JP6238837B2 - Item search system and method, computer program for searching items, and recording medium storing computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an item search system and method, and more particularly, to an item search system for an item corresponding to an input search character.

In recent years, with the widespread use of computers, various searches such as facility searches in navigation devices and book searches in terminal devices provided in bookstores have been performed in many situations. For example, in a facility search in a navigation device, generally, a character is input, and a facility including a character corresponding to the input character in a name or the like is searched.
See also Patent Document 1 or 2 which discloses the prior art related to the present invention.

JP 2006-185149 A JP 2003-99455 A

According to a conventional search system, for example, when a user inputs a common name of a facility in the facility search, the facility does not hit unless the common name is included in the database used for the search. For example, in a database stored only with a formal name, there is usually no hit even if it is entered with a common name. However, in many cases, the user stores the common names and abbreviations of the facilities as the past names even after the new names are given. Then, such a user first performs a facility search by inputting the common name, abbreviation, and past name in a name search or the like, and once fails in the search. However, some of such users reach a desired facility by further performing address search and the like. Other users may be forced to give up because of trial and error in the search.
Therefore, the present inventor has intensively studied to provide a desired search result to more users. As a result, the inventors have conceived that the above problem can be solved by using the search history of the user who succeeded in the search as described above to assist the search of other users.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the first aspect is defined as follows. That is,
An item search system comprising: a search request terminal device that performs a search request for an item; and a server device that searches for a corresponding item based on the search request,
The search request terminal device
An input unit for receiving input of a search type and a search character for searching for the item;
A search request unit that performs a search request for an item based on a search type and a search character received by the input unit;
The server device
An item database that stores a plurality of search types related to the item, and identification information for identifying the item corresponding to the search type, respectively, item data associated with the item;
A first search including the search request made by the information providing terminal device and a search response of the server device based on the search request, and a second search following the first search, which are different from the first search. A search history database that stores the search history related to the second search performed by the search type and the item data of the item selected as a result of the second search in association with each other;
A search unit that refers to the item database and the search history database, and searches for an item corresponding to a search request from the search request terminal device, and
The search unit refers to the search history database when the item corresponding to the search request from the search request terminal device does not exist in the item database, and corresponds to the search request from the search request terminal device. Identifying one search and retrieving the item selected as a result of a second search following the identified first search;
Item search system.

According to the item search system of the first aspect defined as described above, the server device stores the search history database storing the history related to the search performed by the terminal device for providing information in addition to the item database. An item corresponding to the search request is searched with reference to the item database and the search history database based on the search request by the search type and the search character performed by the terminal device for the search request. That is, the server device refers to the item database to search whether there is an item corresponding to the search request of the search request terminal device. When there is no item, the server device refers to the search history database and is similar to the search request The search history (first search) in which the search request is made is specified, and the item selected as a result of the second search following the first search is set as the search result corresponding to the search request. According to such an item search system, even if a name other than the official name stored in the item database is input, past search histories by other users who have performed similar searches are stored. By referencing, it is possible to guess an item desired by the search user and provide it as a search result.
Here, the items include facilities, books, music, events, tickets, and the like, which are searched for by a navigation device, a book search device, a terminal device of a karaoke shop or a convenience store, and the like.

Even when the server device makes some kind of search response to the search request from the search request terminal device, the search response may not include the item desired by the search user. Even in such a case, similarly to the above, a search with reference to the search history database is performed, and an item desired by the search user is estimated and provided, thereby helping the search user to search.
Therefore, the second aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
In the item search system defined in the first aspect, the server device includes:
A search response unit that performs a search response by transmitting the search result to the search request terminal device,
The search unit refers to the item database, and when the search response is made for an item corresponding to the search request from the search request terminal device, there is no selection instruction for the search response from the search request terminal device. If not, the search history database is referred to, the first search corresponding to the search request from the search request terminal device is specified, and the second search following the specified first search is selected. Search for items.

The third aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
In the item search system defined in the first or second aspect, the search request terminal device includes:
An output unit that outputs a map and / or an address indicating the position of the item together with item data of the searched item is provided.
According to the item search system of the third aspect defined as described above, the search request terminal device outputs a map and an address indicating the position of the item together with the item data of the searched item. This is convenient because it is possible to determine whether the item is desired by referring to the map or address.

