JP2006072671A - Search support system, search support apparatus, search support method and search support program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a user burden when a user who searches through a content providing site on the Internet can not acquire desired content in a single search and must try another search. <P>SOLUTION: Keywords related to content handled by a content providing site 4 are grouped. From keyword groups registered in a keyword database 21 by group classification, the keyword group to which a keyword input by a user belongs is selected. Besides results of a search executed with the keyword input by the user, the other keywords belonging to the selected keyword group are displayed as alternative keywords on a user terminal 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a search support system, a search support apparatus, a search support method, and a search support program that support search by a user at a content providing site on the Internet.

  For example, in a content providing site that provides various contents on the Internet, such as a photo sales site, one or more keywords are assigned to each of the handled contents, and individual contents are managed. A user who accesses such a site searches for the desired content by inputting a keyword he / she thinks appropriate. Usually, a list of contents directly associated with the input keyword is displayed as a search result. Only. For example, in the search screen of the photo sales site 4 as shown in FIG. 5A, when the user searches for a photo by inputting the keyword “happiness”, as shown in FIG. Only a list of photos 106a to 106f associated with the keyword is displayed.

  Therefore, if it does not match the keyword entered by the user, even if there are many contents to which a keyword similar to the entered keyword is present, they are not displayed as search results. For this reason, if there is no desired content in the content associated with the input keyword, the user can guess another keyword that seems to be given to the desired content and obtain the desired content. The search must be repeated until.

  Conventionally, various search means have been proposed in order to eliminate such a troublesome search. For example, Patent Document 1 analyzes input keywords and calculates similarity with the attribute of photo data so that the target photo data can be searched regardless of how the user expresses. Disclosed is a photo retrieval apparatus that displays from photo data. Patent Document 2 discloses a keyword extraction device that extracts high-precision keywords from a large number of digital contents so that efficient search can be performed. Patent Document 3 discloses that a user can input keywords instead of inputting keywords. Disclosed is an image search system for searching for an image based on transmitted desired image data.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 04-098463 JP 2002-108888 A JP 2003-216648 A

  However, none of the conventional techniques considers the case where the desired content cannot be obtained by the first search. That is, Patent Document 1 enables a search within a certain range of relevance to an input keyword, but only considers the improvement of the search accuracy and considers when a re-search is necessary. It has not been.

  In Patent Document 2, keywords with high accuracy for search are extracted from digital contents to improve the search efficiency. However, the user inputs the keywords for the search, and the first search is desired. If the digital content is not obtained, there is no difference from the conventional case in that the search must be continued by guessing another keyword.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-26883 tries to allow the user to select a favorite image in a substantially one-time search. If a favorite image is not obtained in the first search, the user must again select another image. Therefore, it is necessary to read the image data with a scanner.

  As described above, in the conventional technology described above, when the desired content is not obtained by the first search, it is unclear what keyword is assigned to the desired content, and the user is not sure. Has to guess another keyword and repeat the search, and the burden on these users has never improved.

  The present invention has been proposed in order to solve the above-described problems of the conventional technology, and reduces the burden on the user when performing a search again on a content providing site on the Internet. An object is to provide a search support system, a search support apparatus, a search support method, and a search support program.

  A search support system according to the present invention, which has been made to solve the above problems, is a search support system that supports a user to search for content in a content providing site on the Internet, and the content providing site via the Internet A keyword database in which keywords associated with content handled by the content providing site are grouped and registered separately for each keyword group The keyword group to which the first keyword input from the user terminal belongs is selected from the keyword groups registered in the keyword database, and other keywords belonging to the selected keyword group are used as substitute keywords. Substitution keyword output means for outputting, and output integration for receiving a list of contents associated with the first keyword from the content providing site and outputting to the user terminal together with the substitution keyword outputted from the substitution keyword output means The configuration includes means.

  In the search support system according to the present invention adopting such a configuration, keywords belonging to the same keyword group as the keyword input by the user are presented to the user as a substitute keyword together with the search result. Therefore, even if the user's desired content is not obtained by a single search, the user does not need to guess the keyword without knowing what keyword is assigned to the desired content. The re-search can be executed by the alternative keyword.

