Information processing device, search support method, and search support program

Abstract

The objective of the present invention is to reduce the workload in performing a document inspection of a PDF file. This information processing device comprises: an accepting unit that accepts a designation of a PDF file to be searched and a designation of a search word; a generating unit that generates a number of combinations of a first search word to an X-th search word by dividing the search word into X parts, using a number of patterns corresponding to the number of characters contained in the search word, the number of combinations being equal to the number of patterns; a search instructing unit that instructs the search unit to search the PDF file to be searched, using the search word, to highlight the characters found by the search using the search word, to search at the position of a line break by using the combinations based on the search word, and to highlight the characters found at the position of the line break by the search using the combinations; and a storage control unit that stores the PDF file with the highlighting, as a searched PDF file.

Description

Information processing device, search support method, and search support program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, a search support method, and a search support program.

[0002] Regarding the prescription drug information provided to medical professionals, detailed guidelines for the preparation of materials (document files) are stipulated to avoid misunderstandings among medical professionals. Therefore, creators of document files for prescription drug information are required to conduct a "document inspection" to check whether the created document files comply with the guidelines.

[0003] For example, a search can be performed to check whether a document contains any words prohibited from use in the document creation guidelines by using those words as search words. Such document inspection highlights the prohibited words, allowing the creator to modify the document file to comply with the guidelines by changing the words to appropriate words.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-101218

[0005] On the other hand, when inspecting documents as described above, entering each word that is prohibited from use in the creation guidelines as a search word one by one places a heavy workload on the creator, and if there are multiple document files to be searched, the workload increases even further.

[0006] In addition, if the document file to be searched is a PDF file and the wording corresponding to the search word spans two (or more) lines due to a line break in the PDF file, for example, there is a problem that the wording cannot be searched correctly. For this reason, when the document file to be searched is a PDF file, it is necessary to further check the line break positions to ensure that no word has been missed in the search.

[0007] The present disclosure aims to reduce the workload when inspecting documents in PDF files.

[0008] Examples of aspects of the present disclosure include the following: [1] An information processing device having: a receiving unit that receives designation of a PDF file to be searched and designation of a search word; a generating unit that generates combinations of a first search word to an Xth search word by dividing the search word into X patterns (X is an integer of 2 or more) according to the number of characters included in the search word; a search instruction unit that instructs a search unit to: search the PDF file to be searched using the search word and highlight characters found by the search word, and search line break positions of the PDF file to be searched using the combination based on the search word and highlight characters found by the combination; and a storage control unit that stores the PDF file highlighted by the search unit as a searched PDF file. [2] The information processing device according to [1], wherein the generation unit generates a combination of an X-th search word from a first search word, the number of patterns corresponding to the number of combinations of division positions, by X-dividing the N characters at any (X-1) of (N-1) division positions that arise when the number of characters included in the search word is N (where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2). [3] The information processing device according to [1] or [2], wherein the search instruction unit instructs the search unit to perform word processing to perform the following word processing: search a target page of the PDF file to be searched using the search word and highlight characters found by the search word, and search a target page of the PDF file to be searched at line break positions using the combination and highlight characters found at line break positions using the combination, thereby completing page processing of the target page, and instructs the search unit to repeat the page processing for all pages included in the PDF file to be searched.[4] The information processing device according to [3], wherein, when the receiving unit receives the designation of a plurality of search words, the search instruction unit instructs the search unit to repeat, for all of the plurality of search words, word processing that performs a search for a target page of the PDF file to be searched using the target search words and highlighting characters found by the target search words, and a search for a target page of the PDF file to be searched at a line break position using the combination based on the target search words and highlighting characters found by the combination based on the target search words at a line break position, for the target page of the PDF file to be searched. [5] The information processing device according to [3] or [4], wherein, when the receiving unit receives the designation of a plurality of PDF files to be searched, the search instruction unit instructs the search unit to repeat the page processing for all of the pages included in the PDF file to be searched, thereby completing file processing of the target PDF file and instructing the search unit to repeat the file processing for the plurality of PDF files to be searched. [6] The information processing device according to [4], wherein the search unit highlights each search word in a different color. [7] The information processing device according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the search word is a word that is prohibited from use in the PDF file to be searched.[8] A search support method performed by a computer, comprising: a receiving step of receiving the designation of a PDF file to be searched and the designation of a search word; a generating step of generating combinations of a first search word to an Xth search word by dividing the search word into X patterns (X is an integer of 2 or more) according to the number of characters included in the search word; a search instruction step of instructing a search program to perform the following: a search of the PDF file to be searched using the search word and highlighting characters found by the search word; a search of the PDF file to be searched at line break positions using the combination based on the search word and highlighting characters found by the combination; and a storage control step of storing the PDF file highlighted by executing the search program as a searched PDF file. [9] A search support program that causes a computer to execute the following steps: a receiving step of receiving the designation of a PDF file to be searched and the designation of a search word; a generating step of generating combinations of a first search word to an Xth search word by dividing the search word into X patterns (X is an integer of 2 or more) according to the number of characters included in the search word; a search instruction step of instructing a search program to perform the following: a search of the PDF file to be searched using the search word and highlighting characters found by the search word; a search of the PDF file to be searched at line break positions using the combination based on the search word and highlighting characters found by the combination; and a storage control step of storing the PDF file highlighted by executing the search program as a searched PDF file.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, the workload when inspecting a PDF file can be reduced.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a system including an information processing device. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing device. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the information processing device. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a search screen. FIG. 5 is a first diagram illustrating a specific example of processing by a generation unit. FIG. 6 is a first diagram illustrating a specific example of processing by a search request unit. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of processing by a search unit. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of processing by a storage control unit. FIG. 9 is an example of a first flowchart illustrating the flow of search processing. FIG. 10 is a second diagram illustrating a specific example of processing by a search request unit. FIG. 11 is an example of a second flowchart illustrating the flow of search processing. FIG. 12 is a third diagram illustrating a specific example of processing by a search request unit. FIG. 13 is an example of a third flowchart illustrating the flow of search processing. FIG. 14 is a second diagram illustrating a specific example of processing by a generation unit. FIG. 15 is a fourth flowchart illustrating the flow of search processing.

