JP2009129036A - Information retrieval system, information retrieval method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information retrieval system for efficiently performing narrowing-down retrieval by using vague memory as a clue. <P>SOLUTION: This information retrieval system is provided with an information retrieval formula input means for accepting the input of a retrieval keyword from a user; a space-time figure presentation means for presenting a space-time figure 201 including a time axis and a non-time axis for presenting the attributes of information extended to a direction different from the time axis; a space-time retrieval range input means for accepting the input of a retrieval range for performing retrieval based on the retrieval keyword by selecting an optional position on the space-time figure 201; a space-time mark information presentation means for presenting a space-time mark information 202 as the mark of retrieval range selection on the space-time space; a space-time narrowing-down retrieval processing means for extracting the retrieval keyword and information which suits the retrieval range; and a retrieval result presentation means for presenting the retrieval result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information search system, an information search method, and a program, and more particularly, to an information search system, an information search method, and a program for accepting input of a search keyword and the like from a user and presenting a search result extracted based on the search keyword. .

  In recent years, with the spread of information technology (Information Technology), the amount of information has increased explosively, making it difficult to find target information from a large amount of information.

  Among Web search systems, there is known a system that can perform a search by specifying a narrowing condition separately from a search keyword. For example, in Google (registered trademark), by using the “search option” function, it is possible to specify a file type, a domain, a date and time when it was first crawled (collected), and obtain a more narrow search result. Yes.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a map information-linked Web search system (search engine) that can narrow down a search by a distance range condition from a searcher when searching a homepage by keyword or genre.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an information search apparatus that generates a search command based on a search range specified using a GUI (Graphical User Interface). In this document, when a user draws a closed curve on a diagram showing the attributes of a database using a pointing device, the information search device calculates a search range from the intersection position of the closed curve and the diagram, and automatically executes a search command. A configuration for creating the is disclosed.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a configuration in which, in a portable computer such as a personal computer or an electronic notebook, the date and time of occurrence and the place of occurrence are attached to all input information, and thereafter, it can be narrowed down by the date and time of occurrence and place of occurrence. Has been.

  Patent Document 4 discloses an information search apparatus that classifies and integrates search results from a plurality of viewpoints and plots them on a graph so that the search results can be viewed as a whole, and effectively supports narrowing down of the search results. .

  Patent Document 5 discloses an information display device that displays data having a time attribute and an attribute other than the time attribute by the applicant of the present application so that the temporal relationship of the data can be intuitively grasped using an annual ring-shaped metaphor. It is. The relationship with the present invention will be described in detail later.

JP 2006-221443 A JP 2007-34457 A JP-A-8-287143 JP 7-319905 A Japanese Patent No. 3275913

  As described in Patent Document 1, in order to search for target information from a large amount of information, it is effective to narrow down by attributes other than the search keyword, and to users who perform searches based on ambiguous memory, It is considered that the target content or document can be presented with fewer operations (number of searches).

  In order to accept the above-described narrowing setting from the user, it is conceivable to introduce a method using a GUI described in Patent Literature 2 and Patent Literature 3. However, the GUI of these documents only presents a rough scaled diagram (FIG. 5 of Patent Document 2, FIG. 17, FIG. 19 of Patent Document 3, etc.), and it uses its own memory as a clue. It is hard to say that it is easy to use for the user who wants to obtain information (information to be searched) on items that are interested. For example, if you want to search for past popular songs, you can think of things that were popular at that time and impressive case names more easily than a specific year such as Showa XX. In this regard, the GUIs of Patent Documents 2 and 3 have a problem that accurate range selection cannot be performed with such ambiguous storage.

  Further, in the portable computer described in Patent Document 3, when the spatial range is designated, the map display screen is also changed with the change of the spatial range designation (see FIGS. 19 and 20 of the same publication). It is necessary to separately select a range on the time range designation screen (see FIG. 17 of the publication). In other words, it is not possible to perform a range selection collectively with an event occurring at a certain place and a certain date and time as a landmark.