  The output integration means may be configured to receive a list of contents associated with one alternative keyword selected by the user from among the alternative keywords from the content providing site and re-output to the user terminal. it can. As a result, the user can search for desired content from the newly displayed content list.

  The search support apparatus according to the present invention is used to support content search by a user at a content providing site on the Internet, and is connected to the content providing site and a user terminal via the Internet. A keyword database in which keywords associated with content handled by the content providing site are grouped and classified and registered for each keyword group; a keyword group to which a first keyword input from the user terminal belongs An alternative keyword output means for selecting from among keyword groups registered in the keyword database and outputting other keywords belonging to the selected keyword group as alternative keywords; and relating to the first keyword List of vignetting the content received from the content provider site, a configuration equipped with output integration means for outputting to the user terminal together with the alternate keywords output from the alternate keywords output means.

  The search support apparatus according to the present invention adopting such a configuration is preferably used in the search support system according to the present invention, and a keyword belonging to the same keyword group as the first keyword input by the user is used as an alternative keyword to the user. Can be presented.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the search support apparatus according to the present invention includes an input distribution unit that receives the first keyword and transfers the first keyword to the content providing site. Thereby, when applying the search support system according to the present invention, it is possible to minimize a change to be made to an existing content providing site.

  Furthermore, the search support device according to the present invention accesses the content providing site and acquires a keyword associated with the content handled by the content providing site, from among the keywords acquired by the keyword acquiring unit. New keyword management means for extracting new keywords, and keyword group management means for allocating and registering the new keywords extracted by the new keyword management means to existing keyword groups or creating and registering new keyword groups It is good also as a structure provided with. Thereby, the data of the keyword database can be updated according to the update status of the content handled by the content providing site.

  On the other hand, the search support method according to the present invention is a search support method for supporting search of content by a user at a content providing site on the Internet, and the alternative keyword output means receives the first keyword input to the user terminal. And the alternative keyword output means groups the keywords associated with the content handled by the content providing site and classifies the keywords into keyword groups registered in the keyword database. Selecting a keyword group to which the keyword belongs, the step in which the alternative keyword output means outputs other keywords belonging to the selected keyword group as alternative keywords, and an output integrating means in association with the first keyword. Receiving a list of content from the content providing site, the output integrating means receiving the alternative keyword output from the alternative keyword output means, and the output integrating means received from the content providing site Integrating the list of contents associated with the first keyword and the substitute keyword received from the substitute keyword output means, and outputting to the user terminal; associating the user keyword with the first keyword The method includes a step of displaying a list of contents and the substitute keyword together.

  According to the search support method according to the present invention adopting such a configuration, even if the user's desired photo is not obtained by a single search, the user is given what keyword to the desired photo. It is no longer necessary to guess the keyword without knowing whether or not, and the re-search can be executed using the presented alternative keyword.

  Further, in the search method according to the present invention, the step of causing the user to select one alternative keyword from among the alternative keywords displayed on the user terminal, the output integration means is associated with the one alternative keyword Receiving a list of contents from the content providing site; outputting the list of contents associated with the one alternative keyword received from the content providing site to the user terminal; In addition, if the step of redisplaying the list of contents associated with the one alternative keyword is continuously executed, the user can search for the desired contents from the newly displayed list of contents. . By repeating these steps, the user can simply repeat the search until the desired photo is obtained simply by selecting the presented alternative keyword, greatly reducing the burden on the user during the re-search. be able to.

  Furthermore, in the search support method according to the present invention, the keyword acquisition unit acquires a keyword associated with the content handled by the content providing site, the new keyword management unit acquires the keyword acquired by the keyword acquisition unit. The keyword is extracted by executing a step of extracting a newly arrived keyword from the keyword, and assigning and registering the newly arrived keyword to an existing keyword group or creating and registering a new keyword group by keyword group management means. Database data can be updated.