The fourth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
In the item search system defined in any one of the first to third aspects, the item is a facility,
The search history database stores the information regarding whether or not the information providing terminal device has set the selected facility as a destination and / or has reached the selected facility,
The server device
An evaluation unit that sets the selected facility as a destination and / or evaluates an item searched by the search unit based on information on whether or not the selected facility has been reached.
If the facility selected as a result of the search is set as the destination or has reached the selected facility, the search result is likely to be the facility desired by the user. Therefore, according to the item search system of the fourth aspect, the search history database sets the facility selected as a result of the search together with the search history of the information providing terminal device, and / or the Information relating to whether or not the selected facility has been reached is stored, and the reliability of the facility searched by the search unit is evaluated with reference to such information. That is, when a plurality of different facilities are hit as a result of the search by the search unit, the facilities associated with the information set as the destination among the facilities are evaluated as having high reliability. This is convenient because the search user can determine whether the facility is desired by referring to the evaluation result.

The fifth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
An item search method in which a server device searches for a corresponding item based on a search request for an item from a search request terminal device,
An input step for receiving an input of a search type and a search character for searching for the item;
A search requesting step for performing a search request for an item based on the search type and the search character received by the search requesting unit in the input step;
A first storage step of storing a plurality of search types related to the item, and identification information for identifying the item corresponding to the search type, in an item database, item data respectively associated with the item;
A first search including the search request made by the information providing terminal device and a search response of the server device based on the search request, and a second search following the first search, which are different from the first search. A second storage step of associating the search history related to the second search performed by the search type with the item data of the item selected as a result of the second search in the search history database;
A search unit that searches for an item corresponding to the search request with reference to the item database and the search history database; and
In the search step, when there is no item corresponding to the search request from the search request terminal device in the item database, the search history database is referred to and a search request from the search request terminal device is referred to. Identifying one search and retrieving the item selected as a result of a second search following the identified first search;
Item search method.
According to the fifth aspect of the invention thus defined, the same effects as those of the first aspect can be achieved.

The sixth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
In the method defined in the fifth aspect, the search response unit includes a search response step of performing a search response by transmitting the search result to the search request terminal device,
In the search step, when the search response is made for an item corresponding to the search request from the search request terminal device with reference to the item database, no instruction to select the search response is issued from the search request terminal device. If not, the search history database is referred to, the first search corresponding to the search request from the search request terminal device is specified, and the second search following the specified first search is selected. Search for items.
According to the sixth aspect of the invention thus defined, the same effects as those of the second aspect can be achieved.

The seventh aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
In the method defined in the fifth or sixth aspect, the output unit includes an output step of outputting a map and / or an address indicating the position of the item together with the item data of the searched item.
According to the seventh aspect of the invention thus defined, the same effect as the third aspect can be obtained.

The eighth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
In the method defined in any one of the fifth to seventh aspects, the item is a facility,
In the second storing step, the information providing terminal device sets the selected facility as a destination and / or combines the information regarding whether or not the selected facility has been reached together with the search. Store it in a historical database,
An evaluation step in which the evaluation unit sets the selected facility as a destination and / or evaluates the item searched in the search step based on information on whether or not the selected facility has been reached. .
According to the invention of the eighth aspect defined in this way, the same effects as in the fourth aspect are achieved.

Furthermore, the ninth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
A computer program in which a server device searches for a corresponding item based on a search request for an item from a search request terminal device, the computer comprising:
An input means for receiving input of a search type and a search character for searching for the item;
Search request means for making a search request for an item based on the search type and the search character received by the input means;
A plurality of search types related to the item, and identification information for identifying the item corresponding to the search type, first storage means for storing item data respectively associated with the item in an item database;
A first search including the search request made by the information providing terminal device and a search response of the server device based on the search request, and a second search following the first search, which are different from the first search. A second storage means for associating a search history related to the second search performed by the search type with the item data of the item selected as a result of the second search in the search history database;
With reference to the item database and the search history database, function as search means for searching for an item corresponding to a search request from the search request terminal device,
The search means refers to the search history database when the item corresponding to the search request from the search request terminal device does not exist in the item database, and corresponds to the search request from the search request terminal device. Identifying one search and retrieving the item selected as a result of a second search following the identified first search;
Computer program.
According to the ninth aspect of the invention thus defined, the same effects as those of the first aspect can be achieved.