  Patent Document 4 is a technique related to the presentation of search results using a search key. Even in this apparatus, the user can narrow down by using the headings attached to each axis and the number of classified / integrated items as clues. It is thought that there is no choice but to select a group.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information search system capable of performing an efficient narrowing search using a vague memory as a clue.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, an information search expression input unit that receives an input of a search keyword from a user, a time axis, and a non-time axis that extends in a direction different from the time axis and presents information attributes And a spatiotemporal search range input means for accepting an input of a search range for performing a search by the search keyword by selecting an arbitrary position on the spatiotemporal map. A spatio-temporal landmark information presenting means for presenting spatio-temporal landmark information that serves as a marker for selecting a search range on the spatio-temporal map; There is provided an information search system comprising processing means and search result presentation means for presenting the search results.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the following information search method in an information search system that accepts an input of an information search formula from a user and presents a search result extracted based on the information search formula. First, a computer constituting the information search system includes a time-space diagram including a time axis and a non-time axis extending in a direction different from the time axis and presenting information attributes, and a mark for selecting a search range by a user. The space-time landmark information is presented. Next, the computer receives an input of a search range from the user by selecting an arbitrary position on the space-time diagram. And the said computer extracts the information suitable for the search range based on the said space-time figure from the search result by the said search keyword with respect to arbitrary information sources or this information source.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program that is executed by a computer constituting an information search system that receives an input of an information search formula from a user and presents a search result extracted based on the information search formula, A space-time diagram including a time axis and a non-time axis that extends in a direction different from the time axis and presents information attributes, and space-time mark information that serves as a mark for selecting a search range by the user are presented. Based on the spatio-temporal map based on a process, a process of accepting an input of a search range from the user by selecting an arbitrary position on the spatio-temporal map, and a search result by the search keyword for an arbitrary information source or the information source A process for extracting information suitable for the search range and a program to be executed by the computer are provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform a narrowing-down process using the spatiotemporal landmark information as a clue before a keyword search or on the search result, thereby realizing an efficient search process. The reason is that it is configured to display on the spatio-temporal map including the above time axis and non-time axis, and to display spatio-temporal landmark information that serves as a marker for selecting the time and attribute by the user, and can be used together with the search keyword It is to have done.

Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information search system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the information search system according to the present embodiment includes a spatiotemporal diagram presenting means 1, a spatiotemporal landmark information presenting means 2, a spatiotemporal search range input means 3, an information search expression input means 4, The system includes a space-time narrowing search processing means 5 and a search result presentation means 6.

  Each of the above-described means generally operates as follows.

  The spatio-temporal diagram presenting means 1 includes a time axis indicating time information attached to information to be searched based on a result of analyzing information to be searched stored in an arbitrary information source in advance, And a space-time diagram including a space axis (non-time axis) indicating attribute information given to the information to be displayed.

  Here, a space-time diagram will be described. The spatiotemporal diagram is a diagram having at least two axes of the time axis and the space axis (non-time axis). For example, the first axis (X axis) represents the time axis, and the first axis (X The second axis (Y axis) intersecting with the axis at an arbitrary angle can be a space axis (non-time axis).

  The time axis is an axis for selecting a temporal attribute attached to information to be searched. Temporal attributes include the time when the information is generated, the time when the information was obtained, the recognized time, the time that the contents of the information indicate semantically, etc. Attributes.

  The space axis (non-time axis) is an axis for selecting a non-temporal attribute (hereinafter also referred to as “spatial attribute”) attached to information to be searched. Examples of spatial attributes include attributes based on classification criteria other than time, such as information semantic attributes (categories), attributes for each information sender, and attributes for each information collection source.

  Examples of information to be searched (search target data) include Web pages and office documents existing in the information source, electronic files such as images and moving images, structured information in a database, and the like.

  The spatio-temporal landmark information presenting means 2 presents spatio-temporal landmark information that serves as a marker for selecting (squeezing down) the time and attribute added to the information to be searched by the user on the spatio-temporal diagram. As the spatiotemporal landmark information, it is possible to use events and incidents that many people will remember, and they are presented on a spatiotemporal diagram according to the date and time of occurrence and their attributes. For example, if an attribute category such as society, politics, sports, or performing arts is shown as the space axis (non-time axis) of a spatio-temporal map, the social event is changed to “society” on the space axis (non-time axis). And it is presented at a position on the time axis corresponding to the date and time of occurrence. By narrowing down the search space of time and space based on such a mark on the space-time map, the user does not accurately memorize the date and attributes, but it makes the noise shown as the space-time mark a noise. The information can be narrowed down effectively based on the incidents and events that remain in the impression.

  It is also effective to customize the space-time landmark information for each user, for example, accepting registration of memorable events that happened to the user or their family's birthday, anniversary, or user profile, etc. You may acquire and display these.

  The spatio-temporal search range input means 3 accepts the input of a search range for performing a search using the search keyword by selecting an arbitrary position on the spatio-temporal map using the spatio-temporal landmark information as a clue. For example, when a certain position is selected, the spatiotemporal search range input means 3 can set the attribute of the selected position and a time range having a predetermined width before and after the time axis as the search range.

  The information search expression input unit 4 has a function of receiving an input of a search condition such as a search keyword for searching from a user and passing it to the spatiotemporal search processing unit 5.

  As an example of the information search expression input unit 4, for example, a search keyword input box input from a user's Web browser can be used.

  The spatio-temporal narrowing search processing means 5 selects a search index (not shown) according to one or both of the search keyword specified by the information search expression input means 4 and the search condition specified by the spatio-temporal search range input means 3. Perform search processing on the target. The result of the search process is passed to the search result presentation means 6.

  The search result presentation unit 6 has a function of receiving the result of the search process performed by the spatiotemporal narrowing search processing unit 5 and outputting the result as a search result to the user. As an example of the search result presentation means 6, for example, software that outputs a list of search results on the user's Web browser is used.

  Each means described above can be realized by a program that causes a computer to execute the operation of each means described above.

