Information providing device, information providing method, and computer program

Abstract

To more easily use a plurality of databases managed in a plurality of different environments.SOLUTION: An information providing device comprises: a storage unit that stores a common term indicating a target item and used in common in a plurality of environments, and a plurality of specific terms indicating the same target item and used in a specific environment, in association with each other; and a control unit that receives input of one of the common term or the specific term, when the common term is input, outputs at least one specific term stored in the storage unit in correspondence with the input common term, and when the specific term is input, outputs the common term or another specific term stored in the storage unit in correspondence with the input specific term.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information providing device, an information providing method, and a computer program. [Background technology]

[0002] Utilization of databases has been promoted for some time. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a database system that enables immediate and accurate confirmation of progress in product transactions without increasing the inquiry load. A product database may be provided for each of a number of different manufacturing bases or for each of a number of different products. In this way, by constructing a database for each of a number of different environments, an optimal database for each environment may be managed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-077815 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In multiple databases managed in multiple different environments, the same item may be expressed in different terms depending on the differences in the environments. On the other hand, the same or similar words may mean different things in the database. Therefore, when accessing data managed in different environments, it can be difficult to obtain data that indicates the desired items. In addition, because the content and meaning of the data in the database are unknown, it can be difficult to use and analyze the data.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and provides a technique that enables easier use of a plurality of databases that are respectively managed in a plurality of different environments. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] [1] One aspect of the present invention is an information providing device that includes a memory unit that stores a common term that indicates a subject matter and is commonly used in multiple environments, and a plurality of specific terms that indicate the same subject matter and are used in specific environments, in association with each other; and a control unit that accepts input of either a common term or a specific term, and, when a common term is input, outputs at least one specific term stored in the memory unit corresponding to the input common term, and, when a specific term is input, outputs either a common term or another specific term stored in the memory unit corresponding to the input specific term.

[0007] [2] One aspect of the present invention is the information providing device described in [1] above, wherein the memory unit further stores, for each of the specific terms, information indicating the environment in which the specific term is used in association with the specific term, and when outputting the specific term, the control unit further outputs the information indicating the environment in which the specific term is used.

[0008] [3] One aspect of the present invention is the information providing device described in [2] above, wherein the information indicating the environment in which the specific term is used is information regarding the area in which the specific term is used.

[0009] [4] One aspect of the present invention is the information providing device described in [1] above, wherein the memory unit further stores, for each specific term, information indicating the name of an item related to the specific term in association with the specific term, and when outputting the specific term, the control unit further outputs the name of the item related to the specific term.

[0010] [5] One aspect of the present invention is the information providing device described in [1] above, wherein the memory unit further stores, for each specific term, a recording location where a value of an item related to the specific term is recorded, and the control unit outputs the recording location of the value of the item related to the specific term.

[0011] [6] One aspect of the present invention is the information providing device described in [5] above, wherein the memory unit stores information relating to a definition of the item or a value of the item in correspondence with the item, and the control unit further outputs the information relating to the definition of the item or the value of the item.

[0012] [7] An information providing method comprising an information processing device having a memory unit that stores a common term indicating a subject matter and commonly used in multiple environments, and a plurality of specific terms indicating the same subject matter and used in specific environments, in association with each other, the device accepts input of either a common term or a specific term, and, when a common term is input, outputs at least one specific term stored in the memory unit corresponding to the input common term, and, when a specific term is input, outputs either a common term or another specific term stored in the memory unit corresponding to the input specific term.

[0013] [8] A computer program for causing a computer to function as an information providing device comprising: a memory unit that stores common terms that indicate a subject matter and are used in common in multiple environments, and multiple specific terms that indicate the same subject matter and are used in specific environments, in association with each other; and a control unit that accepts input of either a common term or a specific term, and, when a common term is input, outputs at least one specific term stored in the memory unit corresponding to the input common term, and, when a specific term is input, outputs either a common term or another specific term stored in the memory unit corresponding to the input specific term. Effect of the Invention