The tenth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
In the computer program defined in the ninth aspect, the computer is further
A search response means for performing a search response by transmitting the search result to the search request terminal device;
The search means refers to the item database and when the search response is received for an item corresponding to the search request from the search request terminal device, there is no selection instruction for the search response from the search request terminal device. If not, the search history database is referred to, the first search corresponding to the search request from the search request terminal device is specified, and the second search following the specified first search is selected. Search for items.
According to the tenth aspect of the invention thus defined, the same effects as those of the second aspect can be achieved.

The eleventh aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
In the computer program defined in the ninth or tenth aspect, the computer further comprises:
Along with the item data of the searched item, it is made to function as an output means for outputting a map and / or address indicating the position of the item.
According to the eleventh aspect of the invention thus defined, the same effects as in the third aspect can be achieved.

The twelfth aspect of the present invention is defined as follows. That is,
In the computer program defined in any of the ninth to twelfth aspects, the item is a facility,
The second storage means sets the selected facility as a destination and / or combines the information regarding whether or not the selected facility has been reached with the search. Store it in a historical database,
Said computer further
The selected facility is set as a destination and / or functions as an evaluation unit that evaluates an item searched by the search unit based on information on whether or not the selected facility has been reached. .
According to the twelfth aspect of the invention thus defined, the same effects as in the fourth aspect are achieved.

  A recording medium for recording a computer program defined in any of the ninth to twelfth aspects is defined as a thirteenth aspect.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an item search system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the item search system 1 according to the embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an item search system 41 according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the item search system 51 according to the embodiment of this invention. 5A and 5B are examples of a search history table stored in the search history database 35 of the present invention.

An item search system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the item search system 1. In this example, the item search system 1 is a system for performing a facility search, and the search user intends to search for “Toyota Map Master” and stores the name “Map Master”. is there.
As shown in FIG. 1, this item search system 1 includes a first search request terminal device 2, second to nth search request terminal devices (M2 to Mn), and a server device 3, and each search request. The terminal device and the server device are wirelessly connected to each other via the network N.
The first search request terminal device 2 is a communication terminal device that can be carried by a user. For example, a mobile phone, a PDA (Portable Digital Assistant), a portable game machine, a notebook PC, a PND (Portable Navigation Device), an in-vehicle navigation system. Examples include a wearable device that can be worn on a device, a smartphone, a head, an arm, and the like.

The first search request terminal device 2 includes an input unit 21, a search request unit 23, and a communication unit 25.
The input unit 2 accepts input of a search type and a search character for searching for facilities. Examples of the search type include facility name search, address search, and telephone number search. The search type can be accepted by touching a button such as “name search” provided on the display screen of the first search request terminal device 2, for example. Examples of the search character include kanji, hiragana, katakana, symbols, numbers, and the like, and one or a combination of two or more of these. The search character can be input by touching a character key assigned to each character on the display screen. For example, the input unit 2 receives an input of “search type: name search, name: map master”.
The search request unit 23 requests a facility search based on the search type and the search character input by the input unit 21. The search request method is not particularly limited. For example, the search request can be executed by touching a button such as “search” indicating the search request.
The terminal-side communication unit 25 includes a transmission unit that transmits various types of information to the server device 3 and a reception unit that receives various types of information from the server device 3. Examples of the information transmitted by the terminal-side communication unit 25 include the search type and the search character. The execution of the search request is transmitted to the server device 3 via the terminal side communication unit 25. On the other hand, examples of information received by the terminal-side communication unit 25 include a search result by a search unit described later.
Although the configuration of the first search request terminal device M1 has been described, the other search request terminal devices M2, ..., Mn can also have the same configuration as M1.