  Next, the operation of the information search system of the present embodiment having the function of presenting the space-time diagram will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information search system according to the first embodiment of this invention.

  Referring to FIG. 2, first, when the user accesses this information search system, the spatiotemporal diagram presenting means 1 outputs a spatiotemporal diagram including a time axis and a spatial axis (non-time axis) (step S001). ).

  Next, the spatio-temporal landmark information presenting means 2 superimposes the spatio-temporal landmark information that serves as a mark for designating the search range based on the spatio-temporal diagram on the spatio-temporal diagram (step S002).

  When the information retrieval system is configured in a form including a network, the presenting step of steps S001 and S002 generates and transmits a spatio-temporal map in which the spatiotemporal landmark information is superimposed on the server side. This is realized by displaying it on the display device of the user terminal that has received it.

  FIG. 3 is an example of a user input screen in which a space-time diagram 201 in a state where the space-time landmark information 202 of Events A to Z is superimposed and an input box 200 constituting the information search expression input unit 4 are laid out.

  The space-time diagram 201 illustrated in FIG. 3 is based on the same idea as the annual ring metaphor described in Patent Document 5, and the radial direction represents the time axis, the circumferential direction represents the spatial axis non-time axis, and It consists of an annual ring shape with isochronous lines displayed at intervals. By operating the time slider (double arrow) at the bottom of the screen in FIG. 3, the user can change the time range displayed in an annual ring shape.

  Referring to FIG. 2 again, the user refers to the space-time diagram and the user input screen on which the input box is displayed, and inputs an information search expression (step S003a) or a search range based on the space-time diagram. Either (step S003b) or both are performed.

  When the user who has completed the input of the information search formula (step S003a) or the input of the search range based on the spatiotemporal diagram (step S003b) clicks the search button arranged on the right side of the input box 200 in FIG. The user's input contents are transferred to the spatiotemporal narrowing search processing means 5 from the space search range input means 3 and the information search expression input means 4, and search processing is performed (step S004).

  Then, the search result presenting means 6 presents the search result received from the search result from the spatiotemporal narrowing search processing means 5 (step S005).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user can set any attribute on the spatio-temporal map using the spatio-temporal landmark information 202 that is likely to be related to the information to be obtained as a search result and is close in time. By selecting the position, the information to be searched can be combined with the keyword search, and narrowed down before or after the keyword search.

  In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that the input of the search range is completed by selecting an arbitrary position on the spatio-temporal map. However, for example, a range selection operation using a pointing device such as a mouse (example: Search range input is accepted by a shift key press + drag, left mouse button press + drag, etc., or a plurality of range selection operations (eg, CTRL key + shift key press + drag, CTRL key + mouse left button press + drag, etc.) You may do it.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram showing an example of a range designation operation (one search range) on the spatio-temporal diagram. A search keyword “Nice Day” is input to the input box, and the spatio-temporal diagram is displayed. A range to be searched is selected by a thick solid line connecting point A to point B in the figure. In this case, the spatio-temporal narrowing search processing means 5 assigns the keyword search result “Nice” and “Day” to the time range from 2004 (point A) to 2006 (point B) and the attribute “lock”. "(Point A) or" pops "(point B), the search result further narrowed down to the domain is returned.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example of a range specification operation (two or more search ranges) on a spatio-temporal diagram. In the input box, a search keyword “Diana Ross” is input, A range to be searched is selected by a thick solid line connecting point C to point D on the space diagram and a thick solid line connecting point E to point F on the space-time diagram. In this case, the spatio-temporal narrowing search processing means 5 returns the result of narrowing down the keyword search result of “Diana” and “Ross” by the range selection on the spatiotemporal diagram below.

  First, with the thick solid line from point C to point D, the keyword search result “Diana” and “Ross” belongs to the time range from 1994 (point C) to 1996 (point D) and has the attribute “pops”. "(Point D) or" Country "(Point C), the search result is further narrowed down to the domain. In addition to the above, with the thick solid line from point E to point F, the keyword search result “Diana” and “Ross” belongs to the time range from 1994 (point E) to 1998 (point F), In addition, a search result further narrowed down to the domain of the attribute “jazz” (points E and F) is obtained.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a large amount of information that can be searched by keyword search can be easily narrowed down by an intuitive operation using a GUI without using a complicated query. Also, by appropriately arranging and displaying the spatiotemporal landmark information, it is possible to facilitate the selection of the position and range on the spatiotemporal diagram even when the storage of time and attributes is ambiguous.

  In addition, since the spatio-temporal landmark information is not obtained by classifying and integrating the search results as in Patent Document 4, an appropriate one is selected and placed at an arbitrary position so that the user can easily use it. Is possible.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention that enables presentation of space-time landmark information that is stable in quality will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information search system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the information search system according to the present embodiment includes a spatiotemporal diagram presenting means 1, a spatiotemporal landmark information presenting means 2, a spatiotemporal search range input means 3, an information search expression input means 4, The information system 11 used as an information source for extracting period information in the configuration of the first embodiment including the spatiotemporal narrowing search processing unit 5 and the search result presentation unit 6, and the period from the information system 11 to the period The period information extracting means 13 for extracting information and the period information accumulating means 12 for accumulating period information are added. In FIG. 5, the number of the information systems 11 is one, but any number of information systems can be used as an information source in combination.