[0014] The present invention makes it possible to more easily utilize a plurality of databases each managed in a plurality of different environments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a system configuration of an information providing system 100 according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of the functional configuration of a terminal device 10. FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of a functional configuration of an information providing device 20. FIG. [Figure 4] 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of a term registration database stored in a term registration DB storage unit 221. FIG. [Diagram 5] 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of a term relation database stored in a term relation DB storage unit 222. FIG. [Figure 6] 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of a term item relation database stored in a term item relation DB storage unit 223. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of an item registration database stored in an item registration DB storage unit 224. FIG. [Figure 8] 13 is a diagram showing an example of display of information provided to the terminal device 10 by an information providing unit 232. FIG. [Figure 9] 13 is a diagram showing an example of display of information provided to the terminal device 10 by an information providing unit 232. FIG. [Figure 10] 13 is a diagram showing another example of display of information provided to the terminal device 10 by the information providing unit 232. FIG. [Figure 11] 13 is a diagram showing another example of display of information provided to the terminal device 10 by the information providing unit 232. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a hardware configuration example of an information processing device 90 applied to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a system configuration of an information providing system 100 of the present invention. In the information providing system 100, information on common terms and specific terms is provided. A common term is a term commonly used in a plurality of different environments. A specific term is a term used in a specific environment. In this embodiment, as a specific example of a plurality of different environments, a database operated in a facility (e.g., a factory, a sales office, a store, etc.) in a plurality of different regions (e.g., a region, an area, a district, a city, a town, a village, etc.) is used. In this case, an environment may be defined as an area, a facility, or a database. For example, when an environment is defined as a database, a common term is a term commonly used in a plurality of different databases, and a specific term is a term used in a specific database. For example, when an environment is defined as a facility, a common term is a term commonly used in a plurality of different facilities (which may be in the same area or in different areas), and a specific term is a term used in a specific facility. For example, when an environment is defined as an area, a common term is a term commonly used in a plurality of different areas, and a specific term is a term used in a specific area. In addition, other matters may be defined as an environment. For example, an environment may be defined as an organization (eg, a corporation, a partnership, a corporate division, a university department, etc.).

[0017] The information providing system 100 includes a terminal device 10 and an information providing device 20. The information providing system 100 is provided in association with databases provided at a plurality of bases. For example, the information providing system 100 shown in Fig. 1 is provided in association with four different databases (base A DB50A, base B DB50B, base C DB50C, and base D DB50D) provided at four different bases (base A, base B, base C, and base D). In this case, each base may be defined as a different environment, and each database may be defined as a different environment.

[0018] In the following description, databases related to the information providing system 100 (location A DB to location D DB50D in this embodiment) are referred to as "target databases." Additionally, each location where a target database is installed (location A to location D in this embodiment) is referred to as "target location." The target locations may be four different locations in the same country (e.g., Japan), or four different locations in a region where the same language (e.g., English) is used. The target locations may include locations in different countries or locations in regions where different languages ​​are used.

[0019] The terminal device 10 and the information providing device 20 are communicatively connected via a network 70. The network 70 may be a network using wireless communication or a network using wired communication. The network 70 may be configured using, for example, the Internet or a local area network (LAN). The network 70 may be configured by combining a plurality of networks.

[0020] Each database (A site DB50A, B site DB50B, C site DB50C, and D site DB50D) related to the information providing system 100 may be connected to a network 70. In this case, the terminal device 10 may be configured to be able to connect to all or a part of each database via the network 70.

[0021] 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of a functional configuration of the terminal device 10. The terminal device 10 is configured using information devices such as a smartphone, a tablet, a personal computer, a dedicated device, etc. The terminal device 10 includes a communication unit 11, an input unit 12, an output unit 13, a storage unit 14, and a control unit 15.

[0022] The communication unit 11 is a communication device. The communication unit 11 may be configured as, for example, a network interface. The communication unit 11 performs data communication with other devices via the network 70 in response to the control of the control unit 15. The communication unit 11 may be a device that performs wireless communication or a device that performs wired communication.

[0023] The input unit 12 is configured using existing input devices such as a keyboard, a pointing device (mouse, tablet, etc.), a button, a touch panel, etc. The input unit 12 is operated by a user when inputting a user's instruction to the terminal device 10. The input unit 12 may be an interface for connecting the input device to the terminal device 10. In this case, the input unit 12 inputs an input signal generated in the input device in response to a user's input to the terminal device 10. The input unit 12 may be configured using a microphone and a voice recognition device. In this case, the input unit 12 acquires an acoustic signal generated by the user's speech, performs voice recognition on the words spoken by the user, and inputs character string information of the recognition result to the terminal device 10. The voice recognition process may be executed by the control unit 15. The input unit 12 may be configured in any way as long as it is configured to input a user's instruction to the terminal device 10.

