.