  Also, the search support program according to the present invention is a step in which the substitute keyword output means receives the first keyword input to the user terminal to the computer in order to support the search of the content by the user at the content providing site on the Internet. The alternative keyword output means groups the keywords associated with the content handled by the content providing site, and classifies the groups into groups and registers them in the keyword database. Selecting a keyword group to which the keyword belongs; the alternative keyword output unit outputting another keyword belonging to the selected keyword group as an alternative keyword; and the output integrating unit associated with the first keyword. Receiving a list of attached contents from the content providing site, the output integrating means receiving the alternative keyword output from the alternative keyword output means, and the output integrating means from the content providing site. Integrating the received list of contents associated with the first keyword and the substitute keyword received from the substitute keyword output means, and outputting to the user terminal; A step of displaying a list of associated contents and the substitute keyword together is executed.

  The search support program according to the present invention adopting such a configuration is a book that supports a search by a user by presenting a keyword that belongs to the same keyword group as the keyword input by the user as an alternative keyword together with the search result. The search support system according to the invention is made to function.

  Further, the search support program according to the present invention includes a step of causing a computer to select one alternative keyword from among the alternative keywords displayed on the user terminal, and the output integration unit includes the one alternative keyword. Receiving a list of contents associated with the content providing site from the content providing site, and outputting the list of contents associated with the one alternative keyword received from the content providing site to the user terminal. The user terminal may be configured to continuously execute a step of redisplaying a list of contents associated with the one alternative keyword. As a result, the user can repeatedly execute the search until a desired photo is obtained simply by selecting the presented alternative keyword, and the burden on the user when searching again can be greatly reduced.

  Furthermore, the search support program according to the present invention includes a step of acquiring a keyword associated with the content handled by the content providing site by a keyword acquisition unit in a computer, and a keyword acquired by the keyword acquisition unit by a newly arrived keyword management unit. The keyword database by executing a step of extracting new keywords from the list, allocating and registering the new keywords to existing keyword groups, or creating and registering new keyword groups by keyword group management means It is also possible to configure so that the data update is performed.

  According to the present invention, keywords belonging to the same keyword group as the keyword input by the user are presented to the user as a substitute keyword together with the search result executed by the keyword input by the user. Therefore, even if the content desired by the user cannot be obtained by a single search, the user does not need to guess the keyword without knowing what keyword is assigned to the desired content. Then, the search can be repeated until the desired content is obtained with the presented alternative keyword, and the burden on the user at the time of the re-search can be greatly reduced.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a search support system according to the present invention.

  The search support system 1 according to the present embodiment is applied to a photo sales site 4 on the Internet. The search support system 1 includes a search support device 2 connected to a photo sales site 4 and a user terminal 5 via the Internet 3. In the illustrated example, the search support apparatus 2 includes a keyword database 21, an input distribution unit 22, an alternative keyword output unit 23, an output integration unit 24, a keyword acquisition unit 25, a new arrival keyword management unit 26, and a keyword group management unit 27. It has.

  The search support apparatus 2 is connected to one or two or more photo sales sites 4 contracted with the provider of the search support system 1. In the photo sales site 4, one or more keywords are usually assigned to each photo that is handled, whereby individual photos are managed. A photo search system 41 is provided for outputting a list of photos associated with the keyword input by the user as a search result.

  In the keyword database 21 provided in the search support device 2, the keywords assigned to the photos handled by the photo sales site 4 are grouped according to similarities such as the significance thereof. It has a keyword group management area 211 that is divided and registered every four.

  In addition, the search support device 2 includes an input distribution unit 22. The input distribution unit 22 includes a keyword (hereinafter referred to as “first keyword”) entered by a user who accesses the photo sales site 4 to search for a desired photo. Is transmitted from the user terminal 5. Then, the input distribution unit 22 transfers the first keyword to the photo search system 41 of the photo sales site 4.