Although not particularly limited, as the information system 11,
・ WWW (World Wide Web),
・ Portal site in the organization network;
・ Scheduler system;
・ News site and news DB;
-Information systems and storage devices for storing weekly and monthly reports {mail server, user mail client software, etc.};
Weather, visual information (user desktop screen or web page screen at the time shown, camera image at the time shown);
Etc. can be used.

  The period information extraction unit 13 functions to extract period information from the information system 11 and store it in the period information storage unit 12. Further, as represented by the dotted line in FIG. 5, the period information storage unit 12 may not be provided, and the extracted period information may be directly presented to the spatiotemporal landmark information presentation unit 2.

  The period information extracting means 13 performs processing for accessing the information system 11 and extracting necessary information. Specifically, it operates like a crawler that collects Web pages.

  Here, “period information” will be described. “Era information” refers to information that becomes a landmark (time marker, time landmark) on behalf of the time information in order to facilitate selection of a range on the space-time map by the user.

  If it explains with a geographical concept, it will be information which becomes a landmark in geography. For example, when a person explains a destination location, it is often done to indicate a location that is well known to him and the other party. As a specific example, the location may be explained to a person, such as “near OO station” or “near Tokyo Tower”.

  The period information may be considered as an application of the above concept to time. Take the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake as an example. The 1995 Hyogoken-Nanbu Earthquake that caused the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake occurred at 5:46:52 am on January 17, 1995. The user does not always remember.

  On the other hand, it is possible to use this disaster name or the like as information indicating the date and time, for example. For example, the phrase “when the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake struck” may be used in everyday conversation or context to indicate the mid-1995 or mid-1990s. In other words, the word “the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake” can be used as information that represents the time and time when the earthquake occurred.

  Such information that indicates a certain era and time and can be used as a mark is referred to as “period information” in this specification. Note that the space attribute (non-time attribute) of the period information is determined from the storage location in the information system 11 and the text accompanying the information. For example, for the “Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake”, attributes such as “natural disaster”, “earthquake”, “disaster prevention”, “reconstruction”, “Hyogo Prefecture”, “Kansai”, and “Japan” can be given.

  An example of time information shown by the “Hanshin-Awaji Great Earthquake” (generally assumed to indicate the time when the 1995 Hyogo-ken Nanbu Earthquake occurred) is shown below. Note that the time information that the “Hanshin-Awaji Great Earthquake” shows depends on the context and circumstances.

・ 1900s (20th century);
・ Late 1900s (20th century);
・ 1990s;
-Mid 1990s;
・ 1995;
・ January 1995;
・ January 17, 1995;
-5:00 am on January 17, 1995;
-January 17, 1995, 5:46 am;
-January 17, 1995, 5:46:52 am;
・ Heisei period;

  The period information storage means 12 can be constituted by a storage device or the like that stores the period information acquired by the period information extraction means 13. As the storage device, a single disk device or a disk array device including a plurality of disk devices may be used. Alternatively, it may be a magneto-optical device or an array device that is a set of them, or a storage device using a single or a plurality of semiconductor memories.

  In addition to the storage device as described above, a NAS (Network Attached Storage) or DB (Data Base) system, which includes a calculation processing unit such as a CPU and plays a role of inputting and outputting files and data, is used as the period information storage means 12. You can also.

  Furthermore, the period information storage means 12 may hold means and units that change the stored period information or register the period information by direct input by the user.

  Next, the operation of the information search system of the present embodiment using the period information as spatiotemporal landmark information will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information search system of the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 6, first, when a user accesses an information search system for performing a search process, the spatiotemporal diagram presenting means 1 displays a spatiotemporal diagram including a time axis and a space axis (non-time axis). Output (step S001).

  Next, the spatiotemporal landmark information presenting means 2 takes out necessary period information from the period information accumulating means 12 (step S101).

  Then, the spatiotemporal landmark information presenting means 2 uses the period information as the spatiotemporal landmark information and presents it superimposed on the spatiotemporal diagram (step S002). Subsequent processing is the same as in the first embodiment.

  Note that the processing of step S101 is not the time-space landmark information presentation means 2 that extracts the period information from the period information storage means 12, but the period information extraction means that has received a request from the space-time landmark information presentation means 2 in real time. 13 may access the information system 11 to extract the period information and pass it to the spatiotemporal landmark information presenting means 2.