[0024] The output unit 13 outputs information in a form that can be recognized by the user. The output unit 13 may be, for example, an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The output unit 13 may be an interface for connecting the image display device to the terminal device 10. In this case, the output unit 13 generates a video signal for displaying image data and outputs the video signal to the image display device connected to the output unit 13. The output unit 13 may be a device for outputting sound such as a speaker. The output unit 13 may be an interface for connecting an audio output device such as a speaker or a headphone to the terminal device 10. In this case, the output unit 13 generates an audio signal for reproducing audio data and outputs the audio signal to the audio output device connected to the output unit 13. The output unit 13 may be configured as a touch panel integrated with the input unit 12.

[0025] The storage unit 14 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 14 stores data used by the control unit 15. The storage unit 14 stores data required when the control unit 15 performs processing.

[0026] The control unit 15 is configured using a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory (main storage device). The control unit 15 functions by the processor executing a program. All or part of the functions of the control unit 15 may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium is, for example, a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, or a semiconductor storage device (e.g., an SSD: Solid State Drive), or a storage device such as a hard disk or a semiconductor storage device built into a computer system. The above program may be transmitted via an electric communication line.

[0027] The control unit 15 may execute, for example, an application installed in its own device (terminal device 10). A specific example of such an application is an application provided to the terminal device 10 as a dedicated application of the information providing system 100. Another specific example of such an application is a WEB browser application. Such an application may be installed in the terminal device 10 in advance, or may be downloaded each time a process is executed. For example, when implemented as a WEB browser application, the terminal device 10 may download and execute the application from a device (for example, the WEB server itself or another server) designated by the WEB server in response to the terminal device 10 connecting to the specific WEB server. The control unit 15 operates according to the program of the application being executed.

[0028] The control unit 15 controls the terminal device 10 in response to a user's operation or information received from the information providing device 20. For example, the control unit 15 transmits information input by the user operating the input unit 12 to the information providing device 20 by using the communication unit 11. For example, when the communication unit 11 receives information transmitted from the information providing device 20 via the network 70, the control unit 15 generates screen data based on the received information and causes the output unit 13 to display the screen data. Such screen data includes images and characters indicating the information transmitted from the information providing device 20. For example, when the communication unit 11 receives information transmitted from the information providing device 20 via the network 70, the control unit 15 generates voice data based on the received information and causes the output unit 13 to output the voice data.

[0029] 3 is a schematic block diagram showing a specific example of a functional configuration of the information providing device 20. The information providing device 20 is configured using an information processing device such as a personal computer or a server device. The information providing device 20 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23.

[0030] The communication unit 21 is a communication device. The communication unit 21 may be configured as, for example, a network interface. The communication unit 21 performs data communication with other devices (for example, the terminal device 10) via the network 70 in accordance with the control of the control unit 23. The communication unit 21 may be a device that performs wireless communication or a device that performs wired communication.

[0031] The storage unit 22 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 22 stores data used by the control unit 23. The storage unit 22 may function as, for example, a term registration DB storage unit 221, a term relationship DB storage unit 222, a term item relationship DB storage unit 223, and an item registration DB storage unit 224.

[0032] The term registration DB storage unit 221 stores a term registration database. The term registration database has information on terms used in the target database. The terms used in the target database include common terms and specific terms. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of the term registration database stored in the term registration DB storage unit 221. The term registration database has a plurality of term information records. The term information record has each value of a term name, environment information, a recording location, and a description. The term name indicates a character string itself indicating the name of the term. The environment information indicates the environment in which the term is used. The recording location indicates a location (e.g., a path) in which information on the term is recorded. The recording location may be, for example, a folder. In the following description, an example in which a folder is used as a concept indicating a recording location will be described. However, the concept indicating a recording location is not necessarily limited to a folder, and for example, the folder name of each folder indicated by a directory or a recording location may use information indicating the environment in which the term (specific term) is used. With this configuration, for a specific term stored in a certain folder, the folder name can be used as information indicating the environment in which the specific term is used. For example, if the folder name contains a character string indicating the name of a region, such as "Area B," the folder name may be used as information indicating the environment (region) in which the specific term is used. The description indicates the content and nature of the value related to the term.