  That is, the first keyword is usually transmitted directly to the photo search system 41 of the photo sales site 4 and the search result executed by the photo search system 41 is output as it is (see FIG. 5). The first keyword is transmitted to the photo search system 41 of the photo sales site 4 to be applied via the input distribution means 22 provided in the search support device 2.

  Specifically, on the search screen as shown in FIG. 2A, for example, when the user inputs a keyword (first keyword) of “happiness” and presses the search button, the first keyword is stored in the user terminal 5. Is transmitted to the input distribution means 22, and the input distribution means 22 transfers the first keyword to the photo search system 41 of the photo sales site 4. Then, the photo search system 41 of the photo sales site 4 receives the first keyword transferred from the input distribution unit 22, executes the search, and outputs a list of photos associated with the first keyword. The output photo list is transmitted from the photo sales site 4 to the output integration means 24.

  Further, the first keyword transmitted to the input distribution unit 22 is transferred to the alternative keyword output unit 23 together. The substitute keyword output means 23 selects the keyword group to which the first keyword belongs from the keyword groups registered in the keyword group management area 211 of the keyword database 21. Then, other keywords belonging to the selected keyword group are output as alternative keywords. The output alternative keyword is transmitted to the output integration unit 24.

  Here, the search support device 2 according to the present embodiment includes the input distribution unit 22 in order to minimize changes to be made to the existing photo sales site 4 when the alternative keyword output unit 23 receives the first keyword. It is. Therefore, as the means for causing the alternative keyword output means 23 to receive the first keyword, other means can be appropriately selected so that the changes to the existing photo sales site 4 are minimized. For example, the photo sales site 4 is changed so that the first keyword is transmitted from the photo sales site 4 to the search support device 2 together with the search result (photo list) on the photo sales site 4, and thereby the alternative keyword If the output unit 23 can receive the first keyword, the input distribution unit 22 may be omitted.

  Furthermore, the search support device 2 includes an output integration unit 24, which integrates the list of photos received from the photo sales site 4 and the alternative keywords received from the alternative keyword output unit 23, The data is output on the web screen displayed on the user terminal 5. At this time, on the web screen of the user terminal 5, the alternative keyword is output together with the list of photos associated with the first keyword.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2B, a list of photos 6a to 6f associated with the keyword (first keyword) “happiness” inputted by the user and an alternative keyword list 7 are displayed together. To be. FIG. 2B shows an example in which, in addition to “happiness”, four keywords “joy”, “happiness”, “satisfaction”, and “relief” are registered in the keyword group to which the keyword “happiness” belongs. These keywords are displayed in the keyword list 7.

  If there is a photo desired by the user in the displayed photo list 6, the user may select the desired photo from the photo list 6. If there is no photo desired by the user in the displayed photo list 6, the user selects any alternative keyword from the alternative keyword list 7.

  At this time, the selected alternative keyword (hereinafter referred to as “second keyword”) may be input by the user and the search may be performed again. However, the user may select one of the alternative keywords (second keyword). If the second keyword is transferred to the photo search system 41 of the photo sales site 4 by selecting, it is possible to save the input effort. The transfer of the second keyword may be performed by the input distribution unit 22 or the output integration unit 24, or a transfer unit may be provided separately.

  As a result, in the photo search system 41 of the photo sales site 4, a re-search by the second keyword is executed, and a list of photos associated with the second keyword is transmitted to the output integration unit 24. The output integration unit 24 receives a list of photos associated with the second keyword and re-outputs it on the web screen of the user terminal 5.

  Specifically, when the user clicks the keyword “satisfied” (second keyword) on the web screen shown in FIG. 2B, the second keyword is transferred to the photo search system 41 of the photo sales site 4, The re-search with the second keyword is executed. Thereby, the photo search system 41 of the photo sales site 4 outputs a list of photos associated with the second keyword and transmits it to the output integration unit 24. Then, as shown in FIG. 2C, the list of the photos 6g to 6l associated with the keyword “satisfaction” (second keyword) output as a result of the re-search is displayed by the output integration unit 24. Re-output on the web screen of the terminal 5.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, even if the user's desired photo is not obtained by the first search, the keyword belonging to the same keyword group as the input keyword (first keyword) is given to the user. Presented as an alternative keyword. This eliminates the need for the user to guess the keyword without knowing what keyword is assigned to the desired photo, and allows the user to perform a re-search using the presented alternative keyword (second keyword). it can. Further, if the desired photo cannot be obtained even with the selected alternative keyword (second keyword), the user at the time of re-searching can select another alternative keyword from the alternative keyword list 7 and repeat the search. Is greatly reduced.