[0011] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0012] First Embodiment <System Configuration of a System Including an Information Processing Apparatus> First, a system configuration of a system including an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a system including an information processing apparatus.

[0013] 1 includes an application providing device 110, an information processing device 120, and an information processing device 130. In the system 100, the application providing device 110, the information processing device 120, and the information processing device 130 are connected via a network 140.

[0014] Although the example of FIG. 1 shows a case in which two information processing devices are connected to the network 140 in the system 100, the number of information processing devices connected to the network 140 is not limited to two.

[0015] The application providing device 110 functions as an application creation unit 111. An application creator 113 uses the application creation unit 111 to create a search support program to be installed in the information processing device 120 and the information processing device 130. The search support program created by the application creator 113 is downloaded to the information processing device 120 and the information processing device 130 and installed in the information processing device 120 and the information processing device 130.

[0016] The information processing device 120 and the information processing device 130 are devices used by the document creator 121 and the document creator 131. A document creation program for creating a document file is installed in the information processing device 120 and the information processing device 130. The information processing device 120 and the information processing device 130 function as a document creation unit by executing the document creation program.

[0017] A search program for searching for text within a document file using a search word is installed in the information processing device 120 and the information processing device 130. When the search program is executed, the information processing device 120 and the information processing device 130 also function as a search unit. Furthermore, when a search support program created by the application creator 113 is installed in the information processing device 120 and the information processing device 130, the information processing device 120 and the information processing device 130 also function as a search support unit that supports searches by the search unit.

[0018] The document creators 121 and 131 create document files (PDF files) in the file format of Portable Document Format (PDF) by using the document creation units of the information processing devices 120 and 130. In addition, the document creators 121 and 131 use the search units of the information processing devices 120 and 130 when performing a "document inspection" to determine whether the PDF files have been created in accordance with predetermined creation guidelines.

[0019] Specifically, the document creators 121 and 131 search the created PDF file to see if it contains any words prohibited from use in the creation guidelines, using those words as search words. This allows the document creators 121 and 131 to perform a "document inspection" to see if the created PDF file has been created in accordance with the specified creation guidelines.

[0020] The document creators 121 and 131 also use the search support unit when using the search unit. The search support units of the information processing devices 120 and 130 according to this embodiment can notify the search unit of appropriate instructions even when a sentence corresponding to a search word spans two lines in a PDF file due to a line break.

[0021] In this way, by the search support unit assisting the search performed by the search unit, according to the first embodiment, the workload of the document creators 121 and 131 when performing document inspection of PDF files can be reduced.

[0022] <Hardware configuration of information processing device> Next, the hardware configuration of the information processing device will be described. Note that the information processing device 120 and the information processing device 130 have similar hardware configurations, so the hardware configuration of the information processing device 120 will be described here. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device.

[0023] 2, the information processing device 120 includes a processor 201, a memory 202, an auxiliary storage device 203, an operation device 204, a display device 205, a communication device 206, and a drive device 207. The hardware components constituting the information processing device 120 are connected to each other via a bus 208.

[0024] The processor 201 has various computing devices such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. The processor 201 reads various programs (e.g., a document creation program, a search program, a search support program, etc.) into the memory 202 and executes them.

[0025] The memory 202 has a main storage device such as a read-only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM). The processor 201 and the memory 202 form a so-called computer, and the processor 201 executes various programs read onto the memory 202, causing the computer to realize the various functions described above.

[0026] The auxiliary storage device 203 stores various programs and various information used when the various programs are executed by the processor 201. A search word storage unit 306 and a PDF file storage unit 307, which will be described later, are realized in the auxiliary storage device 203.

[0027] The operation device 204 is used when the document creator 121 performs various operations on the information processing device 120. The display device 205 displays the results of processing in the information processing device 120 (for example, various display screens such as a search screen).

[0028] The communication device 206 is a communication device for communicating with an external device (for example, the application providing device 110 ) via the network 140 .

[0029] The drive device 207 is a device for loading a recording medium 210. The recording medium 210 here includes media that record information optically, electrically, or magnetically, such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, or a magneto-optical disk. The recording medium 210 may also include semiconductor memory that records information electrically, such as a ROM or flash memory.

[0030] Of the various programs installed in the auxiliary storage device 203, for example, the search support program is installed by being downloaded from the network 140 via the communication device 206. However, the method for installing the various programs is not limited to this. For example, the distributed recording medium 210 may be set in the drive device 207, and the various programs recorded on the recording medium 210 may be read by the drive device 207, thereby being installed.

[0031] <Functional configuration of information processing device> Next, the functional configuration of the information processing device will be described. Note that the information processing device 120 and the information processing device 130 have similar functional configurations, so the functional configuration of the information processing device 120 will be described here. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device.

[0032] As described above, the search support program and the search program are executed, whereby the information processing device 120 functions as a search support unit 300 and a search unit 310. As shown in FIG. 3 , the search support unit 300 includes a reception unit 301, a generation unit 302, a search instruction unit 303, and a storage control unit 304.

[0033] As described above, a document creation program is installed in the information processing device 120, and by executing the document creation program, the information processing device 120 also functions as a document creation unit 320. However, since the document creation unit 320 is a functional unit that is realized by executing a general document creation program for creating PDF files, a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0034] The reception unit 301 provides the document creator 121 with a "search screen" for inputting the designation of the PDF file to be searched and the designation of the search word.