The server device 3 includes a communication unit 31, a facility database 33, a search history database 35, and a search unit 37.
The server side communication part 31 is provided with the transmission part which transmits various information to search request terminal device M1-Mn, and the receiving part which receives various information from search request terminal device M1-Mn. Examples of the information transmitted by the server side communication unit 31 include a search result by the search unit 37 described later. Further, examples of information received by the server side communication unit 31 include a search type and a search character input by the input unit 21.
The facility database 33 stores facility data in which a plurality of search types related to facilities and identification information for identifying the facilities corresponding to the search types are respectively associated with the facilities. Examples of the search type include name search, address search, and telephone number search as described above. As identification information for identifying the facility corresponding to these search types, the facility name “Toyota Map Master” for name search, and the address “Nagoya Nakamura-ku Ekiminami ○ Chome for address search” “No. × No. Nagoya Mitsui Building New Building 11th floor”, telephone number “052-xxx-yyyy” and the like can be cited for telephone number search. That is, the identification information is information formed by a unique character string and / or a number that can identify an item in the search type. As for the set of search type and identification information, two or more sets having different search types per item are associated with the item.

  The search history database 35 includes a first search including a search request made by the information providing terminal device and a search response of the server device 3 based on the search request, and a second search following the first search. A search history related to the second search performed with a different search type from the first search and the facility data of the facility selected as a result of the second search are stored in association with each other. An example of the search history table stored in the search history database 35 is shown in FIG. The search history table is assigned a history ID for each search history, and each search is executed, whether or not a search user is selected for the search, the facility selected as a result of the search, The number of selected users is related and configured. Specifically, for example, the user of the information providing terminal device makes a search request “search type: name search, search character: map master” as the first search, and selects a facility for a search response to the search request. Without performing the search, the search request “search type: telephone number, search character: 052-xxx-yyyy” is performed as the subsequent second search, and the facility is selected for the search response to the search request. Is configured by associating the search history including the first search and the second search with the facility “Toyota Map Master” selected as a result of the second search. Further, the number of users who have the same search history and who have selected the same facility as a result of the search may be associated together. In the case of history ID 01, the number of users who have performed the above search and selected the facility is ten. In addition, even when the first search is the same as the history ID 01 like the history ID 02, a different history ID is assigned if the second search is different. As another example of the search history, the facility is selected as a result of executing the third search without selecting the facility for the search response in both the first search and the second search, as in the history ID 03. There is also a case. As described above, the number of searches following the first search is not particularly limited, but the search following the first search is performed within a predetermined time (for example, within 3 minutes) from the time when the first search is executed, for example. ).

  The search unit 37 searches the facility corresponding to the search request from the first search request terminal device 2 with reference to the facility database 33 and the search history database 35. That is, the search unit 37 refers to the search history database 35 when the facility corresponding to the search request from the first search request terminal device 2 does not exist in the facility database 33, and the first search request terminal device 2. The first search corresponding to the search request from is specified, and the facility selected as a result of the second search following the specified first search is searched. For example, the search request in the search request unit 23 is “search type: name search, name: map master”, and the name “map master” as identification information is associated with the search type “name search” in the facility database 33. If there is no such item, the search unit 37 refers to the search history database 35. Then, the search history including the same search request as the search request “search type: name search, name: map master” performed by the first search request terminal device 2 is specified. That is, in the search history table, the history IDs 01 to 03 including the search requested by “search type: name search, name: map master” are specified, and “ The search result is "Toyota Map Master". As described above, when the search unit 37 specifies a search history including the same search request as the search request made by the first search request terminal device 2, the search unit 37 executes up to the third search like the history ID 03. The search history is not limited to the first search, and the search history can be specified by being the same as the search request of the second search.

An example of the operation of the item search system 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, in step 11, the input unit 21 provided in the first search request terminal device 2 accepts input related to the search type and search character of the search user. In this example, it is assumed that an input of “search type: name search, name: map master” is accepted.
In step 12, the search request unit 23 makes a facility search request to the server device 3 based on the input in step 11. This search request is transmitted to the server device 3 via the terminal side communication unit 25. The server device 3 receives and stores information related to the search request in step 12 (step 31).
In step 32, the search unit 37 refers to the facility database 33 and searches for a facility corresponding to the search request in step 31. The search is performed by searching for a facility associated with the “search type: name search, name: map master” based on the search type and identification information of the facility stored in the facility database 33. In this example, since there is no corresponding facility in the facility database 33 (step 33: Yes), the process proceeds to step 34.