  In the search support system 1 according to the present embodiment that supports the search by the user in this way, the keyword acquisition unit 25 and the new keyword management unit 26 indicate the update status of the photos handled by the photo sales site 4. In addition, the keyword group management means 27 can be used to update the data in the keyword database 21 according to the update status of the photos handled by the photo sales site 4.

  The keyword acquisition means 25 accesses the contracted photo sales site 4 and acquires keywords associated with the photos handled by the photo sales site 4. Access to the photo sales site 4 can be automatically executed regularly or irregularly (preferably regularly) using a web robot or the like. The keyword acquired by the keyword acquisition unit 25 is transmitted to the new arrival keyword management unit 26.

  The newly arrived keyword management unit 26 refers to a keyword newly acquired by, for example, referring to a keyword registered in the keyword group management area 211 of the keyword database 21 from the keywords received from the keyword acquiring unit 25. Keyword). New arrival keywords extracted by the new arrival keyword management means 26 are registered in the new arrival keyword list 212 of the keyword database 21.

  The keyword group management means 27 is for performing keyword group management, and allocates and registers new keywords to appropriate keyword groups registered in the keyword group management area 211 of the keyword database 21 or finishes registration. The new keyword is deleted from the new keyword list 212. If there is no group suitable for registering a new keyword in the existing keyword group, a new keyword group is created and the new keyword is registered. Furthermore, it is possible to rewrite or delete keywords when reviewing keyword groups.

  In the present embodiment, the keyword group management unit 27 having such a function is used to update the data in the keyword database 21, but the actual data update operation is assisted by the keyword group management unit 27. Done by the system administrator. Details of the data update operation will be described later.

  The search support system according to the present invention has been described above with reference to a preferred embodiment. The search support system according to the present invention is a process executed by a computer constituting the search support system 1 in accordance with a program (software) instruction. , Means and function. The program sends a command to each component of the computer. For example, the first keyword is transmitted from the user terminal 5 to the search support device 2, the substitute keyword is output by the substitute keyword output means 23, and the photo sales site is provided by the output integration means 24 The search by the user is supported by performing predetermined processing and functions such as output of the photo list 6 and the alternative keyword list 7 received from the photo search system 41 to the user terminal 5 and data update of the keyword database 21. Thus, the search support system according to the present invention is made to function so as to reduce the burden on the user when re-search is necessary.

  Thus, each process and means in the search support system according to the present invention are realized by specific means in which the program and the computer cooperate. Note that all or part of the program is provided by, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or any other computer-readable recording medium, and the program read from the recording medium is installed in the computer and executed. The The program can also be loaded and executed directly on a computer through a communication line without using a recording medium.

  Next, one embodiment of the search support method according to the present invention will be described with reference to an example in which the search support system 1 is implemented. FIG. 3 is a flowchart schematically showing the flow of processing in an embodiment of the search support method according to the present invention.

  The search support method according to the present embodiment is performed according to the following procedure. That is, a user who has accessed the photo sales site 4 on the Internet seems to be appropriate for searching for a desired photo on the search screen as shown in FIG. 2A, for example, “happiness”. A keyword (first keyword) is input from the user terminal 5 and a search button is pressed (S1).

  Thereby, the first keyword is transmitted from the user terminal 5 to the input distribution means 22 provided in the search support device 2 (S2). The input distribution unit 22 transfers the first keyword to the alternative keyword output unit 23 included in the search support device 2 and the photo search system 41 of the photo sales site 4 (S3).