[0035] When providing the search screen, the reception unit 301 refers to the PDF file storage unit 307 and reads a list of PDF files created by the document creator 121 .

[0036] As a result, when the document creator 121 specifies a PDF file to be searched, the reception unit 301 can display a list of PDF files to the document creator 121. As a result, when the document creator 121 specifies a PDF file to be searched, the document creator 121 can specify the PDF file to be searched by selecting a desired PDF file from the list of PDF files.

[0037] Furthermore, when providing the search screen, the reception unit 301 refers to the search word storage unit 306 and reads a list of pre-stored search word files. The list of search word files here refers to a list of files that contain, as search words, phrases and the like that are prohibited from use in the creation guidelines, for example, if the PDF file created by the document creator 121 is a PDF file that describes medical drug information.

[0038] As a result, when the document creator 121 specifies a search word, the reception unit 301 can display a list of search word files to the document creator 121. As a result, when specifying a search word, the document creator 121 can specify some or all of the search words included in the search word file by selecting a desired search word file from the list of search word files.

[0039] In addition, the accepting unit 301 accepts the specification of the PDF file to be searched and the specification of the search word input by the document creator 121 in response to providing the search screen.

[0040] The receiving unit 301 also reads out the PDF file to be searched, the specification of which has been accepted, from the PDF file storage unit 307, and notifies the search instruction unit 303 of the PDF file, and notifies the generation unit 302 of the specified search word.

[0041] Generation unit 302 divides the search word notified by reception unit 301 into X patterns, the number of which corresponds to the number of characters included in the search word (X is an integer of 2 or more. Here, X is "2"). In this way, generation unit 302 generates combinations of first search words and second search words, the number of which corresponds to the number of patterns of the characters included in the search word.

[0042] The generation unit 302 notifies the search request unit 303 of the search word and the number of patterns of combinations of the first search word and the second search word corresponding to the number of characters included in the search word.

[0043] The search instruction unit 303 notifies the search unit 310 of the PDF file to be searched, notified by the reception unit 301, together with the search words and combinations notified by the generation unit 302, and issues instructions to the search unit 310.

[0044] The instructions given to the search unit 310 by the search instruction unit 303 include: - Searching the PDF file to be searched based on the search word; - Highlighting the characters found by the search word; - Searching the PDF file to be searched at line break positions using the first search word and the second search word included in the combination; - Highlighting the characters found at line break positions using the first search word and the second search word included in the combination.

[0045] The search unit 310 searches the PDF file to be searched, which has been notified by the search instruction unit 303, using the search words and combinations notified by the search instruction unit 303, based on the instructions notified by the search instruction unit 303. As a result, the search unit 310 can generate a PDF file in which: characters found by the search words are highlighted; and characters found at line break positions by the first search word and the second search word are highlighted. The search unit 310 notifies the storage control unit 304 of the generated PDF file.

[0046] The storage control unit 304 stores the PDF file (highlighted PDF file) generated by the search unit 310 in the PDF file storage unit 307 as a searched PDF file.

[0047] <Specific Example of Search Screen> Next, a specific example of a search screen provided to the document creator 121 by the reception unit 301 of the information processing device 120 will be described. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a search screen provided by the information processing device.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, the search screen 400 includes an area 410 for specifying a PDF file to be searched, areas 420 and 430 for specifying search words, and an area 440 for instructing a search.

[0049] The area 410 for specifying a PDF file to be searched for includes a "File Selection" button 411 for reading and displaying a list of PDF files from the PDF file storage unit 307. The area 410 for specifying a PDF file to be searched for also includes a display field 412 for displaying the file name of a PDF file selected by the document creator 121 from the list of PDF files displayed when the "File Selection" button 411 is pressed.

[0050] The area 420 for specifying a search word includes an input field 421 for the document creator 121 to directly input a search word. The area 420 for specifying a search word also includes a "register" button 422 for the document creator 121 to register the search word directly inputted by the document creator 121 in the search word storage unit 306 as a search word file.

[0051] The area 430 for specifying a search word includes a "File Selection" button 431 for loading a list of search word files stored in advance in the search word storage unit 306. The area 430 for specifying a search word also includes a display field 432 for displaying the file name of a search word file selected by the document creator 121 from the list of search word files that is displayed when the "File Selection" button 431 is pressed.

[0052] Although not shown in the example of FIG. 4, the search screen 400 may include a function for selecting a part of the search word group contained in the selected search word file.

[0053] The area 440 for instructing a search includes a "search execution" button 441 for the document creator 121 to instruct the execution of a search.

[0054] <Specific examples of processing by search support unit and search unit> Next, specific examples of processing by each functional unit of the information processing device 120 (here, the generation unit 302, search instruction unit 303, storage control unit 304, and search unit 310 of the search support unit 300) will be described.

[0055] (1) Specific Example of Processing by Generator 302 First, a specific example of processing by the generator 302 will be described. Fig. 5 is a first diagram showing a specific example of processing by the generator. As shown in Fig. 5, the generator 302 further includes a division unit 501 and a combination output unit 502.

[0056] When the receiving unit 301 notifies the generating unit 302 of the search word, the generating unit 302 notifies the search instruction unit 303 of the notified search word and inputs it to the dividing unit 501. The example in Fig. 5 shows that the search word = "inhibitor" is notified (see reference numeral 511), and the generating unit 302 notifies the search instruction unit 303 of the search word and inputs it to the dividing unit 501 (see reference numeral 512).

[0057] When a search word is input, the dividing unit 501 divides the search word according to the number of characters included in the input search word. When the number of characters included in the search word is N, the dividing unit 501 divides the search word at any (X-1) division position out of (N-1) division positions that arise when dividing the N characters into X. Furthermore, the dividing unit 501 notifies the combination output unit 502 of the divided search word that has been divided at any (X-1) division position out of the (N-1) division positions. Note that N is an integer of 2 or greater.