  In step S101, the spatiotemporal landmark information presenting means 2 does not have to acquire all the period information stored in the period information accumulating means 12, and the time scale and attributes of the spatiotemporal chart or the spatiotemporal chart It is only necessary to acquire necessary period information depending on whether or not to request enlargement / reduction.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to present space-time landmark information with higher flexibility and high freshness. The reason is that the period information extraction means 13 for extracting period information from the information system 11 is provided.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a description will be given of a third embodiment of the present invention in which the search range input function on the space-time map can be used effectively.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information search system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, the information search system according to the present embodiment includes a document storage unit 21, an index registration unit 22, a latest index 101 omitted in FIGS. 1 and 5 in the configuration of the second embodiment, And a past index storage unit 100 that stores the latest index 101 as past indexes 102 to 10n every time a predetermined time elapses.

  The past indexes 102 to 10n stored in the past index storage means 100 in a time-series divided state are selectively referred to according to the time range selected based on the spatio-temporal diagram, and at any point in time. Used to reproduce search results as if they had been searched. For example, when a past date and time is selected based on the spatiotemporal diagram, the spatiotemporal narrowing search processing means 5 performs a search process with reference to the index 103 corresponding to the designated date and time.

  FIG. 7 shows a configuration having three past indexes 102 to 10n. However, the number of sections is not limited. For example, a new index is added as time elapses from the start of system operation. It is good to go.

  Such a past index storage means 100 can be realized by a storage device such as a memory or a magnetic disk device, for example. The indexes 102 to 10n may be stored in different storage devices, or may be stored in the same storage device. Further, the physical or logical storage positions and configurations of the indexes 102 to 10n can be changed as appropriate according to the use and scale of the information search system.

The document storage unit 21 functions to hold information to be searched by the space-time narrowing search processing unit 5. As the document storage means 21, for example,
・ Hard disk devices of personal computers held by users,
-External devices such as NAS (Network Attached Storage),
・ WWW (World Wide Web),
・ Intranet (Web page group in the company)
-Storage devices and information systems for backup.

  The search target information (search target data) includes Web pages, office documents, electronic files such as images and moving images, structured information in a database, and the like that exist in the document storage unit 21 as described above.

  The index registration unit 22 creates an index of information to be searched from the document storage unit 21 and registers it in the latest index 101.

  Next, the operation of the information search system according to the present embodiment that stores the latest index every elapse of a predetermined time will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information search system of the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

  The operations from Steps S001 to S003a and S003b and Steps S004 and S005 in FIG. 8 are the same as those in the second embodiment described above, and therefore, the following description will focus on Steps S201 to S203, which are the differences.

  When the user who has completed the input of the information search formula or / and the input of the search range based on the spatiotemporal diagram in S003a and S003b of FIG. 8 clicks the search button, the spatiotemporal search range input means 3 and the information search formula input means 4, the user's input content is passed to the spatiotemporal narrowing search processing means 5. At this time, the spatiotemporal narrowing search processing means 5 confirms whether narrowing by the search range on the spatiotemporal diagram is designated (step S201).

  Here, when narrowing down the search range on the spatiotemporal diagram is not specified, the spatiotemporal narrowing search processing means 5 executes the search processing with reference to all indexes in order from the latest index 101 (step S202 to S004).

  In this embodiment, it is conceivable that index data for the same document is stored in a plurality of indexes that are different in time, and the same document is repeatedly detected in the search result. In this case, the spatio-temporal narrowing search processing means 5 can organize the same document in the search result according to a predetermined priority criterion. For example, the above inconvenience can be solved by giving priority to the search result obtained with the new index.

  On the other hand, when the narrowing of the search range on the spatio-temporal diagram is designated, the spatiotemporal narrowing search processing means 5 refers to only the index corresponding to the designated time range after the designated time point. Search processing is executed (steps S203 to S004).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain a search result equal to the search result that would be obtained when a search was performed at a specified time based on the spatiotemporal diagram and spatiotemporal landmark information. Become.

  Further, at this time, if the old information can be specified as the time axis of the annual ring shape spatio-temporal diagram illustrated in FIGS. It is possible to present a user with a time-space map that looks like a time tunnel (time machine search by a time tunnel metaphor user interface).

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a description will be given of a fourth embodiment of the present invention in which the operation of the information search system of the third embodiment is changed. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information search system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  The difference from the flowchart of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is that the spatio-temporal diagram presenting means 1 accesses the past index storage means 100 before presenting the spatiotemporal diagram and displays the past index classification information. It is a point to acquire (step 200). Then, the spatiotemporal diagram presenting means 1 draws an isochronous line on the spatiotemporal diagram using the acquired past index classification information (step S001).

  In this way, the isochronous line (see reference numeral 203 in FIG. 3) of the spatiotemporal diagram becomes equal to the past index division state in the past index storage means 100, and the time range intended by the user and the spatiotemporal narrowing down The past index actually referred to by the search processing means 5 can be matched.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described in which a function for assigning a spatial attribute (non-temporal attribute) classification to period information is added to the information search system of the second embodiment described above. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information search system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 10, the information search system according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which a space classification rule input unit 14 is added to the configuration of the second embodiment.