[0033] In the example of FIG. 4, the term information record shown in the top row has the values ​​of "tundish ΔT", "common", "common / steelmaking / 08_continuous casting", and "XX temperature record" as the term name, environmental information, recording location, and description, respectively. This term information record indicates that the term represented by the character string "tundish ΔT" is used as a common term, information on its value is registered in the recording location "common / steelmaking / 08_continuous casting", and its value is a value indicating "XX temperature record". The term information record shown in the second row from the top indicates that the term represented by the character string "TD-SH record" is used as a specific term in B region, information on its value is registered in the recording location "region term / B region / B steelmaking / 09_continuous casting bloom", its value indicates a temperature in Celsius, and the sampling interval of the value is X1 seconds.

[0034] The terminology relation DB storage unit 222 stores a terminology relation database. The terminology relation database has information regarding the relationship between a first term (e.g., a common term) used as a term indicating a target matter in the target database and a second term (e.g., a specific term) used as a term indicating the same target matter. The target matter is, for example, an event or object used at each base, an operation performed, or information obtained. The target matter may be, for example, an indication of a part of the process in steelmaking, information obtained in a part of the process, or an object (material or tool) used in steelmaking.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of the term relation database stored in the term relation DB storage unit 222. The term relation database has a plurality of term relation records. The term relation record has values ​​of the term name of the common term, the recording location of the common term, the term name of the specific term, and the recording location of the specific term. The term name of the common term indicates the character string itself indicating the name of the common term. The recording location of the common term indicates the location (e.g., path) where information on the common term is registered. The term name of the specific term indicates the character string itself indicating the name of the specific term used as a term indicating the same subject matter as the common term of the same record. The recording location of the specific term indicates the location (e.g., path) where information on the specific term is recorded.

[0036] In the example of Figure 5, terminology relationship records related to three specific terms (TD-SH performance, TD-SH performance ΔT, TD molten steel temperature) are registered in association with the common term "tundish ΔT." The terminology relationship record shown in the top row indicates that information about the value of the common term represented by the character string "tundish ΔT" is registered in the recording location "common / steelmaking / 08_continuous casting," that there is a specific term "TD-SH performance" indicating the same subject matter, and that information about the value of that specific term is registered in the recording location "regional terms / region B / steelmaking B / 09_continuous casting bloom."

[0037] The common term "tundish ΔT" is a common term used in A-site DB50A managed at A-site (e.g., the head office) in A-site (e.g., the area where the head office is located). The specific term "TD-SH actual results" is a specific term used in B-site DB50B managed in B-site. The specific term "TD-SH actual results ΔT" is a specific term used in C-site DB50C managed in C-site. The specific term "TD molten steel temperature" is a specific term used in D-site DB50D managed in D-site. The four terms "tundish ΔT", "TD-SH actual results", "TD-SH actual results ΔT" and "TD molten steel temperature" are all terms that indicate values ​​related to the same managed phenomenon, "molten steel temperature in the tundish of continuous casting equipment."

[0038] The term item relation DB storage unit 223 stores a term item relation database. The term item relation database has information on the relationship between the terms used in the target database and one or more items related to each term. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of the term item relation database stored in the term item relation DB storage unit 223. The term item relation database has a plurality of term item relation records. The term item relation record has each value of a term name, a term recording location, an item name, and an item recording location. The term name indicates the character string itself indicating the name of the term. The term recording location indicates the location (e.g., a path) where information related to the term is recorded. The item name indicates the character string itself indicating the name of an item related to the term of the same record. The recording location indicates the location (e.g., a path) of data where the value of the item is recorded. The term name included in the term item relation database may be a common term or a specific term.

[0039] In the example of Figure 6, term item relation records for four items (TD-SH, TD-SH_minimum, TD-SH_maximum, TD-SH_average) are registered in association with the term "TD-SH performance." The term item relation record shown in the top row indicates that information related to the term represented by the character string "TD-SH performance" is registered in a folder called "Regional terms / Region B / Steelmaking B / 09_Continuous casting blooms," and the value of one of the items, "TD-SH," is recorded in a location called "B_Process control / Library Region B / CC Casting section data."