[0058] The example in Fig. 5 shows a specific example of the process in which the dividing unit 501 divides the search word "inhibitor" into two parts. As shown in the example in Fig. 5, when the number of characters N = 6, and the number of divisions X = 2, the dividing unit 501 divides the search word into two parts at one of five division positions. The dividing unit 501 notifies the combination output unit 502 of each of the divided search words divided at one of the five division positions.

[0059] According to the reference numeral 513, when the search word is divided into two at the first division position from the left of the five division positions, the division unit 501 notifies the combination output unit 502 of the combination of "I" and "inhibitor" as the search word after division into two.

[0060] Also, according to reference numeral 513, when the search word is divided into two at the second division position from the left of the five division positions, the division unit 501 notifies the combination output unit 502 of the combination of "in" and "hibitor" as the search word after division into two.

[0061] Also, according to reference numeral 513, when the search word is divided into two at the third division position from the left of the five division positions, the division unit 501 notifies the combination output unit 502 of the combination of "inhi" and "bitter" as the search word after division into two.

[0062] Also, according to reference numeral 513, when the search word is divided into two at the fourth division position from the left of the five division positions, the division unit 501 notifies the combination output unit 502 of the combination of "inhibi" and "tar" as the search word after division into two.

[0063] Also, according to symbol 513, when the search word is divided into two at the fifth division position from the left of the five division positions, the division unit 501 notifies the combination output unit 502 of the combination of "inhibitor" and "-" as the search word after division into two.

[0064] The combination output unit 502 generates combinations of the Xth search word (here, X is "2") from the first search word, the number of patterns corresponding to the number of combinations, and notifies the search instruction unit 303 of the generated combinations.

[0065] The example in FIG. 5 shows how the division unit 501 notifies each of the divided search words, and the combination output unit 502 notifies the search instruction unit 303 of the combination 514 .

[0066] When a search word is divided into two at one of the five division positions, five combinations of search words after division are generated, as shown in combination 514. Also, as shown in combination 514, combination output unit 502 generates combinations by setting the character string located to the left of each division position as the first search word and the character string located to the right of each division position as the second search word.

[0067] (2) Specific Examples of Processing by Search Instructor 303 Next, a specific example of processing by the search instructor 303 will be described. Fig. 6 is a first diagram showing a specific example of processing by the search instructor. As shown in Fig. 6, the search instructor 303 further includes a PDF file acquisition unit 601, a search page instruction unit 602, a search word acquisition unit 603, and a search content instruction unit 604.

[0068] When the PDF file to be searched is notified from the reception unit 301, the PDF file acquisition unit 601 notifies the search unit 310 of the notified PDF file to be searched, and also notifies the search page instruction unit 602. Note that the example of Fig. 6 shows a state in which a PDF file with the file name "PDF file I" is notified from the reception unit 301 as the PDF file to be searched. Also, the example of Fig. 6 shows a state in which the PDF file acquisition unit 601 notifies the search unit 310 and the search page instruction unit 602 of the PDF file with the file name "PDF file I" as the PDF file to be searched.

[0069] When the search page designation unit 602 is notified of the PDF file to be searched by the PDF file acquisition unit 601, the search page designation unit 602 sequentially designates to the search unit 310 target pages among the pages included in the notified PDF file to be searched, on which the following should be performed: Search by search word Highlighting of characters searched for by the search word Search at line break positions by combination Highlighting of characters searched for at line break positions by combination The example in Fig. 6 shows how the search page designation unit 602 sequentially designates "page 1," "page 2," "page 3," ... of the PDF file with the file name = "PDF file I" as target pages.

[0070] When the search word acquisition unit 603 is notified of the search words and combinations from the generation unit 302 , the search word acquisition unit 603 acquires the notified search words and combinations and notifies the search content instruction unit 604 of them.

[0071] When the search content instruction unit 604 is notified of the search words and combinations from the search word acquisition unit 603, it instructs the search unit 310 to perform "word processing" that performs the following: - search using the search words, - highlighting characters found using the search words, - search at line break positions using the combination, - highlighting characters found at line break positions using the combination.

[0072] The example of FIG. 6 shows how word processing has been performed on the following: - Search word ("inhibitor"), - Combination 1 ("i", "inhibitor"), - Combination 2 ("in", "inhibitor"), - Combination 3 ("inhibi", "biter"), - Combination 4 ("inhibi", "ter"), - Combination 5 ("inhibitor", "-"). Note that in the example of FIG. 6, because there is only one search word, the search unit 310 does not need to perform "page processing" to complete processing for one page by repeating word processing for other search words. In other words, in the example of FIG. 6, "page processing" is completed by performing "word processing" for one page for one search word and combinations 1 to 5.

[0073] On the other hand, in the example of Fig. 6, the PDF file with the file name "PDF file I" has multiple pages. Therefore, the search unit 310 needs to perform "page processing" on the entire PDF file. In other words, in the example of Fig. 6, "file processing" is completed by repeating page processing on all pages included in the PDF file.

[0074] The example in Figure 6 shows how the search content instruction unit 604 completes "file processing" by instructing the search unit 310 to repeat page processing for "page 1" of the PDF file with the file name "PDF file I".

[0075] (3) Specific Examples of Processing by the Search Unit 310 Next, a specific example of processing by the search unit 310 will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of processing by the search unit. In FIG. 7, reference numerals 701 to 704 indicate how word processing is performed on the target page of the PDF file (file name = "PDF File I") to be searched, resulting in searched characters being highlighted. Note that in FIG. 7, the dotted lines at both ends of the target page indicated by reference numerals 701 to 704 indicate line break positions within the page. Of these, the character adjacent to the left of the dotted line on the right side of the page represents the character immediately before the line break. Furthermore, the character adjacent to the right of the dotted line on the left side of the page represents the character immediately after the line break.