In step 34, the search unit 37 refers to the search history database 35 and searches for a search corresponding to the search request in step 31. The search specifies a search history including a search executed by the search request “search type: name search, name: map master” based on the search history stored in the search history database 35. And it is performed by specifying the facility associated with the specified search history. As a result of the search, when the corresponding facility exists (step 35: Yes), the process proceeds to step 36. In this example, in the search history database 35, history IDs 01, 02 and 04 including the search request “search type: name search, name: map master” in the first search, and history including the search request in the second search. Since ID03 is stored, the facilities “Toyota Map Master” and “Koyo Map Master” associated with these search histories are specified as search results. In step 34, referring to the number of users associated with the search history, a facility with a large number of cases may be specified as a search result. As an example when referring to the number of users, the total number of users of the history IDs 01 to 03 associated with the facility “Toyota Map Master” is 14, and the number of users of the history ID 04 associated with the facility “Koyo Map Master” Since the total is 1, the facility “Toyota Map Master” can be used as a search result.
In step 36, the search unit 37 specifies the search result for the search request in step 12 based on the search in steps 32 and 34. That is, as a result of the search in step 32, if there is a facility corresponding to the search request in step 12 (step 33: No), the facility is specified as the search result, and the search request in step 12 is determined as a result of the search in step 34. If there is a facility corresponding to (step 35: Yes), the facility is specified as a search result.
In step 37, the server side communication unit 31 provides the search result specified in step 36 by transmitting it to the first search request terminal device 2. The first search request terminal device 2 receives the information related to the search result of step 37 and outputs it by an output unit (not shown) (step 13). In this example, in step 13, facility data such as the name of “facility: Toyota map master” can be output as information relating to the search result. Other examples of facility data to be output include an address and a telephone number. Further, a map indicating the location of the facility may be output together with the facility data.

FIG. 3 shows an item search system 41 according to another embodiment. 3, the same elements as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is partially omitted.
FIG. 3 shows that when a facility corresponding to a search request from the search request terminal device exists in the facility database, the search history is automatically determined when it is determined that the facility is not desired by the search user. This is an item search system 41 that searches for facilities using a database. That is, the system 41 includes a first search request terminal device 42 and a server device 43, respectively, instead of the first search request terminal device 2 and the server device 3 in the system 1 shown in FIG. The example shown below also relates to a situation in which the search user intends to search for “Toyota Map Master” and stores the name as “Map Master” regarding the facility search. An example of a search history table stored in the search history database 35 is shown in FIG.

The first search request terminal device 42 further includes an output unit 421 in the first search request terminal device 2.
In this example, it is assumed that the character input of the input unit 21 is performed by a 50-sound input screen including character buttons such as “A” to “N”, which is generally called a 50-sound search, and is automatically performed for each character input. It is assumed that a search request is made. The notation of the input screen may naturally be “A” to “Z”. It is assumed that the input unit 21 receives an input of “search type: name search, name: ma” and a search request is made based on the input.
The output unit 421 outputs a search response received by the terminal side communication unit 25 by a search response unit 433 described later. In addition to the search result of the search unit 431, the search response to be output outputs information obtained from the search result as described later. When outputting the facility as a result of the search, the output unit 421 may also output a map indicating the location of the facility as described above.
In the server device 3, the server device 43 includes a search unit 431 instead of the search unit 37, and further includes a search response unit 433.
The search unit 431 searches for a facility corresponding to the search request acquired via the terminal side communication unit 31. In this example, for example, the search unit 431, based on the search request “search type: name search, name: ma” from the first search request terminal device 41, the initial of the name from the facility database 33 is “ma”. Search for facilities that are. Here, it is assumed that “mapudeko”, “mahiru industry”, and “maruko center” are hit as search results. At this stage, the facility database 33 includes a facility that includes “ma” in the name, so that the search using the search history database 35 is not performed.
Based on the search result of the search unit 431, the search response unit 433 identifies “tsu”, “hi”, and “ru” that are the next characters of “ma”, and performs the first search via the terminal-side communication unit 31. A search response is made to the requesting terminal device 42.