[0040] From the information shown in the term item relation database in Figure 6, it can be seen that there are at least four item values ​​(TD-SH, TD-SH_minimum value, TD-SH_maximum value, TD-SH_average value) related to the term TD-SH performance. It can also be seen that if one wishes to obtain the value of each item, the value of that item can be obtained by accessing the recording location of that item.

[0041] The item registration DB storage unit 224 stores the item registration database. The item registration database has information about items used in the target database. The items used in the target database are used in association with each term and have specific values. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of the item registration database stored in the item registration DB storage unit 224. The item registration database has a plurality of item information records. The item information record has each value of an item name, a recording location, a data type, a length, and a description. The item name indicates the character string itself indicating the name of the item. The recording location indicates the location (e.g., a path) of the database where the value of the item is registered. The data type indicates the data type (e.g., a numeric value, a character string, an integer type, a floating point type, a binary type, etc.) of the data indicating the value of the item. The length indicates the length of the data of the value of the item (e.g., the number of digits, the number of bits, the number of bytes, etc.). The description indicates the content and properties of the value related to the item. For example, the update period of the data, the unit of the value of the data, etc. may be recorded as the value of the description. In this way, the item registration database contains attribute information for the item's value (data), such as data type, length, and description.

[0042] In the example of Figure 7, the item information record shown in the top row has the following values ​​for item name, recording location, data type, length, and description: "TD-SH", "B_Processing Control / Library B Area / CC Casting Section Data", "NUMBER", "5", and "Tundish". This item information record indicates that the value of the item represented by the character string "TD-SH" is registered in the location "B_Processing Control / Library B Area / CC Casting Section Data", that the value is a "NUMBER" type with a length of "5", and that the content is a value related to "Tundish".

[0043] The control unit 23 is configured using a processor such as a CPU and a memory. The control unit 23 functions as a DB control unit 231 and an information providing unit 232 by the processor executing a program. All or part of the functions of the control unit 23 may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC, a PLD, or an FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium is, for example, a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, or a semiconductor storage device (e.g., SSD), or a storage device such as a hard disk or a semiconductor storage device built into a computer system. The above program may be transmitted via an electric communication line.

[0044] The DB control unit 231 controls the contents of various databases stored in the storage unit 22. For example, when an instruction to register a new record is given, the DB control unit 231 registers the new record in the database to which the record is to be registered. For example, when an instruction to register a new term registration record in the term registration database is given, the DB control unit 231 registers the new term registration record in the term registration database. The instruction to register a new record may be received from another device via the communication unit 21, for example. The information providing device 20 may also include a user interface such as an input device and an output device. In this case, the DB control unit 231 may register a new term registration record input by an operation on the user interface (input device) in the term registration database.

[0045] The information providing unit 232 receives a request from another device to provide information indicating a search result of a database stored in the storage unit 22. For example, the information providing unit 232 may receive a request from the terminal device 10 to provide information on common terms, or may receive a request from the terminal device 10 to provide information on specific terms. The information providing unit 232 acquires information on the requested terms from the database stored in the storage unit 22. The information providing unit 232 transmits the acquired information to the terminal device 10 that has made the request. At this time, the information providing unit 232 may generate screen information representing the acquired information and transmit it to the terminal device 10 that has made the request.

[0046] For example, when the information providing unit 232 receives a request for providing information on a common term, the information providing unit 232 searches for one or more specific terms used as terms indicating the same subject matter as the common term. The information providing unit 232 provides information indicating the searched specific terms to the source of the request. For example, when the information providing unit 232 receives a request for providing information on a specific term, the information providing unit 232 searches for common terms used as terms indicating the same subject matter as the specific term. The information providing unit 232 provides information indicating the searched common terms to the source of the request. For example, when the information providing unit 232 receives a request for providing information on a specific term, the information providing unit 232 may search for other specific terms indicating the same subject matter in addition to the common terms used as terms indicating the same subject matter as the specific term. In this case, the information providing unit 232 provides information indicating the searched common term and one or more other specific terms to the source of the request.