[0076] In FIG. 7, the highlighted characters on the target page indicated by the reference numeral 701 represent the characters found by a search using the search word "inhibitor."

[0077] Among the characters highlighted on the target page indicated by the reference numeral 702 in FIG. 7, the characters on the fifth and sixth lines represent the characters found when a search was performed at the line break position using combination 1 ("i", "inhibitor").

[0078] Among the characters highlighted on the target page indicated by the reference numeral 703 in FIG. 7, the characters from the first to second lines represent the characters found when a search was performed at the line break position using combination 4 ("inhibi" and "tar").

[0079] Among the characters highlighted on the target page indicated by the reference numeral 704 in FIG. 7, the characters on the 8th and 9th lines represent the characters found by searching at the line break position using combination 5 ("inhibitor" and "-").

[0080] In this way, by performing a search using search words and each combination, the search unit 310 can thoroughly search for both: search words that are in the same line; and search words that span two lines, even if the document file being searched is a PDF file.

[0081] (4) Specific Example of Processing by Storage Control Unit 304 Next, a specific example of processing by the storage control unit 304 will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a specific example of processing by the storage control unit. As shown in FIG. 8, the storage control unit 304 acquires a PDF file (file name = "PDF file I") in which the searched characters are highlighted, which has been notified by the search unit 310. The storage control unit 304 also changes the file name of the acquired PDF file (file name = "PDF file I") to a file name different from the file name ("PDF file I") of the PDF file before the search and highlighting by the search unit 310.

[0082] The example of Fig. 8 shows how the file name of the acquired PDF file is changed from "PDF file I" to "PDF file I_searched." The example of Fig. 8 also shows how the storage control unit 304 stores the acquired PDF file in the PDF file storage unit 307 with the changed file name ("PDF file I_searched").

[0083] This allows the document creator 121 to manage PDF files that have undergone document inspection separately from PDF files that have not undergone document inspection.

[0084] <Search Process Flow> Next, a description will be given of the search process flow by the search support unit 300 and the search unit 310 of the information processing device 120. Fig. 9 is an example of a first flowchart showing the search process flow.

[0085] In step S901, the information processing apparatus 120 provides a search screen to the document creator 121 based on an instruction from the document creator 121.

[0086] In step S902, the information processing apparatus 120 receives, from the document creator 121, the specification of a PDF file to be searched and a search word.

[0087] In step S903, the information processing device 120 generates combinations of first and second search words based on the search words that have been specified.

[0088] In step S904, the information processing apparatus 120 sets the specified PDF file as a PDF file to be searched.

[0089] In step S905, the information processing apparatus 120 instructs word processing to perform a search and highlight display based on search words and combinations for the target page of the PDF file to be searched.

[0090] In step S906, the information processing device 120 performs word processing on the target page of the PDF file to be searched, searching and highlighting based on the search words and combinations. In this way, the information processing device 120 completes page processing of the target page.

[0091] In step S907, the information processing apparatus 120 determines whether page processing has been completed for all pages included in the PDF file to be searched. If it determines in step S907 that there is a page for which page processing has not been completed (NO in step S907), the information processing apparatus 120 returns to step S905 and continues word processing.

[0092] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S907 that page processing has been completed for all pages included in the PDF file to be searched (YES in step S907), the process proceeds to step S908.

[0093] In step S908, the information processing apparatus 120 acquires the highlighted PDF file.

[0094] In step S909, the information processing apparatus 120 stores the highlighted PDF file under a file name that is different from the file name of the PDF file before the search and highlighting were performed.

[0095] <Summary> As is clear from the above description, the information processing device 120 according to the first embodiment: accepts the specification of a PDF file to be searched and a search word; generates (N-1) combinations of a first search word and a second search word by dividing the search word in two at one of (N-1) division positions corresponding to the number N of characters included in the search word; and instructs the search unit 310 to perform word processing to: search a target page of the PDF file to be searched using the search word and highlight the characters found using the search word; and search a target page of the PDF file to be searched at a line break position using a combination based on the search word and highlight the characters found at the line break position using the combination. This completes page processing for the target page and instructs the search unit 310 to repeat page processing for all pages included in the PDF file to be searched. The PDF file highlighted by the search unit 310 is stored as a searched PDF file.

[0096] As a result, according to the information processing device 120 etc. of the first embodiment, when document inspection is performed on a PDF file, it is possible to perform a correct search even in cases where the search word spans two lines due to a line break. As a result, according to the information processing device 120 etc. of the first embodiment, it is no longer necessary for the document creator 121 etc. to perform the task of checking whether or not there are any missed searches, and it is possible to reduce the workload of the document creator 121 etc. when document inspection is performed on a PDF file.

[0097] [Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, a specific example in which there is one search word has been described. In contrast, in the second embodiment, a specific example in which there are multiple search words will be described. The description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0098] <Specific Example of Processing by Search Instructor 303> First, a specific example of processing by the search instructor 303 of the information processing device 120 according to the second embodiment will be described. Fig. 10 is a second diagram illustrating a specific example of processing by the search instructor. The difference from the specific example described using Fig. 6 in the first embodiment is that in the case of Fig. 10, the accepting unit 301 accepts the designation of multiple search words (search word A, search word B), and the generating unit 302 notifies the following: multiple search words (search word A, search word B), and multiple group combinations (groups of combinations A1 to A5, groups of combinations B1 to B3).

[0099] Combinations A1 to A5 represent five combinations of search words after splitting six-character search word A in two at one of five split positions, while combinations B1 to B3 represent three combinations of search words after splitting four-character search word B in two at one of three split positions.

