Search device, search system, search method, and program

Abstract

To provide a search technique for appropriately managing input information that may include spelling discrepancies.SOLUTION: An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a search device comprising an input acquisition unit for acquiring input information, a spelling discrepancy elimination unit configured to eliminate spelling discrepancies in the input information to generate input information without spelling discrepancies, and a search unit configured to search a database using the input information with no spelling discrepancies and output a search result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a search device, a search system, a search method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In corporate activities, various materials are purchased as needed. When purchasing, the department that needs the materials requests the purchasing department to purchase them, and the purchasing department often handles the contractual procedures with manufacturers and trading companies.

[0003] A purchasing system is in place to process these orders efficiently. When multiple departments purchase the same materials, the purchasing system assigns each material a unique management code in order to achieve economies of scale by purchasing them together.

[0004] When identifying materials to be purchased, the person in charge does not necessarily have to remember the management code, so they search for and identify the management code using the material's specifications (including product number, model number, manufacturer name, size, weight, color, standards, etc.) If the management code cannot be found, it is determined that the material has not been purchased before, and a new management code is issued.

[0005] However, since it is humans who input material specifications into the purchasing system, they are not always entered accurately. Inaccurate input can result in materials that already have management codes being assigned to them being considered as having no purchase history and new numbers being assigned to them. This creates the problem of complicated material management.

[0006] Thus, in the actual operation of a purchasing system, there are cases where the orderer does not input the order information, including the management code that identifies the material, accurately or appropriately, and techniques for dealing with such situations have been proposed in Patent Documents 1 to 5, etc. Although a materials purchasing system has been explained here, similar situations can occur in database systems in general. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 181871 / 1983 [Patent Document 2] JP 2001-325494 A [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3-150668 [Patent Document 4] International Publication No. 2015 / 029168 [Patent Document 5] JP 2022-103665 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] One objective of the present disclosure is to provide a search technique for appropriately managing input information that may include spelling variations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a search device having an input acquisition unit that acquires input information, a spelling variation resolution unit that eliminates spelling variation in the input information and generates input information with spelling variation eliminated, and a search unit that searches a database for the input information with spelling variation eliminated, and outputs search results. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, input information that may include spelling variations can be appropriately managed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a search system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams illustrating spelling variation resolution in input information according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a search device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the search device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] 5A to 5C are diagrams showing screen transitions for ordering materials on an orderer terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a spelling variation resolution unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a search result screen according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a search process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a search device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a search process according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a search device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] 12A-12C are diagrams illustrating a merge process according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a search process according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] In the following embodiment, a search device for searching a database is disclosed.

[0014] [Search System] As shown in FIG. 1, a search system 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure has one or more orderer terminals 20_1, 20_2, 20_3, ... 20_N (hereinafter, collectively referred to as orderer terminals 20), a purchasing agent terminal 30 (for ease of illustration, only one purchasing agent terminal 30 is shown, but the search system 10 according to the present disclosure is not limited to this and may include multiple purchasing agent terminals 30), one or more seller terminals 40_1, 40_2, 40_3, ... , 40_M (hereinafter, collectively referred to as seller terminals 40), a materials database (DB) 50, and a search device 100.

[0015] For example, in the search system 10, when the search device 100 acquires input information such as specification information (e.g., model number, manufacturer name, size, etc.) of the material to be ordered from the orderer terminal 20, it eliminates spelling variations in the acquired input information and searches the material DB 50 for the input information with the spelling variations eliminated. Then, the search device 100 transmits the order information of the material to the supplier terminal 40 based on the search result. Alternatively, when the search device 100 acquires input information such as specification information in a material record previously registered in the material DB 50 from the purchasing agent terminal 30, it eliminates spelling variations in the acquired input information and integrates multiple different material records for the same material into one material record. In the following embodiment, attention is focused on material records as records to be searched, but the records to be searched according to the present disclosure are not limited to this and may be any other type of records, and the orderer terminal 20, the purchasing agent terminal 30, and / or the supplier terminal 40 may be terminals of an appropriate type according to the records to be searched. For example, in the exemplary search system 10, the search device 100 may acquire input information from a first terminal, resolve spelling variations in the input information, and generate input information with spelling variations resolved. The search device 100 may then search a database for the input information with spelling variations resolved, output search results to the first terminal, and execute processing based on the search results on a second terminal.