[0047] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of information provided to the terminal device 10 by the information providing unit 232. The information provided by the information providing unit 232 may be displayed on the output unit 13 of the terminal device 10 in a form as shown in FIG. 8, for example. In the example of FIG. 8, a request is made for information on the common term "tundish ΔT". In response to such a request, the information providing unit 232 may generate screen data as shown in FIG. 8 and provide it to the terminal device 10. At this time, for example, the information providing unit 232 searches the common term "tundish ΔT" being the search target in the term registration database and acquires the value of the recording location. Based on this value, display according to the hierarchy of "tundish ΔT" is possible. In addition, the information providing unit 232 searches the common term "tundish ΔT" being the search target in the term relation database and acquires the value of the term name of the specific term and the recording location of the specific term. Based on this value, display according to the hierarchy is possible for each specific term indicating the same subject matter as "tundish ΔT". Furthermore, the information providing unit 232 searches the term item relation database for the specific term to be displayed (e.g., "TD-SH performance") among the specific terms acquired by the search, and acquires information on items related to the specific term. Based on this information, it becomes possible to display the items related to the specific term to be displayed and the items according to the hierarchy. Furthermore, when an instruction is given to display information on the value of an item (e.g., data type, length, description, etc.), the information providing unit 232 searches the item registration database for the item name of the item to be displayed, and acquires information on the value of the item. Based on this information, it becomes possible to display information on the value of the item to be displayed.

[0048] In the example of FIG. 8, the common term "Tundish Δ" shown as the search target is registered in the "08_Continuous Casting" folder under the "Steelmaking" folder under the "Common" folder according to the hierarchy of the recording location, which is represented by displaying it nested inside the rectangles indicating the folders of each name. In addition, three specific terms "TD-SH performance", "TD-SH performance ΔT", and "TD molten steel temperature", which indicate the same subject matter as the common term "Tundish Δ", are registered in folders according to the hierarchy of the recording location, which is represented by displaying it nested inside the rectangles indicating the folders of each name. For example, the specific term "TD-SH performance" is registered in the "09_Continuous Casting Bloom" folder under the "B Steelmaking" folder under the "B District" folder under the "District Term" folder according to the hierarchy of the recording location, which is represented by displaying it nested inside the rectangles indicating the folders of each name.

[0049] At the level below "Regional Term", information indicating the region is displayed as "Region B", "Region C", and "Region D" as information indicating the environment in which each specific term is used. At the level below each region, information indicating the facility (e.g., plant name) is displayed as "Steelworks B", "Steelworks C", and "Steelworks D" as information indicating the environment in which each specific term is used. At the level below "Steelworks B", information indicating the equipment is displayed as "09_Continuous Casting Bloom" as information indicating the environment in which the specific term "TD-SH Performance" is used. From this screen, it can be seen that the specific term "TD-SH Performance", which indicates the same subject as the common term "Tundish ΔT" to be searched, is a term used particularly in DB50B of Steelworks B in Region B (Base B).

[0050] In the example of FIG. 8, items related to the specific term "TD-SH performance" used in the B district, which indicates the same subject matter as the common term "Tundish Δ" to be searched, include four items "TD-SH", "TD-SH_minimum value", "TD-SH_maximum value", and "TD-SH_average value", and the location where each item is recorded is shown. "TD-SH", "TD-SH_minimum value", "TD-SH_maximum value", and "TD-SH_average value" indicate the names of the items. For example, it can be seen that "TD-SH" is recorded in three locations, namely, "CC cast section data", "CC raw data", and "CC cutting performance". It can also be seen that the three values ​​"TD-SH_minimum value", "TD-SH_maximum value", and "TD-SH_average value" are all recorded in a location called "CC charge performance". A person who wishes to obtain these three values ​​can access the B base DB 50B by operating the terminal device 10, and can obtain the desired three values ​​by referring to the data called "CC charge performance". In FIG. 8, an explanation of the common term "tundish ΔT" that is the subject of the search may be further displayed on the screen, and an explanation of each item may be further displayed on the screen.