  The space classification rule input unit 14 is a unit that receives an input of a rule (space classification rule) when a space attribute (non-time attribute) is added to the period information obtained from the information system 11 from the user.

As the space classification rule, for example, it can be defined by a combination of the following conditions.
a. Information collection source (URI, etc.) in the information system
b. Query expression used when collecting information c. Score calculation such as weighting and threshold for a and b

For example, three music news sites on the Internet, www. jaz-news. domain, www. rock-news. domain, www. pops-news. When the period information extracted from the domain information is classified into the space attributes “jaz”, “rock”, and “pops”, rules are described as follows (the above condition a).
if (Information collection source = www.jaz-news.domain) Spatial attribute = jaz;
if (Information collection source = www.rock-news.domain) Spatial attribute = rock;
if (Information collection source = www.pops-news.domain) Spatial attribute = pops;

Furthermore, www. rock-news. Only when the keywords “Rock”, “Metal”, and “Thrash” are included in the information collected from the domain (music news articles), the rule for combining the rule of classifying into the spatial attribute “rock” is as follows: It is as follows (the above condition b).
if ((source of information = www.rock-news.domain) AND
((Article ~ = / Rock /) OR (article ~ = / Metal /) OR (article ~ = / Thrash /))) then spatial attribute = rock;

Furthermore, score calculation such as determining the spatial attribute by weighting each rule with respect to the condition a and comparing the total value of the scores of all the rules with a threshold value can also be performed (the above condition) c). The following is a specific example in which the scores (jaz-score, rock-score, pops-score) of “jaz”, “rock”, and “pops” are calculated by URI, and the result is used to classify spatial attributes. is there.
if (source of information = www.rock-news.domain) {
jaz-score + = 5;
rock-score + = 45;
pops-score + = 15;
}
if (article ~ = / Metal /) {
jaz-score- = 10;
rock-score + = 50;
pops-score- = 10;
}
Finally, the spatial classification is determined by comparison with a threshold value as follows.
if (rock-score> rock-threshold) Spatial attribute = rock;

  It is also possible to reflect these score values on the display position on the spatiotemporal diagram. For example, the period information that satisfies both the condition of the space attribute “Rock” and the condition of the space attribute “Pops” can be arranged between the “Rock” domain and the “Pops” domain of the spatiotemporal diagram.

  As described above, it is possible to describe the rules in the form of a program sentence as described above. However, parameters in these program sentences can be selected from a pull-down list or the like so that an arbitrary URI or threshold value can be set. This can be realized more preferably by providing a simple rule setting screen.

  In the present embodiment, the period information extraction means 13 adds the space attribute (non-time attribute) to the period information extracted from the information system 11 according to the space classification rule input as described above, and stores the period information. Save to means 12. Moreover, as represented by the dotted line in FIG. 10, the period information storage means 12 is not provided, but the time period landmark information presentation means 2 is directly extracted and given a spatial attribute (non-temporal attribute). You may take the structure which presents information.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, an appropriate space attribute is assigned to an appropriate position on a spatio-temporal map even for time information to which no space attribute is assigned or it is difficult to assign a space attribute. It is possible to arrange.

[Sixth Embodiment]
Subsequently, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described in which a function for assigning a spatial attribute (non-temporal attribute) classification to an index is added to the information search system of the third embodiment described above. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information search system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 10, the information search system according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which a space classification rule input unit 15 is added to the configuration of the third embodiment.

  The space classification rule input unit 15 is a unit that receives an input of a rule (space classification rule) when a space attribute (non-time attribute) is added to the search target information obtained from the document storage unit 21.

As the space classification rule, for example, it can be defined by a combination of the following conditions.
a. Information collection source (URI, etc.) in the information system
b. Query expression used when collecting information c. Score calculation such as weighting and threshold for a and b

For example, the information collected from the file servers, fs-jaz-section, fs-rock-section, and fs-pops-section of the three departments in the company are used as space attributes of “jaz”, “rock”, and “pops”, respectively. When classifying, a rule is described as follows (the above condition a).
if (Information collection source = fs-jaz-section) Spatial attribute = jaz;
if (Information collection source = fs-rock-section) Spatial attribute = rock;
if (Information collection source = fs-pops-section) Spatial attribute = pops;

  On the other hand, when adding a query expression to the collected information to the rule (condition b), or a method of calculating a spatial attribute by performing score calculation such as weighting and thresholding on these (condition c), the above fifth Since the method described as the method of spatially classifying the period information in the embodiment can be adopted, the description is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the index registration unit 22 registers the spatial attribute determined in this way in the index in the form of a tag for each piece of information.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to give an appropriate spatial attribute to information that is not assigned a spatial attribute or is difficult to add a spatial attribute and reflect the information in the index.