[0016] For example, in the search system 10, order processing is executed based on the specification information of materials input by orderers via the orderer terminal 20. When each orderer inputs specification information such as the model number, manufacturer name, and size of the material to be ordered into the orderer terminal 20, the specification information is not necessarily input in a predetermined format. For example, for material X registered in the material DB 50 with model number "ABC-123," manufacturer name "PQR International Trading Co., Ltd.", and size "30.00 cm," each orderer may enter the specification information of material X using different input content, as shown in FIG. 2A.

[0017] For example, the orderer terminal 20_1 transmits specification information of model number "ABC-123", manufacturer name "PQR International" and size "30cm" to the search device 100 to order material X. The orderer terminal 20_2 transmits specification information of model number "abc123", manufacturer name "PQR Corporation" and size "0.3m" to the search device 100 to order material X. The orderer terminal 20_3 transmits specification information of model number "ABC / 123", manufacturer name "PQR International" and size "300mm" to the search device 100 to order material X. The orderer terminal 20_4 transmits specification information of model number "Abc123", manufacturer name "PQR" and size "30.00cm" to the search device 100 to order material X.

[0018] The search device 100 according to the following embodiment resolves such spelling variations for the same material and consolidates orders for materials including spelling variations. This can resolve the disadvantage of not being able to take advantage of economies of scale when different materials are ordered due to spelling variations, and can also avoid the unnecessary issuance of different management numbers, management codes, etc. for the same material.

[0019] Here, the search device 100 may be realized by a computing device such as a server or a personal computer, and may have a hardware configuration such as that shown in Fig. 3. That is, the search device 100 has a storage device 101, a processor 102, a user interface (UI) device 103, and a communication device 104, which are interconnected via a bus B.

[0020] The programs or instructions for implementing the various functions and processes described below in the search device 100 may be downloaded from an external device via a network or the like, or may be provided from a removable storage medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory) or a flash memory.

[0021] Storage device 101 may be implemented by random access memory, flash memory, a hard disk drive, etc., and stores installed programs or instructions as well as files, data, etc. used in the execution of the programs or instructions. Storage device 101 may also include a non-transitory storage medium.

[0022] The processor 102 may be realized by one or more CPUs (Central Processing Units), GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), processing circuitry, etc., which may be composed of one or more processor cores, and performs various functions and processing of the search device 100 described below in accordance with programs, instructions, and data such as parameters required to execute the programs or instructions stored in the memory device 101.

[0023] The interface device 103 realizes an interface with a user of the search device 100. For example, the user operates a keyboard, mouse, etc. to use a GUI (Graphical User Interface) displayed on a display or a touch panel, and transmits and receives various information, data, instructions, etc. between the search device 100 and the interface device 103.

[0024] The communication device 104 is realized by various communication circuits that execute communication processes with external devices, the Internet, and communication networks such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0025] However, the above-mentioned hardware configuration is merely an example, and the search device 100 according to the present disclosure may be realized by any other appropriate hardware configuration. Also, the orderer terminal 20, the purchasing agent terminal 30, and the orderer terminal 40 may be realized by a personal computer, a server, or the like having the same hardware configuration as that shown in FIG.

[0026] [Search device] Next, the search device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the search device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] 4, the search device 100 includes an input acquisition unit 110, a spelling variation resolution unit 120, and a search unit 130. Each of the functional units of the input acquisition unit 110, the spelling variation resolution unit 120, and the search unit 130 may be realized by the processor 102 executing a computer program stored in the storage device 101 of the search device 100.

[0028] The input acquisition unit 110 acquires input information. For example, the input information may be specification information of materials, but the input information according to the present disclosure is not limited to this and may be any other appropriate information that identifies goods or services. Specifically, the input acquisition unit 110 may acquire specification information of materials to be ordered from the orderer terminal 20 for a new order. Alternatively, the input acquisition unit 110 may acquire specification information of material records to be organized / managed from the purchasing agent terminal 30 for organizing / managing past material records stored in the material DB 50.

[0029] Here, the specification information may be composed of one or more items that define the specifications of the material, such as a model number, a manufacturer name, a size, a color, etc. Also, the material record may be associated with any type of identifier that identifies the material, such as a management number or a management code.