[0051] In FIG. 8, all the specific terms associated with the common term that is the search target may be displayed on the screen, or only some of the associated specific terms may be displayed on the screen. For example, in the example of FIG. 8, although there are specific terms for each of the areas from the area B to the area J, only three specific terms for the areas B to D may be displayed. Which specific terms are to be displayed may be specified by the user, or may be determined by the information providing unit 232 based on a predetermined criterion. For example, the environment to be displayed (such as the name of a region in this case) may be specified by the user. For example, based on the environment in which the user uses the terminal device 10 or the environment specified by the user, the specific terms of one or more environments related to the environment may be determined as the display target. The related environment may be, for example, an environment that is physically close, or an environment that is highly related in the past (such as an environment that was originally one facility or organization). In this case, the related environment may include the environment in which the user uses the terminal device 10, or may not include it. The fact that explanations of terms and items may be further displayed is the same in FIGS. 9 to 11 described later.

[0052] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of information provided to the terminal device 10 by the information providing unit 232. In particular, the screen in FIG. 9 is a screen that is displayed when an operation to select the C district or an operation to select the specific term "TD-SH performance ΔT" is performed on the screen in FIG. 8. When such an operation is performed, the information providing unit 232 may generate data of the screen shown in FIG. 9 and transmit it to the terminal device 10 from which the operation is performed. On the screen in FIG. 8, items related to the "TD-SH performance" that is the specific term of the B district are displayed as a specific example of an item, but on the screen in FIG. 9, items related to the "TD-SH performance ΔT" that is the specific term of the selected C district are displayed. In this way, even if a specific term indicates the same subject matter in each district (each base), the items used in relation thereto may be different. For example, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, "TD-SH_average value" exists as an item related to "TD-SH performance" in the B district, but "TD-SH_average value" does not exist as an item related to "TD-SH performance ΔT" in the C district. By referring to the screen provided, it becomes possible to easily determine the items related to each specific term in this way.

[0053] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another display example of information provided to the terminal device 10 by the information providing unit 232. The information provided by the information providing unit 232 may be displayed on the output unit 13 of the terminal device 10 in a form as shown in FIG. 10, for example. In the example of FIG. 10, a request is made for information on the specific term "TD-SH performance" in the B region. In response to such a request, the information providing unit 232 may generate data of a screen as shown in FIG. 10, for example, and provide it to the terminal device 10. The screen shown in FIG. 10 shows that a shared term indicating the same subject matter as the specific term "TD-SH performance" in the B region is "tundish ΔT". Furthermore, it is shown that there are specific terms in other regions indicating the same subject matter as "TD-SH performance", such as "TD-SH performance ΔT" in the C region and "TD molten steel temperature" in the D region. Furthermore, information on the item of the specific term "TD-SH performance" in the B region is also shown.

[0054] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing another display example of information provided to the terminal device 10 by the information providing unit 232. In particular, the screen of Fig. 11 is a screen displayed when an operation to select the C district or an operation to select the specific term "TD-SH performance ΔT" is performed on the screen of Fig. 10. When such an operation is performed, the information providing unit 232 may generate data of the screen shown in Fig. 11 and transmit it to the terminal device 10 from which the operation originates. On the screen of Fig. 10, as a specific example of an item, an item related to the "TD-SH performance" which is the specific term of the search target B district is displayed, but on the screen of Fig. 11, an item related to the "TD-SH performance ΔT" which is the specific term of the selected C district is displayed.

[0055] In the information providing system 100 configured in this manner, a common term indicating a certain subject matter and commonly used in a plurality of environments is stored in association with a plurality of specific terms indicating the same subject matter and used in a specific environment. When a common term is input as a search target, at least one corresponding specific term is searched for and output to the request source. When a specific term is input as a search target, a corresponding common term or other specific term is searched for and output to the request source. Therefore, in a plurality of databases managed in a plurality of different environments, it is possible to easily obtain specific terms used in other databases based on common terms known to the user. Also, it is possible to easily obtain common terms and specific terms used in other environments based on specific terms in a certain environment known to the user. Therefore, it is possible to more easily use a plurality of databases.

[0056] In addition, for each specific term, the recording locations of the values ​​of the items related to that term are stored in association with each other across multiple databases (e.g., term item relational databases). Therefore, it is possible to easily obtain the values ​​of the items related to each specific term.

[0057] In addition, for each term or item, information on its definition or value is stored (for example, in a term registration database or an item registration database). Therefore, it is possible to easily obtain the definition or information on each term or item.