  As the space classification rule, the same rule as that used when classifying the period information can be used. In this case, since the space classification of the spatio-temporal map and the search target space classification are classified based on the same concept, the document to which the spatial attribute is given to the spatial classification narrowed down on the spatio-temporal map by the user By performing a keyword search using only the group as a search target, the spatial attributes narrowed down on the spatio-temporal map can be linked to the search process. Specifically, the above-described cooperation is realized by performing an AND search by adding a conditional expression that a spatial attribute narrowed down on a spatio-temporal diagram is added to a query expression for keyword search.

  On the other hand, as in the case where the fifth and sixth embodiments are combined, the period information is extracted from the information collected from the Internet and presented as landmark information, and the information to be searched is collected from within the company It may be preferable to define these rules individually. In this case, since the space classification of the spatio-temporal landmark information and the space classification of the search target are individually determined, these space classifications cannot always be regarded as the same concept. This problem can be solved by passing to the spatio-temporal narrowing search processing means 5 a space classification cooperation rule representing the relationship between the two concepts.

As the space classification cooperation rule, for example, it can be defined by a combination of the following conditions.
a. Query expression to search target information group b. Rules defined for spatial classification of spatio-temporal landmark information c. Score calculation coefficient, such as weighting, when performing AND search for cooperation of a and b above

First, if the spatial classification of the spatio-temporal diagram and the spatial classification of the search target are classified based on the same concept, the query expression for the search target information group is given a spatial attribute narrowed down on the spatio-temporal map. (Condition a). The following is an example when the space attribute (space-tag) “Rock” is selected on the space-time diagram.
Example) _XQL = / document [space-tag = 'Rock']

Also, if the concept of spatial classification in the spatio-temporal map is completely different from the concept of spatial classification performed on the search target during index registration, a new spatio-temporal map is used without using the spatial attributes registered in the index. A query expression for keyword search corresponding to the concept of spatial classification in is described as a linkage rule. The following is an example where the space attribute “Rock” is selected on the space-time diagram, but “Rock” is not included in the space attribute (space-tag) at the time of index registration.
Example) _XQL = / document [body ~ = 'Rock']

Furthermore, when the information collection source information is recorded in the index, the information collection source query expression can be described as a spatial classification cooperation rule. The following is an example when the space attribute “Rock” is selected on the spatio-temporal diagram, and the information collection source file server name is used as the information collection source query expression.
Example) _XQL = / document [source = 'fs-rock-section']

  Furthermore, these may be combined by a logical operation expression such as AND and OR.

  The spatio-temporal narrowing search processing means 5 performs an AND search with a query expression describing the spatial classification cooperation rule when performing a keyword search instructed by the user, and the spatial classification concept narrowed down in the spatiotemporal diagram Link. At that time, it is also possible to perform a score operation by weighting a plurality of query expressions to perform a more accurate cooperative operation.

  In addition, when the functions for assigning the space classification and the cooperation function of both are provided as described in the fifth and sixth embodiments, the concept of the space attribute is switched as shown below, and the search range on the spatio-temporal map is specified. It is possible to carry out a modification that can set the details in detail.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of a user input screen according to the present invention according to the modified embodiment. In FIG. 12, for example, when the user clicks the spatiotemporal landmark information “Event Y” 202, as shown in the upper right of FIG. 12, when the user has the same spatial attribute as that given to “Event Y” A chronological chart (detailed view) 204 in a chronological table showing only the space landmark information is displayed in a pop-up.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram in which the chronological space-time diagram (detailed diagram) 204 in the chronological table of the user input screen in FIG. In FIG. 13, for example, when the user clicks the spatiotemporal landmark information “Event Z” 202, as shown in the upper right of FIG. 13, when the user has the same spatial attribute as that assigned to “Event Z” An annual ring-shaped space-time detailed view (detailed view) 205 showing only space mark information is displayed.

  The space-time details (detailed views) 204 and 205 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 accept the input of the search range by selecting any space-time landmark information or specifying the range, thereby making the space-time finer than the above-described embodiments. A range can be selected.

  12 and 13 can be realized by adding one or more space attributes having a hierarchy to the period information in the space classification rule input means 14 described in the fifth embodiment. Then, in the spatial classification rule input means 15 described in the sixth embodiment, a spatial attribute having a hierarchy is assigned to the index according to the same rule, or in the spatio-temporal narrowing search processing means 5, these are assigned. This can be realized by linking.

  As described above, the preferred embodiment of the present embodiment has been described. However, an optimal mounting method can be selected according to the use and scale of the information search system, and appropriate other modifications can be added. For example, if a search by keyword is performed first, the search results are classified according to the above spatial attributes and displayed in a format such as a histogram, which is displayed as a guide when selecting on the space-time diagram that will be performed next. May be.