[0100] As shown in the example of Figure 10, the search content instruction unit 604 instructs the search unit 310 to repeat, for "page 1," the following "word processing" that performs: - a search using search word A, - highlighting the characters found using search word A, - a search at line break positions using combinations A1 to A5, and - highlighting the characters found at line break positions using combinations A1 to A5; and - a "word processing" that performs: - a search using search word B, - highlighting the characters found using search word B, - a search at line break positions using combinations B1 to B3, and - highlighting the characters found at line break positions using combinations B1 to B3.

[0101] The example in FIG. 10 shows how the search content instruction unit 604 has instructed the search unit 310 to repeat the "word processing" on "page 1," thereby completing the "page processing."

[0102] The example in Figure 10 also shows how file processing is completed by the search content instruction unit 604 instructing the search unit 310 to repeat page processing for "Page 1" and the like contained in the PDF file with the file name "PDF file I."

[0103] <Search Processing Flow> Next, the flow of search processing by the search support unit 300 and the search unit 310 of the information processing device 120 according to the second embodiment will be described. Fig. 11 is an example of a second flowchart showing the flow of search processing. Differences from the search processing described using Fig. 9 are steps S1101 to S1102, S1103, and S1104.

[0104] In step S1101, the information processing apparatus 120 receives, from the document creator 121, the specification of a PDF file to be searched and the specification of a plurality of search words.

[0105] In step S1102, the information processing device 120 generates a combination of a first search word and a second search word for each search word that has been specified.

[0106] In step S1103, the information processing device 120 instructs word processing to search and highlight the target page of the PDF file to be searched based on the target search words and combinations. As a result, in step S906, word processing is performed on the target page of the PDF file to be searched.

[0107] In step S1104, the information processing device 120 determines whether page processing has been completed by performing word processing on the target page for all of the specified search words. If it is determined in step S1104 that there are search words for which word processing on the target page has not been performed (NO in step S1104), the process returns to step S1103.

[0108] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1104 that word processing has been performed on the target page for all of the specified search words (YES in step S1104), it is determined that page processing has been completed for the target page. In this case, the information processing device 120 proceeds to step S907.

[0109] <Summary> As is clear from the above description, the information processing device 120 according to the second embodiment: accepts the designation of a PDF file to be searched and the designation of multiple search words; and instructs the search unit 310 to repeat, for all multiple search words, word processing that performs the following: a search for a target page of the PDF file to be searched using the target search words and highlighting characters found by the target search words, and a search for a line break position for a target page of the PDF file to be searched using a combination based on the target search words and highlighting characters found by the combination based on the target search words at the line break position, thereby completing page processing of the target page and instructing the search unit 310 to repeat page processing for all pages included in the PDF file to be searched.

[0110] In this way, according to the information processing device 120 etc. of the second embodiment, even when there are multiple search words, the document creator 121 etc. does not need to input the search words one by one. As a result, according to the information processing device 120 etc. of the second embodiment, it is possible to reduce the workload of the document creator 121 etc. when inspecting a PDF file.

[0111] [Third Embodiment] In the first embodiment, a specific example of a case where one PDF file is to be searched is described. In contrast, in the third embodiment, a specific example of a case where multiple PDF files are to be searched is described. The description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0112] <Specific Example of Processing by Search Instructing Unit 303> First, a specific example of processing by the search instructing unit 303 of the information processing device 120 according to the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is a third diagram illustrating a specific example of processing by the search instructing unit. The difference from the specific example described using FIG. 6 in the first embodiment is that, in the case of FIG. 12, the accepting unit 301 accepts the specification of multiple PDF files to be searched, and the PDF file acquisition unit 601 notifies the search unit 310 of: PDF file I; PDF file II; and also notifies the search page instructing unit 602 of the same. Another difference from the specific example described using FIG. 6 in the first embodiment is that the search page instructing unit 602 sequentially instructs the search unit 310 to: each page (page 1 to page P) of PDF file I; and each page (page 1 to page Q) of PDF file II.

[0113] The example in Figure 12 shows how, for PDF file I, the search content instruction unit 604 has instructed the search unit 310 to perform "word processing" that involves: - searching using a search word; - highlighting characters found using the search word; - searching at line break positions using combinations 1 to 5; - highlighting characters found at line break positions using combinations 1 to 5, and so on, causing the search unit 310 to perform word processing and complete "page processing."

[0114] 12 shows how the search content instruction unit 604 instructs the search unit 310 to repeat "page processing" for each page included in PDF file I. Furthermore, the example of Fig. 12 shows how the search unit 310 completes "file processing" for PDF file I by performing page processing on "page 1" to "page P."

[0115] In addition, the example in Figure 12 shows how, for PDF file II, the search content instruction unit 604 instructs the search unit 310 to perform "word processing" that involves: - searching using a search word; - highlighting characters found using the search word; - searching at line break positions using combinations 1 to 5; - highlighting characters found at line break positions using combinations 1 to 5, and so on, causing the search unit 310 to perform word processing and complete "page processing."

[0116] 12 shows that the search content instruction unit 604 has instructed the search unit 310 to repeat "page processing" for each page included in PDF file II. Furthermore, the example of Fig. 12 shows that the search unit 310 has completed "file processing" for PDF file II by performing page processing on "page 1" to "page Q."

[0117] <Search Processing Flow> Next, the flow of search processing by the search support unit 300 and the search unit 310 of the information processing device 120 according to the third embodiment will be described. Fig. 13 is an example of a third flowchart showing the flow of search processing. Differences from the search processing described using Fig. 9 are steps S1301, S1302, and S1303.

[0118] In step S1301, the information processing apparatus 120 receives, from the document creator 121, specification of a plurality of PDF files to be searched as PDF files to be searched and specification of search words.