  When the search response is received, the output unit 421 displays only “tsu”, “hi” and “ru” on the 50-sound input screen so that they can be selected. When “tsu” is selected on this input screen, “pu”, which is the next character of “tsu”, is specified and displayed so that “pu” can be selected. Next, when “pu” is selected on this input screen, “de” that is the next character of “pu” is specified, and “de” is displayed so that it can be selected. Here, the search user cannot select “MA” that is assumed as the next character of “PU”. Therefore, in the system 41, when the search user does not input the next character, that is, when a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed without the input unit 21 accepting the input of the next character, or on the display screen. By accepting input of a button such as “help search” provided, the search can be performed again. In this second search, the search unit 431 refers to the search history database 35 and continues with “search type: name search, name: ma”, “name: tsu”, and “name: pu” in the same search type. Identify the search history that includes the search request. Here, as a first search stored in the search history database 35, a search response to a search request “search type: name search, name: ma”, “name: tsu”, “name: pu”. Then, as a second search, the search request “search type: telephone number search, telephone number: 052-xxx-yyyy” is performed and the search response “facility: Toyota map master” is made, As a result of the search, the history ID 011 associated with the information indicating that “facility: Toyota map master” is selected and the first search similar to the above are performed, and then the search request “search” is performed as the second search. “Type: phone number search, phone number: 03-xxxx-zzz” and a search response “facility: IP map” was made, and “facility: IP map” was selected as a result of the second search. Affection Specifying a history ID012 that bets is associated. Then, the facility “Toyota Map Master” and the facility “IP Map” associated with the respective histories are provided as search results to the first search request terminal device 42. As described above, when a plurality of corresponding facilities are hit in the second search, the plurality of facilities can be provided to the first search request terminal device 42. When outputting a plurality of facilities, the output unit 421 may output the facilities in order, etc., or when the current location of the first search request terminal device 42 can be specified, the facilities are output in order from the facility closest to the current location. Alternatively, it may be output in order from the facility with the highest evaluation based on the evaluation result using an evaluation unit described later. Similarly to the above, when the number of users who have performed the same search is associated with each other, only the facilities associated with the history ID having a large number of cases may be output.

FIG. 4 shows an item search system 51 of the embodiment. 4, the same elements as those in FIGS. 1 and 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is partially omitted.
FIG. 4 shows an item search system 51 that can preferentially output a highly reliable facility by evaluating a search result regarding a system that searches for a facility as an item. The system 51 includes a first search request terminal device 52 and a server device 53.

The first search request terminal device 52 includes a control unit 521, a memory unit 522, an output unit 421, an input unit 21, an interface unit 523, a communication unit 25, and a search request unit 23.
The terminal-side control unit 521 is a computer device that includes a CPU, a buffer memory, and other devices, and controls other elements constituting the first search request terminal device 52.
A computer program is stored in the terminal-side memory unit 522, and this computer program is read into the terminal-side control unit 521, which is a computer device, and functions. This computer program can be stored in a general-purpose medium such as an SD (registered trademark) memory card.
The output unit 421 includes a display as a display unit, and displays other information such as facility data as a search result and map data indicating the location of the facility. The output unit 421 may include a voice transmitting unit. The input unit 21 is used for inputting a user command as described above. As the input unit 21, a pointing device such as a touch panel that cooperates with display contents of a mouse, a light pen, or a display, and a voice input device such as a keyboard or a microphone can be used.
The terminal-side interface unit 523 connects the first search request terminal device 52 to a wireless network or the like.
The terminal side communication unit 25 and the search request unit 23 are as described above.