  The photo search system 41 of the photo sales site 4 receives the first keyword and executes a search (S4), and outputs a list of photos associated with the first keyword as a search result (S5). The output photo list is transmitted from the photo sales site 4 to the output integration means 24 (S6).

  On the other hand, the alternative keyword output means 23 selects the keyword group to which the received first keyword belongs from the keyword groups registered in the keyword group management area 211 of the keyword database 21 (S7). Then, other keywords belonging to the selected keyword group are output as alternative keywords (S8). The output alternative keyword is transmitted to the output integration unit 24 (S9).

  The output integration unit 24 included in the search support device 2 integrates the list of photos received from the photo sales site 4 and the alternative keywords received from the alternative keyword output unit 23, and outputs them to the user terminal 5 (S10). Then, on the web screen of the user terminal 5, as shown in FIG. 2B, a list of photos 6a to 6f associated with the first keyword (“happiness”) and an alternative keyword list 7 are displayed. (S11).

  The user searches for a desired photo from the displayed photo list 6 (S12), and if there is a desired photo (yes), selects the desired photo and ends the search. If there is no desired photo in the displayed photo list 6 (no), the user selects and clicks one of the alternative keywords (second keyword) from the alternative keyword list 7 displayed on the web screen ( (Refer FIG.2 (b)). In this embodiment, when the user clicks on the second keyword (S13), the second keyword is transmitted to the input distribution means 22 (S14), and the input distribution means 22 sends the second keyword to the photo search system 41 of the photo sales site 4. Keywords are transferred (S15).

  The photo search system 41 that has received the second keyword executes a re-search using the second keyword (S16). As a result, the photo search system 41 outputs a list of photos associated with the second keyword as a search result (S17), and transmits it to the output integration unit 24 (S18).

  The output integration means 24 receives a list of photos associated with the second keyword from the photo sales site 4 and outputs it to the user terminal 5 (S19). Then, in the same process as the process in (S11) described above, the photo list associated with the first keyword and the photo list associated with the second keyword are replaced, and the web screen of the user terminal 5 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 2C, a list of photographs 6g to 6l associated with the second keyword (“satisfied”) output as a result of the re-search is displayed (S20).

  If there is a photo that the user desires in the displayed photo list 6, the user selects the desired photo from the photo list 6 and finishes the search, but the desired photo cannot be obtained even by the second keyword. For example, another alternative keyword (third keyword) is selected, and the search is repeated according to the above-described procedure (S12 to S20).

  As described above, according to this embodiment, even if the user's desired photo is not obtained by the first search, the user simply selects the presented alternative keyword and searches until the desired photo is obtained. Can be repeated, and the burden on the user when searching again can be greatly reduced.

  In the search support method according to the present embodiment, the data in the keyword database 21 can be updated according to the following procedure according to the update status of the photos handled by the photo sales site 4. Here, FIG. 4 is a flowchart schematically showing a processing flow when the data of the keyword database 21 is updated in the present embodiment.

  First, the keyword acquisition means 25 accesses the contracted photo sales site 4 and acquires keywords associated with the photos handled by the photo sales site 4 (S21). The acquired keyword is transmitted to the new keyword management means 26 (S22).

  Next, the newly arrived keyword management means 26 refers to the keyword registered in the keyword group management area 211 of the keyword database 21 from the keywords received from the keyword acquiring means 25 (S23), for example. Extract (S24). The extracted new arrival keywords are registered in the new arrival keyword list 212 of the keyword database 21 by the new arrival keyword management means 26 (S25).

  The keyword group management means 27 reads a new arrival keyword from the new arrival keyword list 212 (S26) and displays it on the terminal used by the system administrator (S27). The system administrator refers to the new arrival keyword displayed by the keyword group management means 27 (S28). When a new keyword is registered in the new keyword list 212, the keyword group management means 27 also displays a list of existing keyword groups and assigns a keyword group suitable for allocating new keywords to the system administrator. You can also encourage selection.