[0119] In step S1302, the information processing apparatus 120 sets a target PDF file from among a plurality of PDF files to be searched.

[0120] In step S1303, the information processing device 120 determines whether file processing has been completed for all of the multiple PDF files to be searched. If it is determined in step S1303 that there is a PDF file for which file processing has not been completed (NO in step S1303), the process returns to step S1302. In this case, the information processing device 120 sets the PDF file for which file processing has not been completed as the target PDF file.

[0121] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1303 that file processing has been completed for all of the PDF files to be searched (YES in step S1303), the search processing ends.

[0122] <Summary> As is clear from the above description, the information processing device 120 according to the third embodiment: accepts the specification of multiple PDF files to be searched and the specification of search words as PDF files to be searched; instructs the search unit 310 to perform word processing to perform a search for the target page of the PDF file to be searched using the search words and highlight the characters found using the search words, and a search for line break positions using the combination of the target page of the PDF file to be searched and highlight the characters found at the line break positions using the combination, thereby completing page processing for the target page and instructing the search unit 310 to repeat page processing for all pages included in the PDF file to be searched; and completes file processing by repeating page processing for all pages included in the PDF file to be searched, while instructing the search unit 310 to repeat file processing for all specified PDF files.

[0123] In this way, according to the information processing device 120 etc. of the third embodiment, even if there are multiple PDF files to be searched, the document creator 121 etc. does not need to perform the task of inputting search words into each of the multiple PDF files. As a result, according to the information processing device 120 etc. of the third embodiment, the workload of the document creator 121 etc. when inspecting PDF files can be reduced.

[0124] [Fourth Embodiment] In the first to third embodiments, the dividing unit 501 divides a search word into two parts. However, the number of divisions X of a search word is not limited to "2". In the fourth embodiment, a case where a search word is divided into three parts will be described. The description will focus on the differences from the above embodiments.

[0125] <Specific Example of Processing by the Generation Unit 302> First, a specific example of processing by the generation unit 302 of the information processing device 120 according to the fourth embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 is a second diagram illustrating a specific example of processing by the generation unit. The example of FIG. 14 differs from the specific example illustrated in FIG. 5 in that the division unit 501 divides the search word "inhibitor" (see reference numeral 511) into three parts. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 14, when: the number of characters N = 6 and the number of divisions X = 3, the division unit 501 divides the search word into three parts at any (X-1) division position out of (N-1) division positions. Specifically, the division unit 501 divides the search word into three parts at any two division positions out of five division positions. The division unit 501 notifies the combination output unit 502 of each of the divided search words.

[0126] According to reference numeral 1411, when a search word is divided into three parts at the five division positions, namely, the first division position from the left, and the second division position from the left, the division unit 501 notifies the combination output unit 502 of "I", "N", and "Hibiter" as the search words after division into three parts.

[0127] Also, according to reference numeral 1411, when the search word is divided into three parts at the five division positions, namely, the first division position from the left, and the third division position from the left, the division unit 501 notifies the combination output unit 502 of "I", "Nhi", and "Bitter" as the search words after division into three.

[0128] Also, according to reference numeral 1411, when the search word is divided into three parts at the five division positions, namely, the first division position from the left, and the fourth division position from the left, the division unit 501 notifies the combination output unit 502 of "I", "Nhibibi", and "Tah" as the search words after division into three.

[0129] Also, according to reference numeral 1411, when the search word is divided into three parts at the five division positions, namely, the first division position from the left, and the fifth division position from the left, the division unit 501 notifies the combination output unit 502 of "I", "inhibita", and "-" as the search words after division into three parts.

[0130] Also, according to reference numeral 1411, when the search word is divided into three parts at the five division positions, namely, the second division position from the left, and the third division position from the left, the division unit 501 notifies the combination output unit 502 of "in", "hi", and "bitter" as the search words after division into three.

[0131] Also, according to reference numeral 1411, when the search word is divided into three parts at the five division positions, namely, the second division position from the left, and the fourth division position from the left, the division unit 501 notifies the combination output unit 502 of "in", "hibi", and "tar" as the search words after division into three.

[0132] Also, according to reference numeral 1411, when the search word is divided into three parts at the five division positions, namely, the second division position from the left, and the fifth division position from the left, the division unit 501 notifies the combination output unit 502 of "in", "hibita", and "-" as the search words after division into three parts.

[0133] Also, according to reference numeral 1411, when the search word is divided into three parts at the five division positions, namely, the third division position from the left, and the fourth division position from the left, the division unit 501 notifies the combination output unit 502 of "inhi", "bi", and "tar" as the search words after division into three.

[0134] Also, according to reference numeral 1411, when the search word is divided into three parts at the five division positions, namely, the third division position from the left, and the fifth division position from the left, the division unit 501 notifies the combination output unit 502 of "inhi", "bita", and "-" as the search words after division into three.

[0135] Also, according to reference numeral 1411, when the search word is divided into three parts at the five division positions, namely, the fourth division position from the left, and the fifth division position from the left, the division unit 501 notifies the combination output unit 502 of "inhibi", "ta", and "-" as the search words after division into three parts.

[0136] The combination output unit 502 generates combinations of the Xth search word (here, X="3") from the first search word, the number of patterns corresponding to the number of combinations, and notifies the search instruction unit 303 of the generated combinations.

[0137] The example in FIG. 14 also shows how the division unit 501 notifies each of the three divided search words, and the combination output unit 502 notifies the search request unit 303 of combination 1412.

[0138] When a search word is divided into three at any two of the five division positions, ten combinations of search words after division into three are generated, as shown in combination 1412. Furthermore, as shown in combination 1412, the combination output unit 502 generates combinations by defining the following: a character string located to the left of the left division position as a first search word, a character string located to the right of the left division position and to the left of the right division position as a second search word, and a character string located to the right of the right division position as a third search word.