The server device 53 includes a control unit 531, a memory unit 532, an interface unit 533, a communication unit 31, a facility database 33, a search history database 534, a search unit 431, a search response unit 433, and an evaluation unit 535.
The server-side control unit 531 is a computer device that includes a CPU, a buffer memory, and other devices, and controls other elements constituting the server device 53.
A computer program is stored in the server-side memory unit 532, and this computer program is read into the server-side control unit 531 which is a computer device and functions. This computer program can be stored in a general-purpose medium such as a DVD.
The server-side interface unit 533 connects the server device 530 to a wireless network or the like.
In the search history database 534, in addition to the information stored in the search history database 35, whether the information providing terminal device sets the selected facility as the destination and / or has reached the selected facility. Information on whether or not is stored together. These pieces of information can be specified based on the destination setting in the navigation device or position information using a GPS device or the like.

The evaluation unit 535 refers to the search unit 431 and the search history database 534, sets the selected facility as the destination for the facility obtained as the search result, and / or reaches the selected facility. Evaluation based on information on whether or not. As a method of the evaluation, for example, for a search result (facility) associated with information indicating that the selected facility is set as the destination, a predetermined point is given or the destination is set, and A predetermined point can be given to a facility associated with information indicating that the facility has been reached. The evaluation result is transmitted to the first search request terminal device 52 together with the search result, and the output unit 421 displays the facilities in order from the highest evaluation based on the evaluation result, or the evaluation result equal to or higher than a certain level. It is possible to display only the facilities to which is assigned.
The server side communication unit 31, the facility database 33, the search unit 431, and the search response unit 433 are as described above.

In the above, the case where the item search system of the present invention is used for facility search by a navigation device or a smartphone has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the item search system of the present invention is based on a terminal provided in a bookstore or a library. It can be used for book search, music search by a terminal provided in a karaoke shop, etc., ticket search for events etc. by a terminal provided in a convenience store or the like.
As a search type when performing these searches, in the case of a book search, a book name, an author name, a publisher name, an ISBN code, and the like are listed. In a music search, a song name, a singer name, a request number, and the like are listed. In the case of ticket search, the event name, performer name, venue name, etc. are listed. That is, the facility database is preferably constructed by associating these search types with the identification information corresponding thereto.

  Although the embodiments and examples of the present invention have been described above, two or more of the embodiments (examples) may be combined and implemented. Alternatively, one of these embodiments (examples) may be partially implemented. Furthermore, among these, two or more embodiments (examples) may be partially combined.

  The present invention is not limited to the description of the embodiments and examples of the invention described above. Various modifications may be included in the present invention as long as those skilled in the art can easily conceive without departing from the description of the scope of claims.

1 41 51 Item search system 2 42 52 First search request terminal device 3 43 53 Server device 21 Input unit 23 Search request unit 25 31 Communication unit 33 Facility database (facility DB)
35 534 Search History Database (Search History DB)
37 431 Search unit 421 Output unit 433 Search response unit 535 Evaluation unit

Claims (13)