  The system administrator selects an appropriate keyword group for allocating new keywords from among the existing keyword groups registered in the keyword group management area 211 in consideration of similarities such as significance (S29). . If there is an appropriate keyword group (yes), the system administrator allocates a new keyword to the keyword group and inputs it to the terminal (S30). The keyword group management unit 27 registers a new keyword in the keyword group selected by the system administrator according to the input from the system administrator (S31).

  If there is no group suitable for allocating new keywords in the existing keyword group (no), the system administrator sets a new keyword group suitable for the new keywords and inputs it to the terminal (S32). The keyword group management unit 27 creates a new keyword group set by the system administrator in the keyword group management area 211 according to the input from the system administrator (S33), and registers a new keyword (S31).

  The keyword group management unit 27 deletes the new keywords that have been registered from the new keyword list when the registration of the new keywords to the keyword group is completed (S34).

  For example, if the keyword acquisition means 25 accesses the photo sales site 4 regularly every night, the system administrator uses the keyword group management means 24 to update the data in the keyword database 21 in this way. The new keyword list 212 is referred to periodically every morning, and when there is a new registration in the new keyword list 212, an operation of performing the above-described data update operation can be considered.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. .

  For example, in the embodiment described above, the search is executed by the photo search system 41 provided in the photo sales site 4, but the search support apparatus 2 may be provided with a function corresponding to the photo search system 41. That is, the search support device 2 manages the photo ID of the photo handled by the photo sales site 4 and the keyword associated with the photo ID, and the keyword (first keyword) or alternative keyword input by the user is displayed. When the search support device 2 transmits the associated photo ID, a list of corresponding photos may be returned from the photo sales site 4 to the search support device 2.

  In the embodiment described above, an example in which the present invention is applied to the photo sales site 4 has been described. However, a keyword is associated with image data such as a website that sells clip art or a website that provides a catalog of museums. Needless to say, it can also be applied to websites that search for it, and can also be used to support product searches at mail-order sites that display product image data and allow users to select products. it can. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied not only to image data but also to a website that manages keywords by associating them with various data such as music and games, and allows users to search by keywords.

  As described above, the present invention can be widely used for search support in websites that manage keywords in association with various data and allow users to search by keywords.

It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the search assistance system which concerns on this invention. In one embodiment of a search support system concerning the present invention, it is a schematic diagram showing an example of a search screen displayed on a user terminal. It is a flowchart which shows roughly the flow of the process in one Embodiment of the search assistance method which concerns on this invention. 5 is a flowchart schematically showing a processing flow when data of a keyword database is updated in an embodiment of the search support method according to the present invention. It is the schematic which shows an example of a general search screen.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Search support system 2 Search support apparatus 21 Keyword database 211 Keyword group management area 212 New keyword list 22 Input distribution means 23 Alternative keyword output means 24 Output integration means 25 Keyword acquisition means 26 New keyword management means 3 Internet 4 Photo sales site 41 Photo Search system 5 User terminal

Claims (11)