[0139] <Search Processing Flow> Next, the flow of search processing by the information processing device 120 according to the fourth embodiment will be described. Fig. 15 is an example of a fourth flowchart showing the flow of search processing. The difference from the search processing described using Fig. 9 is step S1501.

[0140] In step S1501, the information processing apparatus 120 generates a combination of first to third search words based on the search words that have been specified.

[0141] <Summary> As is clear from the above explanation, the information processing device 120 according to the fourth embodiment: When the number of characters included in a search word is N, for any (X-1) of the (N-1) division positions that arise when dividing the N characters into X, generates combinations of first to Xth search words, the number of patterns corresponding to the number of combinations of division positions.

[0142] As a result, according to the information processing device 120 of the fourth embodiment, even if the number of divisions when dividing a search word increases, the workload of the document creator 121 and others when performing document inspection of a PDF file can be reduced, as in the first embodiment described above.

[0143] In other words, it is possible to perform a correct search even in cases where the text corresponding to the search word spans two or more lines due to line breaks, and as with the first embodiment described above, it is possible to reduce the workload of the document creator 121 and others when inspecting documents in PDF files.

[0144] [Other Embodiments] In the above embodiments, no mention was made of the color scheme used to highlight searched characters, but the color scheme used to highlight characters is arbitrary. For example, all searched characters may be highlighted in the same color, or characters searched for by a search word may be highlighted in a different color from characters searched for at a line break position by the search word combination. Furthermore, when multiple search words are specified, characters searched for by each search word may be highlighted in a different color for each search word.

[0145] In addition, although the above embodiments have been described with the search program and the search support program as separate programs, they may be an integrated program. Specifically, the search support program may be included as part of the search program, or the search program may be included as part of the search support program.

[0146] The present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiments, but may be combined with other elements, etc. These aspects can be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined depending on the application form.

[0147] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-037428 filed on March 11, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0148] 120, 130: Information processing device 300: Search support unit 301: Reception unit 302: Generation unit 303: Search instruction unit 304: Storage control unit 310: Search unit 400: Search screen 501: Division unit 502: Combination output unit 514: Combination 601: PDF file acquisition unit 602: Search page instruction unit 603: Search word acquisition unit 604: Search content instruction unit 1412: Combination

Claims

1. An information processing device having: a reception unit that receives the designation of a PDF file to be searched and the designation of a search word; a generation unit that generates combinations of a first search word to an Xth search word by dividing the search word into X patterns (X is an integer of 2 or more) corresponding to the number of characters included in the search word; a search instruction unit that instructs a search unit to: search the PDF file to be searched using the search word and highlight characters found by the search word; search the PDF file to be searched at line break positions using the combination based on the search word and highlight characters found by the combination; and a storage control unit that stores the PDF file highlighted by the search unit as a searched PDF file.

2. The information processing device of claim 1, wherein when the number of characters included in the search word is N (where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2), the generation unit generates a combination of the first search word and the Xth search word, the number of patterns corresponding to the number of combinations of division positions, by X-dividing the N characters at any (X-1) division position out of (N-1) division positions that arise when X-dividing the N characters.

3. The information processing device of claim 1, wherein the search instruction unit instructs the search unit to perform word processing such as searching the target page of the PDF file to be searched using the search word and highlighting the characters found by the search word, and searching the target page of the PDF file to be searched at a line break position using the combination and highlighting the characters found by the combination at a line break position, thereby completing page processing of the target page and instructing the search unit to repeat the page processing for all pages included in the PDF file to be searched.

4. The information processing device of claim 3, wherein when the receiving unit receives the specification of multiple search words, the search instruction unit instructs the search unit to repeat the following word processing for all of the multiple search words, for the target page of the PDF file to be searched: searching the target page of the PDF file to be searched using the target search words and highlighting characters found by the target search words; and searching the target page of the PDF file to be searched at line break positions using the combination based on the target search words and highlighting characters found by the combination based on the target search words at line break positions, thereby completing page processing of the target page and instructing the search unit to repeat the page processing for all pages included in the PDF file to be searched.

5. An information processing device as described in claim 3, wherein when the reception unit receives the specification of multiple PDF files to be searched, the search instruction unit instructs the search unit to repeat the page processing for all pages included in the PDF files to be searched, thereby completing file processing of the target PDF files and instructing the search unit to repeat the file processing for the multiple PDF files to be searched.

6. The information processing device according to claim 4, wherein the search unit highlights each search word in a different color.

7. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the search word is a word that is prohibited from use in the PDF file to be searched.

8. A search support method executed by a computer, comprising: an acceptance process for accepting the designation of a PDF file to be searched and the designation of a search word; a generation process for generating combinations of a first search word to an Xth search word by dividing the search word into X patterns (X is an integer of 2 or greater) corresponding to the number of characters contained in the search word; a search instruction process for instructing a search program to perform the following: a search of the PDF file to be searched using the search word and highlighting characters found by the search word; a search of the PDF file to be searched at line break positions using the combination based on the search word and highlighting characters found by the combination; and a storage control process for storing the PDF file highlighted by executing the search program as a searched PDF file.

9. A search support program that causes a computer to execute the following steps: a receiving step for receiving the designation of a PDF file to be searched and the designation of a search word; a generation step for generating the number of combinations of a first search word to an Xth search word by dividing the search word into X patterns corresponding to the number of characters contained in the search word (X is an integer of 2 or more); a search instruction step for instructing a search program to perform the following: a search of the PDF file to be searched using the search word and highlighting characters found by the search word; a search of the PDF file to be searched at line break positions using the combination based on the search word and highlighting characters found by the combination; and a storage control step for storing the PDF file highlighted by executing the search program as a searched PDF file.

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