[0030] For example, when an orderer places a new order for materials on the orderer terminal 20, the orderer terminal 20 may display an order screen as shown in FIG. 5A. When the orderer selects the material category "stationery" on the order screen as shown in FIG. 5A, the orderer terminal 20 may then display an order screen for a subcategory of the material category "stationery" as shown in FIG. 5B. Then, when the orderer selects the material subcategory "writing implements" on the order screen as shown in FIG. 5B, the orderer terminal 20 may then display a specification input screen for "writing implements" as shown in FIG. 5C. In the specification input screen shown in FIG. 5C, the orderer is required to input the model number, manufacturer name, and color as specification information, but the specification information according to the present disclosure is not limited to these items. For example, input items may be preset in correspondence with the items selected in the material category or subcategory, and the set input items may be displayed on the specification input screen. For example, if "copy paper" is selected as a material subcategory, the specification entry screen may prompt for entry of the model number, manufacturer name, and size (eg, A4, A3, B4, etc.).

[0031] The input acquisition unit 110 transmits the acquired input information to the spelling variation resolution unit 120. Note that the input acquisition unit 110 may transmit order information including specification information of the material received from the orderer terminal 20 to an approver terminal (not shown) of an approver of the orderer, and transmit the specification information to the spelling variation resolution unit 120 after approval by the approver.

[0032] The spelling variation resolution unit 120 resolves spelling variations in the input information and generates input information with spelling variations resolved. That is, the spelling variation resolution unit 120 detects spelling variations in the input information acquired from the input acquisition unit 110, and generates input information in which the detected spelling variations are replaced with predetermined spellings.

[0033] 6, the spelling variation resolution unit 120 may have a model number normalization unit 121 that normalizes a model number in input information such as specification information, a manufacturer name normalization unit 122 that normalizes a manufacturer name in input information such as specification information, and / or a size notation normalization unit 123 that normalizes a size notation in input information such as specification information. The spelling variation resolution unit 120 may resolve spelling variations of the model number, manufacturer name, and / or size in input information such as specification information by using the model number normalization unit 121, the manufacturer name normalization unit 122, and / or the size notation normalization unit 123.

[0034] Specifically, the model number normalization unit 121 may extract a character string indicating a model number from the specification information by pattern matching using a regular expression, and normalize the extracted character string. Typically, a model number is composed of alphabets, numbers, symbols, katakana, and the like, so it is assumed that a character string considered to be a model number can be described by a regular expression in many cases, and may be extracted by pattern matching using a regular expression. In addition, the normalization of a character string indicating a model number may be any one of the following, or a combination thereof: deletion of symbols, standardization of uppercase and lowercase letters, standardization of full-width and half-width letters, standardization of old character variants, standardization of hiragana and katakana, and decomposition and integration of ligatures. In addition, the model number normalization unit 121 does not need to execute these normalization processes at once, and may execute them in multiple separate times. In addition, when multiple character strings indicating a model number are extracted, the model number normalization unit 121 may combine the extracted multiple character strings by rearranging them in ascending order or the like. At this time, the model number normalization unit 121 may insert some symbol, character, or the like between the character strings to be combined. For example, when two character strings, "ABC" and "123", are extracted, the model number normalization unit 121 may insert a symbol such as ":" between the two character strings (eg, "ABC:123").

[0035] The manufacturer name normalization unit 122 may determine the manufacturer name from a character string indicating the manufacturer name in the specification information by using a dictionary in which multiple spellings representing the same manufacturer name are registered. For example, the manufacturer name normalization unit 122 may normalize the character string and replace the normalized manufacturer name with the manufacturer name registered in the dictionary. Specifically, in normalizing the character string, character strings such as "Kaisho Kaisha", "Godo Kaisha", and "(Kabushiki Gaisha)" are deleted, and full-width and half-width characters and uppercase and lowercase characters are standardized. In dictionary replacement, a dictionary in which character strings assumed to be spelling variations of the manufacturer name are registered are used, and the specified unique spelling is replaced. Character strings that may be considered as spelling variations may include nicknames, abbreviations, typos, company names before and after a merger, and brand names of manufacturers. For example, "Nippon Steel", "Nippon Steel", "Shin-Nippon Steel", "NIPPON STEEL", "Tran Tixxii" (trademark registration No. 5941946), etc. may be replaced with "Nippon Steel".

[0036] The size notation normalization unit 123 may extract a character string indicating a size notation from the specification information by pattern matching using a regular expression, and normalize the extracted size notation to a predetermined unit. For example, the size notation normalization unit 123 may extract a character string that matches a size notation pattern by pattern matching using a regular expression, and normalize the unit. In addition, when a character string indicating a plurality of size notations is extracted, the size notation normalization unit 123 may rearrange and combine the extracted size notations in a predetermined order. For example, in the size notation of "200mm x 400mm x 150mm", a plurality of notations of "200mm", "400mm", and "150mm" are extracted, and the size notation normalization unit 123 may normalize these to "0.2m", "0.4m", and "0.15m", respectively, and then rearrange them in ascending order to combine them as "0.15m0.2m0.4m". Furthermore, the size notation normalization unit 123 may insert symbols such as "0.15m-0.2m-0.4m".