An item search system comprising: a search request terminal device that performs a search request for an item; and a server device that searches for a corresponding item based on the search request,
The search request terminal device
An input unit for receiving input of a search type and a search character for searching for the item;
A search request unit that performs a search request for an item based on a search type and a search character received by the input unit;
The server device
An item database that stores a plurality of search types related to the item, and identification information for identifying the item corresponding to the search type, respectively, item data associated with the item;
A first search including the search request made by the information providing terminal device and a search response of the server device based on the search request, and a second search following the first search, which are different from the first search. A search history database that stores the search history related to the second search performed by the search type and the item data of the item selected as a result of the second search in association with each other;
A search unit that refers to the item database and the search history database, and searches for an item corresponding to a search request from the search request terminal device, and
The search unit refers to the search history database when the item corresponding to the search request from the search request terminal device does not exist in the item database, and corresponds to the search request from the search request terminal device. Identifying one search and retrieving the item selected as a result of a second search following the identified first search;
Item search system. The server device
A search response unit that performs a search response by transmitting the search result to the search request terminal device,
The search unit refers to the item database, and when the search response is made for an item corresponding to the search request from the search request terminal device, there is no selection instruction for the search response from the search request terminal device. If not, the search history database is referred to, the first search corresponding to the search request from the search request terminal device is specified, and the second search following the specified first search is selected. Search for items,
The item search system according to claim 1. The search request terminal device
An output unit for outputting a map and / or an address indicating the position of the item together with the item data of the searched item,
The item search system according to claim 1, comprising: The item is a facility;
The search history database stores the information regarding whether or not the information providing terminal device has set the selected facility as a destination and / or has reached the selected facility,
The server device
An evaluation unit that sets the selected facility as a destination and / or evaluates an item searched by the search unit based on information about whether or not the selected facility is reached;
The item search system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: An item search method in which a server device searches for a corresponding item based on a search request for an item from a search request terminal device,
An input step for receiving an input of a search type and a search character for searching for the item;
A search requesting step for performing a search request for an item based on the search type and the search character received by the search requesting unit in the input step;
A first storage step of storing a plurality of search types related to the item, and identification information for identifying the item corresponding to the search type, in an item database, item data respectively associated with the item;
A first search including the search request made by the information providing terminal device and a search response of the server device based on the search request, and a second search following the first search, which are different from the first search. A second storage step of associating the search history related to the second search performed by the search type with the item data of the item selected as a result of the second search in the search history database;
A search unit that searches for an item corresponding to the search request with reference to the item database and the search history database; and
In the search step, when there is no item corresponding to the search request from the search request terminal device in the item database, the search history database is referred to and a search request from the search request terminal device is referred to. Identifying one search and retrieving the item selected as a result of a second search following the identified first search;
Item search method. A search response step, a search response step of performing a search response by transmitting the search result to the search request terminal device,
In the search step, when the search response is made for an item corresponding to the search request from the search request terminal device with reference to the item database, no instruction to select the search response is issued from the search request terminal device. If not, the search history database is referred to, the first search corresponding to the search request from the search request terminal device is specified, and the second search following the specified first search is selected. Search for items,
The item search method according to claim 5. An output step of outputting a map and / or an address indicating the position of the item together with the item data of the searched item;
The item search method of Claim 5 or 6 provided with these. The item is a facility;
In the second storing step, the information providing terminal device sets the selected facility as a destination and / or combines the information regarding whether or not the selected facility has been reached together with the search. Store it in a historical database,
An evaluation step in which the evaluation unit sets the selected facility as a destination and / or evaluates the item searched in the search step based on information on whether or not the selected facility has been reached. ,
The item search method as described in any one of Claims 5-7 provided with these. A computer program in which a server device searches for a corresponding item based on a search request for an item from a search request terminal device, the computer comprising:
An input means for receiving input of a search type and a search character for searching for the item;
Search request means for making a search request for an item based on the search type and the search character received by the input means;
A plurality of search types related to the item, and identification information for identifying the item corresponding to the search type, first storage means for storing item data respectively associated with the item in an item database;
A first search including the search request made by the information providing terminal device and a search response of the server device based on the search request, and a second search following the first search, which are different from the first search. A second storage means for associating a search history related to the second search performed by the search type with the item data of the item selected as a result of the second search in the search history database;
With reference to the item database and the search history database, function as search means for searching for an item corresponding to a search request from the search request terminal device,
The search means refers to the search history database when the item corresponding to the search request from the search request terminal device does not exist in the item database, and corresponds to the search request from the search request terminal device. Identifying one search and retrieving the item selected as a result of a second search following the identified first search;
Computer program. Said computer further
A search response means for performing a search response by transmitting the search result to the search request terminal device;
The search means refers to the item database and when the search response is received for an item corresponding to the search request from the search request terminal device, there is no selection instruction for the search response from the search request terminal device. If not, the search history database is referred to, the first search corresponding to the search request from the search request terminal device is specified, and the second search following the specified first search is selected. Search for items,
The computer program according to claim 9. Said computer further
Output means for outputting a map and / or address indicating the position of the item together with the item data of the searched item,
The computer program according to claim 9 or 10, which is caused to function as: The item is a facility;
The second storage means sets the selected facility as a destination and / or combines the information regarding whether or not the selected facility has been reached with the search. Store it in a historical database,
Said computer further
An evaluation unit that sets the selected facility as a destination and / or evaluates an item searched by the search unit based on information on whether or not the selected facility is reached;
Functions as a cause, a computer program according to any one of claims 9-11.   The recording medium which records the computer program as described in any one of Claims 9-12.

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