  Similarly, search results by keywords can be classified according to the time attribute and displayed in the form of a histogram or the like, and can be displayed as a guide for selection on the space-time diagram that will be performed next.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the information search system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the information search system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the user input screen of the information search system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a specific example for explaining a search range input operation by a method other than the position designation on the user input screen of FIG. 3. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the information search system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the information search system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the information search system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the information search system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the information search system which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the information search system which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the information search system which concerns on the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the deformation | transformation embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the deformation | transformation embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Space-time map presentation means 2 Space-time mark information presentation means 3 Space-time search range input means 4 Information retrieval type | formula input means 5 Space-time narrowing-down search processing means 6 Search result presentation means 11 Information system 12 Period information storage means 13 Period information Extraction means 14, 15 Spatial classification rule input means 21 Document storage means 22 Index registration means 100 Past index storage means 101 Latest index 102-10n (past) index 200 Input box 201 Spatio-temporal map 202 Spatio-temporal landmark information 203 Isochronous line 204, 205 Space-time details

Claims (16)

An information search expression input means for receiving an input of a search keyword from a user;
A spatio-temporal diagram presenting means for presenting a spatiotemporal diagram including a time axis and a non-time axis extending in a direction different from the time axis and presenting attributes of information
A spatio-temporal search range input means for receiving an input of a search range for performing a search by the search keyword by selecting an arbitrary position on the spatio-temporal map;
On the spatio-temporal map, spatio-temporal landmark information presenting means for presenting spatio-temporal landmark information serving as a marker for selecting a search range;
Spatio-temporal narrowing search processing means for extracting information that matches the search keyword and the search range;
Search result presenting means for presenting the search results;
An information retrieval system characterized by comprising: The spatiotemporal landmark information presenting means presents the spatiotemporal landmark information at a corresponding position in the spatiotemporal diagram according to time information and attribute information given to the spatiotemporal landmark information.
The information search system according to claim 1. The spatio-temporal search range input means receives, as the search range, a time range and an attribute to which a straight line segment connecting the two points belongs when any two points on the spatio-temporal map are selected.
The information search system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The spatiotemporal diagram is constituted by an annual ring shape in which a radial direction represents a time axis, a circumferential direction represents the non-time axis, and isochronous lines are displayed at predetermined intervals.
The information search system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   5. The information search system according to claim 1, further comprising period information extraction means for extracting information serving as the spatiotemporal landmark information from a predetermined information source and providing the extracted information to the spatiotemporal landmark information presenting means. Furthermore, a rule input means for receiving an input of a rule for giving attribute information to the information is provided,
The information retrieval system according to claim 5, wherein the period information extraction unit adds attribute information to the extracted information according to the rule.   The information search system according to claim 6, wherein the space-time narrowing search processing unit performs a narrowing search using a rule set in the rule input unit. A plurality of attribute information of the spatio-temporal landmark information is given hierarchically,
When a predetermined operation is performed by designating an arbitrary position on the spatiotemporal diagram, the spatiotemporal diagram presenting means arranges the lower attribute information belonging to the attribute information corresponding to the position on the non-time axis Presenting a spatio-temporal map,
The information search system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.   The information search system according to claim 1, further comprising: an index registration unit that adds the time information and the attribute information to an index for information search using the search keyword. A rule input means for receiving an input of a rule for giving attribute information to the information;
The information search system according to claim 9, wherein the index registration unit adds attribute information to the information search index according to the rule. The information search index is newly established after a lapse of a predetermined time, and is composed of a set of indexes in which past data are stored,
The spatiotemporal diagram presenting means draws an isochronous line on the spatiotemporal diagram that coincides with the new index storage interval.
The spatiotemporal narrowing search processing means performs a search on an index corresponding to the search range,
The information search system according to any one of claims 1 to 10. An information search method in an information search system that accepts an input of an information search formula from a user and presents a search result extracted based on the information search formula,
When the computer constituting the information search system is a time-space diagram including a time axis and a non-time axis that extends in a direction different from the time axis and presents information attributes, and serves as a mark for selecting a search range by the user Presents spatial landmark information,
The computer receives an input of a search range from a user by selecting an arbitrary position on the space-time map,
The computer extracts information suitable for a search range based on the spatio-temporal diagram from a search result of an arbitrary information source or the search keyword for the information source;
Information search method characterized by When the computer presents the spatiotemporal landmark information,
The information search method according to claim 12, wherein the information is presented at a corresponding position in the space-time map according to time information and attribute information given to the space-time mark information. The computer as the search range,
The information search method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein when two arbitrary points on the space-time map are selected by a user, a time range and attributes to which a straight line segment connecting the two points belongs are received.   15. The computer presents a spatio-temporal diagram configured in an annual ring shape in which a radial direction represents a time axis, a circumferential direction represents the non-time axis, and isochronous lines are displayed at predetermined intervals. The information search method as described in any one. A program for receiving an input of an information search formula from a user and causing a computer constituting an information search system to present a search result extracted based on the information search formula,
A process of presenting a spatiotemporal diagram including a time axis and a non-time axis extending in a direction different from the time axis and presenting attributes of the information, and spatiotemporal landmark information serving as a marker for selecting a search range by the user;
A process of accepting an input of a search range from a user by selecting an arbitrary position on the space-time map;
A program for causing the computer to execute a process of extracting information suitable for a search range based on the spatio-temporal map from a search result of an arbitrary information source or the search keyword for the information source.

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