[0037] The notation variation resolution unit 120 may also include functional units that perform other normalization processes, such as a unit normalization unit that converts numerical values ​​with units into numerical values ​​in a predetermined unit (e.g., unifying mm, cm, m, km, etc. into m) depending on items included in input information such as the specification information to be processed, and a color normalization unit that normalizes the notation of colors.

[0038] In addition, the spelling variation resolution unit 120 may combine the character strings normalized in each normalization unit (for example, in the example of FIG. 2B, “ABC-123: PQR International Trading Co., Ltd.: 30.00 cm”) and provide the combined character string to the search unit 130.

[0039] The search unit 130 searches the database for the input information from which spelling variations have been resolved, and outputs the search results. Specifically, the search unit 130 may search for material records in the material DB 50 using the input information from which spelling variations have been resolved (e.g., the combined character string) as a search query, and transmit the search results to the orderer terminal 20, etc.

[0040] Here, the search for material records may be performed based on an exact match of the entire input information from which spelling variations have been eliminated (e.g., the entire combined character string), or a partial match of a part of the input information (e.g., one or more of the character strings before the combination with the combined character string). In particular, when the material DB 50 includes material records with spelling variations, including not only an exact match of the entire input information but also a partial match of a part of the input information in the search results can be effectively utilized in the integration process of material records including spelling variations in the material DB 50, which will be described later.

[0041] Specifically, when the search unit 130 executes a search on the entire input information from which spelling variations have been eliminated (e.g., the entire combined character string), it may output material records that perfectly match the entire input information as search results. On the other hand, when the search unit 130 executes a search on a portion of the input information from which spelling variations have been eliminated (e.g., one or more character strings included in the combined character string), it may output material records that match a portion of the input information, i.e., that partially match the input information, as search results.

[0042] For example, when the input acquisition unit 110 acquires a new order with a model number of "abc123", a manufacturer name of "PQR Shokai", a color of "red" and a control number of "005", and the spelling variation resolution unit 120 converts the specification information of this new order into specification information in which the spelling variation of the model number of "abc123", the manufacturer name of "PQR International Trading Co., Ltd." and the color of "red" is resolved, the search unit 130 may execute a partial match on the material records of the material DB 50 using the combined character string "abc123:PQR International Trading Co., Ltd.:red" as a search query. For example, the search unit 130 may acquire a search result as shown in the search result screen of FIG. 7. That is, past orders with the control numbers of "001" and "002" are extracted as a search result of partial match from the material DB 50. For example, in a past order with control number "001", the manufacturer name "PQR International Trading Co., Ltd." and the color "red" match the new order in which spelling variations have been resolved, and in a past order with control number "002", the model number "abc123" and the color "red" match the new order in which spelling variations have been resolved. The orderer can refer to the search result screen on the orderer terminal 20 and select the material he or she wishes to order. Note that when the material records stored in the material DB 50 have been resolved or when there is no spelling variation in the material records, the search unit 130 only needs to search for an exact match in the specification information of the new order in which spelling variations have been resolved. In other words, a search based on a partial match need only be performed on the material DB 50 in which spelling variations may exist.

[0043] [Search process] Next, a search process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 8. The search process is executed by the above-mentioned search device 100, and more specifically, may be realized by one or more processors 102 of the search device 100 executing one or more programs or instructions stored in one or more storage devices 101. The search device 100 may be realized by multiple computers, and the multiple computers may execute the search process. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the search process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] 8, in step S101, the search device 100 acquires input information. For example, the search device 100 may acquire specification information of a material to be ordered from the orderer terminal 20 for a new order, or may acquire specification information of a material record to be organized / managed from the purchasing agent terminal 30 for organizing / managing past material records stored in the material DB 50.

[0045] In step S102, the search device 100 eliminates spelling variations in the input information. For example, the search device 100 eliminates spelling variations in character strings input to each item constituting the specification information, and normalizes the spelling for each item. For example, for an item indicating a model number, the search device 100 may extract a character string indicating the model number from the specification information by pattern matching using a regular expression, and normalize the extracted character string. For an item indicating a manufacturer name, the search device 100 may determine the manufacturer name from a character string indicating the manufacturer name in the specification information, using a dictionary in which multiple spellings representing the same manufacturer name are registered. For an item indicating a size notation, the search device 100 may extract a character string indicating a size notation from the specification information by pattern matching using a regular expression, and normalize the extracted size notation to a predetermined unit.