[0058] Conventionally, when handling data recorded in each database, it is necessary to know the data attributes in advance. However, even if the data shows substantially the same content, the data attributes such as data size, data format, and data update period differ from database to database. Therefore, it was not easy to handle the data. For example, it was necessary to obtain the data to be handled from each database, understand the content and data attributes of the data, and organize the data by removing unnecessary values, and process the data for data analysis (such as changing the data format). In response to such problems, the above-mentioned information providing system 100 makes it possible to easily know the content and data attributes of the data in each database, thereby reducing the labor required for the above-mentioned data organization and data processing.

[0059] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an outline of a hardware configuration example of an information processing device 90 applied to this embodiment. The information processing device 90 includes a processor 91, a main storage device 92, a communication interface 93, an auxiliary storage device 94, an input / output interface 95, and an internal bus 96. The processor 91, the main storage device 92, the communication interface 93, the auxiliary storage device 94, and the input / output interface 95 are communicably connected to each other via the internal bus 96. The information processing device 90 may be applied to, for example, a terminal device 10 and an information providing device 20. In this case, for example, the communication unit 11 and the communication unit 21 may be configured using the communication interface 93. For example, the memory unit 14 and the memory unit 22 may be configured using the auxiliary storage device 94. In addition, the control unit 15 and the control unit 23 may be configured using the processor 91 and the main storage device 92.

[0060] The information providing device 20 may be implemented using a plurality of information processing devices. For example, the information providing device 20 may be implemented using a device such as a cloud. For example, in the information providing device 20, the storage unit 22 and the control unit 23 may be implemented in different information processing devices. For example, the storage unit 22 of the information providing device 20 may be distributed and implemented in a plurality of information processing devices.

[0061] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and designs that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention are also included. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 100...information providing system, 10...terminal device, 11...communication unit, 12...input unit, 13...output unit, 14...storage unit, 15...control unit, 20...information providing device, 21...communication unit, 22...storage unit, 221...term registration DB storage unit, 222...term relationship DB storage unit, 223...term item relationship DB storage unit, 224...item registration DB storage unit, 23...control unit, 231...DB control unit, 232...information providing unit, 70...network

Claims

1. a storage unit that stores a common term indicating a subject matter and used in common in a plurality of environments, and a plurality of specific terms indicating the same subject matter and used in a specific environment, in association with each other; a control unit that receives an input of either a common term or a specific term, and when a common term is input, outputs at least one specific term stored in the storage unit in correspondence with the input common term, and when a specific term is input, outputs either a common term or another specific term stored in the storage unit in correspondence with the input specific term; An information providing device comprising:

2. The storage unit further stores, for each of the specific terms, information indicating an environment in which the specific term is used, in association with the specific term; The information providing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit, when outputting the specific term, further outputs information indicating an environment in which the specific term is used.

3. The information providing device according to claim 2 , wherein the information indicating an environment in which the specific term is used is information regarding an area in which the specific term is used.

4. The storage unit further stores, for each of the specific terms, information indicating a name of an item related to the specific term in association with the specific term; The information providing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit, when outputting the specific term, further outputs a name of an item related to the specific term.

5. The storage unit further stores, for each specific term, a recording location where a value of an item related to the specific term is recorded; The information providing device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit outputs a recording location of a value of the item related to the specific term.

6. the storage unit stores information about the definition of the item or the value of the item in association with the item; The information providing device according to claim 5 , wherein the control unit further outputs information relating to a definition of the item or a value of the item.

7. An information processing method includes: storing a common term indicating a subject matter and used in common in a plurality of environments in association with a plurality of specific terms indicating the same subject matter and used in a specific environment; Accepts input of either common terms or specific terms, When a common term is input, outputting at least one specific term stored in the storage unit in correspondence with the input common term; When a specific term is input, outputting whether the specific term is a common term or another specific term stored in the storage unit in correspondence with the input specific term. Information provision method.

8. a storage unit that stores a common term indicating a subject matter and used in common in a plurality of environments, and a plurality of specific terms indicating the same subject matter and used in a specific environment, in association with each other; a control unit that receives an input of either a common term or a specific term, and when a common term is input, outputs at least one specific term stored in the storage unit in correspondence with the input common term, and when a specific term is input, outputs either a common term or another specific term stored in the storage unit in correspondence with the input specific term; A computer program for causing a computer to function as an information providing device comprising the above.

Images