A search support system for supporting a user to search for content on a content providing site on the Internet,
A search support device connected to the content providing site and the user terminal via the Internet is provided.
The search support device
A keyword database in which keywords associated with content handled by the content providing site are grouped and classified and registered for each keyword group;
Alternative keyword output for selecting a keyword group to which the first keyword input from the user terminal belongs from among the keyword groups registered in the keyword database, and outputting other keywords belonging to the selected keyword group as alternative keywords means,
And an output integration unit that receives a list of contents associated with the first keyword from the content providing site and outputs the list to the user terminal together with the alternative keyword output from the alternative keyword output unit. Search support system. The output integration unit receives a list of contents associated with one alternative keyword selected by the user from among the alternative keywords from the content providing site, and re-outputs the list to the user terminal. Search support system. A search support device that is used to support search of content by a user in a content providing site on the Internet and is connected to the content providing site and a user terminal via the Internet,
A keyword database in which keywords associated with content handled by the content providing site are grouped and classified and registered for each keyword group;
Alternative keyword output for selecting a keyword group to which the first keyword input from the user terminal belongs from among the keyword groups registered in the keyword database, and outputting other keywords belonging to the selected keyword group as alternative keywords means,
And an output integration unit that receives a list of contents associated with the first keyword from the content providing site and outputs the list to the user terminal together with the alternative keyword output from the alternative keyword output unit. Search support device.   The search support device according to claim 3, further comprising an input distribution unit that receives the first keyword and transfers the first keyword to the content providing site. A keyword acquisition means for accessing the content providing site and acquiring a keyword associated with the content handled by the content providing site;
New keyword management means for extracting new keywords from the keywords acquired by the keyword acquisition means,
And a keyword group management means for allocating and registering the new arrival keywords extracted by the new arrival keyword management means to an existing keyword group, or creating and registering a new keyword group. Search support device. A search support method for supporting content search by a user in a content providing site on the Internet,
The alternative keyword output means receives the first keyword input to the user terminal;
The alternative keyword output means groups the keywords associated with the content handled by the content providing site, and the first keyword belongs from among the keyword groups that are divided into groups and registered in the keyword database. Selecting a keyword group,
The alternative keyword output means outputting other keywords belonging to the selected keyword group as alternative keywords;
An output integration unit receiving a list of contents associated with the first keyword from the content providing site;
The output integration means receiving the alternative keyword output from the alternative keyword output means;
The output integration unit integrates the content list associated with the first keyword received from the content providing site and the alternative keyword received from the alternative keyword output unit, and outputs the integrated list to the user terminal. ,
A search support method, comprising: displaying a list of contents associated with the first keyword and the alternative keyword together on the user terminal. Allowing the user to select one alternative keyword from among the alternative keywords displayed on the user terminal;
The output integration means receiving a list of contents associated with the one alternative keyword from the content providing site;
The output integration unit outputting a list of contents associated with the one alternative keyword received from the content providing site to the user terminal;
The search support method according to claim 6, wherein the step of re-displaying a list of contents associated with the one alternative keyword on the user terminal is continuously executed. Obtaining a keyword associated with the content handled by the content providing site by keyword obtaining means;
A step of extracting a new keyword from the keywords acquired by the keyword acquisition unit by a new keyword management unit;
The keyword database is updated by allocating and registering the newly arrived keyword to an existing keyword group or creating and registering a new keyword group by the keyword group management means. The search support method according to claim 6 or 7. In order to assist users in searching for content on content providing sites on the Internet,
The alternative keyword output means receives the first keyword input to the user terminal;
The alternative keyword output means groups the keywords associated with the content handled by the content providing site, and the first keyword belongs from among keyword groups that are classified into groups and registered in the keyword database. Selecting a keyword group,
The alternative keyword output means outputting other keywords belonging to the selected keyword group as alternative keywords;
An output integration unit receiving a list of contents associated with the first keyword from the content providing site;
The output integration means receiving the alternative keyword output from the alternative keyword output means;
The output integration unit integrates a list of contents associated with the first keyword received from the content providing site and the alternative keyword received from the alternative keyword output unit, and outputs the integrated list to the user terminal. ,
A search support program for causing the user terminal to execute a step of displaying a list of contents associated with the first keyword and the alternative keyword together. On the computer,
Allowing the user to select one alternative keyword from among the alternative keywords displayed on the user terminal;
The output integration means receiving a list of contents associated with the one alternative keyword from the content providing site;
The output integration unit outputting a list of contents associated with the one alternative keyword received from the content providing site to the user terminal;
The search support program according to claim 9, which causes the user terminal to continuously execute a step of redisplaying a list of contents associated with the one alternative keyword. On the computer,
Obtaining a keyword associated with the content handled by the content providing site by keyword obtaining means;
A step of extracting a new keyword from the keywords acquired by the keyword acquisition unit by a new keyword management unit;
The keyword database is updated by allocating and registering the newly arrived keyword to an existing keyword group or creating and registering a new keyword group by the keyword group management means. Item 11. The search support program according to Item 9 or 10.

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