[0046] In step S103, the search device 100 may search the database for the input information for which spelling variations have been resolved. That is, the search device 100 searches past material records registered in the material DB 50, and searches for material records that completely or partially match the input information for which spelling variations have been resolved.

[0047] In step S104, the search device 100 outputs the search results. Specifically, when the search device 100 detects a material record that completely or partially matches the input information from which spelling variations have been resolved, the search device 100 may transmit the detected material record to the orderer terminal 20 or the purchasing officer terminal 30.

[0048] According to this embodiment, the search device 100 converts input information that may include spelling variations into input information that does not include spelling variations, and can reduce the possibility that different records are registered for records with the same content in a database.

[0049] [New order processing] Next, a search device 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 9. The search device 100 according to this embodiment realizes an order process for materials selected from the above-mentioned search results. The search device 100 may also be realized by a plurality of computers, and the plurality of computers may execute the order process. Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the search device 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] As shown in Fig. 9, the search device 100 further includes an order processing unit 140. The order processing unit 140 executes order processing for materials selected from the search results. For example, when a purchaser selects materials to be ordered from the search results provided by the search unit 130, the order processing unit 140 executes order processing (e.g., payment, contract, bidding, ordering, etc.) for the selected materials. For example, the order processing unit 140 may execute order processing for materials selected by the purchaser using the order button on the search result screen shown in Fig. 7.

[0051] The order processing unit 140 may transmit order information for ordering the materials selected by the orderer terminal 20 to an approver terminal (not shown) of the approver of the orderer, and execute order processing after approval by the approver. The order processing unit 140 may start order processing every time a material to be ordered is selected, or may buffer order requests for materials from the orderer terminal 20, and execute order processing for the buffered order requests after a predetermined period of time has passed and / or after a predetermined number of order requests have been received.

[0052] 10 is a flowchart showing a search process according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, in which steps S201 to S204 are similar to steps S101 to S104 described above, and in order to avoid redundant explanation, only step S205 will be explained.

[0053] In step S205, the search device 100 executes an order process for the material selected from the search results. Specifically, when the material to be ordered is selected by the user from the search results, the search device 100 executes an order process for the selected material. The search device 100 may also execute an order process for the selected material after obtaining approval from an approver.

[0054] The search device 100 may automatically execute an order process for any of the materials in the search results without receiving a selection from the user.

[0055] According to this embodiment, the search device 100 converts input information that may include spelling variations into input information without spelling variations, and can reduce the possibility that the same material in the material DB 50 is ordered as a different material.

[0056] [Merge Processing] Next, a search device 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 11. The search device 100 according to this embodiment organizes past material records that may include spelling variations registered in the material DB 50. Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the search device 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] 11, the search device 100 further includes an integration processing unit 150. The integration processing unit 150 may resolve spelling variations in material records in the material DB 50 and integrate multiple material records that have the same spelling after the spelling variations have been resolved. For example, when multiple different material records for the same material are registered in the material DB 50 due to spelling variations, a purchasing officer may wish to unify these material records into a material record for the same material.

[0058] For example, if the material DB 50 stores four material records as shown in FIG. 12A, the above-mentioned spelling variation elimination can convert the four material records into those shown in FIG. 12B, in which spelling variations have been eliminated. As can be seen from FIG. 12B, it is clear that the management numbers "001" and "002" are material records for the same material, and the management numbers "003" and "004" are material records for the same material. In this case, the management numbers "001" and "002" relate to the same material, and the integration processing unit 150 may unify the material records of the management numbers "001" and "002" as shown in FIG. 12C. Similarly, the management numbers "003" and "004" relate to the same material, and the integration processing unit 150 may unify the material records of the management numbers "003" and "004" as shown in FIG. 12C.

[0059] In addition, when the integration processing unit 150 detects a material record to be integrated, it may notify the purchasing agent terminal 30 of the detected material record, and after approval by the purchasing agent and / or the approver, execute the integration processing.

[0060] Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing a search process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The search device 100 may be realized by a plurality of computers, and the plurality of computers may execute the search process. As shown in Fig. 13, in step S301, the search device 100 acquires specification information of an ordered material. For example, the search device 100 may acquire specification information of a material record to be organized from the purchasing agent terminal 30 in order to organize past material records.

[0061] In step S302, the search device 100 eliminates spelling variations in the specification information. For example, the search device 100 may eliminate spelling variations in character strings input to each item constituting the specification information and normalize the spelling for each item. For example, for an item indicating a model number, the search device 100 may extract a character string indicating the model number from the specification information by pattern matching using a regular expression, and normalize the extracted character string. For an item indicating a manufacturer name, the search device 100 may determine the manufacturer name from a character string indicating the manufacturer name in the specification information by using a dictionary in which multiple spellings representing the same manufacturer name are registered. For an item indicating a size notation, the search device 100 may extract a character string indicating a size notation from the specification information by pattern matching using a regular expression, and normalize the extracted size notation to a predetermined unit.

[0062] In step S303, the search device 100 determines whether there are any material records to be integrated. Specifically, when multiple material records having the same specification information in which spelling variations have been resolved are detected, the search device 100 may select these multiple material records as the material records to be integrated. If multiple material records having the same specification information to be integrated exist (S303: YES), the search device 100 proceeds to step S304, whereas if multiple material records having the same specification information to be integrated do not exist (S303: NO), the search device 100 ends the integration process.

[0063] In step S304, the search device 100 integrates multiple material records having the same specification information to be integrated. That is, the search device 100 may integrate multiple material records having the same specification information into one material record. This makes it possible to unify the management numbers when the same material is mistakenly managed by multiple different management numbers, and to organize unnecessary management numbers.

[0064] According to this embodiment, the search device 100 converts specification information that may include spelling variations into specification information without spelling variations, and can consolidate multiple different material records for the same material registered in the material DB 50. However, this is not limited to this embodiment, and the search device 100 may only eliminate spelling variations in the material records in the material DB 50, and after the processing of step S302 above, the processing of steps S303 and S304 may be omitted. In addition, the integration processing may be performed before the search processing or new order processing, or may be performed at any timing independent of the search processing or new order processing.

[0065] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 10 Search System 20 Orderer terminal 30 Purchasing Agent Terminal 40 Order recipient terminal 50 Materials Database (DB) 100 Search device 110 Input acquisition unit 120 Resolving spelling variations 130 Search Department 140 Order Processing Unit 150 Integrated Processing Unit

Claims

1. An input acquisition unit that acquires input information; a spelling variation resolution unit that resolves spelling variations in the input information and generates spelling variation-resolved input information; a search unit that searches a database for the input information from which the spelling variations have been resolved and outputs the search results; A search device having the above configuration.

2. The search device according to claim 1 , wherein the spelling variation resolution unit resolves spelling variations in the records of the database.

3. 3. The search device according to claim 2, further comprising an integration processing unit for integrating a plurality of records having the same input information in which spelling variations have been eliminated in said database.

4. 4. The search device according to claim 1, wherein the input information is specification information of a material.

5. 5. The search device according to claim 4, further comprising an order processing unit that executes an order process for a material selected from the search results.

6. The spelling variation resolution unit a model number normalization unit that normalizes the model number in the input information; a manufacturer name normalization unit that normalizes a manufacturer name in the input information; a size notation normalization unit that normalizes the size notation in the input information; The search device according to claim 4 , comprising one or more of the following:

7. The search device according to claim 6 , wherein the model number normalization unit extracts a character string indicating a model number from the input information by pattern matching using a regular expression, and normalizes the extracted character string.

8. 7. The search device according to claim 6, wherein the manufacturer name normalization unit determines the manufacturer name from a character string representing the manufacturer name in the input information by using a dictionary in which a plurality of notations indicating the same manufacturer name are registered.

9. 7. The search device according to claim 6, wherein the size notation normalization unit extracts a character string indicating a size notation from the input information by pattern matching using a regular expression, and normalizes the extracted size notation into a predetermined unit.

10. A first terminal; A second terminal; and A search device; having The search device includes: Obtaining input information from the first terminal; Eliminating spelling variations in the input information to generate input information with spelling variations eliminated; searching a database for the input information from which the spelling variations have been resolved, and outputting a search result to the first terminal; A search system that executes a process based on the search results on the second terminal.

11. Obtaining input information; resolving spelling variations in the input information to generate spelling variation-resolved input information; searching a database for the input information from which the spelling variations have been resolved, and outputting the search results; The computer performs the search method.

12. Obtaining input information; resolving spelling variations in the input information to generate spelling variation-resolved input information; searching a database for the input information from which the spelling variations have been resolved, and outputting the